1 SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 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 ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than 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: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 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): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: [ ] 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. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. One IDEXX Drive Westbrook, ME 04092 April 16, 1999 To all IDEXX stockholders: We invite you to attend our Annual Stockholders' Meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Portland Marriott, 200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, Maine. The attached notice and proxy statement describe the business to be conducted at the meeting, including the election of three directors. Nominees for three-year terms on our Board are John R. Hesse, Kenneth Paigen, Ph.D., and Jeffrey J. Langan. We are also seeking stockholder approval of an amendment to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and of the 1999 Director Stock Plan, which would replace the 1997 Director Option Plan. Our management team and Board of Directors appreciate and encourage stockholder participation at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is important that your shares be represented. Please take a moment now to sign, date and return your proxy in the envelope provided even if you plan to attend the meeting. Sincerely, David E. Shaw Executive Chairman 3 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. One IDEXX Drive Westbrook, Maine 04092 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1999 The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Portland Marriott, 200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 9:00 a.m., local time, to consider and act upon the following matters: 1. To elect three Class II Directors for a three-year term; 2. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan increasing from 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock authorized for issuance under the plan; 3. To approve the Company's 1999 Director Stock Plan covering 80,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, as described in the Proxy Statement; 4. To ratify the selection by the Board of Directors of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent public accountants for the current fiscal year; and 5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 1999 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The stock transfer books of the Company will remain open. By Order of the Board of Directors, Richard B. Thorp, Secretary Westbrook, Maine April 16, 1999 WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN ORDER TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES. NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. 4 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. One IDEXX Drive Westbrook, Maine 04092 PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999 This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 1999 and at any adjournment of that meeting (the "Annual Meeting"). All proxies will be voted in accordance with the stockholders' instructions and, if no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before its exercise by delivery of a written revocation or a subsequently dated proxy to the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on March 23, 1999, the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to vote an aggregate of 39,065,684 shares of common stock, $.10 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). Stockholders are entitled to one vote per share. The Company's Annual Report for 1998 was mailed to stockholders, along with these proxy materials, on or about April 16, 1999. VOTES REQUIRED The holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy (including shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock voting on the matter is required to (i) approve the amendment to the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, (ii) approve the Company's 1999 Director Stock Plan, and (iii) ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the current year. Shares which abstain from voting as to a particular matter, and shares held in "street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter, and also will not be counted as votes cast or shares voting on such matter. Accordingly, abstentions and "broker non-votes" will have no effect on the voting on the matters being presented for stockholder action at the Annual Meeting. 5 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 31, 1999, with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each Director of the Company, (iii) each executive officer of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth under the caption "Executive Compensation" below and (iv) all current Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group: NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF BENEFICIALLY COMMON STOCK BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(1) OUTSTANDING(2) ---------------- ---------------- -------------- Putnam Investments, Inc.(3)........................... 3,263,870 8.35 One Post Office Square Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Massachusetts Financial Services Company(4)........... 2,788,770 7.14 500 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116-3741 Mary L. Good, Ph.D.(5)................................ 9,296 * John R. Hesse(6)...................................... 50,916 * E. Robert Kinney(7)................................... 137,168 * Jeffrey J. Langan(8).................................. 50,381 * James L. Moody, Jr.(9)................................ 101,004 * Kenneth Paigen, Ph.D.(10)............................. 43,704 * William F. Pounds(11)................................. 97,088 * David E. Shaw(12)..................................... 1,261,396 3.14 Erwin F. Workman, Jr., Ph.D.(13)...................... 515,025 1.30 Ralph K. Carlton(14).................................. 52,000 * Louis W. Pollock(15).................................. 94,276 * All current Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)(16).............................. 2,431,432 5.93 - --------------- * Less than 1%. (1) The inclusion herein of any shares of Common Stock deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each person listed above has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed. Any reference below to stock options held by the person or entity in question refers to stock options which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 1999. (2) Number of shares deemed outstanding includes 39,069,099 shares outstanding as of March 31, 1999, plus any shares subject to options held by the person or entity in question that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 1999. (3) Based upon information derived from a Schedule 13G filed by Putnam Investments, Inc. ("PI") pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the rules promulgated thereunder reporting its beneficial ownership of shares as of December 31, 1998. According to the Schedule 13G, PI has the shared power to vote 177,710 shares and shared power to dispose of 3,263,870 shares. 2 6 (4) Based upon information derived from a Schedule 13G filed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFSC") pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder reporting its beneficial ownership of shares as of December 31, 1998. (5) Consists of options to purchase 9,296 shares of Common Stock. (6) Includes options to purchase 23,000 shares of Common Stock. (7) Includes options to purchase 33,168 shares of Common Stock. Also includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Kinney's wife, as to which shares Mr. Kinney disclaims beneficial ownership. (8) Includes options to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock. (9) Includes options to purchase 39,668 shares of Common Stock. (10) Includes of options to purchase 43,504 shares of Common Stock. (11) Includes options to purchase 26,333 shares of Common Stock. (12) Includes options to purchase 1,095,600 shares of Common Stock. (13) Includes options to purchase 420,800 shares of Common Stock. Also includes 595 shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Workman's son, as to which shares Dr. Workman disclaims beneficial ownership. (14) Consists of options to purchase 52,000 shares of Common Stock. (15) Includes options to purchase 89,770 shares of Common Stock. Also includes 174 shares of Common Stock held in an individual retirement account for Mr. Pollock's wife, as to which shares Mr. Pollock disclaims beneficial ownership. (16) Includes options to purchase 1,901,139 shares of Common Stock. 