UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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  Preliminary Proxy Statement
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  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Emisphere Technologies, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

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EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

4 Becker Farm Road

Suite 103

Roseland, New Jersey 07068

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2017

 

 

Roseland, NJ

April 15, 2017

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Emisphere”), to be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 8:30 AM EDT at 65 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ, 07068 for the following purposes:

1. To consider the election of two members of the Board of Directors for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election;

2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

3. To vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

4. To approve Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan;

5. To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;

6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

In addition, at the Annual Meeting, the Company’s management will discuss the Company’s 2016 performance and its current activities.

Only those stockholders of record at the close of business on Friday, March 24, 2017 will be entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Annual Meeting. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open for examination by any stockholder during the ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting at our principal offices located at 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, NJ 07068.

The Board of Directors appreciates and encourages stockholder participation in our Annual Meeting and looks forward to your attendance. It is important that your shares be represented, whether or not you choose to attend the meeting. Registered stockholders can vote their shares (a) via the Internet; or (b) by using a toll-free telephone number; or (c) by promptly completing, signing, dating and mailing a Proxy Card using the enclosed envelope; or (d) by voting your shares at the meeting in person. Instructions for using these convenient services appear on the notice mailed to stockholders of record, as well as on the Internet and on the Proxy Card. Proxy votes are tabulated by an independent agent appointed by the Company and reported at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your Proxy at any time prior to its exercise. Your prompt attention to the Proxy will be of assistance in preparing for the Annual Meeting and is appreciated.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Alan L. Rubino

President and Chief Executive Officer


EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

4 Becker Farm Road

Suite 103

Roseland, New Jersey 07068

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2017

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What is the purpose of this Proxy Statement?

This Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the Proxy Card (the “Proxy Card”) are made available and furnished to all stockholders of record of Emisphere Technologies, Inc., which we sometimes refer to as the “Company” or “Emisphere,” as of the close of business on March 24, 2017 in connection with the solicitation of Proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 8:30 AM EDT, at 65 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, New Jersey, 07068 (the “Annual Meeting”).

This Proxy Statement and form of Proxy will be available to be mailed to stockholders at their request on or about April 15. The information included in the Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation for directors and our most highly paid executive officers, and other required information. Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 are also available on the Internet and will be mailed at the request of a stockholder with a copy of this Proxy Statement, but are not incorporated herein by reference and should not be deemed to be part of the Proxy Statement.

Who can attend the Annual Meeting and who is entitled to vote?

All stockholders of the Company as of March 24, 2017 (the “Record Date”), their authorized representatives and guests of Emisphere will be able to attend the Annual Meeting.

All holders of record of Emisphere’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”) on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the meeting. As of the Record Date, 60,712,728 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.

What proposals will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting has been called to consider and take action on the following items:

1.  The election of Mark H. Rachesky and Michael Weiser (the “Class III Director Nominees”) as directors for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election;

2.  To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

3.  To vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;

4.  To approve Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan;

5.  To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;

6.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

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What are the Board of Directors’ voting recommendations with respect to the proposals to be voted at the Annual Meeting?

The Board of Directors recommends a vote:

 

   

“FOR” the election of the Class III Director Nominees as directors for the term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

 

   

“FOR” the approval of, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers.

 

   

“FOR” the approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation to continue to be held “EVERY YEAR”.

 

   

“FOR” the approval of Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

   

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, your Proxy will be voted in accordance with the discretion of the person holding the Proxy. At the time this Proxy Statement went to press, Emisphere knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement.

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

Pursuant to rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have provided access to our Proxy materials over the Internet. All stockholders will have the ability to access the Proxy materials on a website referred to on the Proxy Card or request to receive a printed set of the Proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found on the Proxy Card. In addition, stockholders may request to receive Proxy materials in printed form by mail.

How do I vote in person?

If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting on May 18, 2017, please bring proof of identification and the enclosed Proxy Card. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring a Proxy executed by the broker, bank or other nominee that owns the shares of record for your benefit, authorizing you to vote the shares.

How do I vote by Proxy?

If you are a registered holder as of the Record Date, you can vote your Proxy via the Internet, by telephone, by mail or in person at the Annual Meeting on May 18, 2017.

If you are a beneficial stockholder, you have the right to direct your broker or nominee on how to vote your shares. You should complete a voting instruction card which your broker or nominee is obligated to provide you. If you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must first obtain from the record holder a Proxy issued in your name.

How do I vote via the Internet?

If you wish to vote via the Internet, follow the Internet voting instructions included on the Proxy Card. A control number, located on the Proxy Card, is designated to verify your identity and allow you to vote the shares and confirm that the voting instructions have been recorded properly.

How do I vote via telephone?

If you wish to vote via telephone, use the toll-free telephone number included on the Proxy Card, and follow the voting instructions located on the mailing. A control number, located on the Proxy Card, is designated to verify your identity, allow you to vote the shares and confirm that the voting instructions have been recorded properly.

 

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How do I vote my shares on the Proxy Card?

If you are a registered stockholder, you can specify how you want your shares voted on each proposal by marking the appropriate boxes on the Proxy Card. Please review the voting instructions on the Proxy Card and read the entire text of the proposals. Please review the recommendations of the Board of Directors in the Proxy Statement prior to marking your vote.

If your Proxy Card is signed and returned without specifying a vote on a proposal, it will be voted according to the recommendations of the Board of Directors on that proposal. That recommendation is shown for each proposal on the Proxy Card. If you abstain from voting as to any matter, your shares shall be deemed present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to such matter, but shall not be deemed to have been voted in favor of such matter.

What constitutes a quorum?

As of the Record Date, 60,712,728 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. A majority of the total number of our outstanding shares present or represented by Proxy constitutes a quorum for the purpose of adopting proposals at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a properly executed Proxy, then you will be considered part of the quorum.

Who counts the vote?

Tabulation of Proxies and the votes cast at the meeting are conducted by an independent agent appointed by Emisphere and certified by an independent inspector of elections.

May I revoke my Proxy?

You may revoke your Proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by: (i) giving timely written notice of the revocation to the Secretary of the Company; (ii) executing and delivering a Proxy with a later date; or (iii) voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a Proxy.

Dissenters’ Rights

You are not entitled to any dissenters’ rights with respect to any matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The inspector of elections will treat abstentions and broker non-votes as shares of Common Stock that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum for the Annual Meeting.

A plurality (that is, the largest number) of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to elect the Class III Director Nominees. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the Director Nominees.

The affirmative vote of a majority of shares present, in person or represented by proxy, and voting at our Annual Meeting is required for (i) the approval, on advisory basis, of executive compensation, (ii) the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm and (iii) the approval of our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are not considered as shares voting or as votes cast with respect to each proposal and will not have any effect on that proposal.

The advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory approval of executive compensation that receives a plurality of votes cast will be considered the preference selected by stockholders. With respect to this advisory vote, stockholders may (1) vote for a voting frequency of “every year”, (2) vote for a voting frequency of “every other

 

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year”, (3) vote for a voting frequency of “every three years”, or (4) “abstain” from voting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered as shares voting or as votes cast with respect to the proposal and will not have any effect on the proposal.

Who bears the cost of soliciting the Proxies?

We will pay all costs of preparing, assembling, printing and distributing the Proxy materials. We may solicit Proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors through the mail, in person, and by telecommunications. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses incurred for forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock.

Where are Emisphere’s Executive Offices?

Our principal executive offices are located at 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, NJ 07068 and our telephone number is (973) 532-8000.

How can I get additional information about Emisphere?

We will, upon written request of any stockholder, furnish without charge a copy of this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC (the “2016 Annual Report”). Please address your requests to Emisphere Technologies, Inc., 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, NJ 07068, Attention: Investor Relations. Electronic copies of this Proxy Statement and the 2016 Annual Report are located within the Investor Relations section of our website at www.emisphere.com and are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . The contents of our website are not incorporated herein by reference and the website address provided in this Proxy Statement is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

If you are a beneficial owner and your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, please refer to the information provided by your broker, bank or nominee for instructions on how to elect to access future Proxy Statements and Annual Reports on the Internet. Most beneficial owners who elect electronic access will receive an e-mail message next year containing the Internet address for access to the Proxy Statement and Annual Report.

Emisphere is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which require that the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Proxy Statement and other information be filed with the SEC. These filings may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the SEC. Call (800) SEC-0330 for more information regarding public reference facilities. Copies of the material may also be obtained upon request and upon payment of the appropriate fee from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. In addition, the SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, Proxy and information statements, as well as other information regarding registrants, including Emisphere, which file electronically with the SEC.

Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “house holding” Proxy Statements and Annual Reports. This means that only one copy of our Proxy Card and Annual Report may have been sent to multiple stockholders in each household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Proxy Materials and 2016 Annual Report to any stockholder upon written or oral request made to our Investor Relations Department, Emisphere Technologies, Inc., 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, NJ 07068, telephone: (973) 532-8000. Any stockholder who wants to receive separate copies of the Proxy Materials or any stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household must make an election on the Proxy card or contact the Company’s Investor Relations Department contact the stockholder’s bank, broker, or other nominee record holder. Stockholders may also contact us at the above address and phone number with their election.

 

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our business is overseen by the Board of Directors. It is the duty of the Board of Directors to oversee the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management in the competent and ethical operation of the Company on a day-to-day basis and to assure that the long-term interests of the stockholders are being served. To satisfy this duty, our directors take a proactive, focused approach to their position, and set standards to ensure that the Company is committed to business success through maintenance of the highest standards of responsibility and ethics. The Board of Directors is kept advised of our business through regular verbal or written reports, Board of Directors meetings, and analysis and discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the Company.

Members of the Board of Directors bring to us a wide range of experience, knowledge and judgment. Our governance organization is designed to be a working structure for principled actions, effective decision-making and appropriate monitoring of both compliance and performance.

The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Mr. John D. Harkey, Jr., Mr. Timothy McInerney, Mr. Jacob M. Plotsker, Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, Mr. Timothy G. Rothwell (Chairman), and Dr. Michael Weiser are independent directors within the meaning of Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Mr. Alan L. Rubino is the sole member of the Board of Directors who is not independent. The independent directors meet in separate sessions at the conclusion of board meetings and at other times as deemed necessary by the independent directors, in the absence of Mr. Rubino. Mr. Rothwell currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Matters are explored in Committee and brought to the full Board for discussion or action.

The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee. Each of the committees of the Board of Directors acts pursuant to a separate written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. McInerney (Chairman), Jacob M. Plotsker, and Dr. Weiser. All of the members of the Audit Committee meet the independence requirements under the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and regulations promulgated thereunder and the relevant NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Board of Directors has determined that the Company does not currently have an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, serving on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities and duties are summarized in the report of the Audit Committee and in the Audit Committee charter which is available on our website (www.emisphere.com).

The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Dr. Weiser (Chairman), Dr. Rachesky, and Mr. McInerney. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, non-employee directors within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and “outside” directors within the meaning set forth under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities and duties are summarized in the report of the Compensation Committee and in the Compensation Committee charter also available on our website (www.emisphere.com).

The Governance and Nominating Committee is currently comprised of Dr. Weiser (chairman), Dr. Rachesky, and Mr. Plotsker. All members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are independent within the meaning of Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Governance and Nominating Committee’s responsibilities and duties are set forth in the Governance and Nominating Committee charter on our website (www.emisphere.com). Among other things, the Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending to the board the nominees for election to our Board of Directors and the identification and recommendation of candidates to fill vacancies occurring between annual stockholder meetings.

 

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The table below provides membership information for each committee of the Board of Directors as of April 15, 2017:

 

Name

   Board    Audit    Compensation    Governance
and Nominating

Alan L. Rubino(1)

   X         

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.(2)

   X       X    X

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.(2)

   X    X    X*    X*

John D. Harkey, Jr.(3)

   X         

Timothy G. Rothwell(3)

   X*         

Timothy McInerney(1)

   X    X*    X   

Jacob M. Plotsker(1)

   X    X       X

 

  * Chair

 

(1) Class II Director. Term as director is expected to expire on 2019.

 

(2) Class III director: Term as director will expire on May 18, 2017.

 

(3) Class I director. Term as director is expected to expire in 2018.

Board Involvement in Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the Company’s risk assessment and management process. We believe risk can arise in every decision and action taken by the Company, whether strategic or operational. Our comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes by which our management provides timely and fulsome information to the Board of Directors to support its role in oversight, approval and decision-making.

The Board of Directors closely monitors the information it receives from management and provides oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board of Directors approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate risk taking within the business.

The Board of Directors delegated to the Compensation Committee basic responsibility for oversight of management’s compensation risk assessment, and that committee reports to the board on its review. Our Board of Directors also delegated tasks related to risk process oversight to our Audit Committee, which reports the results of its review process to the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee’s process includes a review, at least annually, of our internal audit process, including the organizational structure, as well as the scope and methodology of the internal audit process. The Governance and Nominating Committee oversees risks related to our corporate governance, including director performance, director succession, director education and governance documents.

In addition to the reports from the Board committees, our board periodically discusses risk oversight.

Meetings Attendance

During the year ended December 31, 2016, our Board of Directors held 2 meetings. Each director attended 100 percent of the aggregate number of Board of Directors meetings and committee meetings of which he was a member that were held during the period of his service as a director.

The Audit Committee met 4 times during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Compensation Committee met once during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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The Governance and Nominating Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, although it does encourage attendance by the directors.

Code of Conduct for Officers and Employees and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors

The Company has a Code of Conduct that applies to all of our officers and employees as well as a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies specifically to the members of the Board of Directors. The directors are surveyed annually regarding their compliance with the policies as set forth in the Code of Conduct for Directors. The Code of Conduct and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors are available on the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.emisphere.com. The contents of our website are not incorporated herein by reference and the website address provided in this annual report is intended to be an inactive textual reference only. The Company intends to disclose on its website any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Code of Conduct that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or Controller. Our Code of Conduct contains provisions that apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and all other finance and accounting personnel. These provisions comply with the requirements of a company code of ethics for financial officers that were promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

Stockholder Communications

We have an Investor Relations Office for all stockholder inquiries and communications, including communications to the Board of Directors or specified Board members. The Investor Relations Office facilitates the dissemination of accurate and timely information to our stockholders. In addition, the Investor Relations Office ensures that outgoing information is in compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations. All investor queries should be directed to our internal Director of Corporate Communications or our Corporate Secretary.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation Committee is or has ever been an executive officer or employee of our company (or any of its subsidiaries) and no “compensation committee interlocks” existed during the year ended December 31, 2016.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Governance and Nominating Committee identifies director nominees by reviewing the desired experience, mix of skills and other qualities to assure appropriate Board composition, taking into consideration the current Board members and the specific needs of the Company and the Board. Among the qualifications to be considered in the selection of candidates, the Committee considers the following attributes and criteria of candidates: experience, knowledge, skills, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment and independence. Although it has no formal policy, our Board recognizes that nominees for the Board should reflect a reasonable diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, including those backgrounds and perspectives with respect to business experience, professional expertise, age, gender and ethnic background.

Our Board is comprised of accomplished professionals who represent diverse and key areas of expertise including national and international business, operations, manufacturing, finance and investing, management, entrepreneurship, higher education and science, research and technology. We believe our directors’ wide range of professional experiences and backgrounds, education and skills has proven invaluable to the Company and we intend to continue leveraging this strength.

Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or the Governance and Nominating Committee. The committee did not reject any candidates recommended within the preceding year by a beneficial owner of, or from a group of security holders that beneficially owned, in the aggregate, more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s voting stock.

