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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
CERUS CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1. Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2. Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5. Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
6. Amount Previously Paid:
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7. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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8. Filing Party:
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9. Date Filed:
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CERUS CORPORATION
2525 STANWELL DRIVE, SUITE 300
CONCORD, CA 94520
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 2, 1999
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CERUS CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CERUS
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on Friday,
July 2, 1999 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond
Boulevard, Concord, California, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two directors to hold office until the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
2. To approve the Company's 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and the issuance
of 580,000 shares of the Company's common stock thereunder.
3. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors
of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 24, 1999, as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Lori L. Roll
Corporate Secretary
Concord, California
May 28, 1999
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ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT
THE MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES) IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY
STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF
YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH
TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN
YOUR NAME.
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CERUS CORPORATION
2525 STANWELL DRIVE, SUITE 300
CONCORD, CA 94520
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JULY 2, 1999
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Cerus
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Cerus" or the "Company"), for use at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Friday, July 2, 1999, at 9:00 a.m.,
local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set
forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The Annual
Meeting will be held at Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord,
California. Cerus intends to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy
card on or about May 28, 1999, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
SOLICITATION
Cerus will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy
and any additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of solicitation
materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and
custodians holding in their names shares of common stock beneficially owned by
others to forward to such beneficial owners. The Company may reimburse persons
representing beneficial owners of common stock of the Company for their costs of
forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original
solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or
personal solicitation by directors, officers or other regular employees of the
Company. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other
regular employees for such services.
VOTING RIGHTS AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
Only holders of record of Cerus common stock at the close of business on May
24, 1999 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the
close of business on May 24, 1999, the Company had outstanding and entitled to
vote 11,710,070 shares of common stock. Each holder of record of common stock on
such date will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be
voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the
meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes. Abstentions will be counted towards the
tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will
have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a
quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter has
been approved.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the power to
revoke it at any time before it is voted. It may be revoked by filing with the
Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal executive office, 2525
Stanwell Drive, Suite 300, Concord, California 94520, a written notice of
revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or it may be revoked
by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will
not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The deadline for submitting a stockholder proposal for inclusion in the
Company's proxy statement and proxy for the Company's 2000 annual meeting of
stockholders is January 28, 2000. Stockholders wishing to submit
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proposals or director nominations that are not to be included in such proxy
statement and proxy must do so not earlier than April 3, 2000 and not later than
May 3, 2000. Stockholders are also advised to review the Company's bylaws, which
contain additional requirements with respect to advance notice of stockholder
proposals and director nominations.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws provide that
the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, each class
consisting, as nearly as possible, of one third of the total number of
directors, with each class having a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may
be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A
director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy (including a vacancy created by
an increase in the Board of Directors) shall serve for the remainder of the full
term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until such
director's successor is elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors is presently composed of six members. There are two
directors in the class whose term of office expires in 1999. Each of the
nominees for election to this class is currently a director of the Company who
was previously elected by the stockholders. If elected at the Annual Meeting,
each of the nominees would serve until the 2002 annual meeting of stockholders
and until his successor is elected and has qualified, or until such director's
earlier death, resignation or removal.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. Shares represented by
executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the
election of the two nominees named below. In the event that any nominee should
be unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, such shares
will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as management may
propose. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and
management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Set forth below is biographical information for each person nominated and
each person whose term of office as a director will continue after the Annual
Meeting.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING AT THE 2002 ANNUAL MEETING
STEPHEN T. ISAACS, 50, founded Cerus in September 1991 and has served as
President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since
that time. Mr. Isaacs was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of
HRI, a research and development company, from September 1984 to December 1996.
From 1975 to 1986, Mr. Isaacs held a faculty research position at the University
of California at Berkeley.
DALE A. SMITH, 67, has served as a member of the Board of Directors of
Cerus since March 1994. From 1978 to July 1995, Mr. Smith was Group Vice
President of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Mr. Smith serves as a director of
Vical, Inc.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
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DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
B. J. CASSIN, 65, has served as Chairman of the Board of Cerus since
December 1992. Mr. Cassin has been a private venture capitalist since 1979.
Previously, Mr. Cassin co-founded Xidex Corporation, a manufacturer of data
storage media, in 1969. Mr. Cassin is currently a director of Symphonix Devices,
Inc., as well as a number of private companies.
PETER H. MCNERNEY, 48, has served as a member of the Board of Directors of
Cerus since December 1992. Mr. McNerney has been a General Partner of Coral
Ventures, a venture capital investment firm, since 1992. Prior to that, Mr.
McNerney was a Managing Partner of Kensington Group, a management consulting
firm, from 1989 to 1992. Mr. McNerney serves as a director for Aksys, Ltd.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING
JOHN E. HEARST, PH.D., D.SC., 63, a co-founder of Cerus, has served as a
member of the Board of Directors since September 1991. He has been the Company's
Vice President, New Science Opportunities since July 1996. From January 1996
until July 1996, Dr. Hearst served as Director, New Science Opportunities. Dr.
Hearst was a Professor of Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley
from 1962 to 1996. As an Emeritus Professor, he retains the position of Senior
Staff Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He served as Director of
the Chemical Dynamics Division at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory from 1986 to
1989.
HENRY E. STICKNEY, 66, has served as a member of the Board of Directors of
Cerus since January 1992. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandalay Sports
Entertainment, a sports media and entertainment company. In 1988, Mr. Stickney
founded Health IQ Corporation (formerly, Reimbursement Dynamics, Inc.), a
medical consulting company specializing in health care economics and
reimbursement issues, and served as its chief executive officer until 1998.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Board of Directors held
ten meetings. The Board has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The
Board does not have a standing nominating committee.
The Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent auditors at least
once annually to review the results of the annual audit and discuss the
financial statements; recommends to the Board the independent auditors to be
retained; and receives and considers the auditors' comments as to controls,
adequacy of staff and management performance and procedures in connection with
audit and financial controls. The Audit Committee, which is currently composed
of two non-employee directors, Messrs. Cassin and Stickney, met once during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
The Compensation Committee sets the Company's compensation policies,
evaluates the performance and determines the compensation of executive officers
and performs such other functions regarding compensation as the Board may
delegate. The Compensation Committee also administers the issuance of stock
options and other awards under the Company's 1996 and 1999 Equity Incentive
Plans, 1998 Non-Officer Stock Option Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The
Compensation Committee, which is currently composed of two non-employee
directors, Messrs. Cassin and McNerney, acted eight times during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, each Board member, except
Mr. Stickney, attended at least 75% or more of the aggregate of the meetings of
the Board and of the committees on which he served that were held during the
period for which he was a director or committee member, respectively.
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PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF THE CERUS CORPORATION 1999
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
In April 1999, the Board of Directors adopted the Cerus Corporation 1999
Equity Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"), subject to stockholder approval.
There are 580,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the
Incentive Plan.
Stockholders are requested in this Proposal 2 to approve the Incentive Plan.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be
required to approve the amendment to the Incentive Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.
The essential features of the Incentive Plan are outlined below:
GENERAL
The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options,
nonstatutory stock options, stock bonuses and restricted stock purchase awards
(collectively "stock awards"). Incentive stock options granted under the
Incentive Plan are intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Nonstatutory stock options granted under the Incentive Plan are not
intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code. See "Federal
Income Tax Information" for a discussion of the tax treatment of stock awards.
