Filed
by the Registrant:
|
ý
|
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant:
|
¨
|
Check
the appropriate box:
|
|
ý
|
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
¨
|
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
|
¨
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
¨
|
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
¨
|
Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12
|
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
||
ý
|
No
fee required.
|
|
¨
|
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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.
|
To
elect Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D. as a Class B director to hold office
until the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor
has
been duly elected and qualified;
|
|
2.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s 2005 Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the
Plan
from 1,060,000 to 2,000,000;
|
|
3.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of common stock authorized
for issuance from 300,000,000 to
150,000,000;
|
|
4.
|
To
ratify the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008; and
|
|
5.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
July
22, 2008
|
|
10:00
a.m., Eastern Time
|
|
the
Marriott Park Ridge
|
|
300
Brae Boulevard
|
/s/
Noah Berkowitz
|
Park
Ridge, NJ 07656
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
June
[__], 2008
|
Synvista
Therapeutics, Inc.
|
|
1.
|
To
elect Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D. as a Class B director to hold office
until the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor
has
been duly elected and qualified;
|
|
2.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s 2005 Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the
Plan
from 1,060,000 to 2,000,000;
|
|
3.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of common stock authorized
for issuance from 300,000,000 to
150,000,000;
|
|
4.
|
To
ratify the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008; and
|
|
5.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
Secretary
|
|
June
[__], 2008
|
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
|
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION
|
1 |
Solicitation
|
5 |
Record
Date, Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares
|
5 |
Broker
Non-Votes
|
5 |
Revocability
of Proxy and Voting of Shares
|
5 |
Dissenters’
Right of Appraisal
|
6 |
Electronic
Delivery of Stockholder Communications
|
6 |
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
|
7 |
MANAGEMENT
|
9 |
The
Board of Directors
|
9 |
Committees
of the Board of Directors and Meetings
|
10 |
Director
Nomination Process
|
10 |
Stockholder
Communications to the Board
|
11 |
Director
Attendance at Annual Meetings
|
11 |
Executive
Officer
|
11 |
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
|
12 |
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
|
19 |
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
|
20 |
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
|
20 |
PROPOSAL
1 ELECTION OF A CLASS B DIRECTOR
|
21 |
PROPOSAL
2 INCREASE IN THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE
SYNVISTA
2005 STOCK PLAN
|
22 |
Federal
Income Tax Considerations
|
23 |
New
Plan Benefits
|
24 |
PROPOSAL
3 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION TO DECREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
|
25 |
PROPOSAL
4 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
26 |
Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit
Services of Independent Auditors
|
27 |
FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
|
28 |
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
|
28 |
CODE
OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
|
28 |
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
|
28 |
OTHER
MATTERS
|
28 |
GENERAL
|
28 |
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
29 |
ANNEX
INDEX
|
29 |
ANNEX
A - 2005 STOCK PLAN
|
A-1
|
ANNEX
B - FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
|
B-1
|
ANNEX
C - PROXY CARD
|
C-1
|
Q:
|
Why
am I receiving these
materials?
|
A:
|
We
have made these materials available to you on the Internet or, upon
your
request, we have delivered printed versions of these materials to
you by
mail because Synvista’s Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to
vote at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, and any adjournments
or
postponements of the meeting, to be held on July 22, 2008, at 10:00
a.m.,
Eastern Time, at the Marriott Park Ridge, 300 Brae Boulevard, Park
Ridge, NJ 07656. This proxy statement along with the accompanying
Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders summarizes the purposes of the
meeting
and the information you need to know to vote at the annual
meeting.
|
Q:
|
When
and where is the stockholder
meeting?
|
A:
|
The
Synvista annual meeting will take place on July 22, 2008 at 10:00
a.m., Eastern Time at the Marriott Park Ridge, 300 Brae Boulevard,
Park
Ridge, NJ 07656.
|
Q:
|
How
does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote on the
proposals?
|
A:
|
The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote as
follows:
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the election of a Class B director;
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the approval of the amendment to the Synvista 2005 Stock
Plan;
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the approval of the amendment to Synvista’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation; and
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the ratification of the selection of independent auditors for our
fiscal
year ending December 31, 2008.
|
Q:
|
Why
did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet
availability of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of
proxy
materials?
|
A:
|
Pursuant
to rules recently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
we
have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet.
Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of
Proxy
Materials (the “Notice”) to our stockholders of record and beneficial
owners. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy
materials on a website referred to in the Notice or request to receive
a
printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access
the
proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may
be
found on the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive
proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email
on an
ongoing basis.
|
Q:
|
How
can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
|
|
•
|
|
View
our proxy materials for the annual meeting on the Internet; and
|
|
•
|
|
Instruct
us to send our future proxy materials to you electronically by email.
|
Q:
|
Who
can vote?
|
A:
|
Only
stockholders who own Synvista common stock and Series B Preferred
Stock at
the close of business on May 28, 2008 are entitled to vote at the
Synvista
annual meeting. On this record date, there were [__________] shares
of
Synvista common stock and 10,000,000 shares of Synvista Series B
Preferred
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
|
Q:
|
How
many votes do I have?
|
A:
|
Each
share of Synvista common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.
Each
holder of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to cast the number
of votes
equal to one-half of the number of whole shares of common stock into
which
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible
as of the record date. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible
into
common stock at any time at the option of the holder at an initial
conversion rate of 1:1, subject to
adjustment.
|
Q:
|
How
do I vote?
|
A:
|
If
you are a stockholder of record of Synvista, you may vote by telephone
at
the toll-free number 1-800-PROXIES or on the Internet at
www.voteproxy.com. If you are a beneficial owner of Synvista common
stock,
you may be able to vote electronically as well, if your proxy card
or
voting instruction form so indicates. See the instructions on your
proxy
card or voting instruction form. You are strongly encouraged to vote
electronically if you are given that option.
