RXII Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corp. (MM)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

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RXi PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

N/A

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257 Simarano Drive, Suite 101

Marlborough, MA 01752

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on June 1, 2015

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which will be held on June 1, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of the Time Life Building, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 43^rd Floor, New York, NY 10020. Only stockholders who held stock at the close of business on the record date, April 10, 2015 (the “Record Date”), may vote at the Annual Meeting, including any adjournment or postponement thereof.

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon: (1) the election of the five director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement; (2) the ratification of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015; and (3) the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, no other items of business are expected to be considered at the meeting and no other director nominees will be entertained.

The accompanying Proxy Statement more fully describes the details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the proposals and recommends that you vote FOR each nominee and proposal described in the Proxy Statement.

We are pleased to make use of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders via the Internet. We believe the ability to deliver proxy materials electronically allows us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact from the distribution of our Annual Meeting materials.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

 

April 16, 2015

 

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257 Simarano Drive, Suite 101

Marlborough, MA 01752

PROXY STATEMENT FOR

2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 1, 2015

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“RXi” or the “Company”) for use at the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), to be held at the offices of the Time Life Building, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 43^rd Floor, New York, NY 10020 on June 1, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. local time. This Proxy Statement is being made available via the Internet on April 22, 2015 and the mailing date of the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to our stockholders will be on or about April 22, 2015.

The Notice instructs you as to how you may access and review important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy via the Internet. If you receive a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.

For a proxy to be effective, it must be properly executed and received prior to the Annual Meeting. Each proxy properly tendered will, unless otherwise directed by the stockholder, be voted for the proposals and nominees described in this Proxy Statement and at the discretion of the proxy holder(s) with regard to all other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

The Company will pay all of the costs of soliciting proxies. We will provide copies of our proxy materials to brokerage firms, fiduciaries and custodians for forwarding to beneficial owners who request printed copies of these materials and will reimburse these persons for their costs of forwarding these materials. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or personal solicitation; however, we will not pay them additional compensation for any of these services.

Shares Outstanding and Voting Rights

Only holders of record of our common stock (“common stock”) at the close of business on April 10, 2015 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 31,221,598 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Holders of common stock do not have the right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares on the Record Date will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.

Persons who hold shares of our common stock directly on the Record Date (“record holders”) must return a proxy card or attend the Annual Meeting in person in order to vote on the proposals. Persons who hold shares of our common stock indirectly on the Record Date through a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution (“beneficial holders”) must return a voting instruction form to have their shares voted on their behalf. Brokerage firms, banks or other financial institutions that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial holders may either vote these shares on behalf of the beneficial holders or return a proxy leaving these shares un-voted (a “broker non-vote”).

Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast on a given proposal. The required vote for each of the proposals expected to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting is described below:

Proposal No. 1 — Election of directors. Directors are elected by a plurality, with the five nominees obtaining the most votes being elected. Because there is no minimum vote required, abstentions and broker non-votes will be entirely excluded from the vote and will have no effect on its outcome. Under the plurality vote standard, any shares that are not voted, whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise, will not affect the election of directors.

Proposal No. 2 — Ratification of independent registered public accounting firm. This proposal must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes will be entirely excluded from the vote and will have no effect on its outcome.

 

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We encourage you to vote by proxy, whether via telephone, through the Internet or mailing an executed proxy card. By voting in advance of the Annual Meeting, this ensures that your shares will be voted and reduces the likelihood that the Company will be forced to incur additional expenses soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. Any record holder of our common stock may attend the Annual Meeting in person and may revoke the enclosed form of proxy at any time by:

 

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executing and delivering to the corporate secretary a later-dated proxy;

 

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delivering a written revocation to the corporate secretary before the meeting; or

 

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voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

Beneficial holders of our common stock who wish to change or revoke their voting instructions should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution for information on how to do so. Beneficial holders who wish to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution holding shares of our common stock on their behalf in order to obtain a “legal proxy,” which will allow them to both attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Without a legal proxy, beneficial holders cannot vote at the Annual Meeting because their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution may have already voted or returned a broker non-vote on their behalf.

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) provide that the number of directors shall be not fewer than two and not more than five, with directors serving one year terms. The total Board size is currently fixed at five directors. Currently, the directors (whose terms expire at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders) are Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc., Robert J. Bitterman, Keith L. Brownlie, H. Paul Dorman and Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D. Directors elected at the Annual Meeting will hold office until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified, unless they resign or their seats become vacant due to death, removal or other cause in accordance with the Bylaws.

As described below, the Board has nominated Drs. Cauwenbergh and Lockshin and Messrs. Bitterman, Brownlie and Dorman for reelection as directors at the Annual Meeting. All nominees have indicated their willingness to serve if elected. Should any nominee become unavailable for election at the Annual Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy as proxy holders may vote all proxies given in response to this solicitation for the election of a substitute nominee chosen by the Board.

Nomination of Directors

The Nominating Committee reviews and recommends to the Board potential nominees for election to the Board. In reviewing potential nominees, the Nominating Committee considers the qualifications of each potential nominee in light of the Board’s existing and desired mix of experience and expertise.