To date, no stock awards have been granted under the Incentive Plan.
PURPOSE
The Board adopted the Incentive Plan to provide a means by which employees
and directors of, and consultants to, the Company (or any parent or subsidiary)
(collectively, "participants") may be given an opportunity to purchase stock of
the Company, to assist in retaining the services of such persons, to secure and
retain the services of persons capable of filling such positions and to provide
incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the
Company.
ADMINISTRATION
The Board administers the Incentive Plan. Subject to the provisions of the
Incentive Plan, the Board has the power to construe and interpret the Incentive
Plan and to determine the persons to whom and the dates on which awards will be
granted, the number of shares of common stock to be subject to each award, the
time or times during the term of each award within which all or a portion of
such award may be exercised, the exercise price, the type of consideration and
other terms of the award.
The Board has the power to delegate administration of the Incentive Plan to
a committee composed of one or more members of the Board. In the discretion of
the Board, a committee may consist solely of two or more outside directors in
accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code or solely of two or more non-employee
directors in accordance with Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Board has delegated administration of the
Incentive Plan to the Compensation Committee. As used herein with respect to the
Incentive Plan, the "Board" refers to any committee the Board appoints as well
as to the Board itself.
In order to maximize the Company's ability to recognize a business expense
deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code in connection with compensation
recognized by "covered employees" (defined in Section 162(m) as the
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chief executive officer and the other four most highly compensated officers),
the regulations under Section 162(m) require that the directors who serve as
members of the committee responsible for administering the Incentive Plan with
respect to these covered employees must be "outside directors." The Board
currently intends to limit the directors who may serve as members of the
Compensation Committee to those who are "outside directors" as defined in
Section 162(m) of the Code. The Incentive Plan provides that, in the Board's
discretion, directors serving on the committee may be "outside directors" within
the meaning of Section 162(m). This limitation would exclude from the committee
directors who are (i) current employees of the Company or an affiliate, (ii)
former employees of the Company or an affiliate receiving compensation for past
services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified pension Incentive Plan),
(iii) current and former officers of the Company or an affiliate, (iv) directors
currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from the Company or an
affiliate in any capacity (other than as a director), and (v) any other person
who is otherwise considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section
162(m). The definition of an "outside director" under Section 162(m) is
generally narrower than the definition of a "non-employee director" under Rule
16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
The Board or committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of
the Board the authority to grant stock awards to eligible persons who are not
then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and/or who are either (i) not
then employees covered by Section 162(m) of the Code and are not expected to be
covered by Section 162(m) of the Code at the time of recognition of income
resulting from such stock award, or (ii) not persons with respect to whom the
Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. The Board may abolish
such committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the
Incentive Plan.
ELIGIBILITY
Incentive stock options and stock appreciation rights appurtenant thereto
may be granted under the Incentive Plan only to employees (including officers).
Employees (including officers) and directors of, and consultants to, both the
Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive all other types of awards
under the Incentive Plan. All of the approximately 100 employees and directors
of, and six consultants to, the Company are eligible to participate in the
Incentive Plan.
No incentive stock option may be granted under the Incentive Plan to any
person who, at the time of the grant, owns (or is deemed to own) stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Company or
any affiliate of the Company, unless the exercise price is at least 110% of the
fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and
the term of the option does not exceed five years from the date of grant. In
addition, the aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of
the shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are
exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under
the Incentive Plan and all other such plans of the Company and its affiliates)
may not exceed $100,000.
No person may be granted options and stock appreciation rights under the
Incentive Plan exercisable for more than 250,000 shares of common stock during
any calendar year ("Section 162(m) Limitation").
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE INCENTIVE PLAN
An aggregate of 580,000 shares of common stock is reserved for issuance
under the Incentive Plan. If awards granted under the Incentive Plan expire or
otherwise terminate without being exercised, the shares of common stock not
acquired pursuant to such awards again becomes available for issuance under the
Incentive Plan. If the Company reacquires unvested stock issued under the
Incentive Plan, the reacquired stock will again become available for reissuance
under the Incentive Plan for awards other than incentive stock options.
TERMS OF OPTIONS
The following is a description of the permissible terms of options under the
Incentive Plan. Individual option grants may be more restrictive as to any or
all of the permissible terms described below.
Exercise Price; Payment. The exercise price of incentive stock options may
not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the
option on the date of the grant and, in some cases (see "Eligibility" above),
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may not be less than 110% of such fair market value. The exercise price of
nonstatutory options may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the
stock on the date of grant. If options are granted with exercise prices below
market value, deductions for compensation attributable to the exercise of such
options could be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code. See "Federal Income Tax
Information." As of May 24, 1999, the closing price of the Company's common
stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market was $17.13 per share.
The exercise price of options granted under the Incentive Plan must be paid
either in cash at the time the option is exercised or, at the discretion of the
Board, (i) by delivery of common stock of the Company, (ii) pursuant to a
deferred payment arrangement or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration
acceptable to the Board.
Option Exercise. Options granted under the Incentive Plan may become
exercisable in cumulative increments ("vest") as determined by the Board. It is
expected that options under the Incentive Plan will typically vest at the rate
of 1/48 per month during the participant's employment by, or service as a
director or consultant to, the Company (collectively, "service"); provided,
however, that options granted to new employees typically will not commence
vesting until after six months of employment. Options granted under the
Incentive Plan also may be subject to different vesting terms. The Board has the
power to accelerate the time during which an option may vest or be exercised. In
addition, options granted under the Incentive Plan may permit exercise prior to
vesting, but in such event the participant may be required to enter into an
early exercise stock purchase agreement that allows the Company to repurchase
unvested shares, generally at their exercise price, should the participant's
service terminate before vesting. To the extent provided by the terms of an
option, a participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding
obligation relating to the exercise of such option by a cash payment upon
exercise, by authorizing the Company to withhold a portion of the stock
otherwise issuable to the participant, by delivering already-owned common stock
of the Company or by a combination of these means.
Term. The maximum term of options under the Incentive Plan is 10 years,
except that in certain cases (see "Eligibility") the maximum term is five years.
Options under the Incentive Plan generally terminate three months after
termination of the participant's service unless (i) such termination is due to
the participant's disability, in which case the option may, but need not,
provide that it may be exercised (to the extent the option was exercisable at
the time of the termination of service) at any time within 12 months of such
termination; (ii) the participant dies before the participant's service has
terminated, or within a period specified in the option after termination of such
service, in which case the option may, but need not, provide that it may be
exercised (to the extent the option was exercisable at the time of the
participant's death) within 18 months of the participant's death by the person
or persons to whom the rights to such option pass by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution; or (iii) the option by its terms specifically provides
otherwise. A participant may designate a beneficiary who may exercise the option
following the participant's death. Individual option grants by their terms may
provide for exercise within a longer period of time following termination of
service.
An option agreement may provide that if the exercise of the option following
the termination of the participant's service would be prohibited because the
issuance of stock would violate the registration requirements under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, then the option will terminate on the
earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the option or (ii) three months
after the termination of the participant's service during which the exercise of
the option would not be in violation of such registration requirements.
TERMS OF STOCK BONUSES AND PURCHASES OF RESTRICTED STOCK
Payment. The Board determines the purchase price under a restricted stock
purchase agreement but the purchase price may not be less than 85% of the fair
market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Board may
award stock bonuses in consideration of past services without a purchase
payment.