3 7 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors is classified into three classes (designated Class I Directors, Class II Directors and Class III Directors), with members of each class holding office for staggered three-year terms. There are currently three Class I Directors, whose terms expire at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, three Class II Directors, whose terms expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and three Class III Directors, whose terms expire at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (in all cases subject to the election and qualification of their successors and to their earlier death, resignation or removal). The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote to elect John R. Hesse, Kenneth Paigen, Ph.D., and Jeffrey J. Langan as Class II Directors, unless authority to vote for the election of all or any of the nominees is withheld by marking the proxy to that effect. Each of the nominees is currently a Class II Director of the Company. Each nominee has indicated his willingness to serve, if elected, but if any should be unable or unwilling to serve, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among the executive officers or Directors of the Company. NOMINEES Set forth below for each Director of the Company (including the three nominees for Class II Director) is the following information: name and age, positions with the Company, principal occupation and business experience during the past five years, directorships of other publicly-held companies, and the year of commencement of such Director's term as a Director of the Company: NOMINEES FOR CLASS II DIRECTORS JOHN R. HESSE, age 65, has been a Director of the Company since 1984. Mr. Hesse has been President of Private Equity Managers, Inc. since 1980 and Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of International Garden Products, Inc. since January 1996. KENNETH PAIGEN, PH.D., age 71, has been a Director of the Company since 1992. Dr. Paigen has been Director of The Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit genetics research institute, since 1989. From 1982 until 1989, Dr. Paigen was a Professor at the University of California-Berkeley. JEFFREY J. LANGAN, age 54, has been a Director and President of the Company since November 1997 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 1999. Mr. Langan served as Chief Operating Officer from November 1997 until February 1999. From April 1996 until November 1997 Mr. Langan was President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermedics Detection, Inc. Prior to joining Thermedics Detection, Mr. Langan was employed by Hewlett Packard Company from 1973 to 1996, where he held several General Manager positions, including General Manager of the Healthcare Information Management Division and General Manager of the Clinical Systems Business Unit. CLASS I DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRE AT 2000 ANNUAL MEETING) DAVID E. SHAW, age 47, has been Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since February 1999. Mr. Shaw served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from its incorporation in 1983 until February 1999. Mr. Shaw also served as President of the Company from 1983 until October 1993. 4 8 WILLIAM F. POUNDS, age 71, has been a Director of the Company since 1990. Dr. Pounds has been a Professor at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, since 1961 and was President of Rockefeller Financial Services from September 1981 until May 1991. Dr. Pounds is a director of Putnam Mutual Funds and The Sun Company, Inc. MARY L. GOOD, PH.D., age 67, has been a Director of the Company since December 1997. Dr. Good has been a managing member of Venture Capital Investors, LLC since July 1997. Dr. Good was the Under Secretary for Technology for the Technology Administration in the United States Department of Commerce from August 1993 until June 1997, and was Senior Vice President - Technology at AlliedSignal Inc. from 1988 until August 1993. Dr. Good is a director of Biogen, Inc. and Whatman PLC (an English company). CLASS III DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRE AT 2001 ANNUAL MEETING) E. ROBERT KINNEY, age 82, has been a Director of the Company since 1986. Mr. Kinney was President of IDS Mutual Funds Group, a complex of open-end investment companies, from 1982 until 1987. Prior to joining IDS Mutual Funds Group, he was the Chief Executive Officer of General Mills, Inc. JAMES L. MOODY, JR., age 67, has been a Director of the Company since 1992. Mr. Moody was Chairman of the Board of Hannaford Bros. Co., an operator of supermarkets, from 1984 until 1997, and served as Chief Executive Officer of Hannaford Bros. Co. from 1973 until 1992. He is also a director of Penobscot Shoe Company, Staples, Inc., UNUM Corporation, Empire Company Limited (a Canadian corporation), and a trustee of various funds of the Colonial Group of Mutual Funds. ERWIN F. WORKMAN, JR., PH.D., age 52, has been a Director of the Company since October 1993. Dr. Workman has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Company since November 1997. Dr. Workman joined the Company as a Vice President in 1984, and he became Senior Vice President in December 1991, Executive Vice President in May 1992 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to November 1997. Prior to joining the Company, he was Manager of Research and Development for the Hepatitis and AIDS Business Unit within the diagnostic division of Abbott Laboratories. BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Company has a standing Audit Committee which provides the opportunity for direct contact between the Company's independent auditors and the Board. The Audit Committee met four times during 1998 to review the activities and the effectiveness of the auditors during the annual audit and related matters, to discuss the Company's internal accounting control policies and procedures and to consider and recommend the selection of the Company's independent auditors. The current Audit Committee members are Messrs. Hesse (Chairman) and Kinney and Dr. Paigen. The Company has a standing Compensation Committee which provides recommendations to the Board regarding compensation programs of the Company, administers the Company's stock option plans, and authorizes stock option grants under the 1991 Stock Option Plan and 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee met six times and acted twice by written consent during 1998. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Dr. Pounds (Chairman), Dr. Good and Messrs. Kinney and Moody. The Company does not have a nominating committee or a committee serving a similar function. Nominations are made by and through the full Board of Directors. 5 9 The Board of Directors met seven times during 1998. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the number of Board meetings and the number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served. DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION The Company has not paid cash director's fees to its Directors. Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company have received stock options pursuant to formula plans, as described below, and expense reimbursement for attending Board and Committee meetings. Directors who are officers or employees of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for their services as Directors. Under the Company's 1997 Director Option Plan (the "1997 Director Plan"), Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company are entitled to receive non-statutory options to purchase 6,500 shares of Common Stock at each annual meeting through and including the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2002 (as discussed below, the 1997 Director Plan will terminate upon stockholder approval of the 1999 Director Stock Plan). Options granted under the 1997 Director Plan vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant or, if earlier, the date of the next annual meeting. In addition, eligible Directors elected to the Board other than at an annual meeting are granted an option for a pro rata number of shares of Common Stock. In general, options granted under the 1997 Director Plan are not transferable and are exercisable during the lifetime of the Director only while he or she is serving as a Director of the Company or within 90 days after he or she ceases to serve as a Director of the Company; provided, however, that the Board has the discretion to allow options to be transferred to family members, trusts for the benefit of family members, and charitable organizations. If a Director dies or becomes disabled while serving as a Director, options are exercisable for a one-year period thereafter. No option is exercisable after ten years from the date of the grant. The option price per share is equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted. As of March 31, 1999, options to purchase 74,296 shares of Common Stock had been granted and were outstanding under the 1997 Director Plan and 225,704 shares of Common Stock were available for issuance pursuant to options to be granted under the 1997 Director Plan. In February 1999, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the 1999 Director Stock Plan to replace the 1997 Director Plan, which will terminate upon approval of the 1999 Director Stock Plan. If the 1999 Director Stock Plan is approved, no options will be granted to Directors under the 1997 Director Plan in connection with the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. See "Approval of the Company's 1999 Director Stock Plan." Under the 1999 Director Stock Plan, the Company will make annual awards of 2,000 shares of Common Stock to each eligible Director. To assist Directors in satisfying tax obligations resulting from the awards, the Company will make a cash payment of $15,000 to each Director upon such Director's receipt of each Common Stock award. If the 1999 Director Stock Plan is not approved, options to purchase 6,500 shares of Common Stock will be granted at the Annual Meeting to each eligible Director under the 1997 Director Plan. 6 10 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation for each of the last three fiscal years of (i) the Company's Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the four other most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 1998 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"). SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS ----------------------------------- ------------ OTHER ANNUAL SECURITIES COMPENSATION UNDERLYING ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) ($)(1) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION($)(2) --------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------------ David E. Shaw.................... 1998 $439,500 $378,000 -- 100,000 $3,368 Executive Chairman of the 1997 $390,200 -- -- 135,000(3) $3,176 Board of Directors 1996 $349,038 $210,000 -- 150,000 $3,000 Jeffrey J. Langan................ 1998 $311,700 $216,000 $100,000(4) --(5) $3,269 President and Chief Executive 1997 $ 23,077 -- -- 250,000 -- Officer Erwin F. Workman, Jr., Ph.D...... 1998 $306,700 $216,000 -- 60,000 $3,220 Executive Vice President and 1997 $293,500 -- -- 108,000(6) $3,302 Chief Scientific Officer 1996 $249,519 $150,000 -- 100,000 $3,000 Ralph K. Carlton................. 