After reviewing the qualifications of potential Board candidates, the Nominating Committee presents its recommendations to the Board, which selects the final director nominees. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, the Board nominated Drs. Cauwenbergh and Lockshin and Messrs. Bitterman, Brownlie and Dorman for reelection as directors. The Company did not pay any fees to any third parties to identify or assist in identifying or evaluating nominees for the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating Committee considers stockholder nominees using the same criteria set forth above. Stockholders who wish to present a potential nominee to the Nominating Committee for consideration for election at a future annual meeting of stockholders must provide the Nominating Committee with notice of the nomination and certain information regarding the candidate within the time periods set forth below under the caption “Stockholder Proposals.”

Although the Nominating Committee may consider whether nominees assist in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience, including but not limited to race, gender or national origin, we have no formal policy regarding Board diversity.

Nominees and Incumbent Directors

The Nominating Committee has recommended and the Board has nominated Drs. Cauwenbergh and Lockshin and Messrs. Bitterman, Brownlie and Dorman to be reelected as directors at the Annual Meeting. The following table sets forth the following information for these nominees: the year each was first elected a director of the Company, their respective ages as of the date of filing of this Proxy Statement, the positions currently held with the Company and the year their current term will expire:

 

Nominee / Director Name and Year First Became a Director		Age				Position(s) with the Company		Year Current Term Expires
Nominees for Directors:
Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc. (2012)			61			President, Chief Executive Officer and Director			2015
Robert J. Bitterman (2012)			64			Chairman of the Board of Directors			2015
Keith L. Brownlie (2012)			62			Director			2015
H. Paul Dorman (2013)			78			Director			2015
Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D. (2013)			54			Director			2015

 

 

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Directors Nominated for Election

The following persons have been nominated by the Board to be elected as directors at the Annual Meeting.

Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc. was appointed to the Board and was elected as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on April 27, 2012. Prior to joining us, from June 2011 to April 2012, Dr. Cauwenbergh was active, through his consulting company Phases123 LLC, in advising various small biotech and healthcare companies. From July 2008 to June 2011, Dr. Cauwenbergh was the Chief Executive Officer of Rhei Pharmaceuticals HK Ltd, a Chinese company that licenses western drugs for development and commercialization in China, and Managing Director of the Center for Medical Innovation, a government subsidized center for translational medicine for the Belgian Region of Flanders. In February 2008 and May 2009, Dr. Cauwenbergh founded Phases123 LLC and Aramis LLC, a dermatology company, respectively. From September 2008 to March 2010, Dr. Cauwenbergh served as a member of the board of directors of DARA Biosciences, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Cauwenbergh served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Barrier Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company that he founded in 2001. Barrier, which focused on dermatology drug development, was acquired by Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. in 2008. Prior to founding Barrier, Dr. Cauwenbergh held a number of ascending senior management positions at Johnson & Johnson, where he was employed for 23 years. As Vice President, Research and Development for Johnson & Johnson’s Skin Research Center, he was responsible for the worldwide research and development of all skin care products for the Johnson & Johnson consumer companies. He is a member of the board of directors of Moberg Derma AB, a Swedish pharmaceutical company. In February 2014, Dr. Cauwenbergh joined the board of directors of Phosphagenics Ltd., an Australian company focused on developing new transdermal delivery systems for pharmaceutical products. Dr. Cauwenbergh currently serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee of Phosphagenics. In February 2014, Dr. Cauwenbergh also joined the board of directors of Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maruho Company, LTD., which focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary technologies to treat diseased and aging skin. In 2005, Dr. Cauwenbergh was inducted into the New Jersey High-Tech Hall of Fame, and, from 2009 to 2010, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of BioNJ. He has authored more than 100 publications and has been a guest editor for numerous books addressing mycology and infectious diseases. Dr. Cauwenbergh received his Doctorate in Medical Sciences from the Catholic University of Leuven, Faculty of Medicine (Belgium), where he also completed his masters and undergraduate work. Based on Dr. Cauwenbergh’s understanding of the business through his role as our Chief Executive Officer and as an incumbent member of the Board, as well as his extensive experience in dermatology and company-building, the Nominating Committee concluded that Dr. Cauwenbergh has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.

Robert J. Bitterman was appointed to the Board on June 19, 2012. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bitterman was employed by Aventis S.A. and its predecessor companies from 1977 to 2004 where he held various positions of increasing responsibility in financial and commercial capacities. From 1994 to 2004, Mr. Bitterman served as the President and General Manager of Aventis’ Dermik Laboratories, a global, strategic business unit focused on therapeutic and aesthetic dermatology development and commercialization. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Bitterman served as President and CEO for Isolagen, Inc., a publicly traded bioscience technology company which developed and commercialized autologous human fibroblasts targeting soft tissue enhancement. Since September 2005, Mr. Bitterman has served as the President and CEO of Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maruho Company, LTD., which focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary technologies to treat diseased and aging skin. Mr. Bitterman holds an A.B. degree in Economics from The College of the Holy Cross and a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University. Based on Mr. Bitterman’s significant leadership roles in other bioscience companies, including the role of chief executive officer, his experience with development stage organizations, and his knowledge of dermatology and the pharmaceutical industry, the Nominating Committee concluded that Mr. Bitterman has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.