The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to a restricted stock purchase
agreement under the Incentive Plan must be paid either in cash at the time the
option is exercised or at the discretion of the Board, (i) by delivery of other
common stock of the Company, (ii) pursuant to a deferred payment arrangement or
(iii) in any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Board.
Vesting. Shares of stock sold or awarded under the Incentive Plan may, but
need not be, subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company in
accordance with a vesting schedule as determined by the Board. The Board has
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the power to accelerate the vesting of stock acquired pursuant to a restricted
stock purchase agreement under the Incentive Plan.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
A participant in the Incentive Plan may not transfer an incentive stock
option otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During
the lifetime of the participant, only the participant may exercise an incentive
stock option. The Board may grant nonstatutory stock options that are
transferable in certain limited instances. Shares subject to repurchase by the
Company under an early exercise stock purchase agreement may be subject to
restrictions on transfer that the Board deems appropriate.
Rights under a stock bonus or restricted stock bonus agreement may be
transferred only on such terms and conditions as the Board may provide in the
restricted stock purchase or stock bonus agreement.
ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS
In the event any change is made in the common stock subject to the Incentive
Plan, or subject to any stock award, as a result of a merger, consolidation,
reorganization, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock
split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure
or other transaction not involving receipt of consideration by the Company, the
Incentive Plan will be appropriately adjusted as to the class and the maximum
number of shares of common stock subject to the Incentive Plan and the Section
162(m) Limitation, and outstanding stock awards will be adjusted as to the
class, number of shares and price per share of common stock subject to such
stock awards.
EFFECT OF CERTAIN CORPORATE EVENTS
The Incentive Plan provides that, in the event of a disposition of
substantially all of the assets of the Company, specified types of merger, or
other corporate reorganization ("change in control"), to the extent permitted by
law, any surviving corporation shall either assume awards outstanding under the
Incentive Plan or substitute similar awards for those outstanding under the
Incentive Plan. If any surviving corporation declines to assume awards
outstanding under the Incentive Plan, or to substitute similar awards, then,
with respect to participants whose service has not terminated, the vesting and
the time during which such awards may be exercised will be accelerated. An
outstanding award will terminate if the participant does not exercise it before
a change in control. The acceleration of an award in the event of an acquisition
or similar corporate event may be viewed as an anti-takeover provision, which
may have the effect of discouraging a proposal to acquire or otherwise obtain
control of the Company. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, all outstanding stock awards shall terminate immediately prior to such
event.
DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board may suspend or terminate the Incentive Plan without stockholder
approval or ratification at any time or from time to time. Unless sooner
terminated, the Incentive Plan will terminate on April 29, 2009.
The Board may also amend the Incentive Plan at any time or from time to
time. However, no amendment will be effective unless approved by the
stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to
satisfy Section 422 of the Code, if applicable, Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act
or any applicable Nasdaq or securities exchange listing. The Board may submit
any other amendment to the Incentive Plan for stockholder approval, including,
but not limited to, amendments intended to satisfy the requirements of Section
162(m) of the Code regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation
from the limitation on the deductibility of compensation paid to certain
employees.
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Long-term capital gains currently are generally subject to lower tax rates
than ordinary income or short-term capital gains. The maximum long-term capital
gains rate for federal income tax purposes is currently 20% while the maximum
ordinary income rate and short-term capital gains rate is effectively 39.6%.
Slightly different rules may apply to participants who acquire stock subject to
certain repurchase options or who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act.
Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options under the Incentive Plan
are intended to be eligible for the favorable federal income tax treatment
accorded "incentive stock options" under the Code.
There generally are no federal income tax consequences to the participant or
the Company by reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option.
However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may increase the
participant's alternative minimum tax liability, if any.
If a participant holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock
option for at least two years from the date on which the option is granted and
at least one year from the date on which the shares are transferred to the
participant upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss on a disposition of
such stock will be a long-term capital gain or loss.
Generally, if the participant disposes of the stock before the expiration of
either of these holding periods (a "disqualifying disposition"), then at the
time of disposition the participant will realize taxable ordinary income equal
to the lesser of (i) the excess of the stock's fair market value on the date of
exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the participant's actual gain, if any,
on the purchase and sale. The participant's additional gain or any loss upon the
disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain or loss, which will be
long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than
one year.
To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a
disqualifying disposition, the Company will generally be entitled (subject to
the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code
and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) to a corresponding business
expense deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.
Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock Purchase Awards and Stock
Bonuses. Nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock purchase awards and stock
bonuses granted under the Incentive Plan generally have the following federal
income tax consequences:
There are no tax consequences to the participant or the Company by reason of
the grant. Upon acquisition of the stock, the participant normally will
recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock's
fair market value on the acquisition date over the purchase price. However, to
the extent the stock is subject to certain types of vesting restrictions, the
taxable event will be delayed until the vesting restrictions lapse unless the
participant elects to be taxed on receipt of the stock. With respect to
employees, the Company is generally required to withhold from regular wages or
supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized.
Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m)
of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation, the Company will
generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable
ordinary income realized by the participant.
Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a capital gain
or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the
amount paid for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon
acquisition (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or
short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one year.
Slightly different rules may apply to participants who acquire stock subject to
certain repurchase options or who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act.
Potential Limitation on Company Deductions. Section 162(m) of the Code
denies a deduction to any publicly-held corporation for compensation paid to
certain "covered employees" in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to
such covered employee exceeds $1 million. It is possible that compensation
attributable to awards,
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when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered
employee from the Company, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any
particular year.
Certain kinds of compensation, including qualified "performance-based
compensation," are disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation. In
accordance with Treasury regulations issued under Section 162(m), compensation
attributable to stock options and stock appreciation rights will qualify as
performance-based compensation if the award is granted by a compensation
committee composed solely of "outside directors" and either (i) the plan
contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which such awards
may be granted during a specified period, the per-employee limitation is
approved by the stockholders, and the exercise price of the award is no less
than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, or (ii) the award
is granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement (as certified in writing
by the compensation committee) of an objective performance goal established in
writing by the compensation committee while the outcome is substantially
uncertain, and the award is approved by stockholders.
Compensation attributable to restricted stock and stock bonuses will qualify
as performance-based compensation, provided that: (i) the award is granted by a
compensation committee composed solely of "outside directors" and (ii) the
purchase price of the award is no less than the fair market value of the stock
on the date of grant. Stock bonuses qualify as performance-based compensation
under the Treasury regulations only if (i) the award is granted by a
compensation committee composed solely of "outside directors," (ii) the award is
granted (or exercisable) only upon the achievement of an objective performance
goal established in writing by the compensation committee while the outcome is
substantially uncertain, (iii) the compensation committee certifies in writing
prior to the granting (or exercisability) of the award that the performance goal
has been satisfied and (iv) prior to the granting (or exercisability) of the
award, stockholders have approved the material terms of the award (including the
class of employees eligible for such award, the business criteria on which the
performance goal is based, and the maximum amount -- or formula used to
calculate the amount -- payable upon attainment of the performance goal).
