SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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:
[x] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
ENDOGEN, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Not Applicable
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), or 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] 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: ________________________________________________________
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PRELIMINARY COPIES FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-6(a)
ENDOGEN, INC.
30 COMMERCE WAY
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801
--------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on November 6, 1996
--------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Endogen,
Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Corporation"), will be held on
Wednesday, November 6, 1996, at 2:00 p.m. at the offices of the Corporation, 6
Gill Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, for the following
purposes:
I. To elect a Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year
and until their respective successors have been duly elected and
qualified.
II. To consider and act upon an amendment to the Corporation's
Restated Articles of Organization increasing the number of authorized
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, from
5,000,000 to 10,000,000 shares.
III. To ratify the selection of the firm of Price Waterhouse LLP
as auditors for the fiscal year ending May 3l, 1997.
IV. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 1996
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
DANIEL BURNS
Clerk
Woburn, Massachusetts
September 23, 1996
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN
ORDER TO ASSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES.
PRELIMINARY COPIES FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-6(a)
ENDOGEN, INC.
30 COMMERCE WAY
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801
--------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
--------------------
September 23, 1996
Proxies in the form enclosed with this proxy statement are solicited by
the Board of Directors of Endogen, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("Endogen"
or the "Corporation"), with its principal executive offices at 30 Commerce Way,
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
any adjournment thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), to be held on Wednesday,
November 6, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. at the offices of the Corporation at 6 Gill
Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801. It is expected that this proxy statement
and the form of proxy will be mailed to stockholders on or about September 23,
1996.
Only stockholders of record as of September 10, 1996 (the "Record Date")
will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. As
of September 3, 1996, 2,952,540 shares of Common Stock, $.0l par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation were issued and outstanding. Each
share of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date will be entitled to one
vote and stockholders may vote in person or by proxy. Execution of a proxy will
not in any way affect a stockholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting and
vote in person. Any stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it by
written notice to the Clerk of the Corporation at any time before it is
exercised, by executing a proxy with a later date, or by attending and voting at
the Annual Meeting.
The persons named as proxies in the form of proxy are directors and/or
officers of the Corporation. All properly executed proxies returned in time to
be counted at the Annual Meeting will be voted as stated below under "Voting
Procedures." Any stockholder giving a proxy has the right to withhold authority
to vote for any individual nominee to the Board of Directors by writing that
nominee's name in the space provided on the proxy.
In addition to the election of directors, the stockholders will consider
and vote upon (i) a proposal to amend the Corporation's Restated Articles of
Organization to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from
5,000,000 to 10,000,000 shares; and (ii) a proposal to ratify the selection of
auditors, as further described in this proxy statement. Where a choice has been
specified on the proxy with respect to the foregoing matters, the shares
represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the specifications and
will be voted FOR a respective matter if no specification is indicated.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation knows of no other matters to be
presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the
Annual Meeting upon which a vote properly may be taken, shares represented by
all proxies received by the Board of Directors will be voted with respect
thereto in accordance with the judgment of the persons named as proxies in the
form of proxy.
An Annual Report to Stockholders, containing financial statements for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, is being mailed together with this proxy
statement to all stockholders entitled to vote.
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MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth as of September 3, 1996 certain information
regarding the ownership of shares of the Corporation's Common Stock by (i) each
person who, to the knowledge of the Corporation, owned beneficially more than 5%
of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation outstanding at such date
("Principal Stockholders"), (ii) each director and nominee director of the
Corporation, (iii) each Named Officer (as defined below) of the Corporation, and
(iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
Amount and Nature of Percent of Common
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership(1) Stock Outstanding(2)
- ------------------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------
T Cell Diagnostics, Inc. (3)............ 432,608 12.78%
c/o T Cell Sciences, Inc.
115 Fourth Avenue
Needham, MA 02194
Owen A. Dempsey (4)..................... 297,600 9.88%
c/o Endogen, Inc.