If
you request a paper copy of the proxy card, you may vote by mail
by
completing, signing and dating your proxy card and returning it to
Synvista. If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card,
your
shares will be voted:
|
|
·
|
as
you instruct, and
|
|
·
|
according
to the best judgment of the proxy holder if a proposal comes up for
a vote
at the annual meeting that is not on the proxy
card.
|
|
·
|
FOR
the election of a Class B director, FOR the approval of the amendment
to
the Synvista 2005 Stock Plan, FOR the approval of the amendment to
Synvista’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and FOR the ratification
of J.H. Cohn LLP as Synvista’s independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008;
and
|
|
·
|
according
to the best judgment of the proxy holder if a proposal comes up for
a vote
at the annual meeting that is not on the proxy card or for the adjournment
or postponement of the annual
meeting.
|
Q:
|
What
do I do if I want to change my
vote?
|
A:
|
Just
send in a later-dated, signed proxy card to Synvista’s Secretary before
the meeting. Or, you can attend the meeting in person and vote. You
may
also revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Synvista’s
Secretary at Synvista’s principal executive offices, 221 West Grand
Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, New Jersey 07645. If you voted via the
Internet or telephone, you can submit a later vote using those same
methods.
|
Q:
|
What
if I receive more than one proxy
card?
|
A:
|
You
may receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form if
you
hold shares of our common stock in more than one account, which may
be in
registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner
described under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of
your shares are voted.
|
Q:
|
If
my shares are held in “street name” by my broker, bank or other nominee,
will my broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares for
me?
|
A:
|
If
you do not provide your broker, bank or nominee with instructions
on how
to vote your “street name” shares, your broker, bank or nominee will not
be permitted to vote them on the matters that are to be considered
by the
Synvista stockholders at the annual meeting, except for the election
of a
Class B director and ratification of our independent registered public
accounting firm. You should therefore be sure to provide your broker
with
instructions on how to vote your
shares.
|
Q:
|
What
happens if I do not vote electronically, return a proxy card or otherwise
provide proxy
instructions?
|
A:
|
The
failure to vote electronically, return your proxy card or otherwise
provide proxy instructions could be a factor in establishing a quorum
for
the annual meeting of Synvista stockholders, which is required to
transact
business at the meeting.
|
Q:
|
What
constitutes a quorum at the
meeting?
|
A:
|
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of
the
outstanding shares of Synvista stock entitled to vote at the annual
meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. Votes
of
stockholders of record who are present at the meeting in person or
by
proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes
of
determining whether a quorum
exists.
|
Q:
|
What
vote is required to approve each proposal and how are votes
counted?
|
A:
|
Proposal
1: Elect Dr. Berkowitz as a Class B Director
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve
the election of Dr. Berkowitz as a Class B director. Abstentions
are not
counted for purposes of electing directors. Brokerage firms have
authority
to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this
proposal. If a broker does not exercise this authority, such broker
non-votes will have no effect on the results of this
vote.
|
|
Proposal
2: Approve Amendment to the Synvista 2005 Stock Plan to Increase
the
Shares Available for Issuance under the Plan
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve
the amendment to the Synvista 2005 Stock Plan. Abstentions will be
treated
as votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms do not have authority
to
vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this
proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be
treated
as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on
the
results of this vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
3: Approve a Decrease in the Number of Shares of Synvista Common
Stock
Authorized for Issuance
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding stock is
required to approve a decrease in the number of shares of Synvista
common
stock authorized for issuance as set forth in the certificate of
amendment
to Synvista’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Brokerage firms do
not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in
street name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by
a
customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be treated as votes against this
proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
4: Ratify Selection of Auditors
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to ratify
the
selection of independent auditors. Abstentions will be treated as
votes
against this proposal. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’
unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal.
If a
broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will
have
no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain
the
approval of our stockholders to select our independent registered
public
accounting firm. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the selection
of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm
for 2008, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors may reconsider
its
selection.
|
Q:
|
Is
voting confidential?
|
A:
|
We
will keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private.
We only
let our Inspector of Elections (American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company) examine these documents. Management will not know how you
voted
on a specific proposal unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements.
We will, however, forward to management any written comments you
make, on
the proxy card or elsewhere.
|
Q:
|
What
are the costs of soliciting these
proxies?
|
A:
|
Synvista
will pay all of the costs of soliciting the proxies. Synvista directors
and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax
or
e-mail. Synvista will pay these employees and directors no additional
compensation for these services. Synvista will ask banks, brokers
and
other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy
materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute
proxies.
Synvista will then reimburse them for their
expenses.
|
Q:
|
Will
representatives of J.H. Cohn LLP, Synvista’s independent registered public
accounting firm, be present at the annual
meeting?
|
A:
|
Yes.
Representatives of J.H. Cohn are expected to be present at the annual
meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to
do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
|
Q:
|
Who
do I call if I have questions about the
meeting?
|
A:
|
Synvista
stockholders may call Synvista Investor Relations at
201-934-5000.
|
· |
The
proxy statement, annual report to security holders for the year ended
December 31, 2008 and the proxy card are available at
[www._____________].
|
· |
The
annual meeting of stockholders will be held on July 22, 2008 at 10:00
a.m., Eastern Time at the Marriott Park Ridge, 300 Brae Boulevard,
Park
Ridge, NJ 07656.
|
· |
The
annual meeting of stockholders will be held for the following
purposes:
|
|
1.
|
To
elect Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D. as a Class B director to hold office
until the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor
has
been duly elected and qualified;
|
|
2.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s 2005 Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the
Plan
from 1,060,000 to 2,000,000;
|
|
3.