 

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Although it has no formal policy regarding stockholder nominees, the Governance and Nominating Committee believes that stockholder nominees should be viewed in substantially the same manner as other nominees. Stockholders may make a recommendation for a nominee by complying with the notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. Specifically, a stockholder of record who is entitled to vote for the election of directors may make a recommendation for a director nominee by providing the Company with a notice of nomination (a “Notice of Nomination”) setting forth (i) the name and record address of the stockholder making the recommendation, (ii) the class and number of shares of Common Stock held of record, held beneficially, and represented by proxy held by such person as of the record date and as of the date of the notice, (iii) all information regarding the nominee required to be set forth in a definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (including all information required to be filed with the SEC if the person submitting the notice were a participant in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act), and (iv) the written consent of each such nominee to serve if elected. To be considered timely, a Notice of Nomination must be delivered to the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices (addressed to the attention of the Secretary) not less than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the annual meeting to which the Notice of Nomination relates. The Governance and Nominating Committee will give nominees recommended by stockholders in compliance with these procedures the same consideration that it gives to any board recommendations. To date, we have not received any recommendation from stockholders requesting that the Governance and Nominating Committee (or any predecessor) consider a candidate for inclusion among the committee’s slate of nominees in the Proxy Statement.

To be considered by the committee, a director nominee must have broad experience at the strategy/policy-making level in a business, government, education, technology or public interest environment, high-level managerial experience in a relatively complex organization or experience dealing with complex problems. In addition, the nominee must be able to exercise sound business judgment and provide insights and practical wisdom based on experience and expertise, possess proven ethical character, be independent of any particular constituency, and be able to represent all stockholders of the Company.

The committee will also evaluate whether the nominee’s skills are complementary to the existing Board members’ skills; the board’s needs for operational, management, financial, technological or other expertise; and whether the individual has sufficient time to devote to the interests of Emisphere. The prospective board member cannot be a board member or officer at a competing company nor have relationships with a competing company. He/she must be clear of any investigation or violations that would be perceived as affecting the duties and performance of a director.

The Governance and Nominating Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board of Directors willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to the business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the board with that of obtaining a new perspective. If any member of the board does not wish to continue in service, or if the Governance and Nominating Committee or the board decides not to nominate a member for re-election, the Governance and Nominating Committee identifies the desired skills and experience of a new nominee and discusses with the board suggestions as to individuals that meet the criteria.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

A director who is a full-time employee of the Company receives no additional compensation for services provided as a director. It is the Company’s policy to provide competitive compensation and benefits necessary to attract and retain high quality non-employee directors and to encourage ownership of Company stock to further align their interests with those of stockholders. The following represents the compensation of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors:

 

   

All non-employee directors, other than the Chairman, receive an annual retainer of $35,000, payable quarterly in cash, and an annual stock option grant of 40,000 options to purchase shares of common stock. The Chairman receives an annual retainer of $180,000, payable quarterly in cash, and an annual stock option grant of 40,000 options. In addition, our Chairman received a grant of 175,000 stock options during the year ended December 31, 2016, which was the last of three installments he was entitled to in connection

 

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with his appointment as the Chairman of the Board. Annual stock option grants are granted each year on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. Options vest over three years in equal amounts on each anniversary of the grant date provided the director continuously serves as a director from the grant date through such vesting date, subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control. Such options, once vested, remain exercisable through the period of the option term.

 

   

All newly appointed directors receive an initial stock option grant on the date of appointment of 50,000 options to purchase shares of common stock. The options subject to such initial stock option grant vest over three years in equal amounts on each anniversary of the grant date provided the director continuously serves as a director from the grant date through such vesting date, subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control. Such options, once vested, remain exercisable through the period of the option term.

 

   

Additional committee and chairperson fees are paid as follows:

 

   

$10,000 audit committee chairperson fee;

 

   

$2,500 audit committee member fee;

 

   

$5,000 compensation committee chairperson fee;

 

   

$1,000 compensation committee member fee;

 

   

$2,500 governance and nominating committee chairperson fee; and

 

   

$500 governance and nominating committee member fee.

Director Compensation Table — 2016

The table below represents the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2016:

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
     Stock
Awards
($)(1)
     Option
Awards
($)(1)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
($)
 

John D. Harkey, Jr. 

     35,000        0        29,366        0        64,366  

Timothy McInerney

     46,000        0        29,366        0        75,366  

Jacob M. Plotsker

     38,000        0        29,366        0        67,366  

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D. 

     36,500        0        29,366        0        65,866  

Timothy G. Rothwell

     215,000        0        29,366        0        244,366  

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D. 

     45,000        0        29,366        0        74,366  

 

(1) Amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. For assumptions used in the valuation of these awards please see Note 11 to our Financial Statements in the 2016 Annual Report. There can be no assurance that these awards will vest or will be exercised (in which case no value will be realized by the individual), or that value upon exercise will approximate the aggregate grant date fair value.

 

9


The following table summarizes the aggregate number of option awards and stock awards held by each non-employee director at December 31, 2016.

 

    Option Awards     Stock Awards  
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive

Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number of
Shares of
Units of
Stock That
Have not
Vested (#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have not
Vested ($)
 

John D. Harkey, Jr.

    7,000       —         —       $ 3.76       4/20/2017      
    7,000       —         —       $ 3.79       8/8/2018      
    75,000       —         —       $ 0.93       5/15/2019      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.20       9/16/2020      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.53       9/19/2021      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    25,000       50,000 (2)      —       $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      —       $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

Timothy McInerney

    50,000       —         —       $ 0.27       3/1/2022       —         —    
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    25,000       50,000 (2)      —       $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      —       $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

Jacob M. Plotsker

    50,000       —         —       $ 0.27       3/1/2022       —         —    
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    25,000       50,000 (2)      —       $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      —       $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.

    7,000       —         —       $ 3.76       4/20/2017       —         —    
    7,000       —         —       $ 3.79       8/8/2018      
    75,000       —         —       $ 0.93       5/15/2019      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.20       9/16/2020      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.53       9/19/2021      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    25,000       50,000 (2)      —       $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      —       $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

 

10


    Option Awards     Stock Awards  
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive

Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
    Number of
Shares of
Units of
Stock That
Have not
Vested (#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have not
Vested ($)
 

Timothy G. Rothwell

    50,000       —         —       $ 0.70       11/5/2019       —         —    
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.20       9/16/2020      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.53       9/19/2021      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    175,000       —         —       $ 0.09       9/13/2022      
    40,000       —         $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    175,000       —         $ 0.18       9/13/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    175,000       —         —       $ 0.39       9/15/2024      
    58,333       116,667 (4)      $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    175,000         —       $ 0.60       9/14/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.

    7,000       —         —       $ 3.76       4/20/2017      
    7,000       —         —       $ 3.79       8/8/2018      
    75,000       —         —       $ 0.93       5/15/2019      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.20       9/16/2020      
    40,000       —         —       $ 1.53       9/19/2021      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.20       5/31/2022      
    40,000       —         —       $ 0.23       5/30/2023      
    26,666       13,334 (1)      —       $ 0.27       5/29/2024      
    25,000       50,000 (2)      —       $ 0.58       3/3/2025      
    13,333       26,667 (3)      —       $ 0.50       5/20/2025      
    —         40,000 (5)      —       $ 0.73       5/25/2026      

 

(1) 13,334 exercisable as of 5/29/2017

 

(2) 25,000 exercisable as of 3/3/2017 and 3/3/2018

 

(3) 13,333 exercisable as of 5/20/2017 and 13,334 exercisable as of 5/20/2018

 

(4) 58,333 exercisable as of 3/3/2017 and 58,334 as of 3/3/2018

 

(5) 13,333 exercisable as of 5/25/2017 13,333 exercisable as of 5/25/2018 13,334 exercisable as of 5/25/2019

 

11


SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY PLANS

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2016 about the common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options granted to employees, consultants or members of our Board of Directors under our existing equity compensation plans, including the 2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan. For a discussion of the material features of the Company’s equity compensation plans, please see Note 11 to the Financial Statements included in our 2016 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Plan Category

   (a)
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options
     (b)
Weighted
Average
Exercise

Price of
Outstanding
Options
     (c)
Number  of

Securities
Remaining

Available
for Future
Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans
(Excluding
Securities
Reflected

in Column
(a))
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

        

2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan

     6,386,833      $ 0.67        2,896,683  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,386,833      $ 0.67        2,896,683  

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

At the close of business on the Record Date, there were approximately 60,712,728 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The presence, either in person or by Proxy, of persons entitled to vote a majority of our outstanding Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Holders of Common Stock have one vote for each share on any matter that may be presented for consideration and action by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

 

12


COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND

PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 1, 2017, regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock by (i) each director; (ii) each named executive officer; (iii) all of our directors and named executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned by each director or Executive Officer is determined under the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has the sole or shared voting power (which includes power to vote, or direct the voting of, such security) or investment power (which includes power to dispose of, or direct the disposition of, such security). In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or convertible notes held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible into Common Stock or will become exercisable or convertible into common stock within 60 days after March 1, 2017 are deemed outstanding, while such shares are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, all persons named as beneficial owners of common stock have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned:

 

Name and Address(a)

   Common Shares
Beneficially Owned
(b)
    Common Shares
Underlying Options
and other
Derivative
Securities
    Percent
Of Class
 

Alan L. Rubino

     2,100,000       2,100,000       3.3

Michael R. Garone

     423,332       323,332       *  

Carl V. Sailer

     210,000       210,000       *  

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.

     89,664,078 (b)      71,180,415 (c)      68.0

Timothy G. Rothwell

     1,008,332       1,008,332       1.6

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.

     313,999       313,999       *  

John D. Harkey, Jr.

     313,999       313,999       *  

Timothy McInerney

     194,999       194,999       *  

Jacob M. Plotsker

     194,999       194,999       *  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

All directors and executive officers as a group

     94,423,738       75,840,075       72.9

 

* Less than 1%

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Emisphere Technologies, Inc., 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, New Jersey,

 

(b) The number of shares set forth for each Director and Executive Officer consists of direct and indirect ownership of shares, including stock options, deferred common share units, restricted stock and, in the case of Dr. Rachesky, shares of common stock that can be obtained upon conversion of convertible notes and exercise of warrants, as further described in footnotes (c) and (d) below.

 

(c) This number consists of:

 

   

18,483,663 shares of common stock.

 

   

48,868,640 shares of common stock that can be obtained upon conversion of notes convertible into the common stock of the Company.

 

   

21,997,776 shares of common stock that can be obtained upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Company.

 

13


   

313,999 shares of common stock that can be obtained by Dr. Rachesky upon the exercise of currently vested stock options and options that will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2017.

These securities (other than the 313,999 beneficially owned directly by Dr. Rachesky) are held for the accounts of MHR Capital Partners Master Account LP, an Anguilla, British West Indies limited partnership (“Master Account”), MHR Capital Partners (100) LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Capital Partners (100)”), MHR Institutional Partners II LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Institutional Partners II”) and MHR Institutional Partners IIA LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Institutional Partners IIA”). MHR Advisors LLC a Delaware limited liability company (“Advisors”) is the general partner of each of Master Account and Capital Partners (100) , and, in such capacity, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of, or beneficially owned by, each of Master Account and Capital Partners (100). MHRC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MHRC”) is the managing member of Advisors and, in such capacity, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of, or beneficially owned by, each of Master Account and Capital Partners (100). MHR Institutional Advisors II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Institutional Advisors II”) is the general partner of each of Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA, and, in such capacity, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of, or beneficially owned by, each of Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA. MHRC II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MHRC II”) is the managing member of Institutional Advisors II and, in such capacity, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of, or beneficially owned by, each of Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA. MHR Fund Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Fund Management”) is an affiliate of and has an investment management agreement with each of Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA, and other affiliated entities, pursuant to which it has the power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of the shares of common stock held by such entities and, accordingly, Fund Management may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the account of each of Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA. MHR Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”) is the managing member of Fund Management, and as such, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of each of Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA. Dr. Rachesky is the managing member of Holdings, MHRC and MHRC II, and as such, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held for the accounts of each of Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA.

 

(d) This number consists of (i) 48,868,640 shares of common stock that can be obtained by Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA upon the conversion of notes convertible into common stock of the Company, (ii) 21,997,776 shares of common stock that can be obtained by Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA upon exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, (iii) 313,999 shares of common stock that can be obtained by Dr. Rachesky upon the exercise of currently vested stock options and options that will vest within 60 days of March 1, 2017.

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial owners of more than five (5%) percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of March 31, 2017:

 

Name and Address

   Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
    Percent
Of Class(a)
 

Bai Ye Feng

     3,552,503 (b)     5.9

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.

     89,664,078 (c)     68.0

 

(a) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 60,712,728 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2017. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common Stock subject to options, warrants or convertible notes held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible into Common Stock or will become exercisable or convertible into Common Stock within 60 days after March 1, 2017, are deemed outstanding, while such shares are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of any other person.

 

14


(b) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 8, 2016 by Bai Ye Feng. Mr. Feng beneficially owns an aggregate of 3,552,503 shares of common stock, consisting of 3,303,503 shares of common stock held by Mr. Feng, and 249,000 shares of common stock owned of record by Lighthouse Consulting Limited, a Hong Kong company of which Mr. Feng is a principal and therefore may be deemed to be a beneficial holder of such shares. Mr. Feng’s address is 16A Li Dong Building, No.9 Li Yuen Street East, Central, Hong Kong.

 

(c) The address of Dr. Rachesky, Master Account, Advisors, Institutional Partners II, Institutional Partners IIA, Institutional Advisors II, MHRC LLC, MHRC II LLC, Fund Management, Capital Partners (100) and Holdings, to which we refer collectively as the MHR Investors, is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10105. For a description of the relationships between the MHR Investors, please refer to footnote “c” in the table under “Directors and Executive Officers” above.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee charter can be found on our website at www.emisphere.com. The contents of our website are not incorporated herein by reference and the website address provided in this annual report is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for the consideration of stock plans, performance goals and incentive awards, and the overall coverage and composition of the compensation arrangements related to executive officers. The Compensation Committee may delegate any of the foregoing duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee consisting of not less than two members of the committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain, at the expense of the Company, such outside counsel, experts and other advisors as deemed appropriate to assist it in the full performance of its functions. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is involved in making recommendations to the Compensation Committee for compensation of Executive Officers (except for himself) as well as recommending compensation levels for directors.

Our executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee, which is composed of non-employee independent directors, is responsible for reviewing with Company management and approving compensation policy and all forms of compensation for executive officers and directors in light of the Company’s current business environment and the Company’s strategic objectives. In addition, the Compensation Committee acts as the administrator of the Company’s stock option plans. The Compensation Committee’s practices include reviewing and establishing executive officers’ compensation to ensure that base pay and incentive compensation are competitive to attract and retain qualified executive officers, and to provide incentive systems reflecting both financial and operating performance, as well as an alignment with stockholder interests. These policies are based on the principle that total compensation should serve to attract and retain those executives critical to the overall success of Emisphere and should reward executives for their contributions to the enhancement of stockholder value.

The Compensation Committee oversees risk management as it relates to our compensation plans, policies and practices in connection with structuring our executive compensation programs and reviewing our incentive compensation programs for other employees. The committee considered risk when developing our compensation programs and believes that the design of our current compensation programs do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking. Our base salaries provide competitive fixed compensation, while annual cash bonuses and equity-based awards encourage long-term consideration rather than short-term risk taking.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis presented herein with the management of the Company. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Form 10-K and Proxy Statement of the Company.