30 Commerce Way
Woburn, MA 01801
Barber & Bronson Incorporated (5)....... 180,000 5.75%
2101 W. Commercial Blvd., Ste. 1500
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Wallace G. Dempsey (6).................. 171,000 5.77%
c/o Endogen, Inc.
30 Commerce Way
Woburn, MA 01801
Irwin J. Gruverman (7).................. 107,000 3.61%
G&G Diagnostics Corp.
90 Oak Street
Newton, MA 02164
Wolfgang Woloszczuk (8)................. 40,000 1.35%
Biomedica GmbH
Divischgasse 4
A-1210 Vienna, Austria
Hayden H. Harris (9).................... .25,500 *
Enterprise Management, Inc.
425 North Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
All executive officers and directors... 641,300 20.87%
as a group (6 persons) (10)
- ----------
* Indicates less than 1%
(1) Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, the persons named in this
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock owned based upon information provided to the Corporation by
the directors, officers and Principal Stockholders.
(2) The number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding for this
calculation includes (i) 2,952,540 shares of Common Stock outstanding on
September 3, 1996, and (ii) all Common Stock underlying options, warrants
and other convertible securities which are currently exercisable or
convertible or will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of
September 3, 1996 by the person or group in question.
-5-
(3) Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a
convertible subordinated note.
(4) Mr. Dempsey's beneficial ownership includes 59,500 shares issuable upon
the exercise of outstanding stock options exercisable on September 3, 1996
or within 60 days thereafter.
(5) Barber & Bronson's beneficial ownership includes 180,000 shares
issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants exercisable on
September 3, 1996 or within 60 days thereafter.
(6) Mr. Dempsey's beneficial ownership includes 12,000 shares issuable upon
the exercise of outstanding stock options exercisable on September 3, 1996
or within 60 days thereafter.
(7) Mr. Gruverman's beneficial ownership includes 12,000 shares issuable upon
the exercise of outstanding stock options exercisable on September 3, 1996
or within 60 days thereafter and 95,000 shares of Common Stock held by G&G
Diagnostics Limited Partnership I ("G&G"). Mr. Gruverman is the sole
general partner of G&G and has sole voting and investment power with
respect to such shares of Common Stock. Mr. Gruverman disclaims beneficial
ownership of all shares held by G&G, except with respect to his pecuniary
interest therein, if any.
(8) Dr. Woloszczuk's beneficial ownership includes 12,000 shares issuable
upon the exercise of outstanding stock options exercisable on September
3, 1996 or within 60 days thereafter. Excludes 127,000 shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by Biozol Diagnostica Vertriebs GmbH
("Biozol"). Dr. Woloszczuk was an executive officer of Biozol from
1989 until May 1996, and is currently an executive officer of Biomedica
GmbH, a 50% owner of Biozol. Dr. Woloszczuk disclaims beneficial
ownership of all shares held by Biozol.
(9) Mr. Harris's beneficial ownership includes 25,500 shares issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding stock options exercisable on September 3, 1996 or
within 60 days thereafter.
(10) Includes 121,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options exercisable on September 3, 1996 or within 60 days thereafter and
200 shares held by Dennis Walczewski's son. Mr. Walczewski disclaims
beneficial ownership of all shares held by his son. Excludes shares
indicated as being excluded in note 8.
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PROPOSAL I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Corporation are elected annually and hold office
until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have
been elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Shares represented by all proxies received by the Board of Directors and not so
marked as to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee or for all
nominees will be voted (unless one or more nominees are unable to serve) for the
election of the nominees named below. The Board of Directors knows of no reason
why any such nominee should be unable or unwilling to serve, but if such should
be the case, proxies will be voted for the election of some other person or for
fixing the number of directors at a lesser number.
