Blueprint
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment
No. __)
Filed
by the Registrant ☒
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check
the appropriate box:
☐
Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (As Permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
☒
Definitive Proxy Statement
☐
Definitive Additional Materials
☐
Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒
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:
TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10014
Dear
Stockholder:
You are
cordially invited to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
“Annual Meeting”) of TG Therapeutics, Inc.
(“TG” or the “Company”), to be held at 9:30
a.m. local time, on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the offices of our
legal counsel, Alston & Bird, located at 90 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10016. At the meeting, the stockholders will be
asked to (i) elect seven directors for a term of one year, (ii)
ratify the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019, (iii) consider an advisory vote
to approve the compensation of our named executive officers,
(iv) consider an
advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers, and (v) consider a
shareholder proposal on an amendment to the Company’s
articles/bylaws to require majority vote in director
elections. You will also
have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the
meeting.
In
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, we are furnishing our proxy statement and
annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2018
on the internet. You may have already received our “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials,” which was mailed on or about April
30, 2019. That notice described how you can obtain our proxy
statement and annual report. You can also receive paper copies of
our proxy statement and annual report upon request.
It is
important that your stock be represented at the meeting regardless
of the number of shares you hold. You are encouraged to specify
your voting preferences by marking our proxy card and returning it
as directed. If you do attend the meeting and wish to vote in
person, you may revoke your proxy at the meeting.
If you
have any questions about the proxy statement or the accompanying
2018 Annual Report, please contact Sean A. Power, our Chief
Financial Officer at (212) 554-4484.
We look
forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely,
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/s/
Michael S. Weiss
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Michael
S. Weiss
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Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President
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April
30, 2019
New
York, New York
TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10014
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of TG Therapeutics, Inc. will be
held at the offices of our legal counsel, Alston & Bird,
located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016, on Thursday,
June 13, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., local time. At the meeting,
stockholders will consider and act on the following
items:
1.
Elect
seven directors for a term of one year;
2.
Ratify
the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019;
3.
An
advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive
officers;
4.
An advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers;
5.
A shareholder proposal on an amendment to the Company’s
articles/bylaws to require majority vote in director elections;
and
6.
Transact any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the Annual
Meeting.
Only
those stockholders of record as of the close of business on April
18, 2019, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any
postponements or adjournments thereof. A complete list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
available for your inspection beginning May 1, 2019, at our offices
located at 2 Gansevoort Street, New York, New York 10014, between
the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, each business
day.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Instructions on how
to vote your shares via the internet are contained on the
“Important Notice
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials,” which was mailed on or about April
30, 2019. Instructions on how to obtain a paper copy of our proxy
statement and annual report to stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 2018 are listed on the “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials.” These materials can also be viewed
online by following the instructions listed on the “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials.”
If you
choose to receive a paper copy of our proxy statement and annual
report, you may vote your shares by completing and returning the
proxy card that will be enclosed.
Submitting your
proxy does not affect your right to vote in person if you decide to
attend the Annual Meeting. You are urged to submit your proxy as
soon as possible, regardless of whether or not you expect to attend
the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it
is voted at the Annual Meeting by (i) delivering written notice to
our Corporate Secretary, Sean A. Power, at our address above, (ii)
submitting a later dated proxy card, (iii) voting again via the
internet as described in the “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials,” or (iv) attending the Annual
Meeting and voting in person. No revocation under (i) or (ii) will
be effective unless written notice or the proxy card is received by
our Corporate Secretary at or before the Annual
Meeting.
When
you submit your proxy, you authorize Michael S. Weiss and Sean A.
Power to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting and on any
adjournments of the Annual Meeting in accordance with your
instructions.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/
Sean A. Power
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Sean A.
Power
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Corporate Secretary
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April
30, 2019
New
York, New York
TG THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10014
Phone: (212) 554-4484
Fax: (212) 554-4531
PROXY
STATEMENT
This proxy statement is being made available via internet access,
beginning on or about April 30, 2019, to the owners of shares of
common stock of TG Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company,”
“our,” “we,” or “TG”) as of
April 18, 2019, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
our Board of Directors for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”). On or about April 30, 2019, we
sent an “Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials” to our stockholders. If you received this notice
by mail, you will not automatically receive by mail our proxy
statement and annual report to stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 2018. If you would like to receive a printed copy of
our proxy statement, annual report and proxy card, please follow
the instructions for requesting such materials in the notice. Upon
request, we will promptly mail you paper copies of such materials
free of charge.
The
Annual Meeting will take place at the offices of our legal counsel,
Alston & Bird, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10016 on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., local time. Our
Board of Directors encourages you to read this document thoroughly
and take this opportunity to vote, via proxy, on the matters to be
decided at the Annual Meeting. As discussed below, you may revoke
your proxy at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual
Meeting.
Table
of Contents
Proxy
Statement
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Questions
and Answers
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1
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Why did I receive an “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials”?
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1
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What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
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1
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Who is entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting?
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1
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How do I vote?
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1
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What is a proxy?
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1
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How will my shares be voted if I vote by proxy?
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2
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How do I revoke my proxy?
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2
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Is my vote confidential?
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2
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How are votes counted?
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2
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What constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting?
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2
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What vote is required to elect our directors for a one-year
term?
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3
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What vote is required to ratify CohnReznick
LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019?
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3
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How will the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote to approve
the compensation of our named executive officers be
determined?
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3
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How will the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote on the
frequency of the advisory vote on compensation of our named
executive officers be determined?
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3
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What vote is required to approve the shareholder proposal for an
amendment to the Company’s articles/bylaws to require
majority vote in director elections?
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3
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What percentage of our outstanding stock do our directors and
executive officers own?
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3
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Who was our independent public accountant for the year ending
December 31, 2018? Will they be represented at the Annual
Meeting?
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3
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How can I obtain a copy of our annual report on Form
10-K?
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3
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Corporate
Governance
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4
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Our Board of Directors
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4
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Communicating with the Board of Directors
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7
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Audit Committee
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7
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Compensation Committee
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7
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Nominating Process
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8
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
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8
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Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Other
Matters
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9
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Audit Fees
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9
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Audit-Related Fees
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9
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Tax Fees
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9
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All Other Fees
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9
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Pre-Approval of Services
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9
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Report
of the Audit Committee
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10
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Our
Executive Officers
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11
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Executive Officers
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11
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Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
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12
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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
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12
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Determining Executive Compensation
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12
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Elements of Compensation
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13
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Consideration of Prior Advisory Stockholder Vote on Executive
Compensation
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13
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2018 Executive Compensation
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14
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Perquisites and Other Executive Benefits
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15
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Severance Benefits
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15
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Report of the Compensation Committee
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15
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Executive
Compensation
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16
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Summary Compensation Table
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16
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2018
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17
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End
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18
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Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2018
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19
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Employment Agreements
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19
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Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in
Control
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21
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CEO Pay Ratio
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22
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Director
Compensation
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23
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Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
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24
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Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
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24
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Related-Person
Transactions
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25
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Stock
Ownership of Our Directors, Executive Officers, and 5% Beneficial
Owners
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26
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Proposal
One: Election of Directors; Nominees
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27
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Proposal Two: Ratification of Appointment of
CohnReznick LLP as our
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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28
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Proposal
Three: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of our Named
Executive Officers
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29
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Proposal
Four: Advisory Vote on the Frequency of the Advisory Vote of
Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers
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30
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Proposal
Five: A
Shareholder Proposal on an Amendment to the Company’s
Articles/Bylaws to Require Majority Vote in Director
Elections
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31
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Additional
Information
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33
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Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
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33
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Stockholder Proposals for Our 2020 Annual Meeting
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33
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Other Matters
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33
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Solicitation of Proxies
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33
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Incorporation of Information by Reference
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33
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q:
Why
did I receive an “Important Notice Regarding the Availability
of Proxy Materials”?
A.
In accordance with
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, instead of mailing a
printed copy of our proxy materials, we may send an “Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials” to stockholders. All stockholders
will have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website
referred to in the notice or to request a printed set of these
materials at no charge. You will not receive a printed copy of the
proxy materials unless you specifically request one from us.
Instead, the notice instructs you as to how you may access and
review all of the important information contained in the proxy
materials via the internet and submit your vote via the
internet.
Q:
What
is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
A.
At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will act
upon the matters outlined in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders accompanying this proxy statement, including (i) the
election of seven directors for a term of one year, (ii) ratifying
the appointment of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019, (iii)
an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive
officers, (iv) an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory
vote on compensation of our named executive officers, (v)
a shareholder proposal on an
amendment to the Company’s articles/bylaws to require
majority vote in director elections; and (vi) transacting any other
business that may properly come before the 2019 Annual Meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
Q:
Who is entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting?
A.
The record holders
of our common stock at the close of business on the record date,
April 18, 2019, may vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of
common stock is entitled to one vote. There were 89,399,818 shares
of common stock outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting, including the address of and number of shares
held by each stockholder of record, will be available for your
inspection beginning May 1, 2019, at our offices located at 2
Gansevoort Street, New York, New York 10014, between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, each business
day.
A.
You may vote in
person at the Annual Meeting, by use of a proxy card if you receive
a printed copy of our proxy materials, via internet as directed in
our “Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials,” or by telephone as indicated in the proxy
card.
A.
A proxy is a person
you appoint to vote your shares on your behalf. If you are unable
to attend the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors is seeking
your appointment of a proxy so that your shares may be voted. If
you vote by proxy, you will be designating Michael S. Weiss, our
Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Sean
A. Power, our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate
Secretary, as your proxies. Mr. Weiss and/or Mr. Power may act on
your behalf and have the authority to appoint a substitute to act
as your proxy.
1
Q:
How will my shares be voted if I vote by proxy?
A.
Your proxy
will be voted according to the instructions you provide.
If you complete and submit your
proxy but do not otherwise provide instructions on how to vote your
shares, your shares will be voted (i) “FOR” the
individuals nominated to serve as members of our Board of
Directors, (ii) “FOR” the ratification of CohnReznick
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ending December 31, 2019, (iii) “FOR” the
non-binding proposal to approve the compensation of our named
executive officers, (iv) “FOR” a frequency of every
three years for future nonbinding stockholder advisory votes to
approve the compensation of our named executive officers, and (v)
“AGAINST” a shareholder proposal on an amendment to the
Company’s Articles/Bylaws to require majority vote in
director elections. Presently, our Board does not know of
any other matter that may come before the Annual Meeting. However,
your proxies are authorized to vote on your behalf, using their
discretion, on any other business that properly comes before the
Annual Meeting.
Q:
How do I revoke my proxy?
A.
You may revoke your
proxy at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual
Meeting by:
●
delivering written
notice to our Corporate Secretary, Sean A. Power, at our address
above;
●
submitting a later
dated proxy card or voting again via the Internet as described in
the “ Important Notice
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials”; or
●
attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person.
Q:
Is my vote confidential?
A.
Yes. All votes
remain confidential.
Q:
How are votes counted?
A.
Before the Annual
Meeting, our Board of Directors will appoint one or more inspectors
of election for the meeting. The inspector(s) will determine the
number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a
quorum and the validity and effect of proxies. The inspector(s)
will also receive, count, and tabulate ballots and votes and
determine the results of the voting on each matter that comes
before the Annual Meeting.
Abstentions and
votes withheld, and shares represented by proxies reflecting
abstentions or votes withheld, will be treated as present for
purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. They will not be considered as votes “for” or “against” any matter for which the
stockholder has indicated their intention to abstain or withhold
their vote. Broker or nominee non-votes, which occur when shares
held in “street
name” by brokers or
nominees who indicate that they do not have discretionary authority
to vote on a particular matter, will not be considered as votes
“for” or “against” that particular matter. Broker and
nominee non-votes will be treated as present for purposes of
determining the existence of a quorum, and may be entitled to vote
on certain matters at the Annual Meeting.
Q:
What constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting?
A.