1998 $269,400 $147,000 -- 50,000 -- Senior Vice President, Finance 1997 $214,900 -- $ 25,000(7) 105,000(8) -- and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Louis W. Pollock................. 1998 $186,400 $ 92,000 -- 30,000 $3,189 Vice President 1997 $165,900 -- -- 35,350(9) $3,175 1996 $149,519 $ 60,000 -- 30,500 $3,000 - --------------- (1) Other compensation in the form of perquisites and other personal benefits has been omitted in those instances where such perquisites and other personal benefits constituted less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total salary and bonus for the Named Executive Officer for such year. (2) Consists of the Company's matching contribution under the IDEXX Retirement and Incentive Savings Plan. (3) Represents options issued in exchange for options to purchase 270,000 shares in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. Excludes options to purchase 120,000 shares issued in February 1997 but later cancelled in exchange for options to purchase 60,000 shares (which are reflected in the table) in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. (4) Represents a bonus paid to Mr. Langan as a result of his joining the Company in November 1997. (5) Under a letter agreement between Mr. Langan and the Company, due to the option grant to Mr. Langan upon joining the Company in 1997, any option grant for which Mr. Langan would otherwise be eligible for performance during 1998 would be reduced by 50,000 shares. Accordingly, Mr. Langan did not 7 11 receive options to purchase shares as compensation for 1998. See "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements." (6) Represents options issued in exchange for options to purchase 180,000 shares in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. Excludes options to purchase 80,000 shares issued in February 1997 but later cancelled in exchange for options to purchase 48,000 shares (which are reflected in the table) in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. (7) Represents a relocation allowance paid to Mr. Carlton upon his joining the Company in February 1997. (8) Represents options issued in exchange for options to purchase 150,000 shares in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. All of the cancelled options were granted in February 1997, but are excluded from the table. (9) Represents options issued in exchange for options to purchase 50,500 shares in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. Excludes options to purchase 20,000 shares issued in February 1997 but later cancelled in exchange for options to purchase 14,000 shares (which are reflected in the table) in connection with the Company's 1997 option repricing program. Option Grants The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of stock options made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 to each of the Named Executive Officers: OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ------------------------------------------------ PERCENT OF POTENTIAL REALIZABLE NUMBER OF TOTAL VALUE AT ASSUMED SECURITIES OPTIONS EXERCISE ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OR PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTIONS EMPLOYEES BASE OPTION TERM(3) GRANTED IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION ----------------------- NAME (#)(1) YEAR ($/SH)(2) DATE 5%($) 10%($) ---- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- David E. Shaw(4).................. 100,000 8.06% $13.6875 1/31/08 $860,800 $2,181,435 Jeffrey J. Langan(4)(5)........... -- -- -- -- -- -- Erwin F. Workman, Jr., Ph.D.(4)... 60,000 4.84% $13.6875 1/31/08 $516,480 $1,308,861 Ralph K. Carlton.................. 50,000 4.03% $13.6875 1/31/08 $430,400 $1,090,718 Louis W. Pollock.................. 30,000 2.42% $13.6875 1/31/08 $258,240 $ 654,431 - --------------- (1) Options become exercisable in equal annual installments over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant. (2) The exercise price is equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. (3) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. These gains are based on assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the date the respective options were granted to their expiration date. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will depend on the future performance of the Common Stock and the date on which the options are exercised. (4) Upon a change in control of the Company, vesting of options held by Mr. Shaw, Dr. Workman and Mr. Langan accelerates and such options become fully exercisable. If Mr. Shaw's employment is terminated by the Company or terminated by Mr. Shaw due to a breach by the Company of an 8 12 employment agreement with Mr. Shaw, the vesting of all options held by Mr. Shaw will accelerate and such options will become fully exercisable. See "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements." (5) Under a letter agreement between Mr. Langan and the Company, due to the option grant to Mr. Langan upon joining the Company in 1997, any option grant for which Mr. Langan would otherwise be eligible for performance during 1998 would be reduced by 50,000 shares. Accordingly, Mr. Langan did not receive options to purchase shares as compensation for 1998. See "Executive Compensation - Employment Agreements." Option Exercises and Year-End Values The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock options exercised during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 by each of the Named Executive Officers and the number and value of unexercised options held by each of the Named Executive Officers on December 31, 1998: AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT SHARES VALUE FISCAL YEAR-END(#) FISCAL YEAR-END($)(2) ACQUIRED ON REALIZED ------------------------- ------------------------- NAME EXERCISE(#) ($)(1) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE ---- ----------- ---------- ------------------------- ------------------------- David E. Shaw................ 200,000 $2,705,000 1,006,500/259,200 $20,010,566/$2,793,300 Jeffrey J. Langan............ -- -- 50,000/200,000 $ 557,813/$2,231,250 Erwin F. Workman, Jr., Ph.D....................... 30,000 $ 675,938 408,100/170,600 $ 6,894,543/$1,831,616 Ralph K. Carlton............. -- -- 21,000/134,000 $ 200,681/$1,463,663 Louis W. Pollock............. 20,000 $ 207,518 71,060/ 71,690 $ 787,665/$ 798,410 - --------------- (1) Represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise. (2) Based on the fair market value of the Common Stock on December 31, 1998 ($26.91) less the option exercise price. Employment Agreements In April 1997 the Company entered into employment agreements with Mr. Shaw and Dr. Workman, and in April 1999 the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Langan, establishing the terms of employment of such officers in the event of a change in control of the Company, including the payment of certain compensation and benefits in the event that, following a change in control, the employment of any such officer is terminated by the Company or its successor without cause or by the officer for good reason. For purposes of the agreements, a "change in control" is deemed to occur, subject to certain exceptions, upon (i) the acquisition by a person or entity of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Company's then-outstanding voting securities, (ii) individuals who comprise the Board of Directors as of the date of the agreements (the "Incumbent Directors"), and individuals who are subsequently elected to the Board who are approved by the Incumbent Directors, ceasing to constitute at least a majority of the Board, (iii) consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of assets unless following such transaction (1) the beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock and other voting securities immediately prior to such transaction own, in substantially the same proportions, more than 60% of the 9 13 outstanding common stock and then-outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such transaction, (2) no person or entity owns 20% or more of the outstanding common stock or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the resulting entity, and (3) at least half of the members of the board of directors of the resulting entity were Incumbent Directors, or individuals subsequently elected to the Board who are approved by the Incumbent Directors, at the time of execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for the transaction. Upon the occurrence of a change in control, all outstanding options to purchase Common Stock owned by the officers would become immediately exercisable in full. Upon termination of employment following a change in control by the Company or its successor without cause or by the officer for good reason, the officer would receive in addition to salary and benefits through the date of termination (i) a pro-rated bonus payment for the portion of the year of termination prior to the date of termination, (ii) benefits for a period of 36 months following termination and (iii) an amount equal to three times the sum of (1) the officer's annual base salary plus (2) the highest annual bonus received by the officer. For this purpose "annual base salary" is defined as the officer's base salary, but not less than 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid within the 12 months prior to the change of control, and "highest annual bonus" is defined as the higher of (A) the highest annual bonus paid to the officer for the three fiscal years preceding the change in control and (B) the annual bonus paid or payable for the most recently completed fiscal year following the change in control. The employment agreements become effective upon a change in control and terminate three years thereafter. Prior to a change in control, the Company has no obligation to retain the officer as an employee. Under the employment agreements, no compensation is payable by the Company to the officers upon any termination of employment prior to a change