Nominated for election to the Corporation's Board of Directors are:
Owen A. Dempsey, Wallace G. Dempsey, Irwin J. Gruverman, Hayden H. Harris and
Wolfgang Woloszczuk. Each of the nominees currently serves as a director of
the Corporation. A plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present
or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is
required for the election of directors. See "Voting Procedures."
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees set forth above.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors met six times during the fiscal year ended May 31,
1996. The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, of which Wallace Dempsey
and Hayden Harris are members. The Audit Committee oversees the accounting and
tax functions of the Corporation, including matters relating to the appointment
and activities of the Corporation's independent auditors. The Audit Committee
met four times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996. The Board of Directors
also has a Compensation Committee, of which Hayden Harris and Wolfgang
Woloszczuk are members. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes
recommendations concerning executive compensation, and administers the
Corporation's 1992 Stock Plan together with the Board of Directors. The
Compensation Committee has sole authority to grant options under the 1992 Stock
Plan to officers and directors entitled to receive options pursuant to Rule
16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Options are granted to
other eligible participants under the 1992 Stock Plan upon the recommendation of
the Compensation Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. The
Compensation Committee also administers the Corporation's 1993 Non-Employee
Director Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee met four times during the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996. The Board of Directors does not currently have a
standing executive or nominating committee. Each of the Corporation's directors
attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the
Board of Directors and of all Committees on which he served during the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1996.
Executive Officers
Executive officers of the Corporation are elected annually and hold office
until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after each annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, or until
their earlier resignation or removal.
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OCCUPATIONS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the names of the nominees to be elected at
the Annual Meeting and the executives officers of the Corporation, their ages as
of September 3, 1996, and the positions currently held by each such person with
the Corporation.
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Owen A. Dempsey.................. 39 Director, President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Treasurer
Dennis Walczewski................ 48 Vice President of Sales
Wallace G. Dempsey............... 70 Director
Irwin J. Gruverman............... 63 Director
Hayden H. Harris................. 54 Director
Wolfgang Woloszczuk.............. 48 Director
Owen A. Dempsey has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director
of the Corporation since February 1986. From February 1987 to present he has
also served as the Corporation's Treasurer.
Dennis Walczewski has served as Vice President of Sales of the Corporation
since November 1995. From March 1995 until November 1995, Mr. Walczewski served
as Director of Sales at T Cell Diagnostics, Inc., a manufacturer of diagnostic
kits and reagents for the biotechnology industry. From March 1994 until February
1995, Mr. Walczewski was Vice President of Sales at Tropix, Inc., a producer of
research kits and reagents for the biotechnology industry. From March 1987 until
January 1994, Mr. Walczewski was Area Sales Manager at Boehringer Mannheim
Corporation, a manufacturer of diagnostic kits, clinical lab equipment and
products for the biotechnology industry.
Wallace G. Dempsey has been a director of the Corporation since February
1986. From 1973 until May 1993, he served as the Secretary and General Attorney
of International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. From May 1993 until April 1994, Mr.
Dempsey served as a consultant to International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Irwin J. Gruverman has been a director of the Corporation since November
1990. Since 1982, Mr. Gruverman has been Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Microfluidics International and its predecessor,
Biotechnology Development Corp. Since 1990, he has also been a General Partner
of G&G Diagnostics Funds which invests in medical diagnostics companies. Mr.
Gruverman is also a director of Fiberchem International, Inc., InVitro
International and North American Scientific, Inc.
Hayden H. Harris has been a director of the Corporation since March 1993
and Chairman of the Board since November 1995. Since 1977, Mr. Harris has been
President and a director of Enterprise Management, Inc., a venture capital
management and consulting company. From 1990 to present, Mr. Harris has been
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Software Services
Corporation, a provider of contract software services, and since 1995 he has
served as President and a director of EDM, Inc., a venture capital management
company.