OTHER STOCK PLANS OF THE COMPANY
1996 Equity Incentive Plan. Cerus' 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "1996
Plan") provides for grants of incentive and nonstatutory stock options, stock
bonuses, rights to purchase restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. An
aggregate of 1,470,000 shares of common stock has been reserved for issuance
under the 1996 Plan. As of May 24, 1999, options to purchase 844,034 shares of
common stock were outstanding under the 1996 Plan, and 37,369 shares remained
available for grant. Incentive stock options and stock appreciation rights
appurtenant thereto may be granted to employees (including officers) of the
Company and any parent or subsidiary. Employees (including officers), directors
and consultants are eligible to receive awards other than incentive stock
options and stock appreciation rights appurtenant thereto. The exercise price of
incentive stock options granted under the 1996 Plan may not be less than 100
percent of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of
grant (110 percent for optionees deemed to own more than 10 percent of the
outstanding voting power of the Company), and the exercise price of nonstatutory
stock options may not be less than 85 percent of the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of grant. The purchase price under a restricted stock
purchase agreement may not be less than 85 percent of the stock's fair market
value on the date of grant. Stock bonuses may be awarded in consideration of
services rendered. All stock options have a maximum term of 10 years and
typically vest over a four-year period. Options may be exercised prior to
vesting, subject to repurchase rights in favor of the Company that expire over
the vesting period. The 1996 Plan and awards thereunder may be amended by the
Board at any time or from time to time. Certain amendments require stockholder
approval, if necessary for the 1996 Plan to satisfy Section 422 of the Code,
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or Nasdaq or other securities exchange listing
requirements. The 1996 Plan contains adjustment and change of control provisions
similar to those described above with respect to the Incentive Plan. The 1996
Plan will terminate on July 23, 2006.
1998 Non-Officer Stock Option Plan. Cerus' 1998 Non-Officer Stock Option
Plan (the "Non-Officer Plan") provides for grants of nonstatutory stock options
to employees and consultants who are not officers or directors of the Company.
An aggregate of 120,000 shares of common stock has been reserved for issuance
under the Non-Officer Plan. As of May 24, 1999, options to purchase 83,508
shares were outstanding and 36,430 shares remained available for grant. The
exercise price of options granted under the Non-Officer Plan may not be less
than 85 percent of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the
date of grant. All options granted under the Non-Officer Plan have a maximum
term of 10 years and typically vest over a four-year period. Options may be
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exercised prior to vesting, subject to repurchase rights in favor of the Company
that expire over the vesting period. The Non-Officer Plan and options thereunder
may be amended by the Board at any time or from time to time. The Non-Officer
Plan also contains the adjustment and change of control provisions described
above with respect to the Incentive Plan. The Non-Officer Plan will terminate on
November 4, 2008.
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 and has
further directed that management submit the selection of independent auditors
for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Ernst & Young LLP
has audited the Company's financial statements since its inception in 1991.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the
Company's independent auditors is not required by the Company's bylaws or
otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP
to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If
the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee and the Board
will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is
ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board in their discretion may direct the
appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if
they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will
be required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP. Abstentions will be
counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the
stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes
are counted towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining
whether this matter has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's common stock as of May 10, 1999 by: (i) each
director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table; (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and
(iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than five
percent of its common stock.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
------------------------------
PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER OF SHARES TOTAL (%)
---------------- ---------------- ---------
Baxter Healthcare Corporation ................. 1,680,337 14.4%
One Baxter Parkway
Deerfield, IL 60015
Coral Partners II, a limited partnership(2) ... 914,218 7.8%
60 South Sixth Street
Suite 3510
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Stephen T. Isaacs(3) .......................... 398,538 3.4%
Laurence M. Corash(4) ......................... 300,925 2.6%
John E. Hearst(5) ............................. 274,475 2.3%
B.J. Cassin(6) ................................ 365,913 3.1%
Peter H. McNerney(2) .......................... 914,218 7.8%
Coral Group, Inc.
60 South Sixth Street
Suite 3510
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Dale A. Smith(7) .............................. 14,700 *
Henry E. Stickney(8) .......................... 74,202 *
All executive officers and directors as a
group (8 persons)(9) ........................ 2,398,823 20.0%
- --------------
* Less than on percent (1%)
(1) This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and
principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13 G filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Unless otherwise indicated in the
footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where
applicable, the Company believes that each of the stockholders named in this
table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
indicated as beneficially owned. Beneficial ownership also includes 262,900
shares of stock subject to options and warrants currently exercisable or
convertible within 60 days of the date of this table. Applicable percentages
are based on 11,704,714 shares outstanding on May 10, 1999, adjusted as
required by rules promulgated by the SEC.
(2) Includes 426,215 shares held by Coral Partners II, 463,749 shares held by
Coral Partners IV and 24,254 shares held by Peter H. McNerney. Mr. McNerney
is a General Partner of Coral Partners II and Coral Partners IV and
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by such entities except to
the extent of his proportionate
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partnership interest therein.
(3) Includes 7,607 shares owned by Kathryn MacBride individually, 7,350 shares
held by Kathryn MacBride as custodian for Alexandra Isaacs and 7,350 shares
held by Kathryn MacBride as custodian for Megan Isaacs. Kathryn MacBride is
the spouse of Mr. Isaacs. Includes 76,750 shares underlying currently
exercisable stock options. If exercised in full within 60 days of the date
of this table, 42,589 shares would be subject to a right of repurchase in
favor of Cerus.
(4) Includes 69,400 shares underlying currently exercisable stock options. If
exercised in full within 60 days of the date of this table, 40,906 shares
would be subject to a right of repurchase in favor of Cerus.
(5) Includes 94,774 shares held by the Hearst Revocable Trust, 50,000 shares
held by the John Hearst 1998 Annuity Trust, 50,000 shares held by the Jean
Hearst 1998 Annuity Trust, 22,050 shares held by the David Paul Hearst
Irrevocable Trust and 22,050 shares held by the Leslie Jean Hearst
Irrevocable Trust. Includes 32,350 shares underlying currently exercisable
stock options. If exercised in full within 60 days of the date of this
table, 23,040 shares would be subject to a right of repurchase in favor of
Cerus.
(6) Includes 306,372 shares held by Brendan Joseph Cassin and Isabel B. Cassin,
Trustees of the Cassin Family Trust, 44,841 shares held by Cassin Family
Partners, a California Limited Partnership, and 14,700 shares underlying
currently exercisable stock options. If exercised in full within 60 days of
the date of this table, 3,369 shares would be subject to a right of
repurchase in favor of Cerus.
(7) Includes 14,700 shares underlying currently exercisable stock options. If
exercised in full within 60 days of the date of this table, 919 shares
would be subject to a right of repurchase in favor of Cerus.
(8) Includes 18,302 shares held by Mr. Stickney as Trustee of the Stickney
Family Trust, 1,500 shares held by Mr. Stickney's spouse and 3,369 shares
which are subject to a right of repurchase by Cerus that expires ratably
through May 2000.
(9) Includes 262,900 shares underlying currently exercisable stock options,
156,055 of which would be subject to a right of repurchase in favor of
Cerus if exercised within 60 days of the date of this table.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Section
16(a)"), requires Cerus' directors and executive officers, and persons who own
more than 10 percent of a registered class of Cerus' equity securities, to file
with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of
common stock and other equity securities of Cerus. Officers, directors and
greater than 10 percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish
Cerus with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To Cerus's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports
furnished to Cerus and written representations that no other reports were
required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and greater than 10
percent beneficial owners were complied with, except that Mr. McNerney and Mr.