in control, except that compensation substantially equivalent to that described in the preceding paragraph will be payable prior to a change in control if the termination of the officer's employment (i) is at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a change in control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a change in control. In November 1997, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Langan that provides that Mr. Langan will continue to receive salary and benefits for a period of one year in the event that he is terminated by the Company without cause prior to January 1, 2000. In February 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Shaw under which Mr. Shaw will serve as Executive Chairman of the Company through February 17, 2002 (the "Employment Period"). During the Employment Period, Mr. Shaw will receive an annual base salary of $350,000, subject to adjustment in future years by mutual agreement, and his eligibility for cash bonuses and stock option grants will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. If, during the Employment Period, Mr. Shaw's employment is terminated by the Company or terminated by Mr. Shaw due to a breach of the agreement by the Company, all options to purchase Common Stock held by Mr. Shaw will immediately vest and Mr. Shaw will continue to receive salary and benefits for the remainder of the Employment Period. SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Based upon a review of copies of reports filed with respect to 1998 by reporting persons of the Company pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5 filing was required for such persons for such period, the Company believes that all filings required to be made by reporting persons of the Company were timely made in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. 10 14 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for determining the compensation package of each executive officer and recommending it to the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of four non-employee Directors. The Company's executive compensation program is intended to promote the achievement of the Company's business goals and, thereby, to maximize corporate performance and stockholder returns. Executive compensation consists of a mixture of base salary, performance bonuses and stock-based incentives. The Compensation Committee believes it is important to have bonuses constitute a portion of each executive's compensation package in order to tie an individual's compensation level to individual and corporate performance, and believes it is important to have stock incentives constitute a portion of each executive's compensation package in order to help align executive and stockholder interests. In determining levels of compensation, the Compensation Committee considers a number of factors such as: (i) corporate performance, (ii) individual performance, and (iii) the Company's need to attract and retain key executive personnel who will contribute to the creation of stockholder value. In assessing corporate performance, the Committee primarily measures the Company's performance against a Board-approved budget. Base Salary. Generally, each executive officer's base salary is reviewed on an annual basis. In setting base salary, the Compensation Committee considers the factors described above, as well as recommendations from the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Committee does not, however, use a specific formula based on a ranking of the indicated criteria, but instead makes a subjective evaluation of each executive officer's contributions and potential in light of such criteria. During 1998, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Shaw's base salary from $380,000 to $420,000, in recognition of the Company's performance and his contributions to the Company and attainment of individual goals. Performance Bonuses. The payment of bonuses to executive officers is directly related to their achievement of corporate and individual performance goals. The Compensation Committee's policy is that the payment of bonuses will not necessarily be authorized unless the Company meets or exceeds its budget objectives for the fiscal year. The amount of the bonus paid, if any, varies among the executive officers depending on their success in achieving individual performance goals and on their contribution to the achievement of corporate performance goals, with principal emphasis placed by the Compensation Committee on corporate goals. At the beginning of each year, Mr. Shaw proposes a budget for the year to the Board of Directors for approval. This budget includes corporate-wide goals, including financial objectives for revenues, expenses, gross margin, net income and earnings per share, goals jointly established by Mr. Shaw or Mr. Langan and each of the other executive officers for their individual areas of responsibility, and a proposal regarding the overall size of the target bonus pool for the year. The individual and corporate goals included in the budget generally represent objective measures of performance. These goals include quantifiable financial objectives, such as the achievement of revenue or operating profit targets, and other milestones in research, development, marketing and other areas. For 1998, the Board of Directors initially approved a target bonus pool equal to approximately 30% of the base salaries of all eligible bonus pool participants, which included all executive officers and certain other key members of management. Throughout the year, either Mr. Shaw or Mr. Langan meets with each executive officer to review his or her progress in achieving these goals and reports the Company's progress against its budget to the Board of Directors. After the end of the year, Mr. Shaw or Mr. Langan performs a final performance review with each executive officer and Mr. Shaw then presents bonus recommendations to the Compensation Committee for approval. 11 15 At its meeting in February 1999, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's actual 1998 corporate performance against the five key financial objectives from the 1998 budget referred to above. The Compensation Committee determined that in 1998, the Company would have achieved its expense objective, and would have been slightly below its net income and earnings per share objectives, but for the operating losses and write-off of in process research and development incurred by the Company in connection with its acquisition of Blue Ridge Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The Compensation Committee also determined that the Company's performance was below its revenue and gross margin goals. The Committee then considered a report by Mr. Shaw with respect to each executive officer's performance against his individual goals. As with the determination of base salary, even though the Committee considered all five of the indicated financial objectives as well as Mr. Shaw's report, the Compensation Committee did not make any specific ranking of the indicated criteria, but instead made a subjective evaluation of each executive officer's performance. On the basis of that assessment, the Compensation Committee awarded bonuses totaling $4,276,000 or 27.5% of the base salaries of all eligible bonus pool participants, which was within the previously approved target bonus pool. The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Shaw a bonus of $378,000 out of this pool in recognition of the Company's financial performance for the year and Mr. Shaw's achievement of his individual goals. Equity-Based Compensation. Grants of options under the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan and 1998 Stock Incentive Plan are intended to directly relate executive compensation to corporate performance and to help align long-term interests of the Company's executive officers and stockholders. The exercise price of all options granted to executive officers in 1998 was equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee considers options to be an important method of providing an incentive for executive officers to remain with, and to continue to make significant contributions to, the Company. Therefore, in granting options, the Compensation Committee makes a subjective determination after considering the number and value of options held by each executive officer which will vest in each future period, in addition to the other factors described above. The Compensation Committee also seeks to maintain equitable relationships between executive officers who have similar levels of responsibility. During 1998, options were granted to each of the Named Executive Officers except Mr. Langan (see "Executive Compensation-Summary Compensation"), in recognition of their performance and anticipated future contributions to the Company, including options for 100,000 shares granted to Mr. Shaw. Under the Company's employee stock purchase plans, all eligible employees of the Company, including executive officers, may purchase shares of Common Stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the beginning or end of the applicable purchase period, whichever is lower. Offerings under these plans generally occur over a six month period and an aggregate of up to 450,000 shares may be issued under the plans. 