The Members of the Compensation Committee

Dr. Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D. (Chairman)

Mr. Timothy McInerney

Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.

 

15


Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee has reviewed the relevant standards of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the SEC, and the corporate governance listing standards of the NASDAQ Listing Rules regarding committee policies. The Audit Committee charter can be found on our website at www.emisphere.com. The contents of our website are not incorporated herein by reference and the website address provided in this Proxy Statement is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Timothy McInerney, (chairman), Jacob M. Plotsker and Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.

All of the members of the Audit Committee meet the independence requirements under the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and regulations promulgated thereunder and the relevant NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Board of Directors has determined that the Company does not currently have an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, serving on the Audit Committee, as a result of the resignation of the previously designated audit committee financial expert from the Audit Committee.

On January 6, 2010, with the approval of the Audit Committee of the Company, the Company engaged RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP) (“RSM US”) to act as its independent registered public accounting firm. During the year ended December 31, 2009, and in the subsequent interim periods through December 31, 2016, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf had consulted with RSM US on any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2) of Regulation S-K.

Management has primary responsibility for the Company’s financial statements and the overall reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting. RSM US, the Company’s independent registered public accountants, audit the annual financial statements prepared by management, express an opinion as to whether those financial statements fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and report on internal control over financial reporting. RSM US reports to the Audit Committee as members of the Board of Directors and as representatives of the Company’s stockholders.

The Audit Committee meets with management periodically to consider the adequacy of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the objectivity of its financial reporting. The Audit Committee discusses these matters with the appropriate Company financial personnel. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussions with management concerning the process used to support certifications by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that are required by the SEC and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to accompany the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC.

On an as needed basis, the Audit Committee meets privately with RSM US. The Audit Committee also appoints the independent registered public accounting firm, approves in advance their engagements to perform audit and any non-audit services and the fee for such services, and periodically reviews their performance and independence from management. In addition, when appropriate, the Audit Committee discusses with RSM US plans for the audit partner rotation required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee assists the board in, among other things, monitoring and reviewing (i) our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and (iii) the independence, performance and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. Under the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee is required to make regular reports to the board.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviewed and assessed:

 

   

the quality and integrity of the annual audited financial statements with management, including issues relating to accounting and auditing principles and practices, as well as the adequacy of internal controls, and compliance with regulatory and legal requirements;

 

   

the qualifications and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

16


   

management’s, as well as the independent auditor’s, analysis regarding financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements, including those prepared quarterly and annually, prior to filing our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K.

The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements and has discussed them with both management and RSM US, the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by the applicable Auditing Standards as periodically amended (including significant accounting policies, alternative accounting treatments and estimates, judgments and uncertainties). In addition, the independent auditors provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee and the independent auditors have discussed the auditors’ independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in those written disclosures. The Audit Committee also received reports from RSM US regarding all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, any alternative treatments of financial information used, generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by RSM US and other material written communications between RSM US and management, including management letters and schedules of adjusted differences.

In making its decision to select RSM US as Emisphere’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017, the Audit Committee considered whether the non-audit services provided by RSM US are compatible with maintaining the independence of RSM US.

Based upon the review and discussions referenced above, the Audit Committee, as comprised at the time of the review and with the assistance of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and be filed with the SEC.

The Members of the Audit Committee

Mr. Timothy McInerney (Chairman)

Mr. Jacob M. Plotsker

Dr. Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.

 

17


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by RSM US LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and fees billed for other services rendered by RSM US during the respective periods.

 

     2016      2015  

Type of Fees

     

Audit Fees(1)

   $ 170,000      $ 275,000  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

     —        $ 8,954  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     170,000      $ 283,954  

 

(1) Audit fees for 2016 and 2015 were for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year and reviews of the Company’s quarterly financial statements included in its Form 10-Q filings. Audit fees for 2015 includes attestation services required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(2) Audit related fees are for services related to registration statements.

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit related services, tax services and other services. The Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, where pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. For each proposed service, the independent auditor is required to provide detailed communication at the time of approval. The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members, who must report same to the Committee members at the next meeting.

The Audit Committee intends to select RSM to serve as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

The discussion that follows outlines the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named executive officers of the Company including a review of the principal elements of compensation, the objectives of the Company’s compensation program, what the program is designed to reward and why and how each element of compensation is determined.

In general, the Company operates in a marketplace where competition for talented executives is significant. The Company is engaged in the long-term development of its technology and of drug candidates, without the benefit of significant current revenues, and therefore its operations require it to raise capital in order to continue its activities. Our operations entail special needs and risks and require that the Company attempt to implement programs that promote strong individual and group performance and retention of excellent employees. The Company’s compensation program for named executive officers consists of cash compensation as base salary, medical, basic life insurance, long term disability, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, and defined contribution retirement plans as well as long term equity incentives offered through stock option plans. This program is developed in part by benchmarking against other companies in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical sectors, as well as by the judgment and discretion of our Board of Directors.

Employee salaries are benchmarked against Radford survey information.

 

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Discussion and Analysis

Objectives of the compensation and reward program  — The biopharmaceutical marketplace is highly competitive and includes companies with far greater resources than ours. Our work involves the difficult, unpredictable, and often slow development of our technology and of drug candidates. Continuity of scientific knowledge, management skills, and relationships are often critical success factors to our business. The objectives of our compensation program for named executive officers is to provide competitive cash compensation, competitive health, welfare and defined contribution retirement benefits as well as long-term equity incentives that offer significant reward potential for the risks assumed and for each individual’s contribution to the long-term performance of the Company. Individual performance is measured against long-term strategic goals, short-term business goals, scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, new business development, development of employees, fostering of teamwork and other Emisphere values designed to build a culture of high performance. These policies and practices are based on the principle that total compensation should serve to attract and retain those executives critical to the overall success of Emisphere and are designed to reward executives for their contributions toward business performance that is designed to build and enhance stockholder value.

Elements of compensation and how they are determined  — The key elements of the executive compensation package are base salary (as determined by the competitive market and individual performance), cash bonuses (bonus terms are specified in employment agreements of Executive Officers. Bonus payment criteria are based on business performance objectives established by the Board and Leadership Team. Bonus payment awards are based on achievement of business performance objectives as evaluated by the Compensation Committee with input from the Chairman of the Board and paid at the discretion of the Compensation Committee), the executive long term disability plan and other health and welfare benefits and long-term incentive compensation in the form of periodic stock option grants. The base salary (excluding payment for accrued but unused vacation) for the named Executive Officers for the year ended December 31, 2016 ranged from $148,952 for its former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to $400,000 for its President and Chief Executive Officer. In determining the compensation for each named Executive Officer, the Company generally considers (i) data from outside studies and proxy materials regarding compensation of executive officers at companies believed to be comparable, (ii) the input of non-executive directors, the Chairman of the Board, and the President and Chief Executive Officer (other than for his own compensation) regarding individual performance of each named executive officer and (iii) qualitative measures of Emisphere’s performance, such as progress in the development of the Company’s technology, the engagement of corporate partners for the commercial development and marketing of products, effective corporate governance, fiscal responsibility, the success of Emisphere in raising funds necessary to conduct research and development, and the pace at which the Company continues to advance its technologies in various clinical trials. Our board of directors and Compensation Committee’s consideration of these factors is subjective and informal. However, in general, it has determined that the compensation for executive officers should be competitive with market data reflected within the 50th-75th percentile of biotechnology companies for corresponding senior executive positions. Compensation levels were derived from a compensation analysis conducted in 2014 and were based in part by information received from executive compensation consultants, Frederick W. Cook & Co., Inc. Compensable factors benchmarked include market capitalization, head count and location. When considering the compensation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company receives information and analysis prepared or secured by the Company’s outside executive compensation experts and survey data, as well as any additional outside information it may have available. In addition, the board of directors and Compensation Committee of the Company considered the approval by our stockholders, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers at our most recent annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2016, in determining that our executive compensation is in line with our competitive position in the marketplace and appropriately designed to reward executives for their contributions toward overall business performance that ultimately enhances stockholder value.

The compensation program also includes periodic awards of stock options. The stock option element is considered a long-term incentive that further aligns the interests of executives with those of our stockholders and rewards long-term performance and the element of risk. Stock option awards are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on its subjective assessment of the individual contribution of the executive to the attainment of short and long-term Company goals, such as collaborations with partners, attainment of successful

 

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milestones under such collaborations and other corporate developments which advance the progress of our technology and drug candidates. Stock option grants to named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2016 were made in accordance with the terms of their Employment Agreements described below in “ Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control ”, the Company’s policy with respect to stock options granted to executives is that grant prices should be equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, that employee stock options should generally vest over a three to five-year period and expire in ten years from date of grant, and that options previously granted at exercise prices higher than the current fair market value should not be re-priced. Once performance bonuses or awards are issued, there are currently no policies in place to reduce, restate or otherwise adjust awards if the relevant performance measures on which they are based are restated or adjusted. The Company has no policy to require its named executive officers to hold any specific equity interest in the Company. The Company does not offer its named executive officers any nonqualified deferred compensation, a defined benefit pension program or any post-retirement medical or other benefits.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provides that compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the Chief Executive Officer or to any of the other four most highly compensated executive officers of a publicly held company will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes, unless such compensation is paid pursuant to one of the enumerated exceptions set forth in Section 162(m). The Company’s primary objective in designing and administering its compensation policies is to support and encourage the achievement of the Company’s long-term strategic goals and to enhance stockholder value. In general, stock options granted under the Company’s 2000 Plan and 2007 Plan, and, if approved, future grants under Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, are intended to qualify under and comply with the “performance based compensation” exemption provided under Section 162(m) thus excluding from the Section 162(m) compensation limitation any income recognized by executives at the time of exercise of such stock options. Because salary and bonuses paid to our Chief Executive Officer and most highly compensated executive officers have been below the $1,000,000 threshold, the Compensation Committee has elected, at this time, to retain discretion over bonus payments, rather than to ensure that payments of salary and bonus in excess of $1,000,000 are deductible. The Compensation Committee intends to review periodically the potential impacts of Section 162(m) in structuring and administering the Company’s compensation programs.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards — 2016

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of plan-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2016:

 

     All Other  

Name

   Grant Date      Option Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
     Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
     Grant Date Fair
Value of Option
Awards
 

Michael R. Garone,

     1/14/2016        40,000      $ 0.64      $ 20,702  

    Former Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

           

 

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Name

   Number of
Shares
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
     Option
Exercise
Price ($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Alan L Rubino

     500,000        —         —        $ 0.09        9/13/2022  

President and

     500,000        —         —        $ 0.25        9/13/2022  

Chief Executive Officer

     500,000        —         —        $ 0.75        9/13/2022  
     500,000        —         —        $ 1.00        9/13/2022  
     100,000        200,000 (1)      —        $ 0.58        3/3/2025  

Michael R. Garone,

     75,000        —         —        $ 4.03        3/21/2017  

Former Vice President,

     20,000        —         —        $ 0.62        3/21/2017  

Chief Financial Officer,

     20,000        —         —        $ 1.25        3/21/2017  

and Corporate Secretary

     30,000        —         —        $ 0.92        3/21/2017  
     45,000        —         —        $ 0.20        3/21/2017  
     40,000        —         —        $ 0.14        3/21/2017  
     40,000        —         —        $ 0.20        3/21/2017  
     40,000        —         —        $ 0.36        3/21/2017  
     13,333        26,666 (2)      —        $ 0.58        N/A  
     —          40,000 (2)      —        $ 0.64        N/A  

Carl V. Sailer,

     40,000        —         —        $ 0.17        10/15/2022  

Vice President,

     40,000        —         —        $ 0.18        10/15/2023  

Sales and Marketing

     40,000          —        $ 0.32        10/15/2024  
     50,000        100,000 (3)      —        $ 0.58        3/3/2025  
     40,000        —         —        $ 0.59        10/15/2025  

 

(1) 100,000 exercisable as of March 3, 2017

100,000 exercisable as of March 3, 2018

 

(2) Forfeited due to resignation

 

(3) 50,000 exercisable as of March 3, 2017

50,000 exercisable as of March 3, 2018

Option Exercises and Stock Vested — 2016

There were no stock options exercised by named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2016. Options granted to Mr. Rubino to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.00 became fully vested and exercisable on September 13, 2016, in addition to options to purchase up to 100,000 shares at $0.58, which became fully vested and exercisable on March 3, 2016. Options granted to Mr. Garone to purchase up to 13,333 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.58 became fully vested on March 3, 2016. Options granted to Mr. Sailer to purchase up to 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.58 became fully vested on March 3, 2016, in addition to options to purchase up to 40,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.59, which became fully vested on October 15, 2016.

Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

Employment Agreement with Alan L. Rubino, President and Chief Executive Officer

On September 17, 2012, in connection with his appointment to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective September 13, 2012, Mr. Rubino entered into an Employment Agreement with the Company dated September 13, 2012 (the “Rubino Employment Agreement”), which provides as follows:

 

   

The initial term of the Rubino Employment Agreement was three years, and the agreement automatically renews for additional one-year terms unless either party provides notice of non-renewal to the other party at least six months prior to the end of any renewal term.

 

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The Rubino Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $400,000, with eligibility to receive an annual bonus of up to 50% of his base salary.

 

   

Pursuant to the Rubino Employment Agreement, Mr. Rubino received a qualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Rubino Option Shares”) in accordance with the Company’s 2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). A total of 500,000 Rubino Option Shares vested on January 1, 2014, and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on September 13, 2012, the date of the grant. A total of 500,000 Rubino Option Shares vested on September 13, 2014, and have an exercise price of $0.25 per share. A total of 500,000 Rubino Option Shares vested on September 13, 2015, and have an exercise price of $0.75 per share. The final 500,000 Rubino Option Shares vested on September 13, 2016, and have an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The vesting of the Rubino Option Shares is subject to Mr. Rubino’s continued employment with the Company, except in the event of his termination by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Rubino for Good Reason within 12 months of a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the Rubino Employment Agreement), in which case all of the Rubino Option Shares vest immediately and remain exercisable for the remainder of the originally scheduled term.

 

   

Pursuant to the Rubino Employment Agreement, upon termination by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Rubino for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Rubino Employment Agreement), subject to the delivery by Mr. Rubino’s of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Rubino is entitled to (i) severance payments equal to his base salary for 12 months, except in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Rubino for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the Rubino Employment Agreement), in which case Mr. Rubino is entitled to severance payments equal to his base salary for 18 months, (ii) prorated annual bonus payments that Mr. Rubino would have received but for his termination, (iii) prorated equity compensation that Mr. Rubino would have received but for his termination, and (iv) the cost of family health insurance coverage at the same rate as contributed by the Company prior to the termination until the earlier of twelve (12) months or loss of COBRA entitlement. In addition, in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Rubino for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the Rubino Employment Agreement), Mr. Rubino is entitled to the vesting of all stock option grants awarded pursuant to the terms of the Rubino Employment Agreement, regardless of date or condition of vesting.

Employment Agreement with Carl V. Sailer, Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

On October 15, 2012, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Sailer Employment Agreement”) with Carl V. Sailer, the Company’s Vice President, Marketing and Sales. The Sailer Employment Agreement provides as follows:

 

   

The initial term of the Sailer Employment Agreement was three years, and the agreement automatically renews for additional one-year terms unless either party provides notice of non-renewal to the other party at least six months prior to the commencement of any renewal terms.

 

   

The Sailer Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $255,000, with eligibility to receive an annual bonus of up to 45% of his base salary.