In accordance with
Delaware law (the law under which we are incorporated) and our
Amended and Restated Bylaws, the presence at the Annual Meeting, by
proxy or in person, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the capital stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
constitutes a quorum, thereby permitting the stockholders to
conduct business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions, votes
withheld, and broker or nominee non-votes will be included in the
calculation of the number of shares considered present at the
Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a
quorum.
If a quorum is not
present at the Annual Meeting, a majority of the stockholders
present in person and by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another
date. If an adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting by our Board, we will
provide notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. At any adjourned
meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be
transacted that might have been transacted at the originally called
meeting.
2
Q:
What vote is required to elect our directors for a one-year
term?
A.
The affirmative
vote of a plurality of the votes of the shares present, in person
or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of
each of the nominees for director. “Plurality” means
that the nominees receiving the largest number of votes up to the
number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting will be
duly elected as directors. Abstentions, votes withheld, and broker
or nominee non-votes will not affect the outcome of director
elections.
Q:
What vote is required to ratify CohnReznick LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2019?
A.
The affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy,
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve
the ratification of CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.
Abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote. However,
broker or nominee non-votes, and shares represented by proxies
reflecting broker or nominee non-votes, will not have the effect of
a vote against this proposal as they are not considered to be
present and entitled to vote on this matter.
Q:
How will the outcome of the non-binding vote to approve the
compensation of our named executive officers be
determined?
A.
The affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy,
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to adopt the
non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named
executive officers. Abstentions and votes withheld will have the
same effect as a negative vote. However, broker or nominee
non-votes, and shares represented by proxies reflecting broker or
nominee non-votes, will not have the effect of a vote against this
proposal as they are not considered to be present and entitled to
vote on this matter.
Q:
How will the outcome of the non-binding vote on the frequency of
the advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers
be determined?
A.
The frequency of
the non-binding advisory vote on compensation of our named
executive officers receiving the greatest number of votes –
every three years, every two years or every year – will be
the frequency that stockholders approve.
Q:
What vote is required to approve the shareholder proposal for an
amendment to the Company's articles/bylaws to require majority vote
in director elections?
A.
The affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding common stock is required to
approve the shareholder proposal. Abstentions will have the same
effect as a negative vote.
Q:
What percentage of our outstanding common stock do our directors
and executive officers own?
A.
As of April
18, 2019, our directors and executive officers owned, or have the
right to acquire, approximately 14.2% of our outstanding common
stock. See the discussion under the heading “Stock Ownership
of Our Directors, Executive Officers, and 5% Beneficial
Owners” on page 26 for more details.
Q:
Who was our independent public accountant for the year ending
December 31, 2018? Will they be represented at the Annual
Meeting?
A.
CohnReznick LLP is
the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our
financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2018. We
expect a representative of CohnReznick LLP to be present at the
Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make
a statement and will be available to answer your
questions.
Q:
How can I obtain a copy of our annual report on Form
10-K?
A.
We have filed our
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,
with the SEC. The annual report on Form 10-K is also included in
the 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders. You may obtain, free of charge,
a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K, including financial
statements and exhibits, by writing to our corporate secretary,
Sean A. Power, or by email at info@tgtxinc.com. Upon request, we
will also furnish any exhibits to the annual report on Form 10-K as
filed with the SEC.
3
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Our Board of Directors
Our
amended and restated bylaws provide that the Board shall consist of
one or more members, as determined from time to time by resolution
of the Board. Currently, our Board consists of seven members. The
following individuals are being nominated to serve on our Board
(See “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors;
Nominees”):
Name
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Age
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Position
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Director
Since
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Michael
S. Weiss
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53
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Executive
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
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2011
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Laurence N.
Charney
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72
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Director
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2012
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William
J. Kennedy
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74
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Director
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2012
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Mark
Schoenebaum, MD
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46
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Director
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2012
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Yann
Echelard
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55
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Director
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2012
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Kenneth
Hoberman
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54
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Director
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2014
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Daniel
Hume
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52
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Director
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2015
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The
Board does not have a formal policy regarding the separation of the
roles of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, as the
Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to
make that determination based on the direction of the Company and
the current membership of the Board. The Board has determined that
having a director who is an executive officer serve as the Chairman
is in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders at this
time.
TG has
a risk management program overseen by Michael S. Weiss, our
Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President and the
Board. Mr. Weiss and management identify material risks and
prioritize them for our Board. Our Board regularly reviews
information regarding our credit, liquidity, operations, and
compliance as well as the risks associated with each.
The
following biographies set forth the names of our directors and
director nominees, their ages, the year in which they first became
directors, their positions with us, their principal occupations and
employers for at least the past five years, any other directorships
held by them during the past five years in companies that are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or any company
registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as well as additional information, all of which we
believe sets forth each director nominee’s qualifications to
serve on the Board. There is no family relationship between and
among any of our executive officers or directors. There are no
arrangements or understandings between any of our executive
officers or directors and any other person pursuant to which any of
them are elected as an officer or director, except as disclosed
below.
On
December 29, 2011, Opus Point Partners, LLC, (“Opus”),
TG Biologics, Inc. (“TG Biologics”) and the Company
(and collectively with Opus and TG Biologics, the
“Parties”) entered into an Exchange Transaction
Agreement (the “Agreement”). On August 2, 2012, the
Parties executed an amendment to the Agreement (“Amendment
No. 1”) which set the number of members of the board of
directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) at
six, and required the consent of Opus for any increase. Opus has
consented to the increase to seven. Amendment No. 1 also granted
Opus the right to nominate three members of the Board of Directors
until the later of (x) two years from the Closing Date of the
Agreement (as defined therein), or (y) the date on which Opus
beneficially owns less than 10% of the Company’s common stock
as calculated pursuant to the rules and regulations under Section
13 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, Opus has nominated Mr.
Charney, Dr. Kennedy, and Dr. Schoenebaum to the Company’s
Board of Directors.
TG
adheres to the corporate governance standards adopted by The Nasdaq
Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Nasdaq rules require our Board to
make an affirmative determination as to the independence of each
director. Consistent with these rules, our Board undertook its
annual review of director independence on April 25, 2019. During
the review, our Board considered relationships and transactions
during 2018 and during the past three fiscal years between each
director or any member of his immediate family, on the one hand,
and the Company and our subsidiaries and affiliates, on the other
hand. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such
relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a
determination that the director is independent. Based on this
review, our Board determined that Yann Echelard, Laurence Charney,
William Kennedy, Mark Schoenebaum, Kenneth Hoberman, and Daniel
Hume are independent under the criteria established by Nasdaq and
our Board.
4
Michael S. Weiss,
53, has served as TG’s Executive Chairman, President
and CEO since December 2011. Mr. Weiss is also currently a director
of the Company. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Weiss was the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where he
helped the company acquire and develop its lead drug,
Auryxia®, as well as executed a strategic alliance for Auryxia
with Japan Tobacco, Inc. and Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. worth
more than $100 million. Mr. Weiss began his professional career as
a lawyer with Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. He earned his J.D.
from Columbia Law School and his B.S. in Finance from The
University at Albany. Based on Mr. Weiss’s biotechnology and
pharmaceutical industry experience, as well as his extensive
management experience, the Board of Directors believes that Mr.
Weiss has the appropriate set of skills to serve as a member of the
Board. Mr. Weiss also
serves as a director and Executive Vice Chairman, Strategic
Development of Fortress Biotech, Inc., as Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Executive Chairman of Mustang Bio, Inc., and as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.
Additionally, he serves as Co-Portfolio Manager and Partner of Opus
Point Partners, LLC, which he co-founded in
2009.
Laurence N. Charney,
72, has served on our Board since April 2012. Since 2007,
Mr. Charney has served as a business strategist and financial
advisor to Boards, CEOs and investors. Previously, from 1970
through June 2007, Mr. Charney was a senior audit partner at Ernst
& Young, LLP, a registered public accounting firm, retiring as
a practice leader in the Americas Quality and Risk Management
Group. Mr. Charney currently serves as a director and audit
committee chairman of Pacific Drillings S.A. In addition, Mr.
Charney previously served as a director and audit committee member
of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, XTL
Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., Pure Biofuels, Inc., and Iconix Brand
Group, Inc. In addition to his extensive experience on the boards
of various corporate entities, Mr. Charney is also very active on
the boards of several non-profit organizations. Mr. Charney
graduated with a B.B.A. degree from Hofstra University and
completed the Executive MBA in Business program at Columbia
University. Based on Mr. Charney’s financial industry
experience and in-depth understanding of our business, the Board of
Directors believes that Mr. Charney has the appropriate set of
skills to serve as a member of the Board.
William J. Kennedy, PhD.,
74, has served on our Board since April 2012. Dr. Kennedy is
a regulatory affairs professional with over 27 years of domestic
and international experience. Prior to his retirement, Dr. Kennedy
was Vice President for Regulatory Affairs for Zeneca Corporation.
Dr. Kennedy has successfully managed the development, preparation,
submission and approval of dozens of NDAs and major SNDAs. Dr.
Kennedy has helped shape regulatory policy in the United States
continuously since 1988, as a member and Chairman of the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America
(“PhRMA”) Regulatory Affairs Coordinating Committee, as
PhRMA's Chief Negotiator with Congress and the Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) for the FDA Modernization Act of
1997 (“FDAMA”), and as the Co-Chairman of PhRMA's PDUFA
III Steering Committee. Before joining the pharmaceutical industry,
Dr. Kennedy was an Associate Research Professor at Yale Medical
School. Dr. Kennedy is the author of several articles and is an
often sought after speaker for his insight into the regulatory
process. He co-founded the website PDUFADate.com which provides
regulatory opinions to the financial community. Dr. Kennedy was the
recipient of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society’s
prestigious Special Recognition Award in 1998. Dr. Kennedy has been
an independent consultant to the pharmaceutical industry since
1999. Based on Mr. Kennedy’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industry experience, as well as his extensive management
experience, the Board of Directors believes that Mr. Kennedy has
the appropriate set of skills to serve as a member of the
Board.
Mark Schoenebaum, M.D.,
46, has served on our Board since April 2012. From 2010 to
2017, Dr. Schoenebaum was the Senior Managing Director and Head of
Healthcare/Biotech & Pharma at Evercore ISI, as well as
ISI’s Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals major analyst. He
has previously been ranked Institutional Investor’s #1
Biotechnology Analyst for nine years in a row. In 2013, his second
year competing in the category, Dr. Schoenebaum was also ranked by
Institutional Investor as the #1 Pharmaceuticals/Major Analyst. In
2013, Mark was inducted into Institutional Investor's All-America
Research Team Hall of Fame, an award given to analysts who have
earned at least ten #1 rankings. Prior to joining ISI in 2010, Dr.
Schoenebaum spent two years at Deutsche Bank as a Managing Director
and Senior Biotechnology Analyst. Prior to that, he held a similar
position at Bear Stearns. Dr. Schoenebaum graduated from Indiana
University with highest distinction in 1996 with a B.A. and
received an M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine in 2000. Based on Dr. Schoenebaum’s biotechnology
and pharmaceutical industry experience, as well as his extensive
management experience, the Board of Directors believes that Dr.
Schoenebaum has the appropriate set of skills to serve as a member
of the Board.
5
Yann
Echelard, 55, has served on our Board since November 2012.
Dr. Echelard, current Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering, has
over 25 years of research and biopharmaceutical experience. Dr.
Echelard holds a Ph.D. from Université de Montréal, and
has completed post-doctoral studies at Ludwig Institute of Cancer
Research in Montreal (McGill University). As a visiting scientist
at the Roche Institute and at Harvard University (Developmental
Biology), he had a key role in the isolation and characterization
of the Hedgehog genes, the first identified vertebrate morphogens.
From 1994 to 2010, he progressed through various positions of
increasing responsibility at Genzyme Transgenics Corporation and at
GTC Biotherapeutics, including Vice President of Research and
Development. In 1998, he led the scientific team that first
performed goat somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning). Focusing on
Corporate Development, Dr. Echelard spearheaded the creation of a
collaborative Joint Venture with LFB Biotechnologies in 2006, which
was focused on the development of recombinant plasma proteins and
monoclonal antibodies. This close collaboration led to the
acquisition of GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. by LFB in December 2010.