Stickney each filed late one report covering one transaction.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors currently do not receive any cash compensation for their services
as members of the Board of Directors, although they are reimbursed for certain
expenses in connection with attendance at Board and Committee meetings. There
are no standard arrangements pursuant to which directors receive equity
compensation, although they are eligible to receive awards under the Incentive
Plan. There were no awards under the Incentive Plan in 1998 to directors who are
not employees of Cerus. Messrs. Isaacs and Hearst were awarded options as set
forth in the table captioned "Option Grants in Fiscal 1998."
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, the compensation awarded to or earned by Cerus' Chief
Executive Officer and the other executive officers whose combined salary and
bonus for the year ended December 31, 1998 was in excess of $100,000
(collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE (1)
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION AWARDS
-------------------------------- --------------------
FISCAL SECURITIES UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($)
- --------------------------- ------ --------- -------- --------------------- ---------------
Stephen T. Isaacs 1998 280,000 80,000 40,000 1,102(2)
President and Chief 1997 260,000 60,000 -- --
Executive Officer 1996 230,833 61,290(3) 36,750 1,110(4)
Laurence M. Corash 1998 250,000 40,000 40,000 1,440(2)
Vice President, Medical 1997 235,000 35,000 -- --
Affairs 1996 179,870 26,945(5) 29,400 813(4)
John E. Hearst 1998 176,158(6) 25,000 25,000 3,763(2)
Vice President, New 1997 153,000(6) 20,000 -- --
Science Opportunities 1996 138,958(6) 15,839(7) 7,530 722(4)
- --------------------
(1) In accordance with the rules of the SEC, the compensation described in this
table does not include medical, group life insurance or other benefits
received by the Named Executive Officers which are available generally to
all salaried employees, and certain perquisites and other personal benefits
received by the Named Executive Officers which do not exceed the lesser of
$50,000 or 10% of any such officer's salary and bonus disclosed in this
table.
(2) Reflects group term life insurance premiums paid by Cerus.
(3) Includes $1,290 of interest forgiven.
(4) Reflects reimbursement for the amount of taxes payable in connection with
forgiveness of interest.
(5) Includes $945 of interest forgiven.
(6) Reflects salary for employment at 80% of full time through August 31, 1998
and 100% of full time starting September 1, 1998.
(7) Includes $839 of interest forgiven.
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STOCK OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES
Cerus grants stock options to its executive officers under the Incentive
Plan. As of December 31, 1998, options to purchase 824,459 shares were
outstanding under the Incentive Plan and options to purchase 55,507 shares
remained available for grant thereunder.
The following table sets forth certain information for each grant of stock
options made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, to each of the
Named Executive Officers:
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1998
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM (3)
----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
PERCENTAGE
NUMBER OF OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES OR BASE
GRANTED IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME (#)(1) 1998(%)(2) ($/SH) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
---- ------ ---------- ------ ---- ----- ------
Stephen T. Isaacs 40,000 8.6% $15.50 11/18/08 $390,600 $985,800
Laurence M. Corash 40,000 8.6 $15.50 11/18/08 390,600 985,800
John E. Hearst 25,000 5.4 $15.50 11/18/08 244,125 616,125
- ---------
(1) Options become exercisable at a rate of 1/48th per month from the date of
grant. Options may be exercised immediately pursuant to early exercise
provisions contained in the option agreements. Any shares issued pursuant to
such early exercise provisions are subject to repurchase upon termination of
employment. Such repurchase option terminates at a rate of 1/48th per month.
The options expire 10 years from the date of grant or earlier upon
termination of employment.
(2) Based on options to purchase 464,317 shares granted in 1998.
(3) The potential realizable value is based on the term of the option at its
time of grant (10 years). It is calculated by assuming that the stock price
on the date of grant appreciates at the indicated annual rate, compounded
annually for the entire term of the option and that the option is exercised
and sold on the last day of its term for the appreciated stock price. These
amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only, in accordance
with the rules of the SEC, and do not reflect Cerus' estimate or projection
of future stock price performance. Actual gains, if any, are dependent on
the actual future performance of Cerus' common stock and no gain to the
optionee is possible unless the stock price increases over the option term.
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The Named Executive Officers did not exercise any stock options during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. The following table sets forth for each of
the Named Executive Officers the number and value of securities underlying
unexercised options held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
VALUE OF
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS AT FY-END (#) OPTIONS AT FY-END($)
NAME EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Stephen T. Isaacs 76,750/0 891,790/0
Laurence M. Corash 69,400/0 757,432/0
John E. Hearst 32,350/0 271,858/0
- ---------
(1) Value of unexercised in-the-money options is based on the per share deemed
value at year end, determined after the date of grant solely for financial
accounting purposes, less the exercise price payable for such shares.
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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION(1)
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors is
composed of two non-employee directors. The Committee is responsible for
developing the Company's compensation policies and for fixing the compensation
levels of the Company's officers and employees. The Company's management
compensation program is designed to reward outstanding performance and results.
The Company's compensation philosophy and program objectives are directed by two
primary guiding principles. First, the program is intended to provide fully
competitive levels of compensation-at expected levels of performance-in order to
attract, motivate and retain talented executives. To this end, the Company
strives to align its executive compensation with the mid- to high-range of
compensation programs of comparable development-stage companies in the medical
device and biotechnology industries. These companies may, but need not, be
included in the Nasdaq Pharmaceutical Index. Second, the program is intended to
create an alignment of interests between the Company's executives and
stockholders such that a significant portion of each executive's compensation is
directly linked to maximizing stockholder value.
In support of this philosophy, the executive compensation program is
designed to reward performance that is directly relevant to the Company's
short-term and long-term success. As such, the Company attempts to provide both
short-term and long-term incentive compensation that varies based on corporate
and individual performance. To accomplish these objectives, the Compensation
Committee has structured the executive compensation program with three
components: base salary; annual bonuses; and long-term incentives (typically
stock options). The following sections describe these elements of compensation
and how each component relates to the Company's overall compensation philosophy.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") limits the Company
to a deduction for federal income tax purposes of no more than $1 million of
compensation paid to certain Named Executive Officers in a taxable year.
Compensation above $1 million may be deducted if it is "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of the Code. The Compensation Committee has
determined that stock options granted under the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive
Plan with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the
Company's common stock on the date of grant shall be treated as
"performance-based compensation."
BASE SALARY
The Company's base salary program is based on a philosophy of providing base
pay levels that are in the mid- to high-range of comparable development-stage
companies in the medical device and biotechnology industries. The Company
periodically reviews its executive pay levels to ensure consistency with
similarly positioned companies in such industries.
Annual salary adjustments are based on a subjective assessment of several
factors, including individual performance and long-term value to the Company;
competitive base salary levels; and the Company's overall progress in advancing
the Company's lead products through development and clinical testing and
developing new technologies. The weight of these factors in the case of a
particular individual's compensation may vary.
ANNUAL BONUS
Annual bonuses are intended to reward key employees based on corporate and
individual performance, motivate key employees and provide pay-for-performance
cash compensation opportunities. The criteria for bonus payments to the
Company's executive officers are based on the achievement of milestones and
objectives established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the
fiscal year. For fiscal year 1998, these goals included commencement of a Phase
3 clinical trial in Europe for the Company's platelet program, completion of
Phase 2
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(1) The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed
"filed" with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing
of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before
or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language
in any such filing.