 

   

Pursuant to the Sailer Employment Agreement, upon termination by the Company without Cause, or by Mr. Sailer for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Sailer Employment Agreement), subject to the delivery by Mr. Sailer of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Sailer is entitled to (i) severance payments equal to his base salary for 6 months, except in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Sailer for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as defined in the Sailer Employment Agreement), in which case Mr. Sailer is entitled to severance payments equal to his base salary for 12 months, (ii) prorated annual bonus payments that Mr. Sailer would have received but for his termination, (iii) prorated equity compensation that Mr. Sailer would have received but for his termination, and (iv) the cost of family health insurance coverage at the

 

22


 

same rate as contributed by the Company prior to the termination until the earlier of twelve (12) months or loss of COBRA entitlement. In addition, in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Sailer for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the Sailer Employment Agreement), Mr. Sailer is entitled to the vesting of all stock option grants awarded pursuant to the terms of the Sailer Employment, regardless of date or condition of vesting.

Employment Agreement with Michael R. Garone, Former Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.

On January 14, 2013, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Garone Employment Agreement”) with Michael R. Garone, the Company’s former Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. The Garone Employment Agreement provides as follows:

 

   

The initial term of the Garone Employment Agreement was three years, and the agreement automatically renews for additional one-year terms unless either party provides notice of non-renewal to the other party at least six months prior to the commencement of any renewal term.

 

   

The Garone Employment Agreement provided for an annual base salary of $265,000, with eligibility to receive an annual bonus of up to 30% of his base salary.

 

   

Pursuant to the Garone Employment Agreement, upon termination by the Company without Cause, or by Mr. Garone for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Garone Employment Agreement), subject to the delivery by Mr. Garone of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Garone was entitled to (i) severance payments equal to his base salary for 6 months, except in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Garone for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as defined in the Garone Employment Agreement), in which case Mr. Garone was entitled to severance payments equal to his base salary for 12 months, (ii) prorated annual bonus payments that Mr. Garone would have received but for his termination, (iii) prorated equity compensation that Mr. Garone would have received but for his termination, and (iv) the cost of family health insurance coverage at the same rate as contributed by the Company prior to the termination until the earlier of twelve (12) months or loss of COBRA entitlement. In addition, in the case of termination by the Company without Cause or termination by Mr. Garone for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control (as such terms are defined in the Garone Employment Agreement), Mr. Garone was entitled to the vesting of all stock option grants awarded pursuant to the terms of the Garone Employment Agreement, regardless of date or condition of vesting.

Garone Separation Agreement

Mr. Garone resigned from the Company effective as of June 24, 2016. His unexercised, vested options were due to expire on September 25, 2016. On September 20, 2016 the Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Garone pursuant to which it agreed to extend the period of time during which any and all of his unexpired, vested and unexercised stock options may be exercisable to March 21, 2017.

Transactions with MHR

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D. is a director and member of the Company’s Compensation Committee and its Governance and Nominating Committee. Dr. Rachesky is also the managing member of (i) MHRC, the managing member of Advisors, which in turn is the general partner of Master Account and Capital Partners (100); (ii) MHRC II , the managing member of Institutional Advisors II, which is in turn the general partner of Institutional Partners II and Institutional Partners IIA; and (iii) MHR Holdings, the managing member of Fund Management (and, together with MHRC, MHRC II, MHR Holdings, Advisors, Institutional Advisors II, Master Account, Capital Partners 100, Institutional Partners II, and Institutional Partners IIA, “MHR”) which is an affiliate of and has an investment management agreement with Master Account, Capital Partners 100, Institutional Partners II, and Institutional Partners IIA.

 

23


On August 20, 2014, the Company entered into a series of agreements (the “Transaction Documents”) with Master Account, Capital Partners (100), Institutional Partners II, and Institutional Partners IIA, (collectively, the “Lenders”), for a new loan facility, an extension of the Company’s existing obligations under various promissory notes previously issued to the Lenders, and for payment by the Company of certain royalties to the Lenders (the “Transaction”). Currently, MHR owns approximately 30.5% of the common stock of the Company, and has the right, through various derivative securities and debt instruments, to an additional 33.0% of the Common Stock of the Company, and has $57.1 million in outstanding indebtedness.

In connection with the Transaction, a special committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), composed of independent directors, negotiated the terms of the Loan Agreement and restructuring with MHR and the transactions contemplated thereby with the advice of its legal and financial advisors, and the Loan Agreement and restructuring was unanimously approved by the disinterested members of the Board with the unanimous affirmative recommendation of the special committee. During 2016, a separate special committee of the Company’s Board, composed of independent directors, negotiated the terms of the Company’s existing indebtedness with MHR and the Development and License Agreement between the Company and Novo Nordisk AS, dated June 21, 2008, as amended, with the advice of its legal and financial advisors, the terms of which were unanimously approved by the disinterested members of the Board with the unanimous affirmative recommendation of the special committee. For a more detailed description of the Loan and restructuring transactions see Liquidity & Capital Resources and Note 7 of the Financial Statements in the 2016 Annual Report. For a more detailed description of the Loan and restructuring transactions see Liquidity & Capital Resources and Note 7 of the Financial Statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC require our directors, Executive Officers and persons who own more than 10% of common stock to file reports of their ownership and changes in ownership of common stock with the SEC. Our employees sometimes prepare these reports on the basis of information obtained from each director and Executive Officer. Based on written representations of the Company’s directors and Executive Officers and on confirmation that no Form 5 was required to be filed, we believe that all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to be filed by its directors, Executive Officers and greater than ten (10%) percent owners during the last fiscal year were filed on time.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION APPROVAL POLICY

In February 2007, our Board of Directors adopted a written related party transaction approval policy, which sets forth our Company’s policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of any transaction required to be reported in our filings with the SEC. The Company’s policy with regard to related party transactions is that all material transactions non-compensation related are to be reviewed by the Audit Committee for any possible conflicts of interest. The Compensation Committee will review all material transactions that are related to compensation. All related party transactions approved by either the Audit Committee or Compensation Committee shall be disclosed to the Board of Directors at the next meeting.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Item #1 on the Proxy Card)

Our Board of Directors is currently comprised of seven (7) members and is divided into three classes with staggered terms so that the term of one class expires at each annual meeting of stockholders.

Each of our Class III Director Nominees, Drs. Mark H. Rachesky and Michael Weiser, whose term is expiring at the Annual Meeting has been nominated by the Board of Directors for election at the Annual Meeting for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after his election and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

The Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted, unless authority is withheld, in favor of the Director Nominees. The Director Nominees have consented to be named and, if elected, to serve. In the event

 

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that a Director Nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the Proxies may be voted in the discretion of the persons acting pursuant to the Proxy for the election of other nominees. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

Voting

The Director Nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected as a director.

The Board of Directors deems the election of Drs. Mark H. Rachesky and Michael Weiser as directors for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election to be in the best interest of Emisphere and its stockholders and recommends a vote “FOR” their election.

Director and Executive Officer Information

Information regarding our director nominees, those directors serving unexpired terms and our current Executive Officers, as such term is defined in Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, all of whom are currently serving open-ended terms, including their respective ages, the year in which each first joined the Company and their principal occupations or employment during the past five years, is provided below:

 

Name

   Age      Year
Joined
Emisphere
    

Position with the Company

Alan L. Rubino

     62        2012      President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II Director

John D. Harkey, Jr.

     56        2006      Class I Director

Timothy McInerney

     56        2012      Class II Director

Jacob M. Plotsker

     49        2012      Class II Director

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.

     58        2005      Class III Director

Timothy G. Rothwell

     66        2009      Chairman of the Board of Directors, Class I Director

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D.

     54        2005      Class III Director

Alan L. Rubino joined Emisphere on September 13, 2012, as President and Chief Executive Officer and, in connection therewith, was appointed as a Class II Director of the Company. His career spans over 30 years at every level of the biopharmaceutical industry. From October 2010 until July 2012, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President of New American Therapeutics, Inc., where he and his team presided over a venture that was focused on the acquisition, marketing, and ultimate sale of Denavir, a leading Rx topical therapeutic for HSV-1 cold sore treatment. From February 2008 to September 2010, Mr. Rubino was CEO and President of Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, where he acquired two Rx launch products, NitroMist and Tirosint, which are actively marketed and in growth phases today. Prior to 2008, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Pharmos Corporation, which was a development-stage publicly-held firm, where he led the transformation of the company through the acquisition of Vela Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Rubino also spent four years in senior executive leadership positions on the strategic services side at both Cardinal Health and PDI, Inc., both public companies that provided high-level outsourcing offerings to the pharmaceutical industry. A major portion of Mr. Rubino’s career includes twenty-four years spent at Hoffmann-La Roche, where he served as a corporate officer and member of the US Executive Committee and held a variety of key senior executive positions with broad general management responsibilities leading major business units and operations, marketing, business development, alliance management, human resources, and supply chain/manufacturing. At Hoffmann-La Roche, Mr. Rubino led many key top level executive initiatives and presided over numerous commercial product launches across a spectrum of therapeutic areas, including the introduction of the world’s first biological product in Roferon-A [alfa-interferon 2a]. Currently, Mr. Rubino serves on the Boards of Directors of Aastrom Biosciences (NASDAQ: ASTM) and is Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and on the Board of Directors of SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (SNWV: OTC BB), Vericel Corporation (NASDAQ: VCEL) and Genisphere, Inc., and serves on the Rutgers Business School Board of Advisors.

 

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Timothy G. Rothwell has been a director of the Company since November 2009 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since September 2012. Mr. Rothwell is the former Chairman of Sanofi-Aventis U.S., a pharmaceutical company. From February 2007 to October 2009, Mr. Rothwell served as Chairman of Sanofi-Aventis U.S. From September 2004 to February 2007, Mr. Rothwell was President and Chief Executive Officer of that company, overseeing all domestic commercial operations as well as coordination of Industrial Affairs and Research and Development activities. From May 2003 to September 2004, Mr. Rothwell was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc. and was instrumental in the formation of Sanofi-Aventis U.S. in 2004. Prior to that, from January 1998 to May 2003, he served in various capacities at Pharmacia, a pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Company, including as President of the company’s Global Prescription Business. From January 1995 to January 1998, Mr. Rothwell served as worldwide President of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals and President of the company’s Global Pharmaceutical Operations. In his long career, Mr. Rothwell has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Vice President, Global Marketing and Sales at Burroughs Wellcome, and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the U.S. for Squibb Corporation. Mr. Rothwell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Drew University and earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University. He formerly served on the PhRMA Board of Directors, as well as the Institute of Medicine’s Evidence-Based Medicine roundtable, the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Advisory Board, the Board of Trustees for the Somerset Medical Center Foundation, the Board of Trustees for the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, as a Trustee of the Corporate Council for America’s Children at the Children’s Health Fund, the Board of Directors of Agenus (NASDAQ: AGEN), the Board of Directors of New American Therapeutics, on the Board of Visitors for Seton Hall Law School, and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Archimedes Pharma Ltd and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the PheoPara Alliance, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Mr. Rothwell’s broad business and leadership experiences in the pharmaceutical industry and his affiliations with industry, educational and healthcare related organizations make him an asset to our Board of Directors. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Rothwell is extremely conscientious and diligent in keeping the other directors abreast of current operational and oversight issues we face.

John D. Harkey, Jr. has over 25 years of experience as a private investor concentrating in the acquisition, consolidation and management of both public and private companies and has served on our Board of Directors since 2006. He has merged, acquired and/or operated companies in a variety of industries including oil and gas, petrochemical services, telecommunications, restaurants, real estate, and software development. He is formerly the Chairman of the Board of Regency Gas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:RGP) has served on the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Equity, LP (NYSE: ETE), which specializes in the storage and transportation of natural gas, and Energy Transfer Partners, LP (NYSE: ETP), which operates energy assets. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:LORL), a satellite communications company, and on the Board of Directors of the Baylor Health Care System Foundation. He formerly served on Board of Directors of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), which was recently acquired by AT&T for $4.1 billion. He is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc., a restaurant operating company. He also serves on the President’s Development Council of Howard Payne University, the Executive Board of Circle Ten Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the CEO Advisory Board of Dallas Arboretum, is a member of the World President’s Organization, and serves on the University of Texas System Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee. Mr. Harkey obtained a B.B.A. in Business Honors and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and a M.B.A. from Stanford University School of Business. Mr. Harkey’s entrepreneurial background and his business and leadership experiences in a range of different industries make him an asset to our Board of Directors.

Timothy McInerney has been a Director of the Company since March 2012. Mr. McInerney is a principal at Two River and a Partner of Riverbank Capital Securities, Inc. From 1992 to March 2007, Mr. McInerney was a Managing Director of Paramount BioCapital, Inc. where he oversaw the overall distribution of Paramount’s private equity product. Prior to 1992, Mr. McInerney was a research analyst focusing on the biotechnology industry at Ladenburg, Thalman & Co. Prior to that, Mr. McInerney held equity sales positions at Bear Stearns & Co. and Shearson Lehman Brothers, Inc. Mr. McInerney also worked in sales and marketing for Bristol-Myers Squibb. Mr. McInerney currently serves on the boards of Emisphere Technologies (NASD:EMIS) and Edgemont Pharmaceuticals. Mr. McInerney also previously served on the boards of Insite Vision, (NASD: INSV), from

 

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2008-2015 (served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2011-2015; Insite Vision was acquired by Sun Pharmaceuticals in November, 2015), and Ziopharm Oncology from 2005 — June, 2015 (NASD: ZIOP). Mr. McInerney received his B.S. in pharmacy from St. John’s University at New York. He also completed a post-graduate residency at the New York University Medical Center in drug information systems. Mr. McInerney’s knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and capital markets, and affiliations with the financial community make him an asset to our Board of Directors.

Jacob Plotsker has been a director of the Company since March 2012. Mr. Plotsker is currently President of Cambridge Sage Group, LLC, a strategic consulting firm focused on the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Plotsker was previously Head of Commercialization at ODH, Inc. (an Otsuka Company). Prior to joining ODH in 2015 he served as Director of IUS Strategy and Life Cycle Management at Bayer HealthCare. From 2009 through 2012, Mr. Plotsker served as Senior Director, Commercial Operations and Head of Marketing for Teva Pharmaceuticals Women’s Health Division. Prior to joining Teva, Mr. Plotsker was Senior Director, US and Global Marketing at Schering-Plough Corp (previously Organon BioSciences prior to being acquired by Schering-Plough Corp, which was subsequently acquired by Merck & Co., Inc.) where he was responsible for commercialization of marketed brands and launch strategy for brands in development. From 1990 to 2006, Mr. Plotsker served in various Finance and Marketing roles at Pfizer, Inc. including Director/Team Leader of the company’s Antifungal Franchise. From 1989 to 1990, Mr. Plotsker was an Accountant at Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Plotsker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting & Information Systems from Queens College of the City University of New York, a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from New York University — Stern School of Business, and completed the Executive Development Program in General Management at the University of Chicago — Booth School of Business. From 2008 to 2014 Mr. Plotsker served on the Board of Directors of Sharsheret, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing support and resources to young women living with breast cancer, and served as President from 2009 through 2012. Mr. Plotsker’s experiences in marketing and product commercialization in the pharmaceutical industry, and his affiliations with industry and healthcare related organizations make him an asset to our Board of Directors.

Mark H. Rachesky, M.D. has been a director of the Company since 2005. Dr. Rachesky is the President of MHR Fund Management LLC an investment manager of various private investment funds that invest in inefficient market sectors, including special situation equities and distressed investments. Dr. Rachesky is currently the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Loral Space & Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:LORL), and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF), and also serves on the Board of Directors of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE:NAV), and Titan International, Inc. (NYSE:TWI). He formerly served on the Board of Directors of Neose Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTEC) and of Nationshealth, Inc. (formerly quoted on OTCBB: NHRX). Dr. Rachesky was a Director of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP) until Leap Wireless International, Inc. merged with AT&T. Dr. Rachesky is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford University School of Business. Dr. Rachesky graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Molecular Aspects of Cancer. Dr. Rachesky’s extensive investing and financial background, his thorough knowledge of capital markets and his training as a physician, make him an asset to our Board of Directors.