In January of 2013, Dr. Echelard became the President and Chief
Executive Officer of EVO Biologics, the successor of GTC
Biotherapeutics, Inc., a position he held until April 2018.
Based on Mr. Echelard’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industry experience, as well as his extensive management
experience, the Board of Directors believes that Mr. Echelard has
the appropriate set of skills to serve as a member of the
Board.
Kenneth
Hoberman, 54, has served on our Board since December 2014.
Mr. Hoberman is currently the Chief Operating Officer and
Corporate Secretary of Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. where he was a
key member of the founding team. He was instrumental in the
company’s financings from early private, including
institutional, rounds through the IPO and subsequent follow-on
offerings. He has extensive financial, accounting, investor
relations, corporate governance and business development experience
including M&A, strategic alliances and partnerships both
domestic and international. His operational expertise includes
regulatory oversight, human resources, manufacturing and clinical
development. He was previously Vice President of Corporate and
Business Development of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where he
was instrumental in the success of the company. He also helped
secure multiple sources of capital including over $200 million in
equity investments through public and private offerings. He also
initiated and executed a $100 million strategic alliance and
originated, negotiated and closed dozens of licensing and
operational contracts, helping to grow the company’s market
capitalization to over $1 billion. He also led the team that
originated, in-licensed, and developed Auryxia™ which
recently gained FDA approval. He received a B.S.B.A. in Finance
from Boston University and completed post-baccalaureate studies at
Columbia University. Based on Mr. Hoberman’s financial
and pharmaceutical industry experience and in-depth understanding
of our business, as well as his extensive management experience,
the Board of Directors believes that Mr. Hoberman has the
appropriate set of skills to serve as a member of the Board.
Daniel Hume,
52, has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since June 2015. Mr. Hume is currently a managing partner at
Kirby McInerney, LLP. Mr. Hume’s law practice focuses on
securities law regulation, structured finance, antitrust, and civil
litigation. Mr. Hume is member of the board of
directors of Stemline Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a late
clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, and National Holdings
Corporation (Nasdaq: NHLD), a financial services company.
Mr. Hume is admitted to the New York State Bar and federal
courts around the country, including the United States Supreme
Court. Mr. Hume received a B.A. in philosophy and graduated
magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany,
and earned a J.D. from the Columbia University Law School, where he
served as Notes Editor for the Columbia Journal of Environmental
Law. We believe that Mr. Hume is qualified to serve on our
Board of Directors due to his substantial financial and legal
experience as well as his experience on several other Boards, some
within the pharmaceutical industry.
During 2018, our Board held five
meetings. With the exception of Mr. Schoenebaum, during 2018, each
incumbent director who served their full term and are standing for
election attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of
Directors and the meetings of those committees on which each
incumbent director served, in each case during the period that such
person was a director. The permanent committees established by our
Board of Directors are the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee, descriptions of which are set forth in more detail
below. Our directors are expected to attend each Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, and it is our expectation that all of the directors
standing for election will attend this year’s Annual Meeting. Last year, all of
our directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in
person or via telephone.
6
Communicating with the Board of Directors
Our
Board has established a process by which stockholders can send
communications to the Board. You may communicate with the Board as
a group, or to specific directors, by writing to Sean A. Power, our
Corporate Secretary, at our offices located at 2 Gansevoort Street,
9th Floor, New York, New York
10014. The Corporate Secretary will review all such correspondence
and regularly forward to the Board a summary of all correspondence
and copies of all correspondence that deals with the functions of
the Board or committees thereof or that otherwise requires their
attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all
correspondence we receive that is addressed to members of our Board
and request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating to
accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters may be
communicated in this manner, or may be submitted on an anonymous
basis via e-mail at info@tgtxinc.com. These concerns will be
immediately brought to the attention of our Audit Committee and
resolved in accordance with procedures established by our Audit
Committee.
Audit Committee
The
Audit Committee currently consists of Laurence N. Charney
(Chairman), William Kennedy and Kenneth Hoberman.
The
Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018. The duties and responsibilities of the Audit
Committee are set forth in the Charter of the Audit Committee which
was recently reviewed by our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee
determined that no revisions needed to be made to the charter at
this time. A copy of the Charter of the Audit Committee is
available on our website, located at www.tgtherapeutics.com.
Among other matters, the duties and responsibilities of the Audit
Committee include reviewing and monitoring our financial statements
and internal accounting procedures, the selection of our
independent registered public accounting firm and consulting with
and reviewing the services provided by our independent registered
public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has sole discretion
over the retention, compensation, evaluation and oversight of our
independent registered public accounting firm.
The SEC
and Nasdaq have established rules and regulations regarding the
composition of audit committees and the qualifications of audit
committee members. Our Board of Directors has examined the
composition of our Audit Committee and the qualifications of our
Audit Committee members in light of the current rules and
regulations governing audit committees. Based upon this
examination, our Board of Directors has determined that each member
of our Audit Committee is independent and is otherwise qualified to
be a member of our Audit Committee in accordance with the rules of
the SEC and Nasdaq.
Additionally, the
SEC requires that at least one member of the Audit Committee have a
“heightened” level of financial and accounting
sophistication. Such a person is known as the “audit committee financial
expert” under the
SEC’s rules. Our Board
has determined that Mr. Charney is an “audit committee financial
expert,” as the SEC
defines that term, and is an independent member of our Board of
Directors and our Audit Committee. Please see Mr.
Charney’s biography on
page 5 for a description of his relevant experience.
The
report of the Audit Committee can be found on page 10 of this proxy
statement.
Compensation Committee
The
Compensation Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2018. The Compensation Committee currently
consists of all independent members of our Board of Directors, with
Mr. Hoberman as chairman. The duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee are set forth in the Charter of the
Compensation Committee. A copy of the Charter of the Compensation
Committee is available on our website, located at www.tgtherapeutics.com.
As discussed in its charter, among other things, the duties and
responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include evaluating
the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and our Chief
Financial Officer, determining the overall compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and
administering all executive compensation programs, including, but
not limited to, our incentive and equity-based plans. The
Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the Chief
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer on an annual
basis and reviews and approves on an annual basis all compensation
programs and awards relating to such officers. The Compensation
Committee applies discretion in the determination of individual
executive compensation packages to ensure compliance with the
Company’s compensation
philosophy. The Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to
the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation
packages for officers other than himself. The Compensation
Committee may delegate its authority to grant awards to certain
employees, and within specified parameters under the
Company’s Amended and
Restated 2012 Incentive Plan, to a special committee consisting of
one or more directors who may but need not be officers of the
Company. As of April 25, 2019, however, the Compensation Committee
had not delegated any such authority.
Nasdaq
has established rules and regulations regarding the composition of
compensation committees and the qualifications of compensation
committee members. Our Board of Directors has examined the
composition of our Compensation Committee and the qualifications of
our Compensation Committee members in light of the current rules
and regulations governing compensation committees. Based upon this
examination, our Board of Directors has determined that each member
of our Compensation Committee is independent and is otherwise
qualified to be a member of our Compensation Committee in
accordance with such rules.
The
report of the Compensation Committee can be found on page 15 of
this proxy statement. Additional information regarding the
Compensation Committee’s
processes and procedures for consideration of executive
compensation can be found in the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis beginning on page 12 of this proxy statement.
7
Nominating Process
We do
not currently have a nominating committee or any other committee
serving a similar function. Director nominations are approved by a
vote of a majority of our independent directors as required under
the Nasdaq rules and regulations. Although we do not have a written
charter in place to select director nominees, our Board of
Directors has adopted resolutions regarding the director nomination
process. Our policy describing our director nomination process is
available on our website, located at www.tgtherapeutics.com.
We believe that the current process in place functions effectively
to select director nominees who will be valuable members of our
Board of Directors.
We
identify potential nominees to serve as directors through a variety
of business contacts, including current executive officers,
directors, community leaders and stockholders. We may, to the
extent they deem appropriate, retain a professional search firm and
other advisors to identify potential nominees.
We will
also consider candidates recommended by stockholders for nomination
to our Board. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a candidate for
nomination to our Board must submit such recommendation to our
Corporate Secretary, Sean A. Power, at our offices located at 2
Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10014. Any
recommendation must be received not less than 60 calendar days nor
more than 90 calendar days before the anniversary date of the
previous year’s annual
meeting. All stockholder recommendations of candidates for
nomination for election to our Board must be in writing and must
set forth the following: (i) the candidate’s name, age, business address, and
other contact information, (ii) the number of shares of common
stock beneficially owned by the candidate, (iii) a complete
description of the candidate’s qualifications, experience,
background and affiliations, as would be required to be disclosed
in the proxy statement pursuant to Schedule 14A under the Exchange
Act, (iv) a sworn or certified statement by the candidate in which
he or she consents to being named in the proxy statement as a
nominee and to serve as director if elected, and (v) the name and
address of the stockholder(s) of record making such a
recommendation.
We
believe that our Board as a whole should encompass a range of
talent, skill, and expertise enabling it to provide sound guidance
with respect to our operations and interests. Our independent
directors evaluate all candidates to our Board by reviewing their
biographical information and qualifications. If the independent
directors determine that a candidate is qualified to serve on our
Board, such candidate is interviewed by at least one of the
independent directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Other
members of the Board also have an opportunity to interview
qualified candidates. The independent directors then determine,
based on the background information and the information obtained in
the interviews, whether to recommend to the Board that the
candidate be nominated for approval by the stockholders to fill a
directorship. With respect to an incumbent director whom the
independent directors are considering as a potential nominee for
re-election, the independent directors review and consider the
incumbent director’s
service during his or her term, including the number of meetings
attended, level of participation, and overall contribution to the
Board. The manner in which the independent directors evaluate a
potential nominee will not differ based on whether the candidate is
recommended by our directors or stockholders.
We
consider the following qualifications, among others, when making a
determination as to whether a person should be nominated to our
Board: the independence of the director nominee; the
nominee’s character and
integrity; financial literacy; level of education and business
experience, including experience relating to biopharmaceutical
companies; whether the nominee has sufficient time to devote to our
Board; and the nominee’s
commitment to represent the long-term interests of our
stockholders. We review candidates in the context of the current
composition of the Board and the evolving needs of our business. We
believe that each of the current members of our Board (who are also
our director nominees) has the requisite business,
biopharmaceutical, financial or managerial experience to serve as a
member of the Board, as described above in their biographies under
the heading “Our Board of
Directors.” We also
believe that each of the current members of our Board has other key
attributes that are important to an effective board, including
integrity, high ethical standards, sound judgment, analytical
skills, and the commitment to devote significant time and energy to
service on the Board and its committees.
We do
not have a formal policy in place with regard to diversity in
considering candidates for our Board, but the Board strives to
nominate candidates with a variety of complementary skills so that,
as a group, the Board will possess the appropriate talent, skills
and expertise to oversee our business.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or the Code, which
applies to all of our directors and employees, including our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer. The
Code includes guidelines dealing with the ethical handling of
conflicts of interest, compliance with federal and state laws,
financial reporting, and our proprietary information. The Code also
contains procedures for dealing with and reporting violations of
the Code. We have posted our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on
our website, located at www.tgtherapeutics.com.
8
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES AND OTHER
MATTERS
CohnReznick LLP,
the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
has served as our independent registered public accounting firm
since 2002. We expect a representative of CohnReznick LLP to be
present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an
opportunity to make a statement and will be available to answer
your questions.
Our
Board has asked the stockholders to ratify the selection of
CohnReznick LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm. See “Proposal Two:
Ratification of Appointment of CohnReznick LLP as Our Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm” on page 28 of this proxy statement.
The Board has reviewed the fees described below and concluded that
the payment of such fees is compatible with maintaining CohnReznick
LLP’s independence. All
proposed engagements of CohnReznick LLP, whether for audit
services, audit-related services, tax services, or permissible
non-audit services, were pre-approved by our Audit
Committee.