-8-
Wolfgang Woloszczuk has been a director of the Corporation since
November 1990. Dr. Woloszczuk has also served as an executive officer of
Biomedica GmbH since 1982, of Bionova Handels GmbH since 1988, and of Biocis
Handels GmbH since 1994. Dr. Woloszczuk was an executive officer of Biozol
Diagnostica Vertriebs GmbH from 1989 until May 1996. In addition, Dr.
Woloszczuk has been a Professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of
Vienna since 1989.
Family Relationships
Wallace G. Dempsey is the father of Owen A. Dempsey. There are no
other family relationships among directors or executive officers of Endogen.
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COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Executive Compensation
The following table summarizes the compensation paid or accrued by the
Corporation for services rendered for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1996 to Owen
A. Dempsey, the Corporation's President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
(the "Named Officer"). No other executive officer earned a total salary and
bonus exceeding $100,000 during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996. The
Corporation did not grant any restricted stock awards or stock appreciation
rights and did not make any long-term incentive plan payouts during the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1996.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long Term Compensation
-----------------------------------
Annual Compensation Securities
------------------- Underlying All
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Options (#) Other Compensation(1)
- --------------------------- ---- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------------------
Owen A. Dempsey 1996 $100,000 $34,763 24,000 $552
President, Chief 1995 100,000 32,982 20,000 552
Executive 1994 100,000 15,000 50,000 552
Officer and Treasurer
- ----------
(1) This amount reflects the dollar value of insurance premiums paid by the
Corporation with respect to term life insurance for the benefit of the
Named Officer. The Named Officer has no interest in the cash surrender
value of the insurance policy.
Options
The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock
options granted during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996 to the Named Officer.
OPTIONS GRANTED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
Number of % of Total
Securities Options Granted
Underlying to Employees in Exercise Expiration
Name Options Granted Fiscal Year Price Date
---- --------------- --------------- -------- ----------
Owen A. Dempsey 12,000 -- $3.94 11/15/05
12,000 9.86%(1) $3.88 5/23/06
- ----------
(1) Represents all options (24,000) granted to Mr. Dempsey during fiscal year
ended May 31, 1996 as a percentage of the total options granted to
employees during the same period. A total of 243,500 options were granted
to employees in fiscal year 1996. Percentages do not take into account
the 22,000 options which were granted to consultants during fiscal
year 1996.
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The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock
options held by the Named Officer on May 31, 1996. No stock options were
exercised by the Named Officer during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996.
AGGREGATED UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-The-Money Options
Options at May 31, 1996 (Shares) at May 31, 1996 ($) (1)
-------------------------------- -----------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Owen A. Dempsey 42,000 64,000 $116,930 $123,910
- -----------------
(1) Value is based on the difference between the fair market value of the
Corporation's Common Stock on May 31, 1996 ($4.75 per share, the closing
price of the Corporation's Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on
such date) and the option exercise price multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying the options.
Compensation of Directors
Each non-employee director of the Corporation is entitled to $500, plus
all reasonable expenses, for each meeting of the Corporation's Board of
Directors and each Committee meeting that he attends. In addition, pursuant to
the Corporation's 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director
Plan"), once a year each non-employee director is automatically, without further
action by the Board, granted an option to purchase 6,000 shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock. The exercise price per share of all options granted
under the Director Plan is equal to 100% of the fair market value of the
Corporation's Common Stock on the date such options are granted. Options granted
under the Director Plan are exercisable as to one-third of the shares subject to
such option on the date of grant and as to an additional one-third of the shares
subject to the option on each successive anniversary of the date of grant,
provided that the optionee has continuously served as a member of the Board of
Directors through such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, those options which
were granted under the Director Plan on November 12, 1993 were fully vested and
exercisable in full on the date of such grant.
The Chairman of the Corporation's Board of Directors is entitled to an
additional $500 per meeting of the Board of Directors and $1,000 for each
meeting with the Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer that is not
a Board or Committee meeting. Moreover, in addition to his annual option grant
under the Director Plan, the Chairman also received an option to purchase 6,000
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock pursuant to the Corporation's 1992
Stock Plan. These options were granted at an exercise price equal to 100% of the
fair market value of the Corporation's Common Stock as of the date of grant.