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of common stock authorized
for issuance from 300,000,000 to
150,000,000;
|
|
4.
|
To
ratify the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008; and
|
|
5.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
· |
Synvista’s
Board of Directors recommends voting “FOR” all of the proposals listed
above.
|
· |
You
are urged to attend the annual meeting and vote in person, but if
you are
unable to do so, the Board of Directors would appreciate your prompt
vote
electronically via the Internet or telephone or, if you request paper
copies of a proxy card, via regular mail. We strongly
encourage you to vote
electronically.
|
Name
of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
|
|
Amount and
Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) |
|
|
Percent
of
Class(2)
|
|
Genentech,
Inc.
1
DNA Way
South
San Francisco, CA 94080-4990
|
|
|
285,813
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Atticus
Capital LP
767
Fifth Avenue, 12th
Floor
New
York, NY 10153(3)
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
(3)**
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Julian
C. Baker and Felix J. Baker
Baker
Bros. Advisors
667
Madison Avenue
New
York, NY 10021(4)
|
|
|
10,500,000
|
(4)**
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
211,634
|
(5)
|
|
8
|
%
|
Noah
C. Berkowitz Family Trust
|
|
|
11,756
|
(6)
|
|
*
|
|
John
F. Bedard
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
*
|
|
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
26,126
|
|
|
*
|
|
Carl
M. Mendel, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
|
146,275
|
(7)
|
|
6
|
%
|
Wayne
P. Yetter
|
|
|
17,236
|
(8)
|
|
*
|
|
All
current directors and officers as a group (6 persons)
|
|
|
772,714
|
(9)
|
|
25
|
%
|
(1)
|
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities
and
Exchange Commission, and generally includes voting or investment
power
with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to stock
options and warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days
are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
the
person holding such options and the percentage ownership of any group
of
which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for
computing
the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated
by
footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable,
the
persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with
respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned
by
them.
|
(2)
|
Applicable
percentage of ownership is based on 2,586,326 shares of common stock
outstanding as of April 15, 2008. As of that date, there were 10,000,000
shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding, which were convertible
into 10,000,000 shares of common stock. There were also outstanding
as of
that date warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares of Series B preferred
stock, which are currently exercisable. The shares of Series B preferred
stock underlying the warrants are also convertible into 2,500,000
shares
of common stock.
|
(3)
|
Number
of shares beneficially owned based solely upon a Schedule 13D/A filed
jointly by Atticus Capital LP, Atticus Management Limited and Timothy
R.
Barakett on January 3, 2008. According to the Schedule 13D/A, Atticus
Capital LP, Atticus Management Limited and Mr. Barakett beneficially
own
an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, including an
aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be acquired upon
conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and shares that may be acquired
upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of Series B Preferred
Stock. The address of the principal business and principal office
of each
of Atticus Capital LP and Mr. Barakett is 767 Fifth Avenue,
12th
Floor, New York, NY 10153. The address of the principal business
and
principal office of Atticus Management is P.O. Box 100, Sydney Vane
House,
Admiral Park, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1
3EL.
|
(4)
|
Number
of shares beneficially owned based solely upon a Schedule 13D filed
jointly by Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker, each a Managing Member
of
Baker Bros. Advisors. The number of shares beneficially owned includes
an
aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be acquired upon
conversion of Series B Preferred Stock and shares that may be acquired
upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of Series B Preferred
Stock. According to the Schedule 13D, the number of shares beneficially
owned are held by the following entities: (i) 9,323 shares held by
Baker
Bros. Investments II, L.P., (ii) 2,740,840 shares held by Baker Biotech
Fund I, L.P., (iii) 7,438,590 shares held by Baker Brothers Life
Sciences,
L.P., (iv) 240,276 shares held by14159, L.P. and (v) 70,971 shares
held by
Baker/Tisch Investments. By virtue of their ownership of entities
that
have the power to control the investment decisions of the limited
partnerships, Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker may be deemed to
be
beneficial owners of the shares owned by Baker Bros. Investments
II, L.P.,
Baker Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 14159,
L.P. and Baker/ Tisch Investments, L.P., and may be deemed to have
shared
power to vote or dispose of such securities owned by such
entities.
|
(5)
|
Includes
65,000 shares of common stock subject to options which were exercisable
as
of April 15, 2008.
|
(6)
|
Dr. Berkowitz’s
wife is the trustee and has the power to vote and dispose of the
shares.
Dr. Berkowitz disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares.
|
(7)
|
Includes
107,442 shares of common stock held directly by Ms. Tanner and 38,833
shares of common stock subject to options and warrants which were
exercisable as of April 15, 2008.
|
(8)
|
Includes
6,127 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Yetter and 7,909
shares of common stock subject to options that were exercisable as
of
April 15, 2008.
|
(9)
|
Includes
257,003 shares of common stock held directly by all current officers
and
directors and 72,868 shares of common stock subject to options and
warrants which were exercisable as of April 15,
2008.