Audit Fees
For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, CohnReznick LLP
billed us an aggregate of approximately $183,500 and $174,000,
respectively, in fees for the professional services rendered in
connection with the audits of our annual financial statements
included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for those two fiscal
years, the audit of internal control over financial reporting for
those two fiscal years, and the review of our financial statements
included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during those two
fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees
During
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, CohnReznick LLP
billed us an aggregate of approximately $22,000 and $69,000,
respectively, for audit-related services reasonably related to the
performance of the audits and reviews for those two fiscal years,
in addition to the fees described above under the heading
“Audit Fees.”
Tax Fees
During
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we were not
billed by CohnReznick LLP for any fees for professional services
rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning
services.
All Other Fees
During
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we were not
billed by CohnReznick LLP for any fees for services, other than
those described above, rendered to us and our affiliates for those
two fiscal years.
Pre-Approval of Services
Our
Audit Committee has established a policy setting forth the
procedures under which services provided by our independent
registered public accounting firm will be pre-approved by our Audit
Committee. The potential services that might be provided by our
independent registered public accounting firm fall into two
categories:
●
Services
that are permitted, including the audit of our annual financial
statements, the review of our quarterly financial statements,
related attestations, benefit plan audits and similar audit
reports, financial and other due diligence on acquisitions, and
federal, state, and non-US tax services; and
●
Services
that may be permitted, subject to individual pre-approval,
including compliance and internal-control reviews, indirect tax
services such as transfer pricing and customs and duties, and
forensic auditing.
Services that our
independent registered public accounting firm may not legally
provide include such services as bookkeeping, certain human
resources services, internal audit outsourcing, and investment or
investment banking advice.
All
proposed engagements of our independent registered public
accounting firm, whether for audit services or permissible
non-audit services, are pre-approved by the Audit Committee. We
jointly prepare a schedule with our independent registered public
accounting firm that outlines services which we reasonably expect
we will need from our independent registered public accounting
firm, and categorize them according to the classifications
described above. Each service identified is reviewed and approved
or rejected by the Audit Committee.
9
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
In
monitoring the preparation of our financial statements, the Audit
Committee met with both management and CohnReznick LLP, our
independent registered public accounting firm during the year ended
December 31, 2018, to review and discuss all financial statements
prior to their issuance and to discuss any and all significant
accounting issues. Management and our independent registered public
accounting firm advised the Audit Committee that each of the
financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee’s review included a discussion of
the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) Auditing Standard 1301
(Communication with Audit Committees). Auditing Standard 1301
requires our independent registered public accounting firm to
discuss with the Audit Committee, among other things, the
following:
●
Methods
used to account for significant or unusual
transactions;
●
The
effect of any accounting policies in controversial or emerging
areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or
consensus;
●
The
process used by management to formulate sensitive accounting
estimates and the basis for the independent registered public
accounting firm’s conclusion regarding the reasonableness of
any such estimates; and
●
Any
disagreements with management over the application of accounting
principles, the basis for management’s accounting estimates
and the disclosures necessary in the financial
statements.
The
Audit Committee has discussed the independence of CohnReznick LLP,
our independent registered public accounting firm for the year
ended December 31, 2018, including the written disclosures made by
CohnReznick LLP to the Audit Committee, as required by PCAOB Rule
3526, “Communication with
Audit Committees Concerning Independence.” PCAOB Rule 3526 requires the
independent registered public accounting firm to (i) disclose in
writing all relationships that, in the independent registered
public accounting firm’s
professional opinion, may reasonably be thought to bear on
independence, (ii) confirm their perceived independence, and (iii)
engage in a discussion of independence with the Audit
Committee.
Finally, the Audit
Committee continues to monitor the scope and adequacy of our
internal controls and other procedures, including any and all
proposals for adequate staffing and for strengthening internal
procedures and controls where appropriate and
necessary.
On the
basis of these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board that it approve the inclusion of our
audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for filing with the
SEC.
By the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Laurence
N. Charney, Chairman
William
Kennedy
Kenneth
Hoberman
Dated
March 1, 2019
10
OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive Officers
Our
current executive officers are as follows:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Michael
S. Weiss
|
|
53
|
|
Executive
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
|
Sean A.
Power
|
|
37
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary
|
No
executive officer is related by blood, marriage or adoption to any
other director or executive officer. The biography of Mr. Weiss is
presented in connection with “Corporate Governance” beginning on page 5 of this proxy
statement.
Sean A.
Power, 37, has served as our Chief Financial Officer since
December 2011 and also currently serves as the CFO of Opus Point
Partners. Mr. Power joined the Company from Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., where he served as Corporate Controller
from 2006 to 2011. During his tenure there, Mr. Power was involved
in all capital raising and licensing transactions. He was also
responsible for leading Keryx’s compliance with SEC rules and
regulations. Prior to joining Keryx, he was with KPMG, LLP,
independent certified public accountants. Mr. Power received a
B.B.A in accounting from Siena College and is a member of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
11
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In the
paragraphs that follow, we give an overview and analysis of our
executive compensation program and philosophy for 2018, the
material compensation decisions we made under those programs with
respect to our named executive officers, and the material factors
that we considered in making those decisions. Later in this proxy
statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” you will find a series of tables
containing specific information about the compensation earned by or
paid to the following individuals, whom we refer to as our named
executive officers, or NEOs:
●
Michael
S. Weiss, our Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President; and
●
Sean A.
Power, our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate
Secretary.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our
compensation programs are designed to motivate our employees to
work toward achievement of our corporate mission to create
long-term sustained stockholder value by acquiring, developing and
commercializing novel treatments for B-cell malignancies and
autoimmune diseases. Attaining our key business and strategic goals
depends on attracting, retaining and motivating quality employees
in an exceptionally competitive environment. Our industry is highly
scientific, regulated, scrutinized and dynamic, and as a result, we
require employees that are highly educated, dedicated and
experienced. The driving philosophy and objectives behind our
executive compensation programs are:
●
to
attract, retain, motivate and reward outstanding
employees;
●
to
align employees’
interests with those of our stockholders by creating a strong focus
on stock ownership and appreciation and basing pay on performance
measures that drive long-term stockholder value;
●
to
incentivize our employees to achieve our business
goals;
●
to
recognize the individual contributions of executives while
fostering a shared commitment among executives; and
●
to
reflect our “ pay for
performance”
culture.
Determining Executive Compensation
Role of the Compensation Committee
The
Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation
programs, including approving incentive programs, granting equity
awards, and determining appropriate levels of compensation for our
NEOs. Information about the Compensation Committee and its
composition and responsibilities can be found on page 7 under the
caption “Compensation
Committee.”
Role of the Executives
Our
Chief Executive Officer develops recommendations regarding the
compensation levels for our Chief Financial Officer based upon a
subjective assessment of his individual performance during the
prior year and overall trends in the marketplace. In addition, each
year, management delivers a set of proposed corporate goals and
objectives that management believes are essential to the
achievement of the Company’s mission and long-term goals and
objectives. The Board of Directors works with the Compensation
Committee to review these recommendations and proposals, make any
modifications deemed appropriate, and the Compensation Committee
approves the final compensation levels and goals and objectives for
the NEOs.
12
Elements
of Compensation
Our
executive compensation program for 2018 consisted of the following
components:
Compensation Element
|
|
Purpose
|
Base Salary
|
|
Base
salary represents the fixed portion of an executive’s annual compensation and is
intended to recognize the executive’s value to the Company based on
skills and experience relative to the responsibilities of his
position.
|
Annual cash incentive awards
|
|
Annual
cash incentive awards represent the portion of an
executive’s compensation
that is intended to vary as a direct reflection of Company and
individual performance for the year.
|
Long-term equity awards
|
|
Long-term
equity awards are intended to reward performance over a multi-year
period, link the interests of executives to those of the
stockholders, and encourage retention. Restricted stock awards
generally are issued based upon achievement of corporate goals and
objectives in the prior year.
|
Health and welfare plans and retirement plan
|
|
We
provide competitive levels of medical and disability coverage, and
retirement benefits under our 401(k) plan. Our executives
participate in the same programs offered to all of our eligible
employees.
|
Severance benefits
|
|
Our
named executive officers have employment agreements that provide
for severance benefits in certain circumstances.
|
No
specific formula is used in regard to the allocation of the various
elements within our executive compensation program. The
Compensation Committee retains the discretion to reduce or
eliminate the payment that otherwise might be payable to our
executives based upon unforeseen events occurring during the year
or its assessment of the Company’s or our executives’ performance in
general.
In
order to maximize the incentive effect of our compensation program,
we have structured our performance-based compensation to include a
mix of value opportunities and performance measures.
●
Our
annual cash incentive awards and our annual equity awards are based
principally upon the Company’ s performance against pre-set
corporate goals and objectives and partially upon the Compensation
Committee’s assessment of
each individual executive’s contribution to the
Company’s
performance.
●
The
ultimate realized value of our equity awards (stock options and
restricted stock awards) is tied to our stock price, in alignment
with the interests of our stockholders.
Consideration of Prior Advisory Stockholder Vote on Executive
Compensation
At the
2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 94% of the
shares represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting were
voted to approve the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers, as discussed and disclosed in the 2016 Proxy
Statement. In considering the results of this advisory vote on
executive compensation, the Compensation Committee concluded that
the compensation paid to our named executive officers and the
Company's executive pay practices enjoyed stockholder
support.
In
light of this support, the Compensation Committee decided to retain
the core design of our executive compensation program, with an
emphasis on short and long-term incentive compensation that rewards
our executives when they successfully achieve our corporate goals
and objectives and, in turn, deliver value for our shareholders.
The advisory vote on executive compensation at the Annual Meeting,
and at future meetings, will serve as an additional tool to guide
the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee in evaluating
the alignment of the Company’s executive compensation program
with the interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
At the
2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders expressed a
preference that advisory votes on executive compensation be held
every three years. Consistent with this preference, the Board of
Directors determined to implement an advisory vote on executive
compensation every three years until the next required vote on the
frequency of stockholder votes on the compensation of executive
officers, which is scheduled to occur at this 2019 annual
meeting.
13
2018 Executive Compensation
Base Compensation
Effective as of
January 1, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment (the
“Amendment”) to the employment agreement entered as of
December 15, 2011 (as amended, the “Employment
Agreement”) with Mr. Weiss. Under the Amendment, Mr. Weiss
remained as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company,
removing the interim status. Simultaneously, the Company entered
into a Strategic Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory
Agreement”) with Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC (the
“Advisor”) owned by Mr. Weiss to provide services
related to Mr. Weiss' service as Chairman of the Board and as
Executive Chairman. Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Weiss' base
salary was reduced from $375,000 to $187,500. Under the Advisory
Agreement, the Advisor is paid an annual cash advisory fee which is
directly tied to the market capitalization of the Company, starting
at $100,000 and escalating up to a maximum annual fee of $1.5
million if the market capitalization of the Company exceeds $3
billion. Effective January 1, 2018 the Compensation Committee
approved an increase in Mr. Weiss’ base salary from $187,500
to $193,125, no changes or amendments were made to the Advisory
Agreement.
Based
on the individual performance of Mr. Power, effective January 1,
2018 the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr.
Power’s base salary from $315,000 to $330,000.
Cash Incentive Awards
In
2018, Mr. Weiss was eligible to earn a target annual cash incentive
equal to 100% of his base salary, and Mr. Power was eligible to
earn a target annual cash incentive equal to 33% of his base
salary, per the terms of their respective employment agreements.
Both executives’ annual
cash incentive awards were based upon the Company’s performance against
pre-established corporate goals and objectives (which at times may
exceed 100%), which included a combination of clinical and
regulatory goals related to our products as well as other corporate
goals, and each executive’s individual performance based upon
subjective performance reviews.
The
corporate performance goals and objectives used to determine annual
incentive awards in 2018 were as follows:
●
Various
clinical and pre-clinical goals – 60% maximum potential weighting
(42% achieved);
●
Various
goals related to manufacturing, non-clinical and regulatory
– 80% maximum potential
weighting (28% achieved);
●
Various
goals related to the financial performance of the Company
– 10% maximum potential
weighting (10% achieved).