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clinical trials for its fresh frozen plasma (FFP) program, an investigational
new device (IND) filing and commencement of clinical trials for its red blood
cell program, negotiation of an agreement with the Consortium for Plasma Science
to develop a system for pathogen inactivation of source plasma and achievement
of corporate earnings objectives.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
Long-term incentives are designed to focus the efforts of key employees on
the long-term goals of the Company and to maximize total return to the
stockholders of the Company. The Committee has relied solely on stock option
awards to provide long-term incentive opportunities. Stock options align the
interests of key employees and stockholders by providing value to the key
employee through stock price appreciation only. Stock options issued to
employees generally have a ten-year term before expiration and are fully
exercisable within four years of the grant date. The Company typically grants
options at the time of commencement of employment and on a periodic basis
thereafter. In awarding stock options, the Company considers individual
performance, overall contribution to the Company, officer retention, the number
of unvested stock options and the total number of stock options to be awarded.
Consistent with these criteria, the Committee granted stock options to the
Company's executive officers as set forth in the table captioned "Option Grants
in Fiscal 1998."
FISCAL 1998 COMPENSATION
The compensation for the executive officers for fiscal 1998 was determined
in the manner described above, and no particular quantitative measures were used
by the Compensation Committee in determining their compensation except as so
described.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. The 1998 base salary of the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, Stephen T. Isaacs, was based largely on 1997
performance. Achievements in 1997 included completing Phase 2a and 2b clinical
trials of the platelet program, receiving regulatory approval to begin Phase 3
clinical trials for the platelet program triggering a milestone-based equity
investment from the Company's corporate partner, commencing Phase 2 clinical
trials for the plasma program, the completion of an initial public offering and
attaining earnings targets. Accordingly, the Committee deemed it appropriate and
consistent with these accomplishments to increase Mr. Isaacs' base salary from
$260,000 to $280,000 for 1998. Similarly, Mr. Isaacs earned a cash bonus of
$80,000 for 1998 for his contribution to achievement of the 1998 objectives
described above. Mr. Isaacs was awarded 40,000 stock options in 1998 due to his
performance and overall contribution to the Company and to adjust his level of
unvested options to be more consistent with chief executive officers at similar
companies within the medical device and biotechnology industries.
B.J. Cassin
Peter H. McNerney
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PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON(2)
The following graph shows the total stockholder return of an investment of
$100 in cash on January 31, 1997 for (i) the Company's common stock, (ii) the
Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.) Index and (iii) the Nasdaq Pharmaceutical Stocks
Index. All values assume reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends.
1/31/97 3/31/97 6/30/97 9/30/97 12/31/97 3/31/98 6/30/98 9/30/98 12/31/98 3/31/99
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Cerus 100 90 76 143 181 136 115 126 173 184
Nasdaq US 100 88 104 132 114 134 137 124 161 180
Nasdaq Pharm 100 88 95 106 95 105 97 91 121 133
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(2) The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed
"filed" with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing
of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before
or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language
in any such filing.
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
BAXTER HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Cerus is a party to development agreements with Baxter for the development
and commercialization of platelet, FFP and red cell pathogen inactivation
systems, and has sold and issued to Baxter shares of capital stock pursuant to
certain stock purchase agreements. The development agreements were amended in
June 1998.
The amended development agreement for the platelet program provides for
Baxter and Cerus to generally share system development costs equally, subject to
mutually agreed budgets established from time to time and for a sharing of
revenue from sales of inactivation system disposables after each party is
reimbursed for its cost of goods above a specified level. Cerus also funded $5.0
million of development costs previously agreed to be funded by Baxter. Baxter
also purchased $5.0 million of Series A preferred stock and agreed to make a
$5.0 million cash milestone payment to Cerus upon the approval by the FDA of an
application to market products developed under the platelet program or
comparable approval in Europe or upon termination of the program. In addition,
Cerus increased its share of the adjusted product revenue from future sales of
platelet system disposables from approximately 28.2% of adjusted product revenue
to approximately 33.5% in exchange for Cerus' agreement to pay Baxter $8.3
million on June 30, 1999. Cerus may defer such payment for up to twelve months
under certain circumstances. The development agreement for the FFP and red blood
cell programs provides for Baxter and Cerus generally to share red blood cell
system development costs equally, subject to mutually agreed to budgets
established from time to time and for an equal sharing of revenue from sales of
red blood cell inactivation system disposables after each party is reimbursed
for its cost of goods and a specified percentage allocation, not to exceed 14%
of revenue, is retained by Baxter for marketing and administrative expenses.
Cerus and Baxter equally funded the FFP program development through December 31,
1997 after which time Baxter's funding commitment for the FFP development
program is limited to $1.2 million payable in equal installments of $600,000
each in January 1999 and January 2000. Cerus and Baxter will receive 75% and
25%, respectively, of revenue from sales of FFP inactivation system disposables
after each party is reimbursed for its cost of goods and a specified percentage
allocation not to exceed 14% of revenue is retained by Baxter for marketing and
administrative expenses. Under Cerus' direction, Baxter will be responsible for
manufacturing and marketing the FFP product, and will retain its exclusive
worldwide distribution license. In June 1998, Cerus and Baxter also entered into
a preferred stock purchase agreement under which Baxter purchased $9.5 million
of Series B preferred stock on March 3, 1999.
Baxter currently holds approximately 1,680,337 shares of Cerus' common
stock, or 14.4%, and has paid Cerus an aggregate of approximately $58.6 million
cumulatively since inception, consisting of $37.0 million in equity investments
and $21.6 million in development and milestone payments under various
development and commercialization agreements.
CONSORTIUM FOR PLASMA SCIENCE
In December 1998, Cerus and the Consortium for Plasma Science entered into
an agreement for the development of a pathogen inactivation system for source
plasma. The Consortium is co-funded by four plasma fractionation companies, one
of which is Baxter. The Consortium, which is a separate entity from its members,
provides research and development funding worldwide for technologies to improve
the safety of source plasma. The agreement includes an initial commitment of
approximately $2.0 million to fund development of Cerus' proprietary technology
for use with source plasma. The initial term of the agreement is one year,
beginning January 1999. The agreement contemplates funding by the Consortium
through the regulatory approval phase, with future commitments to be determined
by the Consortium annually. The agreement provides for the Company to pay the
Consortium a royalty on potential product sales.
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INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY
In July 1996, the Board authorized Cerus to enter into indemnity agreements
with each of the Company's directors, executive officers, Controller and
Director of Finance. The form of indemnity agreement provides that Cerus will
indemnify against any and all expenses of the indemnified person who incurred
such expenses because of his or her status as a director, executive officer,
Controller or Director of Finance, to the fullest extent permitted by Cerus'
Bylaws and Delaware law. In addition, Cerus' Bylaws provide that Cerus shall
indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted
by Delaware law, subject to certain limitations, and may also secure insurance,
to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, on behalf of any director,
officer, employee or agent against any expense, liability or loss arising out of
his or her actions in such capacity.