Provided that the Chairman continues to serve the Corporation in the capacity of
employee, officer, director or consultant, the options shall vest over a period
of one year from the date of grant, in four equal quarterly installments.
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Stock Option Plans
1992 Stock Plan
The Corporation's 1992 Stock Plan (the "1992 Plan") was adopted by the
Board of Directors on August 10, 1992 and was approved by the shareholders on
March 1, 1993. The 1992 Plan was amended by the shareholders on November
12, 1993 to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the 1992 Plan from 368,499 to 768,499 shares. The 1992 Plan is an
amendment and restatement of the Corporation's 1989 Stock Plan which was adopted
by the Board of Directors in March 1989 and approved by the shareholders in June
1989.
1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
The Corporation's 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan was adopted
by the Board of Directors on August 16, 1993 and was approved by the
shareholders on November 12, 1993. 200,000 shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock are reserved for issuance under the Director Plan. The Director Plan was
amended by the shareholders on October 27, 1994 to eliminate the acceleration of
vesting of options granted thereunder in the event of a consolidation or
acquisition of the Corporation.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based on its review of the forms it received, or written representations
from these individuals, the Corporation believes that, since May 31, 1995, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements were met, with the exception of (i) six late
reports and a failure to file one report by Irving A. Berstein, a former
director of the Corporation, covering twenty transactions (largely exempt
transactions and transactions by Dr. Berstein's son who shares his household),
(ii) two late reports by Owen A. Dempsey, President, Chief Executive Officer,
Treasurer and director of the Corporation, covering two transactions that were
not reported on a timely basis, (iii) one late report by Dennis Walczewski, an
officer of the Corporation, covering one transaction that was not reported on a
timely basis, and (iv) one late report by Wolfgang Woloszczuk, a director of the
Corporation, covering two transactions that were not reported on a timely basis.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On March 4, 1996, the Corporation entered into an asset purchase agreement
(the "Asset Purchase Agreement") with T Cell Diagnostics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("TCD") and T Cell Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TCS")
pursuant to which the Corporation purchased on such date (i) substantially all
of the operating assets of TCD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCS, in exchange
for a $1,900,000 Secured Subordinated Convertible Note (the "Convertible Note")
payable to the order of TCD and additional payments, if any, not determinable at
the time of such acquisition which will be based on the increase in net sales
over a period of two years following the acquisition of certain of the products
acquired from TCD from the sales levels attained by TCD prior to the
acquisition, and (ii) certain facility improvements and equipment of TCS used in
the operation of TCD in exchange for $528,341 (plus interest of $889.85) cash
paid to Fleet Credit Corp. on behalf of TCS and a promissory note for
$452,153.32 payable to the order of TCS. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset
Purchase Agreement, the principal amount due under the Convertible Note was
subsequently increased from $1,900,000 to $2,002,978 to reflect certain
post-closing adjustments to the purchase price. As amended, the Convertible Note
is convertible into 432,608 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The assets
acquired by the Corporation included all operating assets of TCD relating to its
research product lines
-12-
and diagnostic products other than its TRAx diagnostic product line. TCS
retained ownership of TCD's TRAx diagnostic product line and all related
technology, however, the Corporation and TCS have agreed to enter into a
manufacturing agreement whereby the Corporation will manufacture the TRAx
diagnostic products for TCS on a contract basis for a five-year period. The
purchase price and terms of the acquisition were determined in arms-length
negotiations between the parties. The acquisition was accounted for as a
purchase. TCD, by virtue of its ownership of the Convertible Note, is a
Principal Stockholder of the Corporation.