Keith L. Brownlie was appointed to the Board on June 18, 2012. Prior to joining us, Mr. Brownlie was employed by the accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP from 1974 to 2010. At Ernst & Young, he served as audit partner for numerous public companies and was the Life Sciences Industry Leader for the New York Metro Area. Mr. Brownlie co-founded the New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Program and was co-chair of the BIONJ/PABIO Annual Symposium. Since his retirement from Ernst & Young in 2010, Mr. Brownlie has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Soligenix, Inc., which develops products to treat life-threatening side effects of cancer treatments and serious gastrointestinal diseases and vaccines for certain bioterrorism agents. Mr. Brownlie currently serves as chairman of the Audit Committee of Soligenix. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Brownlie also served as a member of the Board of Directors of EpiCept Corporation, which focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of pain and cancer and merged with Immune Pharmaceuticals in August 2013. From 2013 to 2014, Mr. Brownlie was a member of the board of directors and served as the chairman of the Audit Committee of Cancer Genetics, Inc., an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics that personalizes the clinical management of difficult-to-diagnose cancers. Mr. Brownlie received a B.S. in Accounting from Lehigh University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Based on Mr. Brownlie’s experience in the area of public company financial reporting, his responsibilities as an audit partner, which qualify him as a financial expert, and his membership on the board of directors of other public companies, the Nominating Committee concluded that Mr. Brownlie has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.

 

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H. Paul Dorman was appointed to the Board on April 18, 2013. Mr. Dorman currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of DFB Pharmaceuticals, a holdings company specializing in investing in and operating pharmaceutical businesses. From 1990 to 2012, Mr. Dorman also served as the Chairman and CEO of DPT Laboratories, a contract manufacturer and developer of pharmaceutical products. During that time, Mr. Dorman expanded DPT into a portfolio of healthcare companies that provides services and proprietary branded pharmaceutical products to the global market. Prior to acquiring DPT, Mr. Dorman was employed by Johnson & Johnson for 12 years, where he served in various positions, including Vice President and as a member of the board of directors. Prior to Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Dorman was employed by Baxter-Travenol, a large pharmaceuticals company. Mr. Dorman holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tulane University and a Juris Doctor of Law from Loyola University. Based on Mr. Dorman’s experience through his roles as Chairman and CEO and his deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry in holding executive positions at large public companies, the Nominating Committee concluded that Mr. Dorman has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.

Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D. was appointed to the Board on April 18, 2013. Since March 2014, Dr. Lockshin has served as the Vice President of Research and Operations of Xenetic Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing biologic drugs and novel oncology therapeutics. Since September 2014, Dr. Lockshin has served as the Chief Executive Officer of SciVac, Ltd., a private biologics and vaccine company in Rehovot, Israel and as the President and CEO of Guardum Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a private pharmaceutical company, since May 2013. From October 2011 to February 2013, Dr. Lockshin served as Vice President of Corporate R&D Initiatives for OPKO Health, Inc., a multinational pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, at which time he then assumed the position of consultant to OPKO until December 2013. From March 2011 until December 2013, Dr. Lockshin served as a member of the board of directors for ChromaDex, Inc., a natural products company engaged in the dietary supplement, food & beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. From October 2009 to September 2012, Dr. Lockshin served as a member of the board of directors for Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a development-stage biopharmaceutical company. Since April 2004, Dr. Lockshin has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation. The foundation is a Duke University Support Corporation that supports basic research related to Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration via intramural, extramural and international grants. Since 2003, Dr. Lockshin has worked as an independent consultant, focusing on small private companies in the healthcare, biotechnology and security sectors. From August 2002 to March 2003, Dr. Lockshin held the position of Director of Discovery Biology at Beyond Genomics, Inc. (now BG Medicine, Inc.), a company engaged in the discovery of disease-associated biomarkers and identification of therapeutic targets. Dr. Lockshin held various positions from June 1998 to July 2002 at Sepracor, Inc. (now Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), a pharmaceutical company that develops therapeutic products for the central nervous system and respiratory disorders. Dr. Lockshin holds a S.B. degree in Life Sciences and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Based on Dr. Lockshin’s industry knowledge in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields and his membership on the board of directors of other public companies, the Nominating Committee concluded that Dr. Lockshin has the requisite experience, qualifications, attributes and skill necessary to serve as a member of the Board.

Vote Required

The five nominees who receive the greatest number of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or by proxy will be elected as directors. Any shares that are not voted, whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise, will not affect the election of directors.

Holders of proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement will vote the proxies received by them as directed on the proxy card or, if no direction is made, then FOR the election of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Our Audit Committee has selected BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, and has further directed that we submit the selection of BDO for ratification by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

The Company is not required to submit the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for stockholder approval. However, if the stockholders do not ratify this selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of BDO. Even if the selection is ratified, our Audit Committee may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that the change would be in the best interests of the Company.