These
goals and objectives were achieved at an aggregate level of
approximately 80%. Accordingly the executives were paid 80% of
their target bonus amounts. The actual amounts paid to the
executives pursuant to their annual cash incentive awards are
reported in the “Summary
Compensation Table” as
non-equity incentive plan compensation.
14
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
In
connection with the Amendment to Mr. Weiss’ employment agreement (as discussed
above) Mr. Weiss no longer receives an annual grant of restricted
stock. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor receives at each
Annual Meeting during the term, a number of restricted shares equal
to 1.25% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of
grant on a fully-diluted basis. Each of these annual grants of
restricted stock will vest and become non-forfeitable on the date
that the “market capitalization” (as defined in the
Advisory Agreement) is $100 million greater than the market
capitalization on the respective date of grant, provided that the
Advisory Agreement remains in effect and has not been terminated.
In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, at the 2018 Annual
Meeting, the Advisor was granted an award of 1,018,011 shares of
restricted stock. These shares are unvested and vest if the market
capitalization of the Company exceeds approximately $1.1 billion,
but no earlier than 2021.
After
consideration of our 2018 corporate goals and objectives, and a
subjective consideration of Mr. Power’s individual performance during
2018, on December 31, 2018 the Compensation Committee granted Mr.
Power an award of 115,000 shares of stock options.
For
additional information regarding our named executive
officers’ stock grants,
see the “Summary
Compensation Table,” the
“Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Table” and the
“Outstanding Equity
Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End” table.
Perquisites and Other Executive Benefits
We do
not offer our NEOs any perquisites or other executive
benefits.
Severance Benefits
We have
employment agreements with our NEOs that provide, among other
things, payment and benefits upon certain terminations of
employment. We believe the severance benefits components of these
agreements is an important component to recruiting and retaining
high quality executive officers.
For
more information on Mr. Weiss’ and Mr. Power’s employment agreements see the
“Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change-in-Control” section beginning on page 21 of
this proxy statement.
Report of the Compensation Committee
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and
discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
set forth above. Based on the review and discussions noted above,
the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors
that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this
proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the
Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for
filing with the SEC.
By the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Kenneth
Hoberman, Chairperson
Laurence
Charney
Daniel
Hume
William
Kennedy
Mark
Schoenebaum
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth the cash and other compensation that we
paid to our current named executive officers (“NEOs”) or that was otherwise earned by
our NEOs for their services in all capacities during 2016, 2017,
and 2018.
Name and
Principal Position
|
Year
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
All
Other Compensation ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael S. Weiss
|
2018
|
655,625(2)
|
13,488,646(3)
|
--
|
154,500
|
--
|
14,298,771
|
Chief
Executive
|
2017
|
525,000(2)
|
9,183,647(3)
|
--
|
217,969
|
--
|
9,926,616
|
Officer and
President
|
2016
|
375,000
|
3,225,935
|
--
|
276,000
|
--
|
3,876,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sean A. Power
|
2018
|
330,000
|
--
|
641,000
|
105,600
|
--
|
1,076,600
|
Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer
|
2017
|
315,000
|
574,000
|
--
|
120,842
|
--
|
1,009,842
|
and Corporate
Secretary
|
2016
|
300,000
|
465,000
|
--
|
72,864
|
--
|
837,864
|
_____________________________
(1)
Reflects the
aggregate grant date fair value of stock and option awards granted
by the Company as computed under FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date
fair value of the time-based restricted stock awards is based on
the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant
and does not take into account any estimated forfeitures. Because
the “measurement date” for accounting purposes has not
yet occurred for the milestone-based restricted stock awards, the
grant date for those awards has not yet occurred and the grant date
fair value is uncertain. For such awards, stock-based compensation
will be measured and recorded if and when a milestone occurs. The
grant date value for such awards reflected in the table is based on
the fair market value of the shares on the date the milestones were
established and does not take into account any potential
forfeitures. The assumptions made in the valuation of the option
awards are contained in Note 5 to our consolidated financial
statements for 2018, which are included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2018.
(2)
Reflects $193,125 and
$187,500 in salary paid to Mr. Weiss in connection with his
employment agreement and $462,500 and $337,500 in cash fees paid to
the Advisor in connection with Mr. Weiss’ service as Chairman
of the Board, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement in 2018 and 2017,
respectively.
(3)
Pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement, the Advisor receives at each Annual Meeting
during the term, a number of restricted shares equal to 1.25% of
the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of grant on a
fully-diluted basis for Mr. Weiss’ service as Executive
Chairman of the Board. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement,
the Advisor was granted an award of 834,877 and 1,018,011 shares of
restricted stock at the 2018 and 2017 Annual Meetings,
respectively. The shares granted at the 2018 Annual Meeting will
vest when the market capitalization of the Company exceeds $1.1
billion, but no earlier than 2021.
16
Grants of Plan-Based Awards For Fiscal Year 2018
The
following table below sets forth the individual grants of awards
made to each of our NEOs during 2018. For a description of the
individual amounts indicated below, please see our Compensation
Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 12 of this proxy
statement.
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
Shares
of Stock or
Units (#)(2)
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)(3)
|
Exercise or Base
Price of Options Awards ($/sh)
|
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Awards
($)(4)
|
Mr.
Weiss
|
|
193,125
|
289,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,018,011(5)
|
|
|
13,488,646
|
Mr.
Power
|
|
132,000
|
198,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
$11.30
|
169,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
115,000
|
$4.10
|
471,500
|
_____________________________
(1)
Represents
target payout values for 2018 cash performance awards, assuming
100% achievement of corporate goals and objectives and a maximum
payout based on full achievement of allotment of goals and
objectives approved for 2018 (150%). The actual amount earned by
each NEO in 2018 is reported under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 16 of
this proxy statement.
(2)
Award
of time and milestone based vesting restricted stock under the 2012
Incentive Plan.
(3)
Award
of time and milestone based vesting stock options under the 2012
Incentive Plan.
(4)
Reflects
the aggregate grant date fair value of stock and option awards
granted by the Company as computed under FASB ASC Topic 718. The
grant date fair value of the time-based restricted stock awards is
based on the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date
of grant and does not take into account any estimated forfeitures.
Because the “measurement date” for accounting purposes
has not yet occurred for the milestone-based restricted stock
awards, the grant date for those awards has not yet occurred and
the grant date fair value is uncertain. For such awards,
stock-based compensation will be measured and recorded if and when
a milestone occurs. The grant date value for such awards reflected
in the table is based on the fair market value of the shares on the
date the milestones were established and does not take into account
any potential forfeitures. The assumptions made in the valuation of
the option awards are contained in Note 5 to our consolidated
financial statements for 2018, which are included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2018.
(5)
Pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement, the Advisor receives at each Annual Meeting
during the term, a number of restricted shares equal to 1.25% of
the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of grant on a
fully-diluted basis for Mr. Weiss’ service as Chairman of the
Board. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, at the 2018
Annual Meeting, the Advisor was granted an award of 1,018,011
shares of restricted stock, which will vest upon the Company
achieving a market capitalization of $1.1 billion, but no earlier
than 2021.
For a description of the vesting
schedules of the equity awards, please see the Outstanding Equity
Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End Table below.
17
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Fiscal Year End
The
following table provides information concerning equity awards that
are outstanding as of December 31, 2018 for each of our
NEOs.
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
Option
Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of
Stock That Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested
($)
|
Mr.
Weiss
|
|
|
|
|
418,371(1)
|
1,715,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,438(2)
|
711,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,018,011(3)
|
4,173,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr.
Power
|
|
|
|
|
2,500(4)
|
10,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,500(5)
|
215,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000(6)
|
287,000
|
|
15,000(7)
|
15,000
|
$11.30
|
2/1/28
|
|
|
|
115,000(8)
|
115,000
|
$4.10
|
12/31/28
|
|
|
____________________
(1)
As part of the
Amendment to Mr. Weiss’ employment agreement, Mr.Weiss agreed
to forfeit 3,381,866 restricted shares previously granted under the
Employment Agreement that were predominantly subject to time-based
vesting. Simultaneously under the 2012 Incentive Plan, (i) Mr.
Weiss was issued 418,371 restricted shares under the Employment
Agreement (375,000 vesting on December 1, 2021and 43,371, vesting
on December 1, 2019) and (ii) the Advisor was issued 2,960,000
restricted shares under the Advisory Agreement that vest on market
capitalization thresholds that range from $375 million to $750
million at a time when the market capitalization of the Company was
approximately $250 million. Collectively, Mr. Weiss and the Advisor
were granted fewer shares than Mr. Weiss forfeited.
(2)
Restricted
stock granted to the Advisor for Mr. Weiss’ services as
Executive Chairman on December 31, 2016, under the 2012 Incentive
Plan. The shares vest on January 1, 2020.
(3)
Restricted
stock granted to the Advisor for Mr. Weiss’ services as
Executive Chairman on June 26, 2018, under the 2012 Incentive Plan.
The shares vest on the first date that the Company's Market
Capitalization is greater than $1.1 billion, but no earlier than
2021.
(4)
Restricted
stock granted to Mr. Power on December 30, 2014, under the 2012
Incentive Plan. The shares vested on January 1, 2019.
(5)
Restricted
stock granted to Mr. Power on December 31, 2016, under the 2012
Incentive Plan. The shares vest as follows: 17,500 shares on
January 1, 2019; and 35,000 shares on June 30, 2019.
(6)
Restricted
stock granted to Mr. Power on December 31, 2017, under the 2012
Incentive Plan. The shares vest as follows: 25% on January 1, 2019;
25% on January 1, 2020; and 50% on the later to occur of: (a) the
date that the Company’s Market Capitalization is $100 million
greater than the Market Capitalization on December 31, 2017 and (b)
January 1, 2019.
(7)
Stock
options awarded to Mr. Power on February 1, 2018, under the 2012
Incentive Plan. The options vest according to certain Company
milestones.
(8)
Stock
options awarded to Mr. Power on December 31, 2018, under the 2012
Incentive Plan. The shares vest as follows: 25% on January 1, 2020;
25% on January 1, 2021; 25% on January 1, 2022; and 25% on January
1, 2023.
18
Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2018
The
following table provides information regarding the number of shares
acquired upon the vesting of restricted shares for our NEOs during
2018. The NEOs have not exercised any stock options.
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
|
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
|
Mr. Weiss(2)
|
|
173,437
|
|
1,422,183
|
|
|
834,877
|
|
10,978,633
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Power
|
|
2,500
|
|
20,500
|
|
|
12,500
|
|
102,500
|
|
|
47,500
|
|
389,500
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
328,750
|
_______________________
(1)
Represents
the aggregate value of restricted stock vesting in 2018, based upon
the fair market value of our common stock on the applicable vesting
date.
(2)
Represents
shares vested which had been granted to the Advisor under the
Advisory Agreement for Mr. Weiss’ services as Chairman of the
Board.
Employment Agreements
Michael S.
Weiss. Mr. Weiss was
appointed Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of the Company, effective December 29, 2011. Under Mr.
Weiss’ employment
agreement, Mr. Weiss is to serve as the Company’s Executive Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President until such employment is terminated
pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Mr. Weiss’ base salary for 2018 was $193,125.
Mr. Weiss is also eligible to earn an annual cash performance
bonus, based upon achievement of annual performance goals and
objectives set by agreement between Mr. Weiss and the Board each
year, with a target bonus of 100% of his base salary.
Pursuant to his
employment agreement, if Mr. Weiss’ employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (as defined therein) or if Mr. Weiss resigns
for Good Reason (as defined therein), then, in addition to his
accrued obligations, if within 45 days after the date of
termination, he executes and does not revoke a general release of
claims and covenant not to sue, he will receive the following
severance benefits: (i) a lump sum severance payment equal to 1.5
times the sum of his base salary and target bonus (or 2 times the
sum of his base salary and target bonus if his employment is
terminated upon or following a change in control); (ii)
continuation of group health benefits for 18 months (or 24 months
if his employment is terminated upon or following a change in
control); (iii) a prorated target bonus; (iv) any shares of
restricted stock outstanding on the date of his termination will
become fully-vested and non-forfeitable as of his date of
termination; and (v) any stock options outstanding on the date of
his termination will become fully-vested and will remain
exercisable for a period of 24 months following the date of his
termination (or, if earlier, the normal expiration date of such
stock options).