Michael Weiser, M.D., Ph.D. has been a director of the Company since 2005. Dr. Weiser is currently founder and co-chairman of Actin Biomed, a New York based healthcare investment firm advancing the discovery and development of novel treatments for unmet medical needs. Prior to joining Actin Biomed, Dr. Weiser was the Director of Research at Paramount BioCapital where he was responsible for the scientific, medical and financial evaluation of biomedical technologies and pharmaceutical products under consideration for development. Dr. Weiser completed his Ph.D. in Molecular Neurobiology at Cornell University Medical College and received his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine. He performed his post-graduate medical training in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Weiser also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience at New York University School of Medicine and received his B.A. in Psychology from University of Vermont. Dr. Weiser is a member of The National Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. In addition, Dr. Weiser has received awards for both academic and professional excellence and is published extensively in both medical and

 

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scientific journals. Dr. Weiser currently serves on the board of directors of Chelsea Therapeutics International, (NASDAQ: CHTP), and Ziopharm Oncology, Inc., (NASDAQ: ZIOP), as well as several privately held companies. Dr. Weiser formerly served on the Board of Directors of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (OTCBB: TGTX), Hana Biosciences, Inc., (currently known as Talon Therapeutics, Inc., OTCBB: TLON.OB), and Vioquest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (VOQP: OTC US). Dr. Weiser has an M.D. and a Ph.D., and his scientific, business and financial experiences, as well as his knowledge of the healthcare industry, capital markets, pharmaceutical products and biomedical technology development make him an asset to our Board of Directors.

PROPOSAL NO. 2: ADVISORY APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

(Item #2 on the Proxy Card)

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive pay program through the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers.”

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of shares present, in person or represented by Proxy, and voting on the approval of the executive compensation at our annual meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are included in the number of shares present or represented for purposes of quorum, but are not considered as shares voting or as votes cast with respect to any matter presented at the annual meeting. As a result, abstentions and broker “non-votes” will not have any effect on the proposal to approve executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

Recommendation of the Board

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of this resolution.

PROPOSAL NO. 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

(Item #3 on the Proxy Card)

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are seeking advisory stockholder approval of the frequency of advisory stockholder votes on compensation of the named executive officers through the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve that an advisory resolution with respect to executive compensation should be presented to the stockholders every year.

The Board believes that current best corporate practices and governance trends favor an annual advisory vote and has determined to hold an annual advisory vote. This would give stockholders the opportunity to react

 

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promptly to emerging trends in compensation, and the Board and the Human Capital and Compensation Committee the opportunity to evaluate compensation decisions in light of yearly feedback from stockholders.

This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-frequency” proposal, gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive pay program.

Recommendation of the Board

Our Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” holding an advisory vote on the frequency of the vote on executive compensation every “1 YEAR.”

PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.’S 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(Item #4 on the Proxy Card)

Introduction

At the Annual Meeting, we will ask stockholders to approve Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), which was approved by the Board of Directors on April 12, 2017. The Board and its Compensation Committee approved the 2017 Plan to help us:

 

   

Attract, retain, motivate and reward officers, employees, directors, consultants and other service providers to Emisphere and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

   

Provide equitable and competitive compensation opportunities.

 

   

Recognize individual contributions and reward achievement of our goals.

 

   

Promote creation of long-term value for stockholders by closely aligning the interests of participants with the interests of stockholders.

The Board and the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) believe that awards linked to common stock and awards with terms tied to our performance can provide incentives for the achievement of important performance objectives and promote the long-term success of Emisphere. Therefore, they view the 2017 Plan as a key element of our overall compensation program.

The 2017 Plan, if approved by stockholders, would replace the 2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which will expire on April 20, 2017. The 2017 Plan would make 1,000,000 new shares of common stock available for equity awards, representing approximately 1.6% of the shares outstanding at March 31, 2017. The 2017 Plan would replace the current 2007 Plan, and therefore approximately 2.9 million shares that remain available under the 2007 Plan (as of March 31, 2017) would be cancelled. We also are seeking approval for shares to be reserved so that the 2017 Plan can meet our needs for the near future.

If the 2017 Plan is approved, no new awards would be granted under the 2007 Plan. However, the Compensation Committee retains full authority regarding outstanding awards under those preexisting plans.

Overview of 2017 Plan Awards

The 2017 Plan authorizes a broad range of awards, including:

 

   

stock options,

 

   

stock appreciation rights,

 

   

restricted stock,

 

   

performance shares or other stock-based performance awards, and

 

   

cash-based performance awards.

 

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Vote Required for Approval

Approval of the 2017 Plan will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock of the Company present, or represented, and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting. The Board considers the 2017 Plan to be in the best interests of Emisphere and our stockholders and therefore recommends that the stockholders vote to approve the 2017 Plan at the Annual Meeting.

Reasons for Stockholder Approval

We Have Limited Capacity to Make Awards under our 2007 Plan.  Our 2007 Plan expires on April 20, 2017. Accordingly, we have no meaningful way to provide tailored equity-based compensation grants to retain and reward, and to the extent necessary, to attract qualified personnel and management. Once the 2017 Plan is approved by our stockholders, we will discontinue making any grants under the 2007 Plan.

Our Competitors Offer Equity-Based Compensation. The substantial majority of institutions with which we compete have the ability to attract and retain employees and management with equity-based compensation programs. Without the 2017 Plan, we would be at a significant disadvantage.

Description of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan

On April 12, 2017, our board of directors adopted the 2017 Plan having substantially the terms described herein.

The general purpose of the 2017 Plan is to provide a means whereby eligible employees, officers, non-employee directors and other individual service providers develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in our development and financial success, and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to our business, thereby advancing our interests and the interests of our stockholders. By means of the 2017 Plan, we seek to retain the services of such eligible persons and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success and the success of our subsidiaries.

Summary

The following is a summary description of the principal terms of the 2017 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2017 Plan.

Administration . The 2017 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant options to purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units, performance shares, performance units, incentive bonus awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The Compensation Committee also has authority to determine the terms and conditions of each award, prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2017 Plan, and amend the terms of awards in any manner not inconsistent with the 2017 Plan (provided that no amendment may adversely affect the rights of a participant without his or her consent), including authority to reduce or reprice the exercise price of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights. The Compensation Committee is permitted to delegate to officers and employees authority to grant options and other awards to employees (other than themselves), subject to applicable law and restrictions in the 2017 Plan. No award will be granted under the 2017 Plan on or after the ten year anniversary of the adoption of the 2017 Plan by our board of directors, but awards granted prior to the ten year anniversary may extend beyond that date.

Eligibility . Persons who are eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Plan include any person who is an employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any subsidiary, or any person who is determined by the Compensation Committee to be a prospective employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any subsidiary.

Shares Subject to the 2017 Plan . The aggregate number of shares of our common stock that are available for issuance in connection with options and awards to be granted under the 2017 Plan is 1,000,000. Incentive stock options may, but need not be, granted with respect to all of the shares available for issuance under the 2017 Plan. If any award granted under the 2017 Plan payable in shares of our common stock is forfeited, cancelled, returned

 

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for failure to satisfy vesting requirements, is otherwise forfeited, otherwise terminates without payment being made, or if shares of our common stock are surrendered in full or partial payment of the exercise price or withheld to cover withholding taxes on options or other awards, the number of shares of our common stock as to which such option or award was forfeited, or which were surrendered or withheld, will be available for future grants under the 2017 Plan.

In addition, the 2017 Plan contains an “evergreen” provision allowing for an annual increase, on January 1 of each year during the term of the 2017 Plan, in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2017 Plan. The annual increase in the number of shares shall be equal to six percent (6%) of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year; provided, however, that our board of directors may act prior to the first day of any calendar year to provide that there shall be no increase such calendar year, or that the increase shall be a lesser number of shares of our common stock than would otherwise occur.

Terms and Conditions of Options . Options granted under the 2017 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or “nonqualified stock options” that do not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 2017 Plan. The exercise price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant (or 110% of fair market value in the case of incentive stock options granted to a ten-percent stockholder).

If on the date of grant our common stock is listed on a stock exchange or national market system, the fair market value will generally be the closing sale price on the date of grant. If our common stock is not traded on a stock exchange or national market system on the date of grant, the fair market value will generally be the average of the closing bid and asked prices for our common stock on the date of grant. If no such prices are available, the fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date for which fair market value is determined is the date on which the final prospectus relating to an initial public offering of the Company is filed, the fair market value for such date will be the “Price to the Public” (or equivalent) set forth on the cover page for the final prospectus.

No option will be exercisable for more than ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a ten-percent stockholder). Options granted under the 2017 Plan will be exercisable at such time or times as the Compensation Committee prescribes at the time of grant. No employee may receive incentive stock options that first become exercisable in any calendar year in an amount exceeding $100,000. The Compensation Committee has authority, in its discretion, to permit a holder of a nonqualified stock option to exercise the option before it has otherwise become exercisable, in which case the shares of our common stock issued to the recipient will be restricted stock subject to vesting requirements analogous to those that applied to the option before exercise.

Generally, the exercise price of an option is payable (a) in cash or by certified bank check, (b) through delivery of shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to the purchase price, or (c) such other method as approved by the Compensation Committee and set forth in an award agreement. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to establish a cashless exercise program and to permit the exercise price to be satisfied by reducing from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the exercise price.

No option will be transferrable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during a recipient’s lifetime an option will be exercisable only by the recipient. However, the Compensation Committee is authorized to permit the holder of nonqualified stock options, share-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares or other share-settled stock based awards to transfer the option, right or other award to immediate family members, to a trust for estate planning purposes, or by gift to charitable institutions. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the extent to which a holder of a stock option may exercise the option following termination of service with us.

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights . The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) independent of or in connection with an option. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to determine the other terms applicable to SARs. The base price of a SAR will be determined by the Compensation Committee, but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of any SAR granted under the 2017 Plan will be ten years from the date of grant. Generally, each SAR will entitle a participant upon exercise to an amount equal to:

 

   

the excess of the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of our common stock over the base price, multiplied by

 

   

the number of shares of our common stock as to which the SAR is exercised.

Payment may be made in shares of our common stock, in cash, or partly in shares of our common stock and partly in cash, all as determined by the Compensation Committee.

Restricted Stock and Stock Units . The Compensation Committee is authorized to award restricted common stock and/or stock units under the 2017 Plan. Restricted stock awards consist of shares of stock that are transferred to a participant subject to restrictions that may result in forfeiture if specified conditions are not satisfied. Stock units confer the right to receive shares of our common stock, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at a future date upon or following the attainment of such conditions as may be specified by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is authorized to determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of restricted stock or stock units, which may include performance-based conditions. The 2017 Plan provides that dividends with respect to restricted stock may be paid to the holder of the shares as and when dividends are paid to stockholders or at the time that the restricted stock vests, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Dividend equivalent amounts under the 2017 Plan may also be paid with respect to stock units, and are subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the stock units with respect to which they were paid. Unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, holders of restricted stock have the right to vote the shares.

Performance Shares and Performance Units . The Compensation Committee is authorized to award performance shares and/or performance units under the 2017 Plan. Performance shares and performance units are awards, denominated in either shares or U.S. dollars, which are earned during a specified performance period subject to the attainment of performance criteria, as established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award of performance shares and performance units.

Incentive Bonus Awards . The Compensation Committee is authorized to award incentive bonus awards payable in cash or shares of our common stock, as set forth in an award agreement. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to each incentive bonus award.

Other Stock-Based and Cash-Based Awards . The Compensation Committee is authorized to award other types of equity-based or cash-based awards under the 2017 Plan, including the grant or offer for sale of shares of our common stock that do not have vesting requirements and the right to receive one or more cash payments subject to satisfaction of such conditions as the Compensation Committee may impose.

Section 162(m) Compliance. If stock or cash-based awards are intended to satisfy the conditions for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code as “performance-based compensation,” the performance criteria will be selected from among the following performance criteria, which may be applied to our Company as a whole, or to any subsidiary or any division or operating unit thereof: (a) pre-tax income; (b) after-tax income; (c) net income; (d) operating income or profit; (e) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital; (f) earnings per share (basic or diluted); (g) return on equity; (h) returns on sales or revenues; (i) return on invested capital or assets (gross or net); (j) cash, funds or earnings available for distribution; (k) appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock; (l) operating expenses; (m) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (n) return on investment; (o) total return to stockholders (meaning the aggregate common stock price appreciation and dividends paid (assuming full reinvestment of dividends) during the applicable period); (p) net earnings growth; (q) return measures (including but not limited to return on assets, capital, equity, or sales); (r) increase in rev-

 

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enues; (s) the Company’s published ranking against its peer group of companies based on total stockholder return; (t) net earnings; (u) changes (or the absence of changes) in the per share price of the Company’s common stock; (v) preclinical, clinical or regulatory milestones; (w) earnings before or after any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period; (x) total revenue growth (meaning the increase in total revenues after the date of grant of an award and during the applicable period, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period); (y) economic value created; (z) operating margin or profit margin; (aa) share price or total stockholder return; (bb) cost targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies; (cc) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting objectively determinable criteria: specified market penetration, geographic business expansion, investor satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and similar transactions, and budget comparisons; (dd) objectively determinable personal or professional objectives, including any of the following performance goals: the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions; and (ee) any combination of, or a specified increase or improvement in, any of the foregoing.

At the end of the performance period established in connection with any award, the Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which the performance goal or goals established for such award have been attained, and will determine, on that basis, the shares or, if applicable, the cash or other property that has been earned and as to which payment will be made. The Compensation Committee will certify in writing the extent to which it has determined that the performance goal or goals established by it for such award have been attained.

The maximum number of shares of our common stock with respect to which any one participant may be granted stock options or stock appreciation rights during any calendar year is 1,500,000 shares. With respect to awards intended to be exempt from the deductibility limitation in Section 162(m) of the Code (other than stock options and stock appreciation rights), (i) the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be paid to any one individual in respect of any calendar year if the applicable performance goals are attained is 1,500,000 shares, and (ii) the maximum cash amount that may be paid to any one participant in respect of any calendar year if the applicable performance goals are attained is $1,000,000. Each such maximum number of shares is subject to adjustment in the event of a recapitalization, stock split, merger, reorganization or similar corporate change affecting our common stock. If the performance period for certain performance goals spans more than one calendar year, the shares or cash paid in respect of each calendar year is determined by pro rating the shares or cash paid for the performance period based on the number of performance period days that fall in each respective calendar year.

Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions . The Compensation Committee has the authority to provide, at the time of the grant of an award, for the effect of a change in control (as defined in the 2017 Plan) on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation Committee, or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to an award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of participants following a change in control. The Compensation Committee has the authority, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, to also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, stock units, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control, and cancel any option or stock appreciation right without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; or (g) make such

 

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other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

Amendment, Termination . The Compensation Committee has the authority to amend the terms of awards in any manner not inconsistent with the 2017 Plan, provided that no amendment shall adversely affect the rights of a participant with respect to an outstanding award without the participant’s consent. In addition, our board of directors has the authority, at any time, to amend, suspend, or terminate the 2017 Plan, provided that (i) no such amendment, suspension or termination materially and adversely affects the rights of any participant under any outstanding award without the consent of such participant and (ii) to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the 2017 Plan requires us to obtain stockholder consent. Stockholder approval is required for any plan amendment that increases the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2017 Plan or changes the persons or classes of persons eligible to receive awards.