The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves all audit and non-audit services performed by its independent registered public accounting firm, as well as the fees charged for such services. All fees incurred in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 for services rendered by BDO were approved in accordance with these policies. In its review of non-audit service fees, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, the possible impact of the performance of such services on the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee has determined that the non-audit services performed by BDO in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence. Additional information concerning the Audit Committee and its activities can be found in the “Board Committees” section of this Proxy Statement.

Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.

Fees for Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by BDO for professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. These fees are for work invoiced in the fiscal years indicated.

 

		2014				2013
Audit Fees:
Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the review of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports (together, the “Financial Statements”) and for services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements		$	122,851			$	149,960
Other Fees:
Audit-Related Fees
Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit or review of the Financial Statements			—				—
Tax Fees
Consists of fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning			—				—
All Other Fees
Consists of fees billed for other products and services not described above, which consisted of fees relating to: accounting policy and auditor consent			—				—
Total Other Fees			—				—
Total All Fees:		$	122,851			$	149,960

Recommendation

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Proxies will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise in their proxies.

Vote Required

Ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be entirely excluded from the vote and will have no effect on its outcome.

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 2.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

We believe that the Company benefits from having a strong and independent Board. For a director to be considered independent, the Board must determine that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Company that would affect his or her exercise of independent judgment. On an annual basis, the Board reviews the independence of all directors under the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The Company also considers each director’s affiliations with the Company and members of management, as well as significant holdings of Company securities. This review considers all known relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. Based on this review, the Board has made an affirmative determination that all directors, other than Dr. Cauwenbergh, are independent. It was determined that Dr. Cauwenbergh lacks independence because of his status as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We believe that our Board and committees, led by a group of strong and independent directors, provide the necessary leadership, wisdom and experience that the Company needs in making sound business decisions. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics helps clarify the operating standards and ethics that we expect of all of our officers, directors and employees in making and implementing those decisions. Waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may only be granted by the Board or the Corporate Governance Committee and will be publicly announced promptly in our SEC filings. In furthering our commitment to these principles, we invite you to review our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other corporate governance materials located on our website at www.rxipharma.com.

Stockholder Communications

Generally, stockholders who have questions or concerns regarding the Company should contact our Investor Relations department at (508) 929-3646. However, any stockholders who wish to address questions regarding the business or affairs of the Company directly with the Board, or any individual director, should direct his or her questions in writing to the Chairman of the Board, RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, 257 Simarano Drive, Suite 101, Marlborough, MA 01752. Upon receipt of any such communications, the correspondence will be directed to the appropriate person, including individual directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

During fiscal year 2014, our Board met seven times. Each director attended at least 83% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of which he was a member in our last fiscal year. The Board has four standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Corporate Governance Committee and a Nominating Committee. All members of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees are non-employee directors who are deemed independent. Two of the three members of the Corporate Governance Committee are non-employee directors who are deemed independent.

Although the Company has no formal policies regarding director attendance at annual meetings, it does expect that all members of the Board will attend the 2015 Annual Meeting. All directors attended the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are separated, which allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management. Our Board recognizes the time, effort and energy that the Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman. Our Board also believes that this structure ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of our Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of our Board. Our Board believes its administration of its risk oversight function has not affected its leadership structure.

While our Bylaws do not require that our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions be separate, our Board believes that having separate positions and having an independent outside director serve as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance. Our separated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions are augmented by our independent Board committees that provide appropriate oversight in the areas described below. At executive sessions of independent directors, these directors speak candidly on any matter of interest, which may be with or without the Chief Executive Officer present. The independent directors meet separately in executive session on at least an annual basis to discuss matters relating to the Company and the Board, without members of the management team present. The Board of Directors met in executive session one time in 2014. We believe this structure provides consistent and effective oversight of our management and the Company.

 

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The Board has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Company’s risk management process, which is designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. Risk management includes not only understanding company-specific risks and the steps management implements to manage those risks, but also what level of risk is acceptable and appropriate for the Company. Management is responsible for establishing our business strategy, identifying and assessing the related risks and implementing appropriate risk management practices. The Board periodically reviews our business strategy and management’s assessment of the related risk, and discusses with management the appropriate level of risk for the Company. The Board also delegates oversight to Board committees to oversee selected elements of risk as set forth below.

Board Committees

Audit Committee. As of the Record Date, the Audit Committee was comprised of Messrs. Brownlie (Chairman) and Dorman and Dr. Lockshin. The Audit Committee selects the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, approves its compensation, oversees and evaluates the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm, oversees the accounting and financial reporting policies and internal control systems of the Company, reviews the Company’s interim and annual financial statements, independent registered public accounting firm reports and management letters and performs other duties, as specified in the Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at www.rxipharma.com. The Audit Committee met four times in fiscal year 2014. All members of the Audit Committee satisfy the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the current NASDAQ independence standards, and the Board has determined that Mr. Brownlie is an “audit committee financial expert,” as the SEC has defined that term in Item 407 of Regulation S-K.