12 16 Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). The Company does not believe that Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended Code, which disallows a tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the corporation's Chief Executive Officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers, will generally have an effect on the Company. The Company intends to continue to periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) and in the future may decide to structure the performance-based portion of its executive officer compensation to comply with certain exemptions provided in Section 162(m). William F. Pounds (Chairman) Mary L. Good E. Robert Kinney James L. Moody, Jr. 13 17 STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock since December 31, 1993 with the cumulative total return of (i) the CRSP Total Return Index for The Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. Companies) (the "CRSP Nasdaq Index") and (ii) the Standard and Poor's Health Care Composite Index (the "S&P Health Care Index"). This graph assumes the investment of $100 on December 31, 1993 in the Company's Common Stock, the CRSP Nasdaq Index and the S&P Health Care Index and assumes dividends, if any, are reinvested. Measurement points are the last trading days of the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. CRSP NASDAQ INDEX S&P HEALTH CARE INDEX ------------------------ ----------------- --------------------- 12/31/93 100.00 100.00 100.00 12/31/94 113.00 98.00 110.00 12/31/95 295.00 138.00 169.00 12/31/96 226.00 170.00 200.00 12/31/97 100.00 209.00 284.00 12/31/98 169.00 293.00 405.00 14 18 AMENDMENT OF THE 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN On February 17, 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, increasing from 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 1999, options to purchase 381,635 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $24.50 per share and 59,550 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $25.00 per share were outstanding under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and no options to purchase shares of Common Stock had been exercised under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. All such options were granted to employees other than executive officers of the Company and are the only awards that have been made under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors believes that the future growth and success of the Company depends, in large part, on its ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees, consultants and advisors and that stock option grants under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan have been, and will continue to be, an important compensation element in attracting, retaining and motivating such persons. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS, AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL. SUMMARY OF THE 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN The following is a brief summary of the material terms of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, a copy of which may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of "incentive stock options" intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, nonstatutory stock options and restricted stock awards (collectively, "Awards"). Officers, employees (including individuals who have accepted an offer for employment), directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Awards under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. Under present law, however, incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. The maximum number of shares with respect to which an Award may be granted to any participant under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan may not exceed 500,000 shares per calendar year. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise in a particular Award, Awards may not be transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Award recipients must satisfy all tax withholding obligations arising from an Award. The Board of Directors may allow the recipient to meet the withholding obligation by delivering shares of Common Stock, including shares otherwise issuable under the Award. Stock option Awards give the recipient the right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a specified option price and subject to such other terms and conditions as are specified in connection with the option grant. Options granted under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan may not be granted at an exercise price less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant (or less than 110% of the fair market value in the case of incentive stock options granted to optionees holding more than 10% of the voting power of the Company). Options may not be granted for a term in excess of ten years (five years in the case of incentive stock options granted to optionees holding more than 10% of the voting power of the Company). The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan permits the Board of Directors to determine the manner of payment of the exercise price of options, including through payment by cash, check or in connection with a "cashless exercise" through a broker, by surrender to the Company of shares of Common Stock, by delivery to the Company of a promissory note, or by any other lawful means. 15 19 Restricted stock Awards entitle recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares from the recipient in the event that the conditions specified in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period established for such Award. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to restricted stock Awards granted at below 100% of fair market value may not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has the authority to adopt, amend and repeal the administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and to interpret the provisions of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors selects the recipients of Awards and determines (i) the number of shares of Common Stock covered by options and the dates upon which such options become exercisable, (ii) the exercise price of options, (iii) the duration of options, and (iv) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any restricted stock Awards and the terms and conditions of such Awards, including conditions for repurchase and the issue price. The Board of Directors may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, however neither the Board of Directors nor the Company may amend any outstanding Award to reduce the exercise price, other than an adjustment described in the following paragraph, without prior approval of the Company's stockholders. The Board of Directors may delegate its authority under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan to one or more committees of the Board, and has authorized the Compensation Committee to administer the granting of stock options under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors is required to make appropriate adjustments in connection with the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and any outstanding Awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits and similar events. In the event of a merger or other acquisition event (as defined in the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan), the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan provides for outstanding options to be assumed or substitute awards granted, unless the surviving corporation does not agree to such assumption or substitution, in which case the Board of Directors shall accelerate the options or may instead provide for a cash out of the value of the options. Upon the occurrence of an acquisition event, the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan provides that the rights of the Company under each restricted stock Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company's successor. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan will expire by its terms on May 15, 2008, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date. The Board of Directors may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, except that no outstanding Award designated as subject to Section 162(m) of the Code by the Board of Directors after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested (as applicable to such Award) unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders. As of March 31, 1999, approximately 2,100 persons were eligible for Awards under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, including the Named Executive Officers. The granting of Awards under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is discretionary, and the Company cannot now determine the number or type of Awards to be granted in the future to any particular person or group. On March 31, 1999, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $23.94. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax consequences that generally will arise with respect to Awards granted under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and with respect to the sale of Common Stock acquired under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. Incentive Stock Options. In general, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. Instead, a participant will generally recognize taxable income with 16 20 respect to an incentive stock option only upon the sale of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the option ("ISO Stock"). The exercise of an incentive stock option, however, may subject the participant to the alternative minimum tax. Generally, the tax consequences of selling ISO Stock will vary with the length of time that the participant has owned the ISO Stock at the time it is sold. If the participant sells ISO Stock after having owned it for at least two years from the date the option was granted (the "Grant Date") and one year from the date the option was exercised (the "Exercise Date"), then the participant will recognize long-term capital gain in an amount equal to the excess of the sale price of the ISO Stock over the exercise price. If the participant sells ISO Stock for more than the exercise price prior to having owned it for at least two years from the Grant Date and one year from the Exercise Date (a "Disqualifying Disposition"), then all or a portion of the gain recognized by the participant will be ordinary compensation income and the remaining gain, if any, will be a capital gain. This capital gain will be long-term capital gain if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than one year prior to the date of the sale. If the participant sells ISO Stock for less than the exercise price, then the participant will recognize capital loss equal to the excess of the exercise price over the sale price of the ISO Stock. This capital loss will be a long-term capital loss if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than one year prior to the date of the sale. Nonstatutory Stock Options. As in the case of an incentive stock option, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option. Unlike the case of an incentive stock option, however, a participant who exercises a nonstatutory stock option generally will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the option (the "NSO Stock") on the Exercise Date over the exercise price. With respect to any NSO Stock, a participant will have a tax basis equal to the exercise price plus any income recognized upon the exercise of the option. Upon selling NSO Stock, a participant generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the excess of the sale price of the NSO Stock over the participant's tax basis in the NSO Stock. This capital gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the participant has held the NSO Stock for more than one year prior to the date of the sale. Restricted Stock Awards. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a restricted stock Award, unless the participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (a "Section 83(b) Election"). If the participant makes a Section 83(b) Election within 30 days of the date of the grant, then the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income, for the year in which the Award is granted, in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the Award is granted and the purchase price paid for the Common Stock. If a Section 83(b) Election is not made, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income, at the time that the forfeiture provisions or restrictions on transfer lapse, in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such lapse and the original purchase price paid for the Common Stock. The participant will have a basis in the Common Stock acquired equal to the sum of the price paid and the amount of ordinary compensation income recognized. Upon the disposition of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to a restricted stock Award, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sale price of the Common Stock and the participant's tax basis in the Common Stock. The gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year. For this purpose, the holding period shall begin just after the date on which the forfeiture provisions or restrictions lapse if a Section 83(b) Election is not made, or just after the Award is granted if a Section 83(b) Election is made. 17 21 Tax Consequences to the Company. The grant of a stock option or restricted stock Award under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan will have no tax consequences to the Company. Moreover, in general, neither the exercise of an incentive stock option nor the sale of any Common Stock acquired under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan will have any tax consequences to the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a business-expense deduction, however, with respect to any ordinary compensation income recognized by a participant under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, including as a result of the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, a Disqualifying Disposition, or a Section 83(b) Election. Any such deduction will be subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. 18 22 APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S 1999 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN On February 17, 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the Company's 1999 Director Stock Plan covering 80,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The 1999 Director Stock Plan is intended to replace the 1997 Director Plan, which will terminate if the 1999 Director Stock Plan is approved by the stockholders. See "Election of Directors - - Directors' Compensation." If the 1999 Director Stock Plan is not approved by the stockholders, the 1997 Director Plan will remain in effect. A December 1998 proposal by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), if adopted, would require the Company to amortize the fair value of stock options granted to its Directors over the vesting periods of such options, thus changing the accounting required for such options. Under the proposal, the fair value of a stock option would be adjusted quarterly, which would require the Company to amortize increasingly greater amounts over the vesting period of the option if the market price of the Common Stock continued to increase over that period. Currently, the Company does not recognize any expense associated with the grant of options to Directors. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that the FASB proposal would cause the grant of options under the 1997 Director Plan to be less attractive to the Company and its stockholders than the award of Common Stock under the 1999 Director Stock Plan, which would require a one-time expensing of the value of the share award at the time of the grant. Compensation of Directors under the 1999 Director Stock Plan would also reduce the total number of shares reserved for Director compensation from 225,704 shares to 80,000 shares. The Board of Directors believes that the 1999 Director Stock Plan is necessary to help the Company continue to attract and retain experienced outside directors needed for the success of the Company, while avoiding the negative accounting consequences that could result under the 1997 Director Plan and decreasing the number of shares reserved for Director compensation. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE 1999 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS, AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL. The 1999 Director Stock Plan is summarized below. This summary is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of the 1999 Director Stock Plan, copies of which may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company. SUMMARY OF THE 1999 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN Under the terms of the 1999 Director Stock Plan, upon approval of the plan by the stockholders, Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company will be awarded 2,000 shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting and at each subsequent annual meeting through and including the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2004. In addition, eligible Directors elected to the Board other than at an annual meeting will be awarded a pro rata number of shares of Common Stock. On March 31, 1999, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $23.94. The Board of Directors may suspend or discontinue the 1999 Director Stock Plan or amend it in any respect whatsoever, provided, however, that without approval of the stockholders of the Company, no amendment may (i) change the number of shares subject to the 1999 Director Stock Plan, (ii) change the designation of directors eligible to receive shares under the 1999 Director Stock Plan, (iii) increase the number of shares awarded to each eligible director in a fiscal year or (iv) otherwise materially increase the benefits accruing to participants in the 1999 Director Stock Plan. 19 23 As of March 31, 1999, the Company had six non-employee Directors. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock currently expected to be awarded during 1999 under the 1999 Director Stock Plan to each of the indicated persons and groups: NEW PLAN BENEFITS ANTICIPATED BENEFITS UNDER 1999 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN NAME NUMBER OF SHARES ---- ---------------- David E. Shaw............................................. 0 Jeffrey J. Langan......................................... 0 Erwin F. Workman, Jr., Ph.D............................... 0 Ralph K. Carlton.......................................... 0 Louis W. Pollock.......................................... 0 Executive Group........................................... 0 Non-Executive Director Group.............................. 12,000 Non-Executive Officer Employee Group...................... 0 20 24 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors has selected the firm of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the current fiscal year. Arthur Andersen LLP has served as the Company's independent auditors since the Company's inception. Although stockholder approval of the Board of Directors' selection of Arthur Andersen LLP is not required by law, the Board of Directors believes that it is advisable to give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will reconsider its selection of Arthur Andersen LLP. Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders. OTHER MATTERS The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting, and, under the Company's by-laws, the deadline for stockholders to notify the Company of any proposals or director nominations to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting has passed. However, if any other matters are properly presented to the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters. All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitations by mail, the Company's Directors, officers and regular employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph and personal interviews. The Company has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for this year's Annual Meeting, at a cost to the Company of approximately $4,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. Brokers, custodians and fiduciaries will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the owners of stock held in their names, and, as required by law, the Company will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in this regard. 