Tax Withholding

As and when appropriate, we shall have the right to require each optionee purchasing shares of our common stock and each grantee receiving an award of shares of our common stock under the 2017 Plan to pay any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld.

If stockholders decline to approve the 2017 Plan, no awards will be granted under the 2017 Plan.

Recommendation of the Board

Our Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” approval of the 2017 Plan.

PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

(Item #5 on the Proxy Card)

The Audit Committee has selected the firm of RSM US LLP, formerly McGladrey LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to serve as auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. RSM US LLP has served as the Company’s auditors since the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company expects that representatives from RSM US LLP (the “Representatives”) will be present at the Annual Meeting, that the Representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and that the Representatives will be available to respond to appropriate questions. An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or represented by proxy, and voting at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the selection of RSM US LLP as auditors.

This proposal is non-binding. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, but reserves the right to retain RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Recommendation of the Board

Our Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal.

PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS FOR 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for stockholder action, including stockholder nominees for election to the Board of Directors, at our annual stockholder meetings. To be considered for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement, stockholder proposals, including stockholder nominees for election to the Board of Directors, must be received by us at our principal executive office no later than December 15, 2017.

 

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For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement (as described in the preceding paragraph), but is instead sought to be presented directly at next year’s annual stockholder meeting (the “2018 Annual Meeting”), the stockholder must also give Emisphere written notice of the proposal. Our By-Laws provide that in order to be timely, a stockholders’ notice must be received by Emisphere at the principal executive offices not less than 30 days or more than 60 days prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Notice of intention to present proposals at the 2018 Annual Meeting should be addressed to: Corporate Secretary, Emisphere Technologies, Inc., 4 Becker Farm Road, Suite 103, Roseland, NJ, 07068.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the meeting. However, if any other business properly comes before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed Proxy to vote on such matters in their discretion.

The prompt return of your Proxy will be appreciated and helpful in obtaining the necessary vote. Therefore, whether or not you intend to attend the meeting, please vote your shares by internet, by phone, or by signing the Proxy and returning it in the enclosed envelope.

By order of the Board of Directors

Alan L. Rubino

Secretary

 

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EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Establishment and Purpose

1.1 The purpose of the Emisphere Technologies, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide a means whereby eligible employees, officers, non-employee directors and other individual service providers develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to the business of the Company, thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of such eligible persons and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

1.2 The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Incentive Bonus Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. This Plan shall become effective upon the date set forth in Section 18.1 hereof.

2. Definitions

Wherever the following capitalized terms are used in the Plan, they shall have the meanings specified below:

2.1 “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person.

2.2 “ Applicable Law ” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards or equity compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction that applies to Awards.

2.3 “ Award ” means an award of a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Incentive Bonus Award, Other Cash-Based Award and/or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.

2.4 “ Award Agreement ” means either (i) a written or electronic agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award including any amendment or modification thereof, or (ii) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and need not be identical.

2.5 “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.6 “ Cause ” means (i) conviction of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any other crime that causes the Company or its Affiliates public disgrace or disrepute, or materially and adversely affects the Company’s or its Affiliates’ operations or financial performance or the relationship the Company has with its customers, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including, without limitation fraud, embezzlement, theft or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment; (iii) refusal to perform any lawful, material obligation or fulfill any duty (other than any duty or obligation of the type described in clause (v) below) to the Company or its Affiliates (other than due to a Disability), which refusal, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after delivery of written notice thereof; (iv) material breach of any agreement with or duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, which breach, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after the delivery of written notice thereof; or (v) any breach of any obligation or duty to the Company or any of its Affiliates (whether arising by statute, common law or agreement) relating to confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or proprietary rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its

 

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Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “cause,” then with respect to such Participant, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in that employment agreement, consulting agreement or other agreement.

2.7 “ Change in Control ” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any one of the following events:

(i) any “person,” including a “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding the Company, any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any such entity, and, with respect to any particular Participant, the Participant and any “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of which the Participant is a member), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either (A) the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or (B) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (in either such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or

(ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate 50% or more of the combined voting power of the securities of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any); or

(iii) there shall occur (A) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by “persons” (as defined above) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) the approval by stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(iv) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any Director whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board then still in office who were members of the Board at the beginning of such 24-calendar-month period, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no event or condition shall constitute a Change in Control to the extent that, if it were, a 20% tax would be imposed under Section 409A of the Code; provided that, in such a case, the event or condition shall continue to constitute a Change in Control to the maximum extent possible (e.g., if applicable, in respect of vesting without an acceleration of distribution) without causing the imposition of such 20% tax.

2.8 “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision.

2.9 “ Committee ” means the committee of the Board delegated with the authority to administer the Plan, or the full Board, as provided in Section 3 of the Plan. With respect to any decision involving an Award intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Company who are “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. With respect to any decision relating to a Reporting Person, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more directors who are disinterested within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision. The fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under any of these requirements shall not invalidate an Award if the Award is otherwise validly made under the Plan. The Board

 

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may at any time appoint additional members to the Committee, remove and replace members of the Committee with or without cause, and fill vacancies on the Committee however caused.

2.10 “ Common Stock ” means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

2.11 “ Company ” means Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Section 16.8.

2.12 “ Continuous Service ” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an employee, Director or consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an employee, Director or consultant or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an employee of the Company to a consultant of an Affiliate or to a director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s (or an Affiliate’s) leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. Unless the Committee provides otherwise, in its discretion, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, vesting of Options shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence by a Participant.

2.13 “ Control ” means, as to any Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, or the power to appoint directors of the Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise (the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ” shall have correlative meanings).

2.14 “ Date of Grant ” means the date on which an Award under the Plan is granted by the Committee, or such later date as the Committee may specify to be the effective date of an Award.

2.15 “ Disability ” means a Participant being considered “disabled” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(4), as well as any successor regulation or interpretation.

2.16 “ Effective Date ” means the date set forth in Section 18.1 hereof.

2.17 “ Eligible Person ” means any person who is an employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any person who is determined by the Committee to be a prospective employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary.

2.18 “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.19 “ Fair Market Value ” of a share of Common Stock shall be, as applied to a specific date (i) the closing price of a share of Common Stock as of such date on the principal established stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is then traded (or, if there is no trading in the Common Stock as of such date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the most recent date preceding such date on which trades of the Common Stock were recorded), or (ii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then traded on an established stock exchange or national market system but are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock in such over-the-counter market as of such date (or, if there are no closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Common Stock as of such date, the average of the closing bid and the asked prices for the shares of Common Stock on the most recent date preceding such date on which such closing bid and asked prices are available on such over-the-counter market), or (iii) if the shares of Common Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or national market system or traded in an

 

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over-the-counter market, the price of a share of Common Stock as determined by the Committee in its discretion in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv), as well as any successor regulation or interpretation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the date on which the final prospectus relating to the Company’s Initial Public Offering is filed, the Fair Market Value shall be the “Price to the Public” (or equivalent) set forth on the cover page for the final prospectus relating to the Company’s Initial Public Offering.

2.20 “ Fully Diluted ” means, as applied to a specific date, the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of such date plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, stock options and other awards exercisable for (or convertible into) Common Stock under an equity compensation plan of the Company, as well as upon the exercise of outstanding warrants that are not part of any equity compensation plan, but excluding shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of any convertible notes.

2.21 “ Incentive Bonus Award ” means an Award granted under Section 12 of the Plan.

2.22 “ Incentive Stock Option ” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.23 “ Initial Public Offering ” means the consummation of the first underwritten, firm commitment public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the offer and sale by the Company of its equity securities, or such other event as a result of or following which the Common Stock shall be publicly held.

2.24 “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.25 “ Other Cash-Based Award ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 13 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a cash payment at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.26 “ Other Stock-Based Award ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 13 representing a notional unit interest equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.27 “ Participant ” means any Eligible Person who holds an outstanding Award.

2.28 “ Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, trust, corporation, limited liability company or other similar entity. When two or more Persons act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of Common Stock, such partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or group shall be deemed a “Person”

2.29 “ Performance Goals ” shall mean performance goals established by the Committee as contingencies for the grant, exercise, vesting, distribution, payment and/or settlement, as applicable, of Awards.

2.30 “ Performance Measures ” mean the measures of performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries as more fully described in Section 14 of the Plan and Exhibit A hereto.

2.31 “ Performance Shares ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 10 hereof representing a notional unit interest equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.32 “ Performance Unit ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 11 hereof representing a notional dollar interest as determined by the Committee to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.33 “ Plan ” means this Emisphere Technologies, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

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2.34 “ Reporting Person ” means an officer, director or greater than ten percent stockholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act.

2.35 “ Restricted Stock Award ” means a grant of shares of Common Stock to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof that are issued subject to such vesting and transfer restrictions and such other conditions as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.36 “ Section 162(m) Award ” shall mean any Award granted pursuant to the Plan that is intended to qualify for the exception for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

2.37 “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.38 “ Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ” means the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

2.39 “ Stock Appreciation Right ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 7 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a payment, upon the exercise of such right, in such amount and at such time, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.40 “ Stock Option ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6 hereof to purchase shares of Common Stock at such time and price, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.41 “ Stock Unit Award ” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 9 hereof representing notional unit interests equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid and distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

2.42 “ Subsidiary ” means an entity (whether or not a corporation) that is wholly or majority owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the term “Subsidiary” shall include only an entity that qualifies under section 424(f) of the Code as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company.

3. Administration

3.1 Committee Members. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided that the entire Board may act in lieu of the Committee on any matter, subject to Code Section 162(m) and 16b-3 Award requirements referred to in Section 2.9 of the Plan. If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee may authorize one or more Reporting Persons (or other officers) to make Awards to Eligible Persons who are not Reporting Persons (or other officers whom the Committee has specifically authorized to make Awards). Subject to Applicable Law and the restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Committee may delegate administrative functions to individuals who are Reporting Persons, officers, or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

3.2 Committee Authority. The Committee shall have such powers and authority as may be necessary or appropriate for the Committee to carry out its functions as described in the Plan. Subject to the express limitations of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority in its discretion to determine the Eligible Persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards may be granted, the number of shares, units or other rights subject to each Award, the exercise, base or purchase price of an Award (if any), the time or times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable or payable, the performance criteria, performance goals and other conditions of an Award, the duration of the Award, and all other terms of the Award. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to amend the terms of an Award in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan (including without limitation to determine, add, cancel, waive, amend or otherwise alter any restrictions, terms or conditions of any Award, extend the post-termination exercisability period of any Stock Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right, and/or to reduce (reprice) the exercise price of any Stock Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right that exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of such repricing), provided that no such action shall materially and adversely affect the rights of a Participant with respect to an outstanding Award without the Participant’s consent. The Committee shall also have discretionary

 

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authority to interpret the Plan, to make all factual determinations under the Plan, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for Plan administration, including, without limitation, to correct any defect, to supply any omission or to reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement. The Committee may prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants and Eligible Persons, whether or not such persons are similarly situated. The Committee shall, in its discretion, consider such factors as it deems relevant in making its interpretations, determinations and actions under the Plan including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or employee of the Company or such attorneys, consultants, accountants or other advisors as it may select. All interpretations, determinations, and actions by the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties.

3.3 No Liability; Indemnification . Neither the Board nor any Committee member, nor any Person acting at the direction of the Board or the Committee, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall pay or reimburse any member of the Committee, as well as any other Person who takes action on behalf of the Plan, for all reasonable expenses incurred with respect to the Plan, and to the full extent allowable under Applicable Law shall indemnify each and every one of them for any claims, liabilities, and costs (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of their good faith performance of duties on behalf of the Company with respect to the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries may, but shall not be required to, obtain liability insurance for this purpose.

4. Shares Subject to the Plan

4.1 Share Limitation.

(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2 and any other applicable provisions hereof, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under all Awards granted to Participants under the Plan shall initially be 1,000,000.

(b) The number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall automatically increase on January 1st of each year commencing with the January 1 following the Effective Date and on each January 1 thereafter until the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 18.2 of the Plan), in an amount equal to six percent (6%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the first day of any calendar year, to provide that there shall be no increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the increase in the share reserve for such calendar year shall be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For avoidance of doubt, none of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to this Section 4.1(b) shall be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options.

(c) Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares held in the Company’s treasury. To the extent that any Award payable in shares of Common Stock is forfeited, cancelled, returned to the Company for failure to satisfy vesting requirements or upon the occurrence of other forfeiture events, or otherwise terminates without payment being made thereunder, the shares of Common Stock covered thereby will no longer be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations and may again be made subject to Awards under the Plan pursuant to such limitations. Shares of Common Stock that otherwise would have been issued upon the exercise of a Stock Option or in payment with respect to any other form of Award, that are surrendered in payment or partial payment of the exercise price thereof and/or taxes withheld with respect to the exercise thereof or the making of such payment, will no longer be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations and may again be made subject to Awards under the Plan pursuant to such limitations.

4.2 Adjustments. If there shall occur any change with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, combination, spin-off or other similar corporate change, or any other change affecting the Common

 

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Stock, the Committee shall, in the manner and to the extent that it deems appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms of the Plan, cause an adjustment to be made in (i) the maximum numbers and kind of shares provided in Section 4.1 hereof, (ii) the numbers and kind of shares of Common Stock, units, or other rights subject to then outstanding Awards, (iii) the price for each share or unit or other right subject to then outstanding Awards, (iv) the performance measures or goals relating to the vesting of an Award and (v) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event to prevent dilution or enlargement of a Participant’s rights under an Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, any such adjustments shall, to the extent practicable, be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

5. Participation and Awards

5.1 Designation of Participants. All Eligible Persons are eligible to be designated by the Committee to receive Awards and become Participants under the Plan. The Committee has the authority, in its discretion, to determine and designate from time to time those Eligible Persons who are to be granted Awards, the types of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to Awards granted under the Plan. In selecting Eligible Persons to be Participants and in determining the type and amount of Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Committee shall consider any and all factors that it deems relevant or appropriate.

5.2 Determination of Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of all Awards granted to Participants in accordance with its authority under Section 3.2 hereof. An Award may consist of one type of right or benefit hereunder or of two or more such rights or benefits granted in tandem or in the alternative. To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, an Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement as described in Section 16.1 hereof.

6. Stock Options

6.1 Grant of Stock Option. A Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.6 hereof and Section 422 of the Code, each Stock Option shall be designated, in the discretion of the Committee, as an Incentive Stock Option or as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

6.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant, subject to adjustments as provided for under Section 4.2, provided that the Committee may in its discretion specify for any Stock Option an exercise price per share that is higher than the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant, and may establish an exercise price that is below Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant for Stock Options granted to Participants who are not residents of the U.S. if permitted by applicable law and any applicable rules of the principal established stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is traded.

6.3 Vesting of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Option or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Option may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) and/or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Stock Option at any time. The Committee in its sole discretion may allow a Participant to exercise unvested Nonqualified Stock Options, in which case the shares of Common Stock then issued shall be Restricted Stock having analogous vesting restrictions to the unvested Nonqualified Stock Options.