Compensation Committee. As of the Record Date, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Bitterman (Chairman) and Brownlie and Dr. Lockshin. The Compensation Committee determines compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers and directors, oversees administration of the Company’s equity compensation plans and performs other duties regarding compensation for employees and consultants as the Board may delegate from time to time. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the corporate and individual performance goals and objectives relevant to executive compensation and executives’ performance in light of such goals and objectives, and recommends other executives’ compensation levels to the Compensation Committee based on such evaluations. The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations and then makes an independent decision regarding officer compensation levels and awards. The Compensation Committee met one time in fiscal year 2014. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at www.rxipharma.com. All members of the Compensation Committee satisfy the current NASDAQ independence standards, and each member of the Committee qualifies as an “outside director” and “non-employee director” as defined by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, respectively.

Corporate Governance Committee. As of the Record Date, the Corporate Governance Committee was comprised of Drs. Lockshin (Chairman) and Cauwenbergh and Mr. Bitterman. The Corporate Governance Committee oversees the Company’s corporate governance principles and develops and implements policies and processes regarding corporate governance matters. The Corporate Governance Committee met one time in fiscal year 2014. A copy of the Nominating and Governance Committees charter is available on our website at www.rxipharma.com. Dr. Lockshin and Mr. Bitterman satisfy the current NASDAQ independence standards. Dr. Cauwenbergh lacks independence because of his status as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Nominating Committee. As of the Record Date, the Nominating Committee was comprised of Messrs. Dorman (Chairman), Bitterman and Brownlie. The Nominating Committee reviews potential director nominees and recommends nominees to the Board. The Nominating Committee met one time in fiscal year 2014. A copy of the Nominating and Governance Committees charter is available on our website at www.rxipharma.com. All members of the Governance Committee satisfy the current NASDAQ independence standards.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our current executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of the Record Date are set forth in the following table. Biographical information regarding each executive officer who is not also a director is set forth following the table. Biographical information for Dr. Cauwenbergh is set forth above under Proposal No. 1 (Election of Directors).

 

Name		Age				Position
Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc.			61			President and Chief Executive Officer
Pamela Pavco, Ph.D.			58			Chief Development Officer

Pamela Pavco, Ph.D. Dr. Pavco currently serves as our Chief Development Officer. Prior to this, Dr. Pavco served as our Senior Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development from September 24, 2011 until April 2012. From March 2007 to September 24, 2011, she served as the Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development of Galena Biopharma, Inc. Dr. Pavco has over 20 years of research and

 

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development experience in oligonucleotides. Dr. Pavco was Senior Director, Research and Development Project Management at Sirna Therapeutics, Inc., from 2002 until 2006, when it was acquired by Merck & Co., Inc. for $1.1 billion. While at Sirna, she was responsible for the discovery research and development of Sirna-027, the first chemically modified siRNA to enter clinical trials. Dr. Pavco also managed Sirna’s alliance with Allergan, Inc. that was initiated to continue discovery research in the area of ophthalmology and take Sirna-027 forward into Phase 2 clinical studies. While at Sirna, Dr. Pavco served in various additional capacities, including Director of Biology Research and Director of Pharmacology and she also managed numerous corporate collaborations and internal programs focusing on the development of therapeutic oligonucleotides in the fields of oncology, anti-angiogenesis, hepatitis, respiratory disease and Huntington’s disease. Dr. Pavco has authored numerous scientific articles and contributed to approximately 58 patents and patent applications in the oligonucleotide therapeutics field. Dr. Pavco received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983 and did her post-doctoral work at Duke University. She is a member of the American Association of Cancer Research and the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Our Board has a policy to review and approve all transactions with directors, officers and holders of more than 5% of our voting securities and their affiliates. The policy provides that, prior to Board consideration of a transaction with such a related party, the material facts as to the related party’s relationship or interest in the transaction must be disclosed to the Board, and the transaction will not be considered approved by the Board unless a majority of the directors who are not interested in the transaction (if applicable) approve the transaction. Furthermore, when stockholders are entitled to vote on a transaction with a related party, the material facts of the related party’s relationship or interest in the transaction must be disclosed to the stockholders, who must approve the transaction in good faith.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors. These agreements provide that, subject to limited exceptions and among other things, we will indemnify each of our executive officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance expenses to each indemnitee in connection with any proceeding in which a right to indemnification is available.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our “officers” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater-than-10% stockholders (the “Reporting Persons”) are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all reports filed under Section 16(a). Based solely on our review of copies of these reports and representations of such reporting persons, we believe that during fiscal year 2014, all Reporting Persons satisfied such applicable SEC filing requirements, other than the following filings made by Advanced RNA Technologies, LLC: four Form 4s disclosing a total of twenty-nine transactions that were not reported on a timely basis.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2014, with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under equity compensation plans.