Cerus' Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains certain provisions
relating to the limitation of liability of directors. Cerus' Restated
Certificate provides that a director shall not be personally liable to Cerus or
its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to
authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of a director, then the liability of a Cerus director shall be
eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as so amended. The provision in the Restated Certificate does
not eliminate the duty of care and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable
remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain
available under Delaware law. The provision also does not affect a director's
responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or
state or federal environmental laws.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought
before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying
proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Lori L. Roll
Corporate Secretary
May 28, 1999
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APPENDIX
CERUS CORPORATION
1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED APRIL 30, 1999
APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS _______________, _____
TERMINATION DATE: APRIL 29, 2009
1. PURPOSES.
(a) ELIGIBLE STOCK AWARD RECIPIENTS. The persons eligible to receive
Stock Awards are the Employees and Directors of, and Consultants to, the Company
and its Affiliates.
(b) AVAILABLE STOCK AWARDS. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a
means by which eligible recipients of Stock Awards may be given an opportunity
to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of
the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock
Options, (iii) stock bonuses and (iv) rights to acquire restricted stock.
(c) GENERAL PURPOSE. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain
the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards, to secure
and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide incentives
for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its
Affiliates.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation
of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "COMMITTEE" means a committee of one or more members of the Board
appointed by the Board in accordance with subsection 3(c).
(e) "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.
(f) "COMPANY" means Cerus Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, (i) engaged by
the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is
compensated for such services or (ii) who is a member of the Board of Directors
of an Affiliate. However, the term "Consultant" shall not include Directors who
are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors.
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(h) "CONTINUOUS SERVICE" means that the Participant's service with the
Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not
interrupted or terminated. The Participant's Continuous Service shall not be
deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which
the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of
the Participant's Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an
Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director will not
constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or the chief
executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may determine
whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any
leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or
any other personal leave.
(i) "COVERED EMPLOYEE" means the chief executive officer and the four
(4) other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total
compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Exchange Act,
as determined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(j) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
(k) "DISABILITY" means the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(l) "EMPLOYEE" means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.
Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the Company or an
Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or
an Affiliate.
(m) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(n) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the Common
Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales
price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted
on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume
of trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day
of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Board deems reliable.
(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the
Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(o) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
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(p) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a subsidiary, does
not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent
or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other
than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be
required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other
transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to which
disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is
otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(q) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(r) "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(s) "OPTION" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(t) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company and
an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
(u) "OPTIONHOLDER" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant
to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding
Option.
(v) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a current
employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of
Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a
former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(w) "PARTICIPANT" means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Stock Award.
(x) "PLAN" means this Cerus Corporation 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
(y) "RULE 16B-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or
any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(z) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(aa) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan, including an
Option, a stock bonus and a right to acquire restricted stock.
(bb) "STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan.
(cc) "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" means a person who owns (or is deemed to
own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or of any of its Affiliates.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD. The Board shall administer the Plan unless
and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in
subsection 3(c). Any interpretation of the Plan by the Board and any decision by
the Board under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
(b) POWERS OF BOARD. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and
within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible
under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock Award
shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be
granted; the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be
identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to
receive Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of shares of
Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such
person.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted
under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its
administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.
(iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in Section
12.
(iv) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts
as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the
Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.
(c) DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE.
(i) GENERAL. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan
to a Committee or Committees of one (1) or more members of the Board, and the
term "Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has
been delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee
shall have, in connection with the
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administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board,
including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative
powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to
the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject,
however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the
Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.
(ii) COMMITTEE OF OUTSIDE OR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. In the
discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside
Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or solely of two
or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the scope
of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (1) delegate to a committee of
one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors, the authority to
grant Stock Awards to eligible persons who are either (a) not then Covered
Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of
recognition of income resulting from such Stock Award or (b) not persons with
respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code
and/or (2) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are
not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Stock Awards to eligible
persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) SHARE RESERVE. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, the Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate five hundred eighty
thousand (580,000) shares of Common Stock.
(b) REVERSION OF SHARES TO THE SHARE RESERVE. If any Stock Award shall
for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without
having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not acquired under
such Stock Award shall revert to and again become available for issuance under
the Plan.
(c) SOURCE OF SHARES. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan may
be unissued shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC STOCK AWARDS. Incentive Stock Options may
be granted only to Employees. Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options
may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants.
(b) TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be
granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at
least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock at the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the
expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.
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(c) SECTION 162(M) LIMITATION. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
relating to adjustments upon changes in the shares of Common Stock, no Employee
shall be eligible to be granted Options covering more than two hundred fifty
thousand (250,000) shares of the Common Stock during any calendar year.
(d) CONSULTANTS. A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a
Stock Award if, at the time of grant, a Form S-8 Registration Statement under
the Securities Act ("Form S-8") is not available to register either the offer or
the sale of the Company's securities to such Consultant because of the nature of
the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, or because the
Consultant is not a natural person, or as otherwise provided by the rules
governing the use of Form S-8, unless the Company determines both (i) that such
grant (A) shall be registered in another manner under the Securities Act (e.g.,
on a Form S-3 Registration Statement) or (B) does not require registration under
the Securities Act in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities
Act, if applicable, and (ii) that such grant complies with the securities laws
of all other relevant jurisdictions.
6. OPTION PROVISIONS.
Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately
designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of
grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates
will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of
Option. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each
Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in
the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) TERM. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten
Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the
expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.
(b) EXERCISE PRICE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. Subject to the
provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise
price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the
date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section
424(a) of the Code.
(c) EXERCISE PRICE OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. The exercise price of
each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%)
of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date
the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock
Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the
preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or
substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section
424(a) of the Code.
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(d) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option (or
subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) (1) by delivery to the
Company of outstanding shares of Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred
payment or other similar arrangement with the Optionholder or (3) in any other
form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board; provided,
however, that at any time that the Company is incorporated in Delaware, payment
of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of
interest necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable
provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest
under the deferred payment arrangement.
(e) TRANSFERABILITY OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. An Incentive Stock
Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder
only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may,
by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the
Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the
Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(f) TRANSFERABILITY OF A NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. A Nonstatutory Stock
Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If
the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of
the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form
satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the
death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
(g) VESTING GENERALLY. The total number of shares of Common Stock
subject to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in
periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be
subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be
exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may
deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The
provisions of this subsection 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions
governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option may
be exercised.
(h) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the event an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder's death or
Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of
termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i)
the date three (3) months following the termination of the Optionholder's
Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option
Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder
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does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Option
Agreement, the Option shall terminate.
(i) EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE. An Optionholder's Option Agreement
may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of
the Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than upon the Optionholder's death
or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of
shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the
Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the
expiration of the term of the Option set forth in subsection 6(a) or (ii) the
expiration of a period of three (3) months after the termination of the
Optionholder's Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option would
not be in violation of such registration requirements.
(j) DISABILITY OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event that an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's Disability, the
Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder
was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only
within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12)
months following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in
the Option Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
(k) DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER. In the event (i) an Optionholder's Continuous
Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death or (ii) the
Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement
after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a reason
other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the
Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by
the Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the
option upon the Optionholder's death pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 6(f), but
only within the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date eighteen (18)
months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified
in the Option Agreement) or (2) the expiration of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, after death, the Option is not exercised
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(l) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of
the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of
the Option. Any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a
repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board
determines to be appropriate.
7. PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS.
(a) STOCK BONUS AWARDS. Each stock bonus agreement shall be in such form
and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate.
The terms and
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conditions of stock bonus agreements may change from time to time, and the terms
and conditions of separate stock bonus agreements need not be identical, but
each stock bonus agreement shall include (through incorporation of provisions
hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the
following provisions:
(i) CONSIDERATION. A stock bonus may be awarded in consideration
for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate for its
benefit.
(ii) VESTING. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock
bonus agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in
favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by
the Board.
(iii) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the
event a Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire
any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant which have not
vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus
agreement.
(iv) TRANSFERABILITY. Rights to acquire shares under the stock
bonus agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms
and conditions as are set forth in the stock bonus agreement, as the Board shall
determine in its discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the stock
bonus agreement remains subject to the terms of the stock bonus agreement.
(b) RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS. Each restricted stock purchase agreement
shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board
shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the restricted stock
purchase agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions
of separate restricted stock purchase agreements need not be identical, but each
restricted stock purchase agreement shall include (through incorporation of
provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of
each of the following provisions:
(i) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price under each restricted
stock purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board shall determine and
designate in such restricted stock purchase agreement. The purchase price shall
not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Common Stock's Fair Market
Value on the date such award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated.
(ii) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to the restricted stock purchase agreement shall be paid either: (i) in
cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board, according to
a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the Participant; or (iii)
in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in
its discretion; provided, however, that at any time that the Company is
incorporated in Delaware, then payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as
defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred
payment.
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(iii) VESTING. Shares of Common Stock acquired under the
restricted stock purchase agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share
repurchase option in favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule
to be determined by the Board.
(iv) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT'S CONTINUOUS SERVICE. In the
event a Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase
or otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Participant which have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms
of the restricted stock purchase agreement.
(v) TRANSFERABILITY. Rights to acquire shares under the
restricted stock purchase agreement shall be transferable by the Participant
only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock
purchase agreement, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, so long as
Common Stock awarded under the restricted stock purchase agreement remains
subject to the terms of the restricted stock purchase agreement.
8. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) AVAILABILITY OF SHARES. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the
Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock
required to satisfy such Stock Awards.
(b) SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company shall seek to obtain from
each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such
authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this
undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act
the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any
such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain
from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for
the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock
under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to
issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until
such authority is obtained.
9. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.
Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall
constitute general funds of the Company.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ACCELERATION OF EXERCISABILITY AND VESTING. The Board shall have the
power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or
the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance
with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the
time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
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(b) STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder
of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of
Common Stock subject to such Stock Award unless and until such Participant has
satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its
terms.
(c) NO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER SERVICE RIGHTS. Nothing in the Plan or any
instrument executed or Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon
any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in
the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect
the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an
Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a
Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company
or an Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of
the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may
be.
(d) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION $100,000 LIMITATION. To the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time
by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and
its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or
portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they
were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(e) INVESTMENT ASSURANCES. The Company may require a Participant, as a
condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant's
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a
purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is
knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or
she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser
representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant
is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own
account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing
the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant
to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (iii) the issuance of the shares
of Common Stock upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock
Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or (iv) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not
be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The
Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock
certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or
appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but
not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.
(f) WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. To the extent provided by the terms of a
Stock Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local
tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common
Stock under a Stock Award by any of the
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following means (in addition to the Company's right to withhold from any
compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such
means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii) authorizing the Company to withhold
shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the
Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the
Stock Award; or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of
the Common Stock.
11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) CAPITALIZATION ADJUSTMENTS. If any change is made in the Common
Stock subject to the Plan, or subject to any Stock Award, without the receipt of
consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other
than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of
shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the
receipt of consideration by the Company), the Plan will be appropriately
adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan
pursuant to subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities subject to
award to any person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and the outstanding Stock
Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of securities
and price per share of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards.
The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final,
binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of consideration"
by the Company.)
(b) CHANGE IN CONTROL--DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of a
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock Awards
shall terminate immediately prior to such event.
(c) CHANGE IN CONTROL--ASSET SALE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR REVERSE
MERGER. In the event of (i) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, (ii) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (iii) a reverse merger
in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the
merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or
otherwise, then any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation shall assume
any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or shall substitute similar stock
awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the
stockholders in the transaction described in this subsection 11(c)) for those
outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation refuses to assume such Stock Awards or to substitute similar stock
awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to Stock Awards
held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated, the vesting of
such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time during which such Stock Awards
may be exercised) shall be accelerated in full, and the Stock Awards shall
terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to such event. With
respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards
shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to such event.
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12. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.
(a) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may
amend the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval
is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3
or any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements.
(b) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit
any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not
limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the
exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate
deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers.
(c) CONTEMPLATED AMENDMENTS. It is expressly contemplated that the Board
may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to
provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided
under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder
relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive
Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.
(d) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Rights under any Stock Award granted before
amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the Participant
consents in writing.
(e) AMENDMENT OF STOCK AWARDS. The Board at any time, and from time to
time, may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards; provided, however,
that the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such
amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and
(ii) the Participant consents in writing.
13. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PLAN TERM. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth
(10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by
the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be
granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(b) NO IMPAIRMENT OF RIGHTS. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall
not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan
is in effect, except with the written consent of the Participant.
14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no Stock
Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock bonus, shall be granted)
unless and until the Plan has been
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approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within
twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
15. CHOICE OF LAW.
The law of the State of California shall govern all questions concerning the
construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such
state's conflict of laws rules.
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PROXY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERUS CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 2, 1999
The undersigned hereby appoints STEPHEN T. ISAACS and LORI L. ROLL, and each of
them, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to vote all of the shares of stock of Cerus Corporation which the
undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Cerus Corporation to be held at the Concord Hilton, located at 1970 Diamond
Boulevard, Concord, California on Friday, July 2, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. (local
time), and at any and all postponements, continuations and adjournments thereof,
with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present, upon
and in respect of the following matters and in accordance with the following
instructions, with discretionary authority as to any and all other matters that
may properly come before the meeting.
UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL
NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3 AS MORE SPECIFICALLY
DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
See reverse for voting instructions.
38
Please detach here
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW.
PROPOSAL 1: To elect two directors to hold office until the 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected.
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all
(except as marked to the contrary below) nominees listed below.
NOMINEES: 01 Stephen T. Isaacs and 02 Dale A. Smith
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE(S), WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE
NOMINEES PROVIDED TO THE RIGHT:
_________________________________________
| |
|_________________________________________|
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
PROPOSAL 2: To approve the Company's 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and the issuance
of 580,000 shares of the Company's common stock thereunder.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
PROPOSAL 3: To ratify selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of
the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN
ENVELOPE WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Address Change? Mark Box [ ] DATED ____________________, 1999
Indicate change below:
_______________________________
| |
|_______________________________|
SIGNATURE(S)
Please sign exactly as your name
appears hereon. If the stock is
registered in the names of two or
more persons, each should sign.
Executors, administrators,
trustees, guardians and
attorneys-in-fact should add their
titles. If signer is a
corporation, please give full
corporate name and have a duly
authorized officer sign, stating
title. If signer is a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.