If Mr.
Weiss’ employment is
terminated by reason of his death or disability, he will be
entitled to his accrued obligations and a prorated target bonus. In
addition, (i) any shares of restricted stock outstanding on the
date of his termination will become fully vested and
non-forfeitable as of his date of termination; and (ii) the vested
portion of any stock options outstanding on the date of his
termination will remain exercisable for a period of 24 months
following the date of his termination (or, if earlier, the normal
expiration date of such stock options), and any unvested portion of
outstanding stock options will lapse as of the date of
termination.
If Mr.
Weiss’ employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause or by Mr. Weiss without Good
Reason, Mr. Weiss will receive his accrued obligations but no
additional benefits. Any shares of restricted stock outstanding on
the date of his termination will be forfeited. The vested portion
of any stock options outstanding on the date of his termination
will remain exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days following
the date of his termination (or, if earlier, the normal expiration
date of such stock options), and any unvested portion of
outstanding stock options will lapse as of the date of
termination.
During
his employment and for 12 months following the termination of his
employment for any reason, Mr. Weiss is prohibited from engaging in
any business that develops anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies within
the geographic area in which the Company does business, which is
deemed to be worldwide, and he is subject to a non-disparagement
clause. He is also subject to certain covenants related to
confidential information, trade secrets, return of property, and
invention assignment.
19
Effective
as of January 1, 2017, we entered into an amendment (the
“Amendment”) to Mr. Weiss’ employment agreement. Under the Amendment, Mr. Weiss will
remain as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company,
removing the interim status. Simultaneously, we entered into a
Strategic Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Caribe BioAdvisors, LLC (the
“Advisor”) owned by Mr. Weiss to provide the
services of Mr. Weiss as Chairman of the Board and as Executive
Chairman. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is paid
an annual cash advisory fee starting at $100,000 and escalating up
to a maximum annual fee of $1.5 million if the market
capitalization of the Company exceeds $3 billion.
As part
of the Amendment, Mr. Weiss also agreed to forfeit 3,381,866
restricted shares previously granted under his employment agreement
that were predominantly subject to time-based vesting over three
years. Simultaneously, (i) Mr. Weiss was issued 418,371 restricted
shares under his employment agreement that vest in 2018 and 2019
and (ii) the Advisor was issued 2,960,000 restricted shares under
the Advisory Agreement that vest on market capitalization
thresholds ranging from $375 million to $750 million at a time when
the market capitalization of the Company was approximately $250
million. Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Weiss no longer receives an
annual grant of restricted stock under the employment agreement,
but the Advisor does under the Advisory Agreement. See
“Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards” on page
15.
Sean A.
Power. Mr. Power was appointed Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, effective December 29,
2011. Under Mr. Power’s
employment agreement, Mr. Power is to serve as the
Company’s Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Secretary until such employment is
terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Mr.
Power’s base salary for
2018 was $330,000 Mr. Power is also eligible to earn an annual cash
performance bonus, based upon achievement of annual performance
goals and objectives set by agreement between Mr. Power and the
board each year, with a target bonus of 40% of his base
salary.
The
Company will grant Mr. Power a number of shares of restricted
common stock of the Company as determined by the CEO and the Board.
Each of these annual grants of restricted stock will be subject to
vesting terms, which will be determined at the time of grant by the
CEO and the Board.
Pursuant to his
employment agreement, if Mr. Power’s employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause (as defined therein) or if Mr. Power resigns
for Good Reason (as defined therein), then, in addition to his
accrued obligations, if within 45 days after the date of
termination, he executes and does not revoke a general release of
claims and covenant not to sue, he will receive the following
severance benefits: (i) a lump sum severance payment equal to 0.5
times the sum of his base salary and target bonus (or 1 times the
sum of his base salary and target bonus if his employment is
terminated upon or following a change in control); (ii)
continuation of group health benefits for 12 months; (iii) a
prorated target bonus; (iv) any shares of restricted stock
outstanding on the date of his termination will become fully-vested
and non-forfeitable as of his date of termination; and (v) any
stock options outstanding on the date of his termination will
become fully-vested and will remain exercisable for a period of 12
months following the date of his termination (or, if earlier, the
normal expiration date of such stock options).
If Mr.
Power’s employment is
terminated by reason of his death or disability, he will be
entitled to his accrued obligations and a prorated target bonus. In
addition, (i) any shares of restricted stock outstanding on the
date of his termination will become fully vested and
non-forfeitable as of his date of termination; and (ii) the vested
portion of any stock options outstanding on the date of his
termination will remain exercisable for a period of 12 months
following the date of his termination (or, if earlier, the normal
expiration date of such stock options), and any unvested portion of
outstanding stock options will lapse as of the date of
termination.
If Mr.
Power’s employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause or by Mr. Power without Good
Reason, Mr. Power will receive his accrued obligations but no
additional benefits. Any shares of restricted stock outstanding on
the date of his termination will be forfeited. The vested portion
of any stock options outstanding on the date of his termination
will remain exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days following
the date of his termination (or, if earlier, the normal expiration
date of such stock options), and any unvested portion of
outstanding stock options will lapse as of the date of
termination.
During
his employment and for 12 months following the termination of his
employment for any reason, Mr. Power is prohibited from engaging in
any business that develops anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies within
the geographic area in which the Company does business, which is
deemed to be worldwide, and he is subject to a non-disparagement
clause. He is also subject to certain covenants related to
confidential information, trade secrets, return of property, and
invention assignment.
20
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
As
detailed above, we have employment agreements with Mr. Weiss and
Mr. Power that provide certain compensation and benefits in the
event of the termination of their employment under certain
conditions. In addition, our equity plan provides certain benefits
in connection with a change in control.
Equity Plan
Pursuant to the
terms of the 2012 Incentive Plan, upon the occurrence of a change
in control, any awards outstanding under such plan will become
fully-vested.
Michael S. Weiss
The
table below summarizes the value of potential payments and benefits
that Mr. Weiss would receive if his employment was terminated on
December 31, 2018 under the circumstances shown, or if a change in
control of the Company occurred on December 31, 2018. The table
excludes amounts that would be paid in the normal course of
continued employment, such as accrued but unpaid salary. Actual
amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such
termination of service or change in control.
|
|
Termination for Cause or Resignation without Good Reason
($)
|
Termination Other Than For Cause; Resignation for Good Reason
($)
|
Termination Other Than For Cause; Resignation For Good Reason
(Following a Change in Control) ($)
|
Change in Control (Absent
Termination)(2)
($)
|
Cash
Severance
|
-
|
-
|
579,375
|
772,500
|
-
|
Pro-Rated Target
Bonus
|
193,125
|
-
|
193,125
|
193,125
|
-
|
Continuation of
Health Benefits
|
-
|
-
|
41,357
|
55,143
|
-
|
Value of
Accelerated Equity(1)
|
1,715,321
|
-
|
1,715,321
|
1,715,321
|
1,715,321
|
Total
|
1,908,446
|
-
|
2,529,178
|
2,736,089
|
1,715,321
|
_______________________
(1)
Represents the fair
market value of restricted shares that would be vested upon the
event, based on the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2018
($4.10), the last trading day of the most recently completed fiscal
year. This does not include 1,191,449 shares of restricted stock
held by the Advisor, which would not be subject to accelerated
vesting upon the termination of Mr. Weiss’ employment
agreement. These 1,191,449 shares would be subject to accelerated
vesting should the Company terminate the Advisory Agreement, the
fair market value of these restricted shares as of December 31,
2018 would be $4,884,940.
(2)
Our
2012 Incentive Plan specifies that all outstanding unvested stock
awards vest upon a qualifying change in control.
21
Sean
A. Power
The
table below summarizes the value of potential payments and benefits
that Mr. Power would receive if his employment was terminated on
December 31, 2018 under the circumstances shown, or if a change in
control of the Company occurred on December 31, 2018. The table
excludes amounts that would be paid in the normal course of
continued employment, such as accrued but unpaid salary. Actual
amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such
termination of service.
|
|
Termination for Cause or Resignation without Good Reason
($)
|
Termination Other Than For Cause; Resignation for Good Reason
($)
|
Termination Other Than For Cause; Resignation For Good Reason
(Following a Change in Control) ($)
|
Change in Control (Absent
Termination)(2)
($)
|
Cash
Severance
|
-
|
-
|
219,450
|
438,900
|
-
|
Pro-Rated Target
Bonus
|
108,900
|
-
|
108,900
|
108,900
|
-
|
Continuation of
Health Benefits
|
-
|
-
|
27,572
|
27,572
|
-
|
Value of
Accelerated Equity(1)
|
512,500
|
-
|
512,500
|
512,500
|
512,500
|
Total
|
621,400
|
-
|
868,422
|
1,087,872
|
512,500
|
_______________________
(1)
Represents the fair
market value of restricted shares that would be vested upon the
event, based on the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2018
($4.10), the last trading day of the most recently completed fiscal
year (less the exercise price, in the case of the stock options).
For purposes of this calculation, outstanding stock options having
an exercise price equal to or more than the closing price of our
common stock on such date have a value of $0.
(2)
Our
2012 Incentive Plan specifies that all outstanding unvested stock
awards vest upon a qualifying change in control.
CEO PAY RATIO
As
required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act, we are providing the following information
about the relationship of the median of the annual total
compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of
Michael S. Weiss, our CEO. The pay ratio included in this
information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner
consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. Given the different
methodologies that various public companies will use to determine
an estimate of their pay ratio, the estimated ratio reported below
should not be used as a basis for comparison between
companies.
For
2018, our last completed fiscal year, the median of the annual
total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than our
CEO) was $113,181, and the annual total compensation of our CEO, as
reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy
Statement, was $14,298,771. Based on this information, for 2018,
the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median
of the annual total compensation of all employees was 126 to
1.
We
identified our median employee by examining 2018 Box 1 W-2 taxable
income amounts for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who were
employed by us on December 31, 2018, whether on a full-time or
part-time basis. We did not annualize the compensation for any
permanent (full-time or part-time) employees that were not employed
by us for all of 2018. After identifying the median employee, we
calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the
same methodology we use for our named executive officers as set
forth in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table above.
22
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Cash Compensation. Our
non-employee directors receive the following cash compensation: (i)
$60,000 annual retainer; (ii) $20,000 additional retainer for
service as Chairman of the Audit Committee; and (iii) $10,000
additional retainer for service as Chairman of the Compensation
Committee. Each non-employee director receives reimbursement for
reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending meetings of our
Board of Directors and meetings of committees of our Board of
Directors.
Equity Compensation.
Our non-employee directors receive the following equity
compensation under the 2012 Incentive Plan.
●
Initial Stock Grant. Non-employee directors receive 50,000
shares of restricted common stock upon initial election or
appointment to the Board of Directors. The stock will vest in equal
annual installments over three years, beginning on the third
anniversary of the date of grant.
●
Annual Stock Grant. Non-employee directors receive a
restricted stock award equivalent to the greater of (i) $100,000 of
restricted stock or (ii) 15,000 shares of restricted stock annually
for service on our Board of Directors. Such restricted stock will
vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant.
2018 Director Compensation
The
following table sets forth the cash and other compensation paid by
the Company to the members of the Board for all services in all
capacities during 2018. The compensation paid to the Advisor in
connection with Mr. Weiss’ service as Chairman of the Board
is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and is
reflected in the applicable executive compensation tables. See
“Executive Compensation” starting on page
16.
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($)(1)
|
|
|
|
Laurence N.
Charney
|
80,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
278,750
|
William J.