 

Plan Category		Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights				Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights				Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in First Column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders			3,000,264			$	3.39				1,997,736
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders			—			$	—				—
Total			3,000,264			$	3.39				1,997,736

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN

BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Based on information available to us and filings with the SEC, the following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership (as defined by Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of our outstanding common stock for (i) each of our directors, (ii) each of our “named executive officers,” as defined in the Executive Compensation section below, (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) persons known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. The following information is presented as of April 1, 2015 or such other date as may be reflected below.

 

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Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and include voting or investment power with respect to shares of stock. This information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, shares of common stock issuable under stock options or warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table possesses sole voting and investment power over their shares of common stock, except for those jointly owned with that person’s spouse. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address of each person listed on the table is c/o RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, 257 Simarano Drive, Suite 101, Marlborough, MA 01752.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner		Number(1)				Percent of Class(2)
Greater than 5% Holders
OPKO Health, Inc.(3) 4400 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, Florida 33137			2,241,378				7.18	%
Tang Capital Partners, LP(4) 4747 Executive Drive, Suite 510 San Diego, CA 92121			2,236,438				6.89	%
Directors, Officers and Named Executive Officers:
Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc.(5)			1,008,980				3.14	%
Robert J. Bitterman(6)			68,999				*
Keith L. Brownlie(7)			62,499				*
H. Paul Dorman(8)			45,832				*
Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D.(9)			46,832				*
Pamela J. Pavco, Ph.D.(10)			579,867				1.82	%
All current directors and executive officers as a group (six persons)			1,813,009				5.50	%

 

*	Indicates less than 1%.

(1)	Represents shares of common stock and shares of restricted stock held as of April 1, 2015 plus shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of options, warrants and other rights exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(2)

Based on 31,221,598 shares of the registrant’s common stock that were issued and outstanding as of April 1, 2015. The percentage ownership and voting power for each person (or all directors and executive officers as a group) is calculated by assuming the exercise or conversion of all options, warrants and convertible securities exercisable or convertible within 60 days of April 1, 2015 held by such person and the non-exercise and non-conversion of all outstanding warrants, options and convertible securities held by all other persons.

(3)	Based solely on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 22, 2013.

(4)

Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015. Represents 1,001,841 shares of common stock and 1,234,597 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock that are owned of record by Tang Capital Partners, LP (“TCP”) as of that date. In accordance with the conversion limitation contained within the Series A Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations and the Series A-1 Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations, in no event may TCP convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series A-1 Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock if such conversion would result in beneficial ownership of more than 9.999% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. This conversion limitation may not be waived and any purported conversion that is inconsistent with this conversion limitation is null and void. Tang Capital Management, LLC is the general partner of TCP. Kevin C. Tang is the Managing Director of Tang Capital Management, LLC. Mr. Tang shares voting and investment power over the shares shown with TCP and Tang Capital Management, LLC and, as such, may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of such shares. Mr. Tang disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The percent of common stock shown in the table as beneficially owned is reported as less than 9.999% due to an increase in the total shares outstanding from the date of the Schedule 13G/A filed by TCP and April 1, 2015, which is the date as of which beneficial holdings are reported.

(5)	Consists of (a) 67,500 shares of common stock and (b) 941,480 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(6)	Consists of (a) 6,500 shares of common stock and (b) 62,499 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(7)	Consists of 62,499 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(8)	Consists of 45,832 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(9)	Consists of (a) 1,000 shares of common stock and (b) 45,832 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

(10)	Consists of (a) 21,218 shares of common stock and (b) 558,649 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following describes the compensation earned in fiscal 2014 and 2013 by each of the executive officers identified below in the Summary Compensation Table, who are referred to collectively as our “named executive officers.” Our named executive officers with respect to the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2014 are Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc., President, Chief Executive Officer, acting Chief Financial Officer and Director, and Pamela Pavco, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer. The principal terms of our employment agreements with Drs. Cauwenbergh and Pavco are described below in the “Executive Compensation — Employment Agreements” section of this Proxy Statement.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principle Position		Year				Salary ($)				Bonus ($)				Option Awards ($)(1)				All Other Compensation ($)				Total ($)
Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc.			2014				381,274				114,000				305,900				552	(2)			801,726
President and Chief Executive Officer			2013				368,135				187,500				538,669				956	(2)			1,095,260
Pamela Pavco, Ph.D.			2014				350,577				63,000				150,480				300	(3)			564,357
Chief Development Officer			2013				324,404				103,500				264,001				300	(3)			692,205

 

(1)

The amounts shown reflect the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718 for the indicated year, adjusted to disregard the effects of any estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting. The assumptions we used in valuing options are described more fully in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section and the Notes to Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

(2)	Represents amounts for the dollar value of life insurance premiums paid and a gross-up for the related tax liability in connection with Dr. Cauwenbergh’s health insurance premiums.

(3)	Represents amounts for the dollar value of life insurance premiums paid.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table shows information regarding outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2014 for our named executive officers:

 

		Option Awards(1)
		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options								Option Exercise Price ($)				Option Expiration Date				Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)				Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)(2)
Name		Exercisable				Unexercisable
Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc.			758,998				379,508				2.55				06/08/2022				379,508				607,213
			50,000				83,334				6.00				06/07/2023				83,334				133,334
			—				133,000				2.85				06/02/2024				133,000				212,800
Pamela Pavco, Ph.D.			453,445				104,646				3.90				05/04/2022				104,646				167,434
			25,000				41,667				6.00				06/07/2023				41,667				66,667
			8,250				57,750				2.85				06/02/2024				57,750				92,400

 

(1)	Options have different vesting parameters, but generally vest within 48 months after the award is granted.