|
|
|
|
|
Served
as a
|
|
|
|
|||
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Director Since
|
|
Positions with Synvista
|
|
|||
John
F. Bedard
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Wayne
P. Yetter
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Carl
M. Mendel, M.D.
|
|
53
|
|
Vice
President of Clinical Development and Chief Medical
Officer
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
|||||||||||||
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
2007
|
264,000
|
83,160
|
(1)
|
85,916
|
12,000
|
(3)
|
445,076
|
|||||||||||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
2006
|
240,000
|
54,000
|
(4)
|
—
|
3,558
|
(3)
|
297,558
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Carl
M. Mendel, M.D., Ph.D.(5)
|
2007
|
66,250
|
20,000
|
11,707
|
—
|
97,957
|
|||||||||||||
Vice
President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer
|
2006
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D. (6)
|
2007
|
240,000
|
72,000
|
133,808
|
22,000
|
(8)
|
467,808
|
||||||||||||
Former
Vice President, Clinical Development
|
2006
|
240,000
|
36,000
|
(7)
|
58,206
|
—
|
334,206
|
Represents
a cash bonus for performance during the fiscal year ended December
31,
2007, which was paid in 2007.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, in accordance with FAS
123(R), of awards pursuant to the stock option program. Assumptions
used
in the calculations of this amount are included in Note 11 - Stockholders’
Equity to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2007 included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31,
2008.
|
(3)
|
Represents
an expense for a car allowance.
|
(4)
|
Represents
a cash bonus for performance during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, which was paid in
2007.
|
(5)
|
Dr.
Mendel’s employment with us commenced in October
2007.
|
(6)
|
Dr.
MacNab resigned as our Vice President, Clinical Development on
December 31, 2007.
|
(7)
|
Represents
a cash bonus for performance during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, which was paid in
2007.
|
(8)
|
Represents
the costs of Dr. MacNab’s commuting from his home in Massachusetts to our
offices in New Jersey.
|
Name
|
Option Grant
Date
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|||||||||||
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
10/3/2007
|
65,000
|
395,000
|
(1)
|
2.67
|
10/3/2017
|
||||||||||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
11/1/2006
|
—
|
20,000
|
(2)
|
7.50
|
11/1/2016
|
||||||||||
Former
Vice President, Clinical Development
|
2/7/2005
|
17,605
|
3,521
|
(3)
|
8.00
|
2/07/2015
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Carl
M. Mendel, M.D.
|
10/1/2007
|
—
|
70,000
|
(4)
|
3.00
|
10/1/2017
|
||||||||||
Vice
President of Clinical Development and
Chief
Medical Officer
|
(1)
|
The
option grant of 460,000 shares contains the following vesting provisions:
260,000 shares vesting 25% immediately and 25% per year over three
years
from the date of grant; and 200,000 restricted option shares with
the
restriction on 50,000 shares removed for the achievement of each
of four
milestones relating to progress and timing in the clinical development
of
SYI-2074 and alagebrium and other preclinical developments. The options
will vest 50% at the time the restriction is removed and 25% over
each of
the following two years.
|
(2)
|
The
options vest in four equal annual installments commencing on
January 1, 2007 until fully
vested.
|
(3)
|
The
options vest semi-annually over three years commencing on February 7,
2005.
|
(4)
|
The
options vest in four equal annual installments commencing on October
1,
2007.
|
·
|
“Termination
of Employment by the Company.” In the event that Dr. Berkowitz is
terminated due to Disability, as that term is defined in Dr. Berkowitz’s
employment agreement, we are obligated to pay his salary and benefits
for
12 months following the date of termination in equal, monthly
installments. For a termination constituting Cause, as that term
is
defined in Dr. Berkowitz’s employment agreement, we are obligated to pay
only his accrued and unpaid salary and benefits through the date
of such
termination. All unvested options on the termination date will be
cancelled. In the event of a termination Without Cause, as that term
is
defined in Dr. Berkowitz’s employment agreement, is determined by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors, Dr. Berkowitz is entitled to
receive his salary and benefits for a period of 12 months after the
termination date. In addition, the monthly vesting of his options
shall
continue for an additional 12 months from the termination date. If
Dr. Berkowitz had been terminated without cause on December 31,
2007, he would have been eligible to receive an aggregate of approximately
$266,500, which is inclusive of his annual salary and life insurance
premium benefit.
|
·
|
“Termination
of Employment by the Executive.” Dr. Berkowitz may choose to resign
from his position for “Good Reason.” Events that qualify as Good Reason
include (i) a change in his title or responsibilities, (ii) our
failure to provide executive salary or benefits, or (iii) the
relocation of our primary office to a location, or the requirement
to
perform a majority of his duties at any location to which the commute
time
exceeds one hour and fifteen minutes. If Dr. Berkowitz elects to
terminate his employment due to event (i) or (ii), we are obligated
to pay his salary and benefits for a period of 12 months after the
termination date. The monthly vesting of his options shall continue
for an
additional 12 months from the termination date. If he elects to terminate
his employment due to event (iii), we would be obligated to pay his
salary
and benefits for a period of six months after the termination date.
If
Dr. Berkowitz had been terminated under the above circumstance on
December 31, 2007, he would have been eligible to receive an
aggregate of approximately $133,250, which is inclusive of six months
of
salary and life insurance premium benefit. The monthly vesting of
his
options shall continue for an additional six months from the termination
date.
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
Total
($)
|
|||||||||
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.(3)
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
|||||
John
F. Bedard (4)
|
32,024
|
—
|
37,995
|
70,019
|
|||||||||
Marilyn
Breslow(5)
|
6,500
|
24,000
|
—
|
30,500
|
|||||||||
Kenneth
I. Moch(6)
|
1,500
|
—
|
—
|
1,500
|
|||||||||
Thomas
A. Moore(7)
|
4,250
|
24,000
|
—
|
28,250
|
|||||||||
Mary
C. Tanner(8)
|
33,000
|
15,689
|
40,449
|
89,138
|
|||||||||
Wayne
Yetter(9)
|
$
|
41,750
|
$
|
15,689
|
$
|
40,449
|
$
|
97,888
|
(1)
|
Represents
the amount we have expensed during 2007 under FAS 123(R) for outstanding
restricted stock granted in previous fiscal years. Assumptions used
in the
calculation are included in Note 11 - Stockholders’ Equity to our audited
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31,
2008.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the amount we have expensed during 2007 under FAS 123(R) for outstanding
stock option awards granted in 2007 and in previous fiscal years.