Kennedy
|
60,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
258,750
|
Mark Schoenebaum,
M.D.
|
60,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
258,750
|
Yann
Echelard
|
60,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
258,750
|
Kenneth
Hoberman
|
70,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
268,750
|
Daniel
Hume
|
60,000
|
198,750
|
--
|
258,750
|
_______________________
(1)
Represents cash
retainer for serving on our Board and committees of the
Board.
(2)
Reflects the
aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted by the
Company as computed under FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair
value of the stock awards is based on the fair market value of the
underlying shares on the date of grant and does not take into
account any estimated forfeitures.
23
The
following table shows the number of stock awards granted to each
director during 2018, and the grant date fair value for each award
(determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718) (during 2018 no
option awards were granted to directors):
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
Stock Awards (#)
|
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Awards ($)
|
Laurence N.
Charney
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
William
J. Kennedy
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
Mark
Schoenebaum, M.D.
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
Yann
Echelard
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
Kenneth
Hoberman
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
Daniel
Hume
|
|
6/26/18
|
|
15,000
|
|
198,750
|
As of
December 31, 2018, the following aggregate number of unvested
restricted stock awards were held by each of our non-employee
directors. No stock options have been granted to our non-employee
directors.
Name
|
|
Stock Awards (#)
|
Laurence N.
Charney
|
|
100,878
|
William
J. Kennedy
|
|
42,459
|
Mark
Schoenebaum, M.D.
|
|
125,949
|
Yann
Echelard
|
|
117,068
|
Kenneth
Hoberman
|
|
97,126
|
Daniel
Hume
|
|
92,459
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The
current members of our Compensation Committee are Kenneth Hoberman,
Laurence Charney, William Kennedy, Mark Schoenebaum and Daniel
Hume. No member of our Compensation Committee during fiscal year
2018 or as of the date of this proxy statement, is or has been an
officer or employee of TG Therapeutics or any of our subsidiaries,
nor has any member of our Compensation Committee had any
relationship with TG Therapeutics requiring further
disclosure.
During
the last fiscal year, none of our executive officers served as a
director or member of the Compensation Committee (or other
committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity,
whose executive officers either served as a member of our
Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive
officers and persons who own more than 10% of the shares of our
common stock to file an initial report of ownership on Form 3 and
changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the SEC. Such
officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC
rules to furnish us with copies of any Forms 3, 4 or 5 that they
file. The SEC rules require us to disclose late filings of initial
reports of stock ownership and changes in stock ownership by our
directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders. Based solely on
a review of copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us by
reporting persons and any written representations furnished by
certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2018, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to our directors, executive officers and 10%
stockholders were completed in a timely manner.
24
RELATED-PERSON TRANSACTIONS
In
2012, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a formal
written policy regarding Related Person Transactions (defined
below). In order for the Company to ratify a Related Person
Transaction under this policy, the Audit Committee must first
determine that the transaction is in the best interest of the
Company and its stockholders. The policy generally defines a
“Related Person Transaction” as a transaction,
arrangement or relationship in which the Company was, is or will be
a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in
which any related person (any executive officer or director of the
Company from the previous fiscal year, any person who owns more
than 5% of the Company’s securities, or any immediate family
member in either of these categories) had, has or will have a
direct or indirect material interest. In order to further ensure
compliance with the policy, any executive officer, director, or
nominee for director is required to submit a questionnaire to the
Company on an annual basis. Each individual is also required to
update the questionnaire following any relevant
change.
On
January 30, 2012, we entered into an exclusive license agreement
with LFB Biotechnologies, GTC Biotherapeutics and LFB/GTC LLC, all
wholly-owned subsidiaries of LFB Group, relating to the development
of ublituximab (the “LFB License Agreement”). In
connection with the LFB License Agreement, LFB Group was issued
5,000,000 shares of common stock, and a warrant to purchase
2,500,000 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $0.001 per
share. In addition, LFB Group maintained the right to nominate a
board member until such time as LFB Group owns less than 10% of the
outstanding common stock. As of April 2018, LFB no longer has the
right to nominate a board member as LFB’s ownership had
fallen below 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s
Common Stock.
Under
the terms of the LFB License Agreement, we utilize LFB Group for
certain development and manufacturing services. We incurred
approximately $0.2 million, $2.3 million and $8.1 million in
expenses for such services during the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which have been included in
other research and development expenses in the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations.
In October 2014, we
entered into an agreement (the “Office Agreement”) with
Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“FBIO”) to occupy approximately
45% (which shall be adjusted based on utilization as discussed
below) of the 24,000 square feet of New York City office space
leased by FBIO, which is now our corporate headquarters. The Office
Agreement requires us to pay our respective share of the average
annual rent and other costs of the 15-year lease. We approximate an
average annual rental obligation of $1.1 million under the Office
Agreement. We began to occupy this new space in April 2016, with
rental payments beginning in the third quarter of 2016. During the
years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded rent expense of
approximately $1.3 million and $1.2 million, and at December
31, 2018, have deferred rent of approximately $1.5
million.
Mr. Weiss, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is
also Executive Vice Chairman of FBIO.
During
the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid FBIO $0.1 million for our
portion of the build-out costs (as required under the Desk
Agreement), which have been allocated to us at the 45% rate
mentioned above. The allocated build-out costs have been recorded
in Leasehold Interest, net on the Company’s consolidated
balance sheets and will be amortized over the 15-year term of the
Office Agreement. After an initial commitment period of the 45%
rate for a period of three (3) years, we and FBIO will determine
actual office space utilization annually and if our utilization
differs from the amount we have been billed, we will either receive
credits or be assessed incremental utilization charges.
Also in connection with
this lease, in October 2014 we pledged $0.6 million to secure a
line of credit as a security deposit for the Office Agreement,
which has been recorded as restricted cash in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets. Additional collateral
of $0.6 million was pledged in April 2018 to increase the letter of
credit for the office space.
In July 2015, we
entered into a Shared Services Agreement (the “Shared
Services Agreement”) with FBIO to share the cost of certain
services such as facilities use, personnel costs and other overhead
and administrative costs. This Shared Services Agreement requires
us to pay our respective share of services utilized. In connection
with the Shared Services Agreement, we incurred expenses of
approximately $1.6
million, $1.2 million and $0.8 million for shared services for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, primarily related to
shared personnel.
In May
2016, as part of a broader agreement with Jubilant, an India-based biotechnology
company, we entered into a sublicense agreement with Checkpoint, a
subsidiary of FBIO, for the development and commercialization of
Jubilant’s novel BET inhibitor program in the field of
hematological malignancies. We paid Checkpoint an up-front
licensing fee of $1.0 million in July 2016 and incurred expenses of
$0.2 million in March 2017 for the first milestone achievement as
part of the JBET Agreement which is recorded in other research and
development in the accompanying consolidated statement of
operations.
In
March 2015, we entered into a Global Collaboration Agreement
(“Collaboration Agreement”) with Checkpoint for the
development and commercialization of anti-PD-L1 and anti-GITR
antibody research programs in the field of hematological
malignancies. We incurred expenses of approximately $0.6 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018 related mainly to
manufacturing costs of PD-L1, while no costs were incurred during
the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The relevant expenses
are recorded in other research and development in the accompanying
consolidated statement of operations.
25
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF OUR DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
AND 5% BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The
following table shows information, as of April 18, 2019, concerning
the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:
●
each
person we know to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our
common stock;
●
each of
our current directors;
●
each of
our NEOs shown in our Summary Compensation Table; and
●
all
current directors and NEOs as a group.
As of
April 18, 2019, there were 89,399,818 shares of our common stock
outstanding. In order to calculate a stockholder’s percentage of beneficial
ownership, we include in the calculation those shares underlying
options or warrants beneficially owned by that stockholder that are
vested or that will vest within 60 days of April 18, 2019. Shares
of restricted stock are deemed to be outstanding. Options or
warrants held by other stockholders that are not attributed to the
named beneficial owner are disregarded in this calculation.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of
the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the
shares of our common stock. Unless we have indicated otherwise,
each person named in the table below has sole voting power and
investment power for the shares listed opposite such
person’s name, except to
the extent authority is shared by spouses under community property
laws.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
|
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership
|
|
Percentage of
Shares Outstanding
|
Michael S. Weiss
(2)
|
|
11,648,805
|
|
13.0%
|
Sean A. Power
(3)
|
|
400,992
|
|
*
|
Laurence
Charney
|
|
118,949
|
|
*
|
William Kennedy
|
|
75,330
|
|
*
|
Mark
Schoenebaum
|
|
125,949
|
|
*
|
Yann Echelard
|
|
117,068
|
|
*
|
Kenneth
Hoberman
|
|
116,905
|
|
*
|
Daniel Hume
|
|
92,459
|
|
*
|
All current directors and named
executive officers as a group (8 persons)
|
|
12,696,457
|
|
14.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
Opus Point Partners, LLC
(4)
|
|
11,648,805
|
|
13.0%
|
RA Capital Management, LLC
(5)
|
|
8,198,337
|
|
9.2%
|
Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC
(6)
|
|
5,914,259
|
|
6.6%
|
Bridger Management, LLC
(7)
|
|
4,991,531
|
|
5.6%
|
venBio Select Advisor LLC
(8)
|
|
4,750,000
|
|
5.3%
|
BlackRock Inc.
(9)
|
|
4,519,331
|
|
5.1%
|
* Less than 1% of outstanding common
stock.
_______________________
(1)
The address of each
of the directors and officers listed is c/o TG Therapeutics, Inc.,
2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York
10014.
(2)
Includes 1,609,820
shares of unvested restricted common stock, which vest on various
time-based milestones. Finally, also included in Mr.
Weiss’ beneficial
ownership are 4,524,560 shares of our common stock (1,500,000 of
which contain restrictions based upon various corporate milestones)
issued to Opus Point Partners, LLC, of which Mr. Weiss is a
co-founder, managing partner, and principal and beneficially owns a
50% interest.
(3)
Includes 125,000
shares of restricted common stock which vest on various time-based
milestones.
(4)
The
address of Opus Point Partners, LLC is 2 Gansevoort Street, 9th
Floor, New York, New York 10014. Includes 4,524,560 shares of our
common stock (1,500,000 of which contain restrictions based upon
various corporate milestones) issued to Opus Point Partners, LLC.
Also includes shares beneficially owned by Mr. Weiss as outlined in
footnote 2 above. Mr. Weiss is a co-founder, managing partner, and
principal and beneficially owns a 50% interest in Opus Point
Partners, LLC.
(5)
The address of RA
Capital Management, LLC is 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1200, Boston, MA
02116. Share ownership reported above is based on a Form 13F filed
by RA Capital Management, LLC on February 14, 2019.
(6)
The address
of Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC is 666 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10103. Share ownership reported above is based on a Form
13G filed by Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC on March 7,
2019.
(7)
The address
of Bridger Management, LLC is 90 Park Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, NY
10016. Share ownership reported above is based on a Form 13G filed
by Bridger Management, LLC on March 11, 2019.
(8)
The address
of venBio Select Advisor LLC is 110 Greene Street, Suite 800, New
York, NY 10012. Share ownership reported above is based on a Form
13F filed by venBio Select Advisor LLC on February 14,
2019.
(9)
The address
of BlackRock Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York,
NY 10055. Share ownership reported above is based on a Form 13F
filed by venBio Select Advisor LLC on February 8,
2019.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; NOMINEES
Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Board shall consist of
one or more members, as determined from time to time by resolution
of the Board. Our Board currently consists of seven members. The
nominated directors are: Michael S. Weiss, Laurence N. Charney,
William J. Kennedy, Mark Schoenebaum M.D., Yann Echelard, Kenneth
Hoberman, and Daniel Hume. For information about each of the
nominees and our Board generally, please see “Corporate Governance-Our Board of
Directors” beginning on
page 4. If elected, the nominees will hold office until the next
annual meeting and until a respective successor is elected and has
been qualified, or until such director resigns or is removed from
office. Management expects that each of the nominees will be
available for election, but if any of them is unable to serve at
the time the election occurs, your proxy will be voted for the
election of another nominee to be designated by a majority of the
independent directors serving on our Board.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR. IF A CHOICE IS
SPECIFIED ON THE PROXY BY THE STOCKHOLDER, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED
AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED
“FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE
HOLDERS OF A PLURALITY OF THE SHARES OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK
REPRESENTED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH A
QUORUM IS PRESENT IS REQUIRED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES.