(2)	Calculated by multiplying the number of unvested shares by $1.60, the closing price per share of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on December 31, 2014.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not have any nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Employment and Change of Control Agreements

Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc.

Dr. Cauwenbergh was appointed Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an employment agreement, dated April 27, 2012, pursuant to which he is entitled to receive an initial base salary of $360,000 per annum, as well as a performance bonus of up to 50% of his base salary, subject to the achievement of performance goals to be established annually. On June 8, 2012, Dr. Cauwenbergh received an

 

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option entitling him to purchase 1,138,506 shares of Company common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The option became exercisable with respect to one quarter of the underlying shares on April 27, 2013, and then vests on a ratable basis monthly thereafter over the next three years such that the option is fully vested and exercisable on April 27, 2016.

Dr. Cauwenbergh’s employment agreement provides that, upon termination of Dr. Cauwenbergh’s employment without “cause” (as defined) by us or by Dr. Cauwenbergh for “good reason” (as defined), he will be entitled to payment of: (1) any accrued but unpaid salary, business expenses and unused vacation as of the date of his termination as well as any unpaid bonus compensation awarded for the prior year; (2) six months of salary from the date of termination; and (3) continued participation, at our expense, during the applicable severance period in our sponsored group medical and dental plans. In the event his employment is terminated within twelve months following a “change of control” of RXi, he will be entitled to: (x) twelve months of salary from the date of termination; (y) accelerated vesting of any unvested RXi stock options held by him; and (z) continued participation, at our expense, during the severance period in our sponsored group medical and dental plans.

Pamela Pavco, Ph.D.

Dr. Pavco serves as our Chief Development Officer. Under her employment agreement dated September 24, 2011, Dr. Pavco receives an initial annual salary of $300,000. She also received an option to purchase up to 558,091 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The option vests in equal monthly installments of 11,626 shares beginning on October 24, 2011 with a final monthly installment of 11,669 shares on September 24, 2015, subject to accelerated vesting in some events.

Dr. Pavco’s employment agreement provides that, upon termination of Dr. Pavco’s employment without “cause” (as defined) by us or by Dr. Pavco for “good reason” (as defined), she will be entitled to payment of: (1) any accrued but unpaid salary and unused vacation as of the date of her termination; (2) twelve months (in the event of such termination within twelve months of the effective date of her employment) or six months (in the event of such termination after twelve months from the effective date of her employment), as the case may be, of salary from the date of termination; and (3) continued participation, at our expense, during the applicable severance period in our sponsored group medical and dental plans. In the event her employment is terminated within twelve months following a “change of control” of RXi, she will be entitled to: (x) twelve months of salary from the date of termination; (y) accelerated vesting of any unvested RXi stock options held by her as to 50% of the unvested option shares or the portion of the unvested option shares that would have vested over the following twenty-four months, whichever is greater; and (z) continued participation, at our expense, during the severance period in our sponsored group medical and dental plans.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

As our only director who is also an employee, Dr. Cauwenbergh receives no separate compensation for Board service. A description of our non-employee director compensation is set forth below.

 

Annual Cash Retainer		$	25,000 (paid quarterly)
Annual Cash Retainer for Chairman of the Board and Audit Committee		$	10,000 (paid quarterly)
Annual Cash Retainer for Chairman of Nominating and Governance Committees		$	5,000 (paid quarterly)
Initial Option Grant			33,000 shares(1)
Annual Option Grant			16,666 shares(1)

 

(1)	Options vest on a ratable quarterly basis over a one-year period from the date of grant.

Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for their travel and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings and in attending continuing education seminars, to the extent that attendance is required by the Board or the committee(s) on which that director serves.

The Compensation Committee and the Board reassesses the appropriate level of equity compensation for non-employee directors on an annual basis. Future equity compensation payments will be determined on a year-by-year basis for the foreseeable future due to the volatility of the Company’s stock price.

 

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The following table shows the compensation paid in fiscal year 2014 to the Company’s non-employee directors:

 

Director Compensation
Name		Fees Earned or Paid in Cash				Option Awards($)(1)				Total ($)
Robert J. Bitterman		$	35,000				35,499				70,499
Keith L. Brownlie		$	35,000				35,499				70,499
H. Paul Dorman		$	30,000				35,499				65,499
Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D.		$	30,000				35,499				65,499

 

(1)

The value of the option awards has been computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions we used in valuing options are described more fully in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section and the Notes to Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee evaluates auditor performance, manages relations with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and evaluates policies and procedures relating to internal control systems. The Audit Committee operates under a written Audit Committee Charter that has been adopted by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at www.rxipharma.com. All members of the Audit Committee currently meet the independence and qualification standards for Audit Committee membership set forth in the listing standards provided by NASDAQ and the SEC.