21 25 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING Proposals of stockholders submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for its 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal office in Westbrook, Maine, not later than December 10, 1999. In addition, the Company's by-laws require that the Company be given advance notice of matters which stockholders wish to present for action at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters included in the Company's proxy statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8). The required notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company, at the principal offices of the Company no later than March 20, 2000 or 60 days before the date of the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, whichever is later. If a stockholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxies designated by the Board of Directors of the Company will have discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal which may come before the meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors, Richard B. Thorp, Secretary April 16, 1999 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOPES THAT SHAREHOLDERS WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. SHAREHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY VOTE THEIR STOCK PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES. 22 26 1066-PS-99 27 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 1999 DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN (as of February 17, 1999) 1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this 1999 Director Stock Plan (the "Plan") of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") is to encourage ownership in the Company by outside directors of the Company whose continued services are considered essential to the Company's future progress and to provide them with a further incentive to remain as directors of the Company. 2. ADMINISTRATION. The Board of Directors shall supervise and administer the Plan. Grants of stock awards under the Plan and the amount and nature of the awards to be granted shall be automatic in accordance with Section 5. However, all questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any awards issued under it shall be determined by the Board of Directors and such determination shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan. 3. PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN. Directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Plan shall be 80,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. 5. DELIVERY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. (a) GRANT DATES AND AMOUNT. Following approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, upon the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, including the date of the annual meeting of stockholders at which the Plan is approved and adopted, the Company shall award to each eligible director continuing in office after, or elected at, such meeting 2,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, in the case of any eligible director who is elected other than at an annual meeting, the Company shall award to such director upon his or her election the number of shares of Common Stock determined by the following formula: 2,000 x (365 less the number of days elapsed since last annual meeting) ------------------------------------------------------------- 365 1 28 (b) CONSIDERATION. To the extent required by Delaware law, the Board of Directors may require a recipient of shares of Common Stock under the Plan to pay an amount equal to the par value per share for each share of Common Stock received under the Plan. (c) REGISTRATION OF SHARES. Common Stock to be delivered to an eligible director under the Plan will be registered in the name of the director. (d) ASSIGNMENTS. The rights and benefits under the Plan may not be assigned. (e) CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan until (i) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (ii) the recipient of such shares has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations. 6. TIME FOR GRANTING AWARDS. All awards for shares subject to the Plan shall be granted, if at all, not later than the fifth annual meeting of stockholders after the meeting of stockholders at which the Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders. 7. NO RIGHT TO CONTINUE AS A DIRECTOR. Neither the Plan, nor the granting of an award nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that a director will hold office with the Company for any period of time. 8. CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased, decreased or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities, or if additional shares or new or different shares or other securities are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities, through merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution with respect to such shares of Common Stock, or other securities, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment will be made in the maximum number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan and in the number and kind of shares awardable under the Plan pursuant to Section 5(a) after the date of such event. 2 29 9. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors may suspend or discontinue the Plan or review or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that without approval of the stockholders of the Company no revision or amendment shall change the number of shares subject to the Plan (except as provided in Section 8), change the designation of the class of directors eligible to receive awards, or otherwise materially increase the benefits accruing to directors under the Plan. 10. NOTICE. Any written notice to the Company required by any of the provisions of the Plan shall be addressed to the Treasurer of the Company and shall become effective when it is received. 11. GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. Approved by the Board of Directors on February 17, 1999. Approved by the Stockholders on ______________, 1999. 3 30 IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1999) 1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to advance the interests of the Company's stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives and thereby better aligning the interests of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Company" shall include any present or future subsidiary corporations of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code"). 2. ELIGIBILITY. All of the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors (and any individuals who have accepted an offer for employment) are eligible to be granted options or restricted stock awards (each, an "Award") under the Plan. Each person who has been granted an Award under the Plan shall be deemed a "Participant". 3. ADMINISTRATION, DELEGATION. (a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No director or person acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action or determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith. (b) APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee"). All references in the Plan 31 to the "Board" shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board to the extent that the Board's powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee. 4. STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS. (a) NUMBER OF SHARES. Subject to adjustment under Section 7, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock, $.10 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). If any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part or results in any Common Stock not being issued, the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan, subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined), to any limitation required under the Code. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. (b) PER-PARTICIPANT LIMIT. Subject to adjustment under Section 7, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which an Award may be granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 500,000 per calendar year. The per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b) shall be construed and applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code. 5. STOCK OPTIONS. (a) GENERAL. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an "Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable. An Option which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a "Nonstatutory Stock Option". (b) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. An Option that the Board intends to be an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an "Incentive Stock Option") shall only be granted to employees of the Company and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option. (c) EXERCISE PRICE. The Board shall establish the exercise price, which shall in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined (or in a manner approved) by the Board in good faith ("Fair Market Value") at the time 2 32 of grant, at the time each Option is granted and specify it in the applicable option agreement. (d) DURATION OF OPTIONS. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable option agreement. No option will be granted for a term in excess of 10 years. (e) EXERCISE OF OPTION. Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Board, together with payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised. (f) PAYMENT UPON EXERCISE. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows: (1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company; (2) except as the Board may, in its sole discretion, otherwise provide in an option agreement, (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price or (iii) delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, which Common Stock was owned by the Participant at least six months prior to such delivery; (3) to the extent permitted by the Board, in its sole discretion (i) by delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Board, or (ii) by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or (4) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment. 6. RESTRICTED STOCK. (a) GRANTS. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award (each, "Restricted Stock Award"). 