In 1991, the Corporation entered into a distribution and supply agreement
with Biozol Diagnostica Vertriebs GmbH ("Biozol") under which Biozol has
exclusively distributed the Corporation's products to individual country
distributors in certain European countries. Effective September 1, 1996, the
agreement has been amended so that the Corporation will distribute its products
directly to individual country distributors in Europe. Biozol will continue as
the Corporation's exclusive distributor in Germany. Wolfgang Woloszczuk, a
director of the Corporation, was an executive officer of Biozol from 1989 until
May 1996, and is currently an executive officer of Biomedica GmbH, a 50% owner
of Biozol.
PROPOSAL II
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CORPORATION'S AMENDED AND
RESTATED ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
On August 27, 1996, the Board of Directors recommended to the stockholders
that the Corporation amend the Corporation's Restated Articles of Organization,
as amended (the "Charter"), to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 shares.
Shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, including the additional shares
proposed for authorization, do not have preemptive or similar rights.
As of May 31, 1996, there were 2,949,346 shares issued and outstanding and
approximately 1,527,557 shares reserved for future issuance pursuant to the
Corporation's stock plans, outstanding stock options and warrants and a
convertible note. If the amendment to the Charter is approved, the Board of
Directors will have the authority to issue approximately 5,523,097 additional
shares of Common Stock without further stockholder approval. The Board of
Directors does not intend to solicit stockholder approval before issuing
additional shares of Common Stock. The Board of Directors believes that the
authorized number of shares of Common Stock should be increased to provide
sufficient shares for such corporate purposes as may be determined by the Board
of Directors to be necessary or desirable. These purposes may include, without
limitation: raising capital through the sale of shares of Common Stock;
acquiring other businesses in exchange for shares of Common Stock; entering into
collaborative research and development arrangements with other companies in
which shares of Common Stock or the right to acquire shares of Common Stock are
part of the consideration; attracting and retaining valuable employees by the
issuance of additional stock options; and other transactions involving the use
of Common Stock. Since this proposal to increase the number of authorized shares
of Common Stock is not being made in connection with any specific transaction,
the Corporation cannot at this time describe the transaction in which the newly
authorized shares will be issued. At present, however, the Corporation has no
commitments, agreements or undertakings to issue any additional shares for any
purpose other than those mentioned herein.
The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock could have the effect of
diluting earnings per share and book value per share, which could adversely
affect the rights and interests of Corporation's existing stockholders.
-13-
Issuance of additional shares of Common Stock could be used by the Corporation
to make a change in control of the Corporation more difficult or costly by
diluting stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of the
Corporation. The Corporation is not aware, however, of any pending or threatened
efforts to obtain control of the Corporation.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the amendment
to the Corporation's Restated Articles of Organization.
PROPOSAL III
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected the firm of Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent certified public accountants, to serve as auditors for the fiscal
year ending May 31, 1997. Price Waterhouse LLP has served as the Corporation's
auditors since the fiscal year ended May 31, 1990. It is expected that a member
of the firm will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if so desired and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions. Stockholder ratification of the Corporation's independent public
accountants is not required under Massachusetts law or under the Corporation's
Restated Articles of Organization or its By-Laws. If the stockholders do not
ratify the selection of Price Waterhouse LLP as the Corporation's independent
public accountants for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997, the Corporation's
Board of Directors will evaluate what would be in the best interests of the
Corporation and its stockholders and consider whether to select new independent
public accountants for the current fiscal year or whether to wait until the
completion of the audit for the current fiscal year before changing independent
public accountants.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of this
selection.
VOTING PROCEDURES
The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is
necessary to establish a quorum for the transaction of business. Shares
represented by proxies pursuant to which votes have been withheld from any
nominee for director, or which contain one or more abstentions or broker
"non-votes," are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or
absence of a quorum for the Annual Meeting. A "non-vote" occurs when a broker or
other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal, but
does not vote on another proposal because the broker does not have discretionary
voting power and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
Proposal I. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, in
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. The five nominees receiving the
highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present, in person or
represented by proxy, and voting on the election of directors at the Annual
Meeting will be elected as directors. Only shares that are voted in favor of a
particular nominee will be counted toward such nominee's achievement of a
plurality. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a
particular nominee or shares present by proxy where the stockholder properly
withheld authority to vote for such nominee will not be counted toward such
nominee's achievement of a plurality.