Other than Mr. Brownlie, the Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors. The members’ functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee serves a Board-level oversight role in which it provides advice, counsel and direction to management and the auditors on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with management and the auditors, and the experience of the Audit Committee’s members in business, financial and accounting matters.

The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The Company’s management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. This review included a discussion of the quality and the acceptability of the Company’s financial reporting, including the nature and extent of disclosures in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Audit Committee also reviewed the progress and results of the testing of the design and effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The Audit Committee also reviewed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, their judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of the Company’s financial reporting and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under generally accepted auditing standards, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No.16, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management and the Company, including the matters required by the applicable rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

In addition to the matters specified above, the Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope, plans and estimated costs of their audit. The Committee met with the independent registered public accounting firm periodically, with and without management present, to discuss the results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s examinations, the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting and the independent registered public accounting firm’s reviews of the quarterly financial statements, and drafts of the quarterly and annual reports.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Keith L. Brownlie

    H. Paul Dorman

 Curtis A. Lockshin

OTHER BUSINESS

We know of no other matters to be submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares they represent in accordance with their judgment. In order for any stockholder to nominate a candidate or to submit a proposal for other business to be acted upon at a given annual meeting, he or she must provide timely written notice to our corporate secretary in the form prescribed by our Bylaws, as described below.

 

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholder proposals intended to be included in the 2016 annual meeting proxy materials must be received by the Secretary of the Company no later than February 1, 2016, or otherwise as permitted by applicable law (the “Proxy Deadline”). The form and substance of these proposals must satisfy the requirements established by the Company’s Bylaws and the SEC, and the timing for the submission of any such proposals may be subject to change as a result of changes in SEC rules and regulations.

Additionally, stockholders who intend to present a stockholder proposal at the 2016 annual meeting must provide the Secretary of the Company with written notice of the proposal not fewer than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the 2015 annual meeting, provided, however, that if the 2016 annual meeting date is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the 2015 annual meeting, then stockholders must provide notice on or before 10 days after the day on which the date of the 2016 annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement. Notice must be tendered in the proper form prescribed by our Bylaws. Proposals not meeting the requirements set forth in our Bylaws will not be entertained at the meeting.

Additionally, any stockholder seeking to recommend a director candidate or any director candidate who wishes to be considered by the Nominating Committee, the committee that recommends a slate of nominees to the Board for election at each annual meeting, must provide the Secretary of the Company with a completed and signed biographical questionnaire on or before the Proxy Deadline. Stockholders can obtain a copy of this questionnaire from the Secretary of the Company upon written request. The Nominating Committee is not required to consider director candidates received after this date or without the required questionnaire. The Nominating Committee will consider all director candidates who comply with these requirements and will evaluate these candidates using the criteria described above under the caption, “Nomination of Directors.” Director candidates who are then approved by the Board will be included in the Company’s proxy statement for that annual meeting.

DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS

Our Annual Report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, including audited financial statements and the notes thereto, accompanies this Proxy Statement. Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2014 and the exhibits thereto are available from the Company without charge upon written request of a stockholder. Copies of these materials are also available online through the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. The Company may satisfy SEC rules regarding delivery of proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Notice, by delivering a single Notice and, if applicable, a single set of proxy materials to an address shared by two or more Company stockholders. This delivery method can result in meaningful cost savings for the Company. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, the Company may deliver only one Notice and, if applicable, a single set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless contrary instructions are received prior to the mailing date. Similarly, if you share an address with another stockholder and have received multiple copies of our Notice and/or other proxy materials, you may write or call us at the address and phone number below to request delivery of a single copy of the Notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials in the future. We undertake to deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials, as requested, to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Notice and/or other proxy materials was delivered. If you hold stock as a record stockholder and prefer to receive separate copies of a Notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact the Company’s Investor Relations department at 257 Simarano Drive, Suite 101, Marlborough, MA 01752 or by telephone at (508) 929-3646. If your stock is held through a brokerage firm or bank and you prefer to receive separate copies of a Notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact your brokerage firm or bank.

EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN

THE ENCLOSED PROXY.

 

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q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

 

A		Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following proposals:

1.

Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

+

01 -  Geert Cauwenbergh,         Dr. Med. Sc.

¨

¨

02 - Robert J. Bitterman

¨

¨

03 - Keith L. Brownlie

¨

¨

04 -  H. Paul Dorman

¨

¨

05 - Curtis A. Lockshin, Ph.D.

¨

¨

 

For

Against

Abstain

2.

Ratification of BDO USA, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

¨

¨

¨

 

 

B		Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print your new address below.				Comments — Please print your comments below.		Meeting Attendance
						Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.		¨

 

C		Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

 

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.				Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.				Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
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q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

 

 

Proxy — RXi PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

June 1, 2015 11:00 a.m.

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Geert Cauwenbergh and Caitlin Kontulis, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 1, 2015 at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 43^rd Floor, New York, New York 10020 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations and in the discretion of the proxy holders on all other matters that may come before the meeting.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side