Assumptions used in the calculation are included in Note 11 -
Stockholders’ Equity to our audited consolidated financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 included in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 31, 2008.
|
(3)
|
Dr. Berkowitz,
our President and Chief Executive Officer, receives no compensation
for
his services as Director.
|
(4)
|
On
September 7, 2007, Mr. Bedard joined our Board of Directors. In connection
with his appointment, he received a stock option to purchase 30,000
shares
of our common stock. The stock option has an exercise price of $4.40,
the
closing price of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange
on the
grant date. The stock option has a grant date fair value of $4.03.
The
stock option vests over one year. As of December 31, 2007, there
are
outstanding options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock
issued
to Mr. Bedard.
|
(5)
|
Ms.
Breslow resigned effective July 21, 2007. As of December 31, 2007,
there are outstanding 3,200 shares of restricted stock and options
to
purchase 4,897 shares of common stock issued to
Ms. Breslow.
|
(6)
|
Mr. Moch
resigned effective February 5, 2007. As of December 31, 2007,
there are outstanding options to purchase 55,342 shares of common
stock
issued to Mr. Moch.
|
(7)
|
Mr.
Moore resigned effective July 21, 2007. As of December 31, 2007,
there are outstanding 3,200 shares of restricted stock and options
to
purchase 3,700 shares of common stock issued to
Mr. Moore.
|
(8)
|
As
of December 31, 2007, there are outstanding 3,200 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 45,426 shares of common
stock
issued to Ms. Tanner.
|
(9)
|
As
of December 31, 2007, there are outstanding 3,200 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 28,842 shares of common
stock
issued to Mr. Yetter.
|
Plan Category
|
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
|
Number of
Securities
Remaining Available
For Future Issuance
Under Existing Equity
Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
column(a))
|
|||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
872,706
|
$
|
15.82
|
494,623
|
||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Total
|
872,706
|
$
|
15.82
|
494,623
|
(1)
|
These
plans consist of our Amended and Restated 1987 Stock Option Plan,
our
Amended 1995 Stock Option Plan and our 2005 Stock Plan, as
amended.
|
|
|
Audit
Committee
|
|
|
|
John
F. Bedard
|
|
|
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
|
|
Wayne
P. Yetter
|
|
Shares
Subject to Plan
|
|
Upon
stockholder approval at the annual meeting, awards with respect to
a
maximum of up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock may be made under
the
Plan, as amended. Of that number of shares, the proposed amendment
would
add 940,000 shares to the 1,060,000 shares already approved, of which
only
approximately 478,623 remain available for the grant of new options
and
other stock-based awards.
|
|
|
|
Plan
Administration
|
|
The
Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of Synvista, or a
committee
thereof, as delegated by the Board of Directors. The administrator
will
have authority, subject to the terms of the Plan, to determine when
and to
whom to make grants under the Plan, the number of shares to be covered
by
the grants, the types and terms of options and other stock-based
award
granted, the exercise price of the shares of common stock covered
by
options granted and to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan. New options granted to non-employee directors
are
governed by the formula discussed below.
|
|
|
|
Eligibility
|
|
Certain
of our directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors may
be
granted options to purchase shares of our common stock under the
Plan. The
number of persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan is not
presently determinable.
|
|
|
|
Transfer
of Awards
|
|
Generally,
awards may not be transferred to another person, except by will or
the
laws of descent and distribution, or as approved by the
administrator.
|
Termination
|
|
Options
expire ten years from the option grant date, except that an incentive
stock option granted to an employee who is the holder of 10% or more
of
our outstanding shares expires five years from the option grant
date.
|
|
|
|
Initial
Director Options
|
|
Each
director who is not an employee of the Company is granted an option
to
purchase 20,000 shares on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders,
whether or not such director is up for election or reelection, so
long as
on such date, the director is serving as a director of Synvista.
The per
share exercise price of an option will be equal to the fair market
value
of a share of common stock on the grant date. Each option will vest,
and
be exercisable, upon completion of one full year of service on the
Board
of Directors, so long as on such date, the director is serving as
a
director of Synvista.
|
General
Options
|
|
Under
the Plan, incentive stock options (“ISOs”) within the meaning of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”),
nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”) and other stock-based award may be
granted by the administrator to directors, employees and consultants
of
the Company and any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan), except
that ISOs may be granted only to employees of the Company and any
of its
subsidiaries. The per share purchase price (or “option price”) under each
option is established by the committee at the time the option is
granted.