6.4 Term of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Option may be exercised, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Option shall be ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. A Stock Option may be earlier terminated as specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement upon or following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service for any reason, including by reason of voluntary resignation, death, Disability, termination for Cause or any other reason. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6 or in an Award Agreement as such agreement may be amended from time to time upon authorization of the Committee, no Stock Option may be exercised at

 

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any time during the term thereof unless the Participant is then in Continuous Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise:

(a) If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates by reason of his or her death, any Stock Option held by such Participant may, to the extent then exercisable, be exercised by such Participant’s estate or any person who acquires the right to exercise such Stock Option by bequest or inheritance at any time in accordance with its terms for up to one year after the date of such Participant’s death (but in no event after the earlier of the expiration of the term of such Stock Option or such time as the Stock Option is otherwise canceled or terminated in accordance with its terms). Upon expiration of such one-year period, no portion of the Stock Option held by such Participant shall be exercisable and the Stock Option shall be deemed to be canceled, forfeited and of no further force or effect.

(b) If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates by reason of his or her Disability, any Stock Option held by such Participant may, to the extent then exercisable, be exercised by the Participant or his or her personal representative at any time in accordance with its terms for up to one year after the date of such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service (but in no event after the earlier of the expiration of the term of such Stock Option or such time as the Stock Option is otherwise canceled or terminated in accordance with its terms). Upon expiration of such one-year period, no portion of the Stock Option held by such Participant shall be exercisable and the Stock Option shall be deemed to be canceled, forfeited and of no further force or effect.

(c) If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, any Stock Option held by such Participant may, to the extent then exercisable, be exercised by the Participant up until ninety (90) days following such termination of Continuous Service (but in no event after the earlier of the expiration of the term of such Stock Option or such time as the Stock Option is otherwise canceled or terminated in accordance with its terms). Upon expiration of such 90-day period, no portion of the Stock Option held by such Participant shall be exercisable and the Stock Option shall be deemed to be canceled, forfeited and of no further force or effect.

(d) To the extent that a Stock Option of a Participant whose Continuous Service terminates is not exercisable, such Stock Option shall be deemed forfeited and canceled on the ninetieth (90 th ) day after such termination of Continuous Service or at such earlier time as the Committee may determine.

6.5 Stock Option Exercise. Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Company, and payment of the aggregate exercise price by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Committee may accept. As set forth in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise price of an Option may be made: (i) in the form of shares of Common Stock that have been held by the Participant for such period as the Committee may deem appropriate for accounting purposes or otherwise, valued at the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of exercise; (ii) by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock otherwise receivable on exercise of the Stock Option; (iii) by a cashless exercise program implemented by the Committee in connection with the Plan; and/or (iv) by such other method as may be approved by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise and full payment of the exercise price and satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding pursuant to Section 17.5, the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant’s request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Stock Option. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars or shares of Common Stock, as applicable.

6.6 Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options.

(a) Eligibility. An Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is considered an employee under Treasury Regulation §1.421-7(h) of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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(b) Annual Limits.  No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Eligible Person as a result of which the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Date of Grant) of the stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time in any calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plans of the Company or any Subsidiary would exceed $100,000, determined in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code. This limitation shall be applied by taking Incentive Stock Options into account in the order in which granted.

(c) Ten Percent Stockholders.  If a Stock Option granted under the Plan is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and if the Participant, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing ten percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Common Stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, then (A) the Stock Option exercise price per share shall in no event be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of such grant and (B) such Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years following the date such Stock Option is granted.

(d) Termination of Employment.  An Award of an Incentive Stock Option shall provide that such Stock Option may be exercised not later than three (3) months following termination of employment of the Participant with the Company and all Subsidiaries, or not later than one (1) year following death or a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as and to the extent determined by the Committee to be necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

(e) Disqualifying Dispositions. If shares of Common Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of within two (2) years following the Date of Grant or one (1) year following the transfer of such shares to the Participant upon exercise, the Participant shall, promptly following such disposition, notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition and provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Company may reasonably require.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights

7.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.  A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted on a basis that allows for the exercise of the right by the Participant or that provides for the automatic payment of the right upon a specified date or event.

7.2 Base Price . The base price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the base price for any grant of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant, subject to adjustments as provided for under Section 4.2.

7.3 Vesting Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Appreciation Right may be based on the Continuous Service of a Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right at any time.

7.4 Term of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be earlier terminated as specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement upon or following the termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service for any reason, including by reason of voluntary resignation, death, Disability, termination for Cause or any other reason. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7 or in an Award Agreement as such agreement may be amended from time to time upon authorization of the Committee, no Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised at any time during the term thereof unless the Participant is then in Continuous Service.

7.5 Payment of Stock Appreciation Rights . Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Company and payment of any exercise price. Upon the

 

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exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right and payment of any applicable exercise price, a Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. Payment of the amount determined under the immediately preceding sentence may be made, as approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, in cash, or in a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 17.5. If Stock Appreciation Rights are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant’s request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount.

8. Restricted Stock Awards

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The Committee may require the payment by the Participant of a specified purchase price in connection with any Restricted Stock Award. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement for the payment of dividends and distributions to the Participant at such times as paid to stockholders generally or at the times of vesting or other payment of the Restricted Stock Award. If any dividends or distributions are paid in stock while a Restricted Stock Award is subject to restrictions under Section 8.3 of the Plan or Code Section 162(m), the dividends or other distributions shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the shares of Common Stock to which they were paid unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may also subject the grant of any Restricted Stock Award to the execution of a voting agreement with the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company.

8.2 Vesting Requirements. The restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock granted under a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse in accordance with the vesting requirements specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Upon vesting of a Restricted Stock Award, such Award shall be subject to the tax withholding requirement set forth in Section 17.5. The requirements for vesting of a Restricted Stock Award may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award at any time. If the vesting requirements of a Restricted Stock Award shall not be satisfied, the Award shall be forfeited and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award shall be returned to the Company. In the event that the Participant paid any purchase price with respect to such forfeited shares, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Company will refund to the Participant the lesser of (i) such purchase price and (ii) the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of forfeiture.

8.3 Restrictions. Shares granted under any Restricted Stock Award may not be transferred, assigned or subject to any encumbrance, pledge, or charge until all applicable restrictions are removed or have expired, unless otherwise allowed by the Committee. The Committee may require in an Award Agreement that certificates representing the shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed, and that certificates representing the shares granted or sold under a Restricted Stock Award will remain in the physical custody of an escrow holder until all restrictions are removed or have expired.

8.4 Rights as Stockholder . Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 and the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant to whom a Restricted Stock Award is made shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares granted to the Participant under the Restricted Stock Award, including the right to vote the shares and receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto, unless the Committee determines otherwise at the time the Restricted Stock Award is granted.

8.5 Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall file, within 30 days following the Date of Grant, a copy of such election with the Company (directed to the Secretary thereof) and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in an Award Agree-

 

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ment that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant’s making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code.

9. Stock Unit Awards

9.1 Grant of Stock Unit Awards. A Stock Unit Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The value of each stock unit under a Stock Unit Award is equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the applicable date or time period of determination, as specified by the Committee. A Stock Unit Award shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall determine. A Stock Unit Award may be granted together with a dividend equivalent right with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, which may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional stock units, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. If any dividend equivalents are paid while a Stock Unit Award is subject to restrictions under Section 9 of the Plan or Code Section 162(m), the dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Stock Units to which they were paid, unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement.

9.2 Vesting of Stock Unit Awards. On the Date of Grant, the Committee shall, in its discretion, determine any vesting requirements with respect to a Stock Unit Award, which shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. The requirements for vesting of a Stock Unit Award may be based on the Continuous Service of the Participant for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of a specified performance goal (or goals) established by the Committee in its discretion. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting of a Stock Unit Award at any time. A Stock Unit Award may also be granted on a fully vested basis, with a deferred payment date as may be determined by the Committee or elected by the Participant in accordance with rules established by the Committee.

9.3 Payment of Stock Unit Awards. A Stock Unit Award shall become payable to a Participant at the time or times determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may be upon or following the vesting of the Award. Payment of a Stock Unit Award may be made, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof as described in the Award Agreement, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 17.5. Any cash payment of a Stock Unit Award shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, determined on such date or over such time period as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, any Stock Unit, whether settled in Common Stock or cash, shall be paid no later than two and one-half months after the later of the calendar year or fiscal year in which the Stock Units vest. If Stock Unit Awards are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement, the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant’s request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount.

10. Performance Shares

10.1 Grant of Performance Shares . Performance Shares may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Performance Share Award shall be subject to such restrictions and condition as the Committee shall specify. A Performance Share Award may be granted with a dividend equivalent right with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, which may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional stock units, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

10.2 Value of Performance Shares . Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met over a specified time period, shall determine the number of Performance Shares that shall be paid to a Participant.

10.3 Earning of Performance Shares . After the applicable time period has ended, the number of Performance Shares earned by the Participant over such time period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made solely by the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive any performance or vesting conditions relating to a Performance Share Award.

 

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10.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares . The Committee shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Shares in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock or in a combination thereof, as specified in a Participant’s Award Agreement, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 17.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, all Performance Shares shall be paid no later than two and one-half months following the later of the calendar year or fiscal year in which such Performance Shares vest. Any shares of Common Stock paid to a Participant under this Section 10.4 may be subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. If Performance Shares are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant’s request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount.

11. Performance Units

11.1 Grant of Performance Units . Performance Units may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall be subject to such restrictions and condition as the Committee shall specify in a Participant’s Award Agreement.

11.2 Value of Performance Units . Each Performance Unit shall have an initial notional value equal to a dollar amount determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met over a specified time period, will determine the number of Performance Units that shall be settled and paid to the Participant.

11.3 Earning of Performance Units . After the applicable time period has ended, the number of Performance Units earned by the Participant, and the amount payable in cash, in shares or in a combination thereof, over such time period shall be determined as a function of the extent to which the applicable corresponding performance goals have been achieved. This determination shall be made solely by the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive any performance or vesting conditions relating to a Performance Unit Award

11.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units . The Committee shall pay at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any earned Performance Units in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock or in a combination thereof, as specified in a Participant’s Award Agreement, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 17.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, all Performance Units shall be paid no later than two and one-half months following the later of the calendar year or fiscal year in which such Performance Units vest. Any shares of Common Stock paid to a Participant under this Section 11.4 may be subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. If Performance Units are settled in shares of Common Stock, then as soon as practicable following the date of settlement the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Common Stock, or upon the Participant’s request, Common Stock certificates in an appropriate amount.

12. Incentive Bonus Awards

12.1 Incentive Bonus Awards . The Committee, at its discretion, may grant Incentive Bonus Awards to such Participants as it may designate from time to time. The terms of a Participant’s Incentive Bonus Award shall be set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall specify such general terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

12.2 Incentive Bonus Award Performance Criteria . The determination of Incentive Bonus Awards for a given year or years may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company or Subsidiary performance as measured by pre-established, objective performance criteria determined at the discretion of the Committee, including any or all of the Performance Measures set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The Committee shall (i) select those Participants who shall be eligible to receive an Incentive Bonus Award, (ii) determine the performance period, (iii) determine target levels of performance, and (iv) determine the level of Incentive Bonus Award to be paid to each selected Participant upon the achievement of each performance level. The Committee generally shall make the foregoing determinations prior to the commencement of services to which an Incentive Bonus Award relates (or for Incentive Bonus Awards intended to satisfy Code Section 162(m), within the permissible time

 

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period established for exemption under Code Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder), to the extent applicable, and while the outcome of the performance goals and targets is uncertain.

12.3 Payment of Incentive Bonus Awards .

(a) Incentive Bonus Awards shall be paid in cash or Common Stock, as set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement. Payments shall be made following a determination by the Committee that the performance targets were attained and shall be made within two and one-half months after the later of the end of the fiscal or calendar year in which the Incentive Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

(b) The amount of an Incentive Bonus Award to be paid upon the attainment of each targeted level of performance shall equal a percentage of a Participant’s base salary for the fiscal year, a fixed dollar amount, or such other formula, as determined by the Committee.

13. Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

13.1 Other Cash-Based and Stock-Based Awards . The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to a Participant, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to a Participant in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

13.2 Value of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards . Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of shares of Common Stock or units based on shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Each Other Cash-Based Award shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the value of Other Cash-Based Awards that shall be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which such performance goals are met.

13.3 Payment of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards . Payment, if any, with respect to Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Shares as the Committee determines.

14. Section 162(m) Awards

14.1 Awards Granted Under Code Section 162(m) . The Committee, at its discretion, may designate that a Restricted Stock, Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Incentive Bonus, Other Stock Award or Other Cash Award shall be granted as a Section 162(m) Award. Such an Award must comply with the following additional requirements, which shall control over any other provision that pertains to such Award.

14.2 Performance Measures .

(a) Each Section 162(m) Award shall be based upon the attainment of specified levels of pre-established, objective Performance Measures that are intended to satisfy the performance based compensation exemption requirements of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Further, at the discretion of the Committee, an Award also may be subject to goals and restrictions in addition to the Performance Measures.

(b) “Performance Measures” means the measures of performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries used to determine a Participant’s entitlement to an Award under the Plan. Such performance measures shall have the same meanings as used in the Company’s financial statements, or, if such terms are not used in the Company’s financial statements, they shall have the meaning applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or as used generally in the Company’s industry. Performance Measures shall be calculated with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes or such division or other business unit as may be selected by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, the Performance Measures shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting

 

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principles to the extent applicable, but, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, prior to the accrual or payment of any Award under this Plan for the same performance period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting standards or any extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the performance goals. Performance Measures shall be based on one or more of the criteria set forth in Exhibit A which is hereby incorporated by reference, as determined by the Committee.

(c) For each Section 162(m) Award, the Committee shall (i) select the Participant who shall be eligible to receive a Section 162(m) Award, (ii) determine the applicable performance period, (iii) determine the target levels of the Company or Subsidiary Performance Measures, and (iv) determine the number of shares of Common Stock or cash or other property (or combination thereof) subject to an Award to be paid to each selected Participant. The Committee shall make the foregoing determinations prior to the commencement of services to which an Award relates (or within the permissible time period established under Code Section 162(m)) and while the outcome of the performance goals and targets is uncertain.

14.3 Attainment of Code Section 162(m) Goals .

(a) After each performance period, the Committee shall certify in writing (which may include the written minutes for any meeting of the Committee): (i) if the Company has attained the performance targets, and (ii) the number of shares pursuant to the Award that are to become freely transferable, if applicable, or the cash or other property payable under the Award. The Committee shall have no discretion to waive all or part of the conditions, goals and restrictions applicable to the receipt of full or partial payment of an Award except in the case of a Change in Control of the Corporation or the death or Disability of a Participant.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, reduce any Award based on such factors as may be determined by the Committee, including, without limitation, a determination by the Committee that such a reduction is appropriate in light of pay practices of competitors, or the performance of the Company, a Subsidiary or a Participant relative to the performance of competitors, or performance with respect to the Company’s strategic business goals.

14.4 Individual Participant Limitations . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to any one individual under the Plan during any calendar year shall be 1,500,000 shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Section 162(m) Awards (other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) that may be paid to any one individual in respect of any calendar year if the applicable Performance Goals are attained is 1,500,000 shares. The maximum cash amount that may be paid pursuant to Section 162(m) Awards (other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) to any one individual in respect of any calendar year if the applicable Performance Goals are attained is $1,000,000. In the case of Performance Goals based on performance periods beginning and ending in different calendar years, the number of shares of Common Stock or cash amount which is paid in respect of each calendar year during the performance period shall be determined by multiplying the total number of shares or cash amount, as applicable, paid for the performance period by a fraction, of which (i) the numerator is the number of days during the performance period in that particular calendar year, and (ii) the denominator is the total number of days during the performance period. The limitations in this Section 14.4 shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. If an Award is cancelled, the cancelled Award shall continue to be counted towards the applicable limitations.