3 33 (b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any. Any stock certificates issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant's death (the "Designated Beneficiary"). In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the Participant's estate. (c) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF SHARES. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, no more than 10% of the total number of shares issuable under the Plan may be issued in the form of Restricted Stock Awards which are granted with an issue price less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. 7. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS. (a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than a normal cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under this Plan, (ii) the per-Participant limits set forth in Section 4(b), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share subject to each outstanding Option, and (iv) the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall be appropriately adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) to the extent the Board shall determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment (or substitution) is necessary and appropriate. If this Section 7(a) applies and Section 7(c) also applies to any event, Section 7(c) shall be applicable to such event, and this Section 7(a) shall not be applicable. (b) LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. In the event of a proposed liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the Board shall upon written notice to the Participants provide that (i) all then unexercised Options will (x) become exercisable in full as of a specified time at least 10 business days prior to the effective date of such liquidation or dissolution and (y) terminate effective upon such liquidation or dissolution, except to the extent exercised before such effective date, and (ii) all Restricted Stock Awards will become free of all restrictions as of a specified time prior to the effective date of such liquidation or dissolution. 4 34 (c) ACQUISITION EVENTS (1) DEFINITION. An "Acquisition Event" shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which the Common Stock is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or (b) any exchange of shares of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a statutory share exchange transaction. (2) CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACQUISITION EVENT ON OPTIONS. Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event, or the execution by the Company of any agreement with respect to an Acquisition Event, the Board shall provide that all outstanding Options shall be assumed, or equivalent options shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that any options substituted for Incentive Stock Options shall satisfy, in the determination of the Board, the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) does not agree to assume, or substitute for, such Options, then the Board shall upon written notice to the Participants, provide that all then unexercised Options will become exercisable in full as of a specified time (the "Acceleration Time") prior to the Acquisition Event and will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition Event, except to the extent exercised by the Participants before the consummation of such Acquisition Event; provided, however, that, in the event of an Acquisition Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share of Common Stock surrendered pursuant to such Acquisition Event (the "Acquisition Price"), then the Board may instead provide that all outstanding Options shall terminate upon consummation of such Acquisition Event and that each Participant shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (A) the Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Options (whether or not then exercisable), exceeds (B) the aggregate exercise price of such Options. (3) CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACQUISITION EVENT ON RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS. Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event, the repurchase and other rights of the Company under each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company's successor and shall apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Acquisition Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Award. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS. (a) TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. Except as the Board may otherwise determine or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or 5 35 otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees. (b) DOCUMENTATION. Each Award shall be evidenced by a written instrument in such form as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan. (c) BOARD DISCRETION. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly. (d) TERMINATION OF STATUS. The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant's legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award. (e) WITHHOLDING. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Board for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability. Except as the Board may otherwise provide in an Award, Participants may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value. The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant. (f) AMENDMENT OF AWARD. The Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option, provided that the Participant's consent to such action shall be required unless the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant. In addition, neither the Board nor the Company may amend the terms of any issued and outstanding Awards to reduce the exercise price, other than pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan, without the prior approval of the Company's stockholders. (g) CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from 6 36 shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations. (h) ACCELERATION. The Board may at any time provide that any Options shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part or that any Restricted Stock Awards shall be free of restrictions in full or in part. 9. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER STATUS. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award. (b) NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to such Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date for such stock dividend and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend. (c) EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective on the date on which it is approved by the Company's stockholders. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the date the Plan was approved by the Board, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date. (d) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, provided that, to the extent required by Section 7 37 162(m), no Award granted to a Participant designated as subject to Section 162(m) by the Board after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested, as applicable to such Award (to the extent that such amendment to the Plan was required to grant such Award to a particular Participant), unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders as required by Section 162(m) (including the vote required under Section 162(m)). In addition, the second sentence of Section 8(f) of the Plan may not be amended by the Board without the prior approval of the Company's stockholders. (e) GOVERNING LAW. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law. Approved by the Board of Directors February 12, 1998. Adopted by the Stockholders on May 15, 1998. Amended by the Board of Directors on February 17, 1999. Amendment approved by the Stockholders on , 1999. 8 38 PROXY IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint(s) David E. Shaw, William F. Pounds and Richard B. Thorp, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to represent and vote, as designated herein, all shares of Common Stock of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the Portland Marriott, 200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, Maine, on Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 9:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment thereof. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. - ----------- ----------- SEE REVERSE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE SIDE SIDE - ----------- ----------- 39 [X] Please mark votes as in this example. This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder(s). If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Attendance of the undersigned at the meeting or any adjournment thereof will not be deemed to revoke this proxy unless the undersigned shall revoke this proxy in writing or affirmatively indicate his intent to vote in person. 1. To elect the following three Class II Directors: NOMINEES: John R. Hesse, Kenneth Paigen, Ph.D. and Jeffrey J. Langan FOR WITHHELD [ ] [ ] MARK HERE [ ] IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING MARK HERE [ ] FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND [ ] NOTE BELOW -------------------------------------- For all nominees except as noted above 2. To approve an amendment to the FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan [ ] [ ] [ ] increasing from 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan, as described in the Proxy Statement. 3. To approve the Company's Director FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Stock Plan covering 80,000 shares of [ ] [ ] [ ] the Company's Common Stock, as described in the Proxy Statement. 4. To ratify the selection of Arthur FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Andersen LLP as the Company's [ ] [ ] [ ] independent auditors for the current year. Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give title as such. If a corporation or a partnership, please sign by authorized person. Signature: Date: ----------------------------------- -----------------------