However, the per share option price of an ISO granted to a participant
must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share on the
date the
ISO is granted (110% in the case of an ISO granted to a holder of
10% or
more of our outstanding shares). Options will be exercisable at such
times
and in such installments as determined by the
administrator.
|
|
|
|
Exercisability
|
|
Options
generally may not be exercised more than three months after the option
holder ceases to provide services to the Company or an affiliate,
except
that in the event of the death or disability of the option holder,
the
option may be exercised by the holder (or the holder’s estate), for a
period of up to one year after the date of death or disability. The
agreements evidencing the grant of an option (other than an option
to a
non-employee director) may, in the discretion of the committee, set
forth
additional or different terms and conditions applicable to such option
upon a termination or change in status of the employment or service
of the
optionee. Options terminate immediately if the option holder’s service was
terminated for cause.
|
|
|
|
Payment
of Exercise Price
|
|
The
shares purchased upon the exercise of an option must be paid for
in cash
(including cash that may be received from the Company at the time
of
exercise as additional compensation) or through the delivery of other
shares of common stock with a value equal to the total option price
or in
a combination of cash and such shares, subject to the power of the
administrator to vary the payment arrangement, including delivery
of a
personal recourse note, to meet the tax needs of an individual non-U.S.
recipient if such variance does not change the substance of the
arrangement set forth herein insofar as it affects the Company. In
addition, the option holder may have the option price paid by a broker
or
dealer and the shares issued upon exercise of the option delivered
directly to the broker or dealer.
|
|
|
|
Amendment
or Termination
|
|
Our
Board of Directors has the power to terminate or amend the Plan at
any
time. If the Board of Directors does not take action to earlier terminate
the Plan, it will terminate on April 19, 2015. Certain amendments may
require stockholder approval, and no amendment may adversely affect
options that have previously been
granted.
|
Incentive
Stock Options:
|
|
Incentive
stock options are intended to qualify for treatment under Section
422 of
the Code. An incentive stock option does not result in taxable income
to
the optionee or deduction to Synvista at the time it is granted or
exercised, provided that no disposition is made by the optionee of
the
shares acquired pursuant to the option within two years after the
date of
grant of the option nor within one year after the date of issuance
of
shares to the optionee (referred to as the “ISO holding period”). However,
the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the
date of
exercise and the option price will be an item of tax preference includible
in “alternative minimum taxable income.” Upon disposition of the shares
after the expiration of the ISO holding period, the optionee will
generally recognize long-term capital gain or loss based on the difference
between the disposition proceeds and the option price paid for the
shares.
If the shares are disposed of prior to the expiration of the ISO
holding
period, the optionee generally will recognize taxable compensation,
and
Synvista will have a corresponding deduction, in the year of the
disposition, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares on
the date of exercise of the option over the option price. Any additional
gain realized on the disposition will normally constitute capital
gain. If
the amount realized upon such a disqualifying disposition is less
than
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, the amount
of
compensation income will be limited to the excess of the amount realized
over the optionee’s adjusted basis in the
shares.
|
Non-Qualified
Options:
|
|
Options
otherwise qualifying as incentive stock options, to the extent the
aggregate fair market value of shares with respect to which such
options
are first exercisable by an individual in any calendar year exceeds
$100,000, and options designated as non-qualified options will be
treated
as options that are not incentive stock options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
non-qualified option ordinarily will not result in income to the
optionee
or deduction to Synvista at the time of grant. The optionee will
recognize
compensation income at the time of exercise of such non-qualified
option
in an amount equal to the excess of the then value of the shares
over the
option price per share. Such compensation income of the optionee
may be
subject to withholding taxes, and a deduction may then be allowable
to
Synvista in an amount equal to the optionee’s compensation
income.
|
|
|
|
|
|
An
optionee’s initial basis in shares so acquired will be the amount paid on
exercise of the non-qualified option plus the amount of any corresponding
compensation income. Any gain or loss as a result of a subsequent
disposition of the shares so acquired will be capital gain or
loss.
|
|
|
|
|
|
With
respect to stock grants under the Plan that result in the issuance
of
shares that are either not restricted as to transferability or not
subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize
ordinary income equal to the fair market value of shares received.
Thus,
deferral of the time of issuance will generally result in the deferral
of
the time the grantee will be liable for income taxes with respect
to such
issuance. Synvista generally will be entitled to a deduction in an
amount
equal to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee.
|
|
|
|
Stock
Grants:
|
|
With
respect to stock grants involving the issuance of shares that are
restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk
of
forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize ordinary income
equal to
the fair market value of the shares received at the first time the
shares
become transferable or are not subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier. A grantee may elect to be taxed
at
the time of receipt of shares rather than upon lapse of restrictions
on
transferability or substantial risk of forfeiture, but if the grantee
subsequently forfeits such shares, the grantee would not be entitled
to
any tax deduction, including as a capital loss, for the value of
the
shares on which he previously paid tax. The grantee must file such
election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the
receipt
of the shares. Synvista generally will be entitled to a deduction
in an
amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the
grantee.
|
Type
of Fees
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2007
|
|||
Audit
Fees
|
$
|
124,433*
|
||
Audit-Related
Fees
|
22,659
|
|||
Tax
Fees
|
—
|
|||
All
Other Fees
|
—
|
|||
Total
Fees
|
$
|
147,092
|
Type
of Fees
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2006
|
|||
Audit
Fees
|
$
|
97,925
|
||
Audit-Related
Fees
|
46,142
|
|||
Tax
Fees
|
—
|
|||
All
Other Fees
|
—
|
|||
Total
Fees
|
$
|
144,067
|
ANNEX
A
|
2005
STOCK PLAN
|
ANNEX
B
|
FORM
OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO SYNVISTA’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
|
ANNEX
C
|
PROXY
CARD
|
1.
|
DEFINITIONS.
|
2.
|
PURPOSES
OF THE PLAN.
|
3.
|
SHARES
SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
|
4.
|
ADMINISTRATION
OF THE PLAN.
|
a.
|
Interpret
the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules
and
determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan;
|
b.
|
Determine
which Employees, directors and consultants shall be granted Stock
Rights;
|
c.
|
Determine
the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall
be
granted; provided, however, that in no event shall (i) Stock Rights
with
respect to more than 1,000,000 Shares be granted to any Participant
in any
fiscal year and (ii) more than 1,000,000 Shares be issued as Stock
Grants;
|
d.