27
PROPOSAL TWO
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF COHNREZNICK LLP AS OUR
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Board is submitting the selection of CohnReznick LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders
for ratification at our Annual Meeting. Stockholder ratification of
our independent registered public accounting firm is not required
by our Amended and Restated Bylaws or otherwise. If CohnReznick LLP
is not ratified as our independent registered public accounting
firm by a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy,
the Audit Committee will review its future selection of independent
registered public accounting firm. CohnReznick LLP will still serve
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year
ending December 31, 2019, if it is not ratified by our
stockholders.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COHNREZNICK LLP AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR
THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE
MAJORITY OF SHARES PRESENT IN PERSON OR REPRESENTED BY PROXY AT THE
MEETING AND ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE SUBJECT MATTER IS REQUIRED FOR
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COHNREZNICK
LLP.
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PROPOSAL THREE
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the
“Dodd-Frank Act”) requires that our stockholders
approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our
named executive officers as disclosed in accordance with the
executive compensation disclosure rules contained in Item 402 of
the SEC’s Regulation S-K. Accordingly, we are seeking input
from our stockholders with this advisory vote on the compensation
of our named executive officers. The vote on this proposal is not
intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather,
the vote relates to the compensation of our named executive
officers as disclosed in the Executive Compensation section of this
proxy statement. We are providing this vote as required pursuant to
Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Please
see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a full
description of our executive compensation philosophy and current
levels of executive compensation.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE COMPENSATION OF
OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS SECTION OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT.
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PROPOSAL FOUR
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE
ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The
Dodd-Frank Act also enables our stockholders to vote, on an
advisory or non-binding basis, on the frequency of the advisory
vote on the compensation of our named executive officers as
disclosed in accordance with the executive compensation disclosure
rules contained in Item 402 of the SEC’s Regulation S-K.
Stockholders may choose to approve holding an advisory vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers annually, biennially,
or triennially. Accordingly, we are asking stockholders whether the
advisory vote should occur every year, once every two years or once
every three years. Stockholders may also abstain from voting. We
are providing this vote as required pursuant to Section 14A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
As
an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on TG or the Board
of Directors. However, the Board of Directors intends to carefully
review the results of all stockholder votes and take them into
consideration when making future decisions regarding the frequency
of advisory votes on compensation of our named executive officers.
Notwithstanding the Board of Directors’ recommendation and
the outcome of the stockholder vote, the Board of Directors may in
the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less
frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as
discussions with stockholders, industry trends and the adoption of
material changes to compensation programs.
While
our executive compensation programs are designed to promote a
long-term connection between pay and performance, after careful
consideration of the frequency alternatives, the Board of Directors
believes that conducting advisory votes on executive compensation
every three years is appropriate for TG and its stockholders at
this time.
As
a biotechnology company, the Company has important milestones
relating to drug development and approval that do not occur every
calendar year. While executive compensation is evaluated annually,
the Board of Directors also considers progress over a multi-year
timeframe, which is common in small- and mid-capitalization
companies in our industry. The Board of Directors believes that a
vote every three years provides stockholders the opportunity to
evaluate the Company’s compensation program on a more
thorough, longer-term basis than an annual vote.
The
Company understands that its stockholders may have different views
as to what is the best approach for the Company, and we look
forward to hearing from our stockholders on this
proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF “THREE YEARS” FOR
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
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PROPOSAL
FIVE
A
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPANY’S
ARTICLES/BYLAWS
TO REQUIRE MAJORITY VOTE IN DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
In
accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a shareholder
proposal, along with the supporting statement of the shareholder
proponent, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. The
shareholder proposal is required to be voted upon only if properly
presented at that Annual Meeting. As explained below, our Board
recommends a vote against with regard to the shareholder proposal
set forth below.
The
Company has been notified that the California Public
Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”), P.O.
Box 2749, Sacramento, California 95812-2749, the beneficial owner
of at least $2,000 in market value of the Company’s common
stock on the date the proposal was submitted and for at least the
preceding eighteen months, intends to present the following
proposal at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED,
that the shareowners of TG Therapeutics, Inc. (the
“Company”) hereby request that the Board of Directors
initiate the appropriate process to amend the Company’s
articles of incorporation and/or bylaws to provide that directors
shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes
cast at an annual meeting of shareowners in uncontested elections.
A plurality vote standard, however, will apply to contested
director elections; that is, when the number of director nominees
exceeds the number of board seats.”
Supporting Statement from Shareholder:
“Is
accountability by the Board of Directors important to you? As a
long-term shareowner of the Company, CaIPERS thinks accountability
is of paramount importance. This is why we are sponsoring this
proposal. This proposal would remove a plurality vote standard for
uncontested elections that effectively disenfranchises shareowners
and eliminates a meaningful shareowner role in uncontested director
elections.
Under
the Company’s current voting system, a director may be
elected with as little as one affirmative vote because
“withheld” votes have no legal effect. This scheme
deprives shareowners of a powerful tool to hold directors
accountable because it makes it impossible to defeat directors who
run unopposed. Conversely, a majority voting standard allows
shareowners to actually vote “against” candidates and
to defeat reelection of a management nominee who is unsatisfactory
to the majority of shareowners who cast votes.
A
substantial number of companies have already adopted this form of
majority voting. More than 90% of the companies in the S&P 500
have adopted a form of majority voting for uncontested director
elections. We believe the Company should join the growing number of
companies that have adopted a majority voting standard requiring
incumbent directors who do not receive a favorable majority vote to
submit a letter of resignation, and not continue to serve, unless
the Board declines the resignation and publicly discloses its
reasons for doing so.
Majority
voting in director elections empowers shareowners to clearly say
“no” to unopposed directors who are viewed as
unsatisfactory by a majority of shareowners casting a vote.
Incumbent board members serving in a majority vote system are aware
that shareowners have the ability to determine whether the director
remains in office. The power of majority voting, therefore, is not
just the power to effectively remove poor directors, but also the
power to heighten director accountability through the threat of a
loss of majority support. That is what accountability is all
about.
CalPERS
believes that corporate governance procedures and practices, and
the level of accountability they impose, are closely related to
financial performance. It is intuitive that, when directors are
accountable for their actions, they perform better. We therefore
ask you to join us in requesting that the Board of Directors
promptly adopt the majority voting standard for uncontested
director elections. We believe the Company’s shareowners will
substantially benefit from the increased accountability of
incumbent directors and the power to reject directors shareowners
believe are not acting in their best interests. Please vote FOR
this proposal.”
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Company Response:
The
Board has carefully considered the proposal submitted by the
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (the
“CalPERS Proposal”) and, following its review of the
CalPERS Proposal, does not believe that the CalPERS Proposal is in
the best interests of the Company or its shareholders at this time.
Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that the
Company’s shareholders vote AGAINST the CalPERS
Proposal.
The
Board does not believe that electing directors under a majority
vote standard would result in a more effective Board. Importantly,
the proponent has not asserted that the Board has not acted in the
best interests of the Company’s shareholders. The
Company’s shareholders have a history of electing strong and
independent Boards, not only by a plurality, but by a sizeable
majority of votes cast. Consequently, the Board is hesitant to make
a fundamental change to the Company’s corporate governance
system.
Plurality
voting is the default standard under Delaware law for the election
of directors. A plurality vote standard guarantees a full board of
directors as long as there are at least as many nominees as open
seats, and avoids problems associated with failed elections (that
is, an election in which a director is not chosen and a vacancy on
the Board is created), and resulting holdover directors. A majority
vote standard is problematic in these regards, and a failed
election as to one or more director nominees could have other
undesirable and disruptive consequences for the Company. For
example, as a company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq,
the Company must comply with listing standards that include
requirements for maintaining independent directors and directors
with particular qualifications or expertise. The failure to elect a
particular nominee, depending on the independence and
qualifications of the remaining directors, could impair the
Company’s ability to comply with those listing standards, and
might jeopardize the Company’s continued listing on
Nasdaq.
The
Board is also concerned about other additional consequences that
may result from adopting the CalPERS Proposal, including the
potential unnecessary increase in the cost of soliciting
shareholder votes. Implementing the CalPERS Proposal could provide
special interest shareholder groups with the ability to promote
“vote-no” campaigns that the Board believes are not in
the Company’s best interests or the best interests of its
shareholders, and would force the Company to employ a proactive
telephone solicitation, second mailing or other vote-getting
strategy to obtain the required votes. The end result may be
increased spending for routine elections. The Board does not
believe that the costs incurred by the Company in such
circumstances would be a wise use of the Company’s financial
and other resources.
Under
the current plurality voting standard, shareholders have the
ability to express disapproval of corporate policies, strategy or
director candidates through the use of withhold votes.
Institutional and retail investors successfully utilize withhold
vote campaigns to influence corporate policies and director
elections. The use of withhold votes, as opposed to implementation
of majority voting, provides the Board with flexibility to
appropriately respond to shareholder dissatisfaction without
concern for potential corporate governance complications arising
from a failed election. In addition, shareholders who are truly
dissatisfied with director candidates have the ability to nominate
alternative candidates and also may make recommendations for
nominations directly to the Company’s Corporate Secretary by
following the procedures set forth in the Company’s Bylaws
and related policies.
For
these reasons, the Board does not believe adopting a majority
voting standard for director elections is in the best interests of
the Company or its shareholders at this time. However, the Board
will continue to assess developments in director voting standards,
and remains committed to maintaining the high standards in
corporate governance that the Board has demonstrated to
date.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
“AGAINST” THIS PROPOSAL.
32
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
Some
banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be
participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual
reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement and
2018 Annual Report may have been sent to multiple stockholders in
your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either
document to you if you contact us at: TG Therapeutics, Inc., 2
Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor,
New York, New York 10014, Attn: Sean A. Power. You may also contact
us at (212) 554-4484.
If you
want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement and annual
report in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and
would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should
contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you
may contact us at the above address or phone number.
Stockholder Proposals for Our 2020 Annual Meeting
Only
proper proposals under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act which are
timely received will be included in the proxy materials for our
next annual meeting. In order to be considered timely, such
proposal must be received by our Corporate Secretary, Sean A.
Power, at 2 Gansevoort Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10014, no
later than December 31, 2019. We suggest that stockholders submit
any stockholder proposal by certified mail, return receipt
requested.
Our
Amended and Restated Bylaws require stockholders to provide advance
notice to the Company of any stockholder director nomination(s) and
any other matter a stockholder wishes to present for action at an
annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters to be included
in our proxy statement, which are discussed in the previous
paragraph). In order to properly bring business before an annual
meeting, our Amended and Restated Bylaws require, among other
things, that the stockholder submit written notice thereof
complying with our Amended and Restated Bylaws to Sean A. Power,
our Corporate Secretary, at the above address, not less than 60
days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the
preceding year’s annual
meeting. Therefore, the Company must receive notice of a
stockholder proposal submitted other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8
(as discussed above) no sooner than March 15, 2020, and no later
than April 14, 2020. If a stockholder fails to provide timely
notice of a proposal to be presented at our 2020 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the proxy designated by our Board will have
discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal that may come
before the meeting.
Other Matters
Our
Board does not know of any other matters that may come before the
meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented to
the meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the
accompanying proxy card to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance
with their judgment on such matters.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will
bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by mail, our officers and employees may
solicit proxies in person or by telephone. We may reimburse brokers
or persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of their
nominees, for their expenses in sending proxies and proxy material
to beneficial owners.
Incorporation of Information by Reference
The
Audit Committee Report contained in this proxy statement is not
deemed filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference into any prior or future filings made by us under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except to
the extent that we specifically incorporate such information by
reference. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2018,
delivered to you together with this proxy statement, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
33