Proposal II. An amendment to the Corporation's Restated Articles of
Organization to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all
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outstanding shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. Shares voted to abstain,
and shares subject to broker "non-votes," since they are not affirmative votes,
have the practical effect of a vote "against" the proposal to amend the Restated
Articles of Organization of the Corporation.
For all other matters being submitted to stockholders at the Annual
Meeting, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present, in person or
represented by proxy, and voting on that matter is required for approval. Shares
voted to abstain, since they are not affirmative votes for the matter, will have
the same effect as votes "against" the matter. Shares subject to broker
"non-votes" are not considered to have been voted for the particular matter and
have the practical effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required
to achieve a majority for such matter by reducing the total number of shares
from which the majority is calculated.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended for inclusion in the proxy statement to
be furnished to all stockholders entitled to vote at the next annual meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation must be received at the Corporation's principal
executive offices not later than May 26, 1997. In order to curtail controversy
as to the date on which a proposal was received by the Corporation, it is
suggested that proponents submit their proposals by Certified Mail, Return
Receipt Requested.
EXPENSES AND SOLICITATION
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Corporation.
Proxies will be solicited principally through the mails. Further solicitation of
proxies from some stockholders may be made by directors, officers and regular
employees of the Corporation personally, by telephone, telegraph or special
letter. No additional compensation, except for reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses will be paid for any such further solicitation. In
addition, the Corporation may request banks, brokers and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to solicit their customers who have stock of the
Corporation registered in the name of a nominee. The Corporation will reimburse
such persons for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Copies of the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are
available to shareholders without charge upon written request addressed to
Daniel Burns, Clerk, Endogen, Inc., 30 Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts
01801.
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APPENDIX A
ENDOGEN, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 6, 1996
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Owen A. Dempsey,
Wallace G. Dempsey and Irwin J. Gruverman, and each of them, with full power of
substitution, as proxies to represent and vote all shares of stock of Endogen,
Inc. (the "Corporation") which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation to
be held on November 6, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., at the offices of the Corporation at
6 Gill Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, and at all adjournments thereof,
upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement dated September 23, 1996, a copy of which has been received by the
undersigned. The proxies are further authorized to vote, in their discretion,
upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof. Each of Items 1 through 4 is proposed by the Corporation.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposals in Items 1 through 4.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
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|X| Please mark votes as in this example.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR THE PROPOSALS IN ITEMS 2 AND 3 AND
AUTHORITY IN ITEM 4 WILL BE DEEMED GRANTED.
1. To elect a Board of Directors, to consist of Owen A. Dempsey, Wallace G.
Dempsey, Irwin J. Gruverman, Hayden H. Harris and Wolfgang Woloszczuk to
serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their
respective successors have been duly elected and qualified, or until their
earlier resignation or removal.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] FOR ALL [ ]
EXCEPT
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(Instruction: To vote against one or more of the nominees listed
above, mark the "For All Except" box and write the nominee's
name(s) in the space provided.)
2. To approve an amendment to the Corporation's Restated Articles of
Organization increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock,
$.01 par value per share, of the Corporation from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000
shares.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. To ratify the selection of the firm of Price Waterhouse LLP as auditors
for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1997.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
[ ] MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW
- ---------------------------------------
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Please sign this Proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the
Corporation. Joint owners should each sign personally. Attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian must give full title as such. If a
corporation or partnership, the signature should be that of an authorized person
who should state his or her title.
- ------------------------------------------ Date:______________________, 1996
Signature of Stockholder
- ------------------------------------------ Date:______________________, 1996
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
I/We will attend the meeting. [ ] YES [ ] NO