|
Specify
the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights
may be
granted; and
|
e.
|
Adopt
any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction
as it
deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage
of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company or to Plan Participants
or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which
sub-plans
may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock
Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock
Right;
|
5.
|
ELIGIBILITY
FOR PARTICIPATION.
|
6.
|
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
|
A.
|
Non-Qualified
Options:
Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject
to the
terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate
and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following
minimum
standards for any such Non-Qualified
Option:
|
a.
|
Option
Price:
Each Option Agreement shall state the option price (per share) of
the
Shares covered by each Option, which option price shall be determined
by
the Administrator but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value
per
share of Common Stock.
|
b.
|
Number
of Shares:
Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it
pertains.
|
c.
|
Option
Periods:
Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first
is
exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised,
and
may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in
installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence
of
certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or
events.
|
d.
|
Option
Conditions:
Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution
of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator
providing for certain protections for the Company and its other
shareholders, including requirements
that:
|
i.
|
The
Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer
the Shares may be restricted; and
|
ii.
|
The
Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute
letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares
will bear legends noting any applicable
restrictions.
|
e.
|
Directors’
Options:
On the date of each annual meeting of shareholders of the Company,
whether
or not such director is up for election or reelection, provided that
on
such dates such director is serving as a director of the Company,
such
Non-Compensated Director shall be granted a Non-Qualified Option
to
purchase 20,000 Shares. If a Non-Compensated Director is first elected
or
appointed to the Board other than at an annual meeting of shareholders,
on
the date of his or her initial election or appointment he or she
shall be
granted a Non-Qualified Option to purchase the number of Shares determined
by multiplying 1,667 by the number of whole or partial months from
the
date of his or her election or appointment to the Company’s next annual
meeting of shareholders. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
a month
shall mean a period of 30 consecutive
days.
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B.
|
ISOs:
Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee
and
be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional
restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate
but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations
and rulings of the Internal Revenue
Service:
|
a.
|
Minimum
standards:
The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified
Options, as described in Paragraph 6(A) above, except clauses (a)
and (e)
thereunder.
|
b.
|
Option
Price:
Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly
or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d)
of the
Code:
|
i.
|
10%
or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the
Company or an Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares
covered
by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value
per share
of the Shares on the date of the grant of the Option;
or
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ii.
|
More
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the
Company or an Affiliate, the Option price per share of the Shares
covered
by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value
on the
date of grant.
|
c.
|
Term
of Option:
For Participants who own:
|
i.
|
10%
or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the
Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten
years
from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option
Agreement
may provide; or
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ii.
|
More
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the
Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five
years
from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option
Agreement
may provide.
|
d.
|
Limitation
on Yearly Exercise:
The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may
become
exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan
of the
Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined at the time each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect
to
which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant
in any
calendar year does not exceed
$100,000.
|
7.
|
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.
|
a.
|
Each
Agreement shall state the purchase price (per share), if any, of
the
Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be
determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum
consideration required by the Delaware General Corporation Law on
the date
of the grant of the Stock Grant;
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b.
|
Each
Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant
pertains; and
|
c.
|
Each
Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to
restrict
or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the
time and
events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price
therefore, if any.
|
8.
|
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.
|
9.
|
EXERCISE
OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.
|
10.
|
ACCEPTANCE
OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.
|
11.
|
RIGHTS
AS A SHAREHOLDER.
|
12.
|
ASSIGNABILITY
AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.
|
13.
|
EFFECT
ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN “FOR CAUSE” OR DEATH OR
DISABILITY.
|
a.
|
A
Participant who ceases to be an employee, director or consultant
of the
Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination
“for
cause”, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in
Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option
granted
to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the
date of
such termination of service, but only within such term as the
Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option
Agreement;
|
b.
|
Except
as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in
no event
may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three
months
after the Participant’s termination of
employment;
|
c.
|
The
provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph
15 or
16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled
or dies
after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy;
provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death
within three months after the termination of employment, director
status
or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may
exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s
termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration
of
the term of the Option;
|
d.
|
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s
termination of employment, termination of director status or termination
of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Board
of
Directors determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s
termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute
“cause”, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to
exercise any Option;
|
e.
|
A
Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who
is
absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability
(any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1
hereof),
or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during
the
period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence
alone, to
have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or
consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the
Administrator may otherwise expressly provide;
and
|
f.
|
Except
as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement,
Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change
of a
Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so
long as the Participant continues to be an employee, director or
consultant of the Company or any
Affiliate.
|
14.
|
EFFECT
ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE “FOR CAUSE”.
|
a.
|
All
outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant
is
notified his or her service is terminated “for cause” will immediately be
forfeited;
|
b.
|
For
purposes of this Plan, “cause” shall include (and is not limited to)
dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, insubordination,
substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, unauthorized disclosure
of confidential information, breach by the Participant of any provision
of
any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition
or
similar agreement between the Participant and the Company, and conduct
substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate.
The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of “cause” will
be conclusive on the Participant and the
Company;
|
c.
|
“Cause”
is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s
termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s
finding of “cause” occur prior to termination. If the Administrator
determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior
to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to
the
Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would
constitute “cause”, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited;
and
|
d.
|
Any
provision in an agreement between the Participant and the Company
or an
Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of “cause” for
termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination,
shall
supersede the definition in this Plan with respect to that
Participant.
|
15.
|
EFFECT
ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.
|
a.
|
To
the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been
exercised on the date of Disability;
and
|
b.
|
In
the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the
extent
of a pro rata portion through the date of Disability of any additional
vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had
the
Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon
the
number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the
date of
Disability.
|
16.
|
EFFECT
ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT.
|
a.
|
To
the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been
exercised on the date of death; and
|
b.
|
In
the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the
extent
of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional
vesting
rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the
Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number
of days
accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of
death.
|
17.
|
EFFECT
OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON UNACCEPTED STOCK GRANTS.
|
18.
|
EFFECT
ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN “FOR CAUSE” OR DEATH
OR DISABILITY.
|
19.
|
EFFECT
ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE “FOR CAUSE”.
|
a.
|
All
Shares subject to any Stock Grant shall be immediately subject to
repurchase by the Company at the purchase price, if any,
thereof;
|
b.
|
For
purposes of this Plan, “cause” shall include (and is not limited to)
dishonesty with respect to the employer, insubordination, substantial
malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, unauthorized disclosure of
confidential information, breach by the Participant of any provision
of
any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition
or
similar agreement between the Participant and the Company, and conduct
substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate.
The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of “cause” will
be conclusive on the Participant and the
Company;
|
c.
|
“Cause”
is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s
termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s
finding of “cause” occur prior to termination. If the Administrator
determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that
either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the
Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute “cause,” then the
Company’s right to repurchase all of such Participant’s Shares shall
apply; and
|
d.
|
Any
provision in an agreement between the Participant and the Company
or an
Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of “cause” for
termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination,
shall
supersede the definition in this Plan with respect to that
Participant.
|
20.
|
EFFECT
ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.
|
21.
|
EFFECT
ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT.
|
22.
|
PURCHASE
FOR INVESTMENT.
|
a.
|
The
person(s) who exercise(s) or accept(s) such Stock Right shall warrant
to
the Company, prior to the receipt of such Shares, that such person(s)
are
acquiring such Shares for their own respective accounts, for investment,
and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution
of any such Shares, in which event the person(s) acquiring such Shares
shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend which shall
be
endorsed upon the certificate(s) evidencing their Shares issued pursuant
to such exercise or such grant:
|
b.
|
At
the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received
an
opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon such particular
exercise or acceptance in compliance with the 1933 Act without
registration thereunder.
|
23.
|
DISSOLUTION
OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.
|
24.
|
ADJUSTMENTS.
|
A.
|
Stock
Dividends and Stock Splits.
If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined
into a
greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue
any
shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common
Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other
securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed
with
respect to such shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common
Stock deliverable upon the exercise of an Option or acceptance of
a Stock
Grant may be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately,
and
appropriate adjustments may be made including, in the purchase price
per
share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to options
to
be granted to directors pursuant to Paragraph 6(A)(e) and the number
of
Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraphs 3 and 4(c) shall
also be
proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such
events.
|
B.
|
Corporate
Transactions.
If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another
entity in
a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other
than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a
“Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of
any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the
“Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make
appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting
on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options
either
the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares
of Common
Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities
of any
successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the
Participants, provide that all Options must be exercised (either
(a) to
the extent then exercisable or, (b) at the discretion of the
Administrator, all Options being made fully exercisable for purposes
of
this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date
of such
notice, at the end of which period the Options shall terminate; or
(iii)
terminate all Options in exchange for a cash payment equal to the
excess
of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Options (either
(a)
to the extent then exercisable or, (b) at the discretion of the
Administrator, all Options being made fully exercisable for purposes
of
this Subparagraph) over the exercise price
thereof.
|
C.
|
Recapitalization
or Reorganization.
In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company,
other
than a Corporate Transaction, pursuant to which securities of the
Company
or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or
accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization
shall
be entitled to receive for the purchase price paid upon such exercise
or
acceptance the number of replacement securities which would have
been
received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted
prior
to such recapitalization or
reorganization.
|
D.
|
Adjustments
to Stock-Based Awards.
Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs
A, B or
C above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately
adjusted
to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator
or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to
be made
under this Paragraph 24 and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination
shall be conclusive.
|
E.
|
Modification
of ISOs.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to
Subparagraph A, B or C above with respect to ISOs shall be made only
after
the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would constitute
a
“modification” of such ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of
the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders
of
such ISOs. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments
made with
respect to ISOs would constitute a modification of such ISOs, it
may
refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an ISO
specifically requests in writing that such adjustment be made and
such
writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences
of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to
the ISO.
|
25.
|
ISSUANCES
OF SECURITIES.
|
26.
|
FRACTIONAL
SHARES.
|
27.
|
CONVERSION
OF ISOS INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOS.
|
28.
|
WITHHOLDING.
|
29.
|
NOTICE
TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING
DISPOSITION
|
30.
|
TERMINATION
OF THE PLAN.
|
31.
|
AMENDMENT
OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.
|
32.
|
EMPLOYMENT
OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.
|
33.
|
GOVERNING
LAW.
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Name:
Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
Title:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
To
change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and
indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note
that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted
via
this method.
|
|
¨
|
|
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|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST/
WITHHOLD
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
1.
|
|
To
elect Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D. as a Class B director to hold office
until the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor
has
been duly elected and qualified;
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.
|
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s 2005 Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the
Plan
from 1,060,000 to 2,000,000;
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of common stock authorized
for issuance from 300,000,000 to 150,000,000;
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
4.
|
|
To
ratify the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2008; and
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
¨
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.
|
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement thereof.
|
||||||
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|
||
PLEASE
CHECK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
|
|
¨
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Signature
of Stockholder
|
|
Date
|
|
Signature
of Stockholder
|
|
Date
|
Note:
|
Please
sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares
are
held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor,
administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title
as
such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate
name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is
a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
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