15. Change in Control

15.1 Effect of Change in Control.

(a) The Committee may, at the time of the grant of an Award and as set forth in an Award Agreement, provide for the effect of a “Change in Control” on an Award. Such provisions may include any one or more of the following: (i) the acceleration or extension of time periods for purposes of exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any Award, (ii) the elimination or modification of performance or other conditions related to the payment or other rights under an Award, (iii) provision for the cash settlement of an Award for

 

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an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Committee, or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to an Award as the Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of Participants upon or following a Change in Control. To the extent necessary for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, an Award Agreement shall provide that an Award subject to the requirements of Section 409A that would otherwise become payable upon a Change in Control shall only become payable to the extent that the requirements for a “change in control” for purposes of Section 409A have been satisfied.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise provided by an Award Agreement, upon or in anticipation of any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control: (i) cause any or all outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by Participants affected by the Change in Control to become vested and immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (ii) cause restrictions and/or vesting conditions with respect to any or all outstanding Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Incentive Bonus Award and any other Award held by Participants affected by the Change in Control to lapse, in whole or in part; (iii) cancel any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for a substitute option in a manner consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation. §1.424-1(a) or §1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D), as applicable (notwithstanding the fact that the original Stock Option may never have been intended to satisfy the requirements for treatment as an Incentive Stock Option); (iv) cancel any Restricted Stock, Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units held by a Participant in exchange for restricted stock or performance shares of or stock or performance units in respect of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (v) terminate any Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property equal to the amount, if any, that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the Change in Control (the “Change in Control Consideration”); provided, however that if the Change in Control Consideration with respect to any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right does not exceed the exercise price of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may cancel the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right without payment of any consideration therefor. Any such Change in Control Consideration may be subject to any escrow, indemnification and similar obligations, contingencies and encumbrances applicable in connection with the Change in Control to holders of Common Stock. Without limitation of the foregoing, if as of the date of the occurrence of the Change in Control the Committee determines that no amount would have been attained upon the realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment. The Committee may cause the Change in Control Consideration to be subject to vesting conditions (whether or not the same as the vesting conditions applicable to the Award prior to the Change in Control) and/or make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding Awards or this Plan as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(c) The Committee may require a Participant to (i) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards, (ii) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same or similar post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, and (iii) execute and deliver such documents and instruments as the Committee may reasonably require for the Participant to be bound by such obligations. The Committee will endeavor to take action under this Section 15 in a manner that does not cause a violation of Section 409A of the Code with respect to an Award.

16. General Provisions

16.1 Award Agreement. To the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, an Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a written or electronic form approved by the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to the Award, the exercise price, base price, or purchase price of the Award, the time or times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable or payable and the term of the Award. The Award Agreement may also set forth the effect on an Award of termination of Continuous Service under certain circumstances. The Award Agreement shall be subject to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, all of the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan, and may also set forth other terms and con-

 

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ditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of the Plan. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement.

16.2 Forfeiture Events/Representations. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events shall include, but shall not be limited to, termination of Continuous Service for Cause, violation of material Company policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company. The Committee may also specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be conditioned upon the Participant making a representation regarding compliance with noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant and providing that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment on account of a breach of such representation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the confidentiality restrictions set forth in an Award Agreement shall not, and shall not be interpreted to, impair a Participant from exercising any legally protected whistleblower rights (including under Rule 21 of the Exchange Act). In addition and without limitation of the foregoing, any amounts paid hereunder shall be subject to recoupment in accordance with The Dodd — Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any “clawback” policy adopted by the Company or as is otherwise required by applicable law or stock exchange listing condition.

16.3 No Assignment or Transfer; Beneficiaries.

(a) Awards under the Plan shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall not be subject in any manner to assignment, alienation, pledge, encumbrance or charge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Participant shall have the right to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall be entitled to any rights, payments or other benefits specified under an Award following the Participant’s death. During the lifetime of a Participant, an Award shall be exercised only by such Participant or such Participant’s guardian or legal representative. In the event of a Participant’s death, an Award may, to the extent permitted by the Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s beneficiary as designated by the Participant in the manner prescribed by the Committee or, in the absence of an authorized beneficiary designation, by the legatee of such Award under the Participant’s will or by the Participant’s estate in accordance with the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution, in each case in the same manner and to the same extent that such Award was exercisable by the Participant on the date of the Participant’s death.

(b) Limited Transferability Rights . Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 16.3 to the contrary, the Committee may in its discretion provide in an Award Agreement that an Award in the form of a Nonqualified Stock Option, share-settled Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Performance Share or share-settled Other Stock-Based Award may be transferred, on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate, either (i) by instrument to the Participant’s “Immediate Family” (as defined below), (ii) by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust (or other entity) in which the Award is to be passed to the Participant’s designated beneficiaries, or (iii) by gift to charitable institutions. Any transferee of the Participant’s rights shall succeed and be subject to all of the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan. “Immediate Family” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and shall include adoptive relationships.

 

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16.4 Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such securities. Except as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, no adjustment or other provision shall be made for dividends or other stockholder rights, except to the extent that the Award Agreement provides for dividend payments or dividend equivalent rights.

16.5 Employment or Continuous Service. Nothing in the Plan, in the grant of any Award or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Eligible Person or Participant any right to continue in Continuous Service, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the employment or other service relationship of an Eligible Person or Participant for any reason at any time.

16.6 Fractional Shares. In the case of any fractional share or unit resulting from the grant, vesting, payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents under an Award, the Committee shall have the discretionary authority to (i) disregard such fractional share or unit, (ii) round such fractional share or unit to the nearest lower or higher whole share or unit, or (iii) convert such fractional share or unit into a right to receive a cash payment.

16.7 Other Compensation and Benefit Plans. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute includable compensation for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which a Participant is entitled under any other compensation or benefit plan or program of the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, under any bonus, pension, profit-sharing, life insurance, salary continuation or severance benefits plan, except to the extent specifically provided by the terms of any such plan.

16.8 Plan Binding on Transferees. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its transferees and assigns, and the Participant, the Participant’s executor, administrator and permitted transferees and beneficiaries. In addition, all obligations of the Company under this Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

16.9 Foreign Jurisdictions. The Committee may adopt, amend and terminate such arrangements and grant such Awards, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or desirable to comply with any tax, securities, regulatory or other laws of other jurisdictions with respect to Awards that may be subject to such laws. The terms and conditions of such Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Moreover, the Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose.

16.10 No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes . The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.

16.11 Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards . Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board or Committee consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.

16.12 Change in Time Commitment . In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of the Participant’s services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and with-

 

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out limitation, if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the employee has a change in status from a full-time employee to a part-time employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

16.13 Substitute Awards in Corporate Transactions. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant Awards under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, of the business or assets of any corporation or other entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan to an employee or director of another corporation who becomes an Eligible Person by reason of any such corporate transaction in substitution for awards previously granted by such corporation or entity to such person. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Any shares of Common Stock subject to these substitute Awards shall not be counted against any of the maximum share limitations set forth in the Plan.

17. Legal Compliance

17.1 Securities Laws. No shares of Common Stock will be issued or transferred pursuant to an Award unless and until all then applicable requirements imposed by Federal and state securities and other laws, rules and regulations and by any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and by any exchanges upon which the shares of Common Stock may be listed, have been fully met. As a condition precedent to the issuance of shares pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award, the Company may require the Participant to take any reasonable action to meet such requirements. The Committee may impose such conditions on any shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under the Securities Act, as amended, under the requirements of any exchange upon which such shares of the same class are then listed, and under any blue sky or other securities laws applicable to such shares. The Committee may also require the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of issuance or transfer that the shares of Common Stock are being acquired only for investment purposes and without any current intention to sell or distribute such shares. All Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of this Plan shall constitute “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, and may not be transferred except in compliance herewith and with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Certificates representing Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award may bear such legend as the Company may consider appropriate under the circumstances. If an Award is made to an Eligible Person who is subject to Chinese jurisdiction, and approval of the Award by China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange is needed, the Award may be converted to cash or other equivalent amount if and to the extent that such approval is not obtained.

17.2 Incentive Arrangement. The Plan is designed to provide an on-going, pecuniary incentive for Participants to produce their best efforts to increase the value of the Company. The Plan is not intended to provide retirement income or to defer the receipt of payments hereunder to the termination of a Participant’s employment or beyond. The Plan is thus intended not to be a pension or welfare benefit plan that is subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and shall be construed accordingly. All interpretations and determinations hereunder shall be made on a basis consistent with the Plan’s status as not an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA.

17.3 Unfunded Plan. The adoption of the Plan and any reservation of shares of Common Stock or cash amounts by the Company to discharge its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed to create a trust or other funded arrangement. Except upon the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, any rights of a Participant under the Plan shall be those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company, and neither a Participant nor the Participant’s permitted transferees or estate shall have any other interest in any assets of the Company by virtue of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to implement or set aside funds in a grantor trust, subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors or otherwise, to discharge its obligations under the Plan.

 

A-18


17.4 Section 409A Compliance . To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and all Awards hereunder comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, and the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be interpreted and applied by the Committee in a manner consistent with this intent in order to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to not comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have the authority to take such actions and to make such interpretations or changes to the Plan or an Award Agreement as the Committee deems necessary, regardless of whether such actions, interpretations, or changes shall adversely affect a Participant, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on any Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

17.5 Tax Withholding.

(a) The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to the Company, the minimum statutory amount to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Plan, but in no event shall such deduction or withholding or remittance exceed the minimum statutory withholding requirements unless permitted by the Company and such additional withholding amount will not cause adverse accounting consequences and is permitted under Applicable Law.

(b) A Participant may, in order to fulfill the withholding obligation, tender previously-acquired shares of Common Stock or have shares of stock withheld from the exercise, provided that the shares have an aggregate Fair Market Value sufficient to satisfy in whole or in part the applicable withholding taxes. The broker-assisted exercise procedure described in Section 6.5 may also be utilized to satisfy the withholding requirements related to the exercise of a Stock Option.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may not use shares of Common Stock to satisfy the withholding requirements to the extent that (i) there is a substantial likelihood that the use of such form of payment or the timing of such form of payment would subject the Participant to a substantial risk of liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (ii) such withholding would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law or regulation (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), or (iii) such withholding would cause adverse accounting consequences for the Company.

17.6 No Guarantee of Tax Consequences . Neither the Company, the Board, the Committee nor any other Person make any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment will apply or be available to any Participant or any other person hereunder.

17.7 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

17.8 Stock Certificates; Book Entry Form . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, any obligation set forth in the Plan pertaining to the delivery or issuance of stock certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock may be satisfied by having issuance and/or ownership of such shares recorded on the books and records of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

17.9 Governing Law. The Plan and all rights hereunder shall be subject to and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws, and to applicable Federal securities laws.

 

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18. Effective Date, Amendment and Termination

18.1 Effective Date. The effective date of the Plan shall be the date on which the Plan is approved by the requisite percentage of the holders of the Common Stock of the Company; provided, however, that Awards granted under the Plan subsequent to the approval of the Plan by the Board shall be valid if such stockholder approval occurs within one year of the date on which such Board approval occurs.

18.2 Amendment; Termination. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan (or any portion thereof) at any time and may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable or in the best interests of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that (a) no such amendment, suspension or termination shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Awards, without the consent of such Participant, (b) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, and (c) stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, or (ii) changes the persons or class of persons eligible to receive Awards. The Plan will continue in effect until terminated in accordance with this Section 18.2; provided, however, that no Award will be granted hereunder on or after the 10th anniversary of the date of the Plan’s initial adoption by the Board (the “ Expiration Date ”); but provided further, that Awards granted prior to such Expiration Date may extend beyond that date.

 

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EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Section 162(m) Awards shall be based on the attainment of objective performance goals that are established by the Committee and relate to one or more Performance Measures, in each case on specified date or over any period, up to 10 years, as determined by the Committee.

“Performance Measures” means the following business criteria (or any combination thereof) with respect to one or more of the Company, any Subsidiary or any division or operating unit thereof:

 

   

pre-tax income,

 

   

after-tax income,

 

   

net income (meaning net income as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period, on an aggregate, diluted and/or per share basis, or economic net income),

 

   

operating income or profit,

 

   

cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital,

 

   

earnings per share (basic or diluted),

 

   

return on equity,

 

   

returns on sales or revenues,

 

   

return on invested capital or assets (gross or net),

 

   

cash, funds or earnings available for distribution,

 

   

appreciation in the fair market value of the Common Stock,

 

   

operating expenses,

 

   

implementation or completion of critical projects or processes,

 

   

return on investment,

 

   

total return to stockholders (meaning the aggregate Common Stock price appreciation and dividends paid (assuming full reinvestment of dividends) during the applicable period),

 

   

net earnings growth,

 

   

return measures (including but not limited to return on assets, capital, equity, or sales),

 

   

increase in revenues,

 

   

the Company’s published ranking against its peer group of companies based on total stockholder return,

 

   

net earnings,

 

   

changes (or the absence of changes) in the per share price of the Company’s Common Stock,

 

   

preclinical, clinical or regulatory milestones,

 

   

earnings before or after any one or more of the following items: interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period,

 

   

total revenue growth (meaning the increase in total revenues after the date of grant of an award and during the applicable period, as reflected in the Company’s financial reports for the applicable period),

 

   

economic value created,

 

   

operating margin or profit margin,

 

   

share price or total shareholder return,


   

cost targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies,

 

   

strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting objectively determinable criteria: specified market penetration, geographic business expansion, investor satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and similar transactions, and budget comparisons,

 

   

objectively determinable personal or professional objectives, including any of the following performance goals: the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions, and

 

   

any combination of, or a specified increase or improvement in, any of the foregoing.

Where applicable, the Performance Measures may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the Company, a Subsidiary or affiliate, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company, or may be applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Committee.

The Performance Measures may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall occur).

Except as otherwise expressly provided, all financial terms are used as defined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and all determinations shall be made in accordance with GAAP, as applied by the Company in the preparation of its periodic reports to stockholders.

To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, unless the Committee provides otherwise at the time of establishing the performance goals, for each fiscal year of the Company, the Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Measures in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate and may provide for objectively determinable adjustments, as determined in accordance with GAAP, to any of the Performance Measures described above for one or more of the items of gain, loss, profit or expense: (A) determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence, (B) related to the disposal of a segment of a business, (C) related to a change in accounting principle under GAAP or a change in applicable laws or regulations, (D) related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under GAAP, and (E) attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the fiscal year.


 

 

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EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS

4 BECKER FARM ROAD

SUITE 103

ROSELAND, NJ 07068

  

 

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

     Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
    

 

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

     If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
    

 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

     Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
    

 

VOTE BY MAIL

    

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

  TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:     KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

 

        DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
    THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.                        

 

     

For

All

 

Withhold

All

 

For All

Except

   To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.                     
    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:                             
   

 

1.

  

 

Election of Directors

              

 

              
      

 

Nominees

                                   
   

 

01  Mark H. Rachesky, MD

  

 

    02  Michael Weiser, MD, PhD

                              
   
    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:      For   Against   Abstain    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:    For   Against   Abstain    
   

 

2.

  

 

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

4.

  

 

To approve Emisphere Technologies, Inc.’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

  

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
    The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on the following proposal:   

1 year

 

2 years

 

3 years

 

Abstain

   5.   

To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

 

          
   

 

3.

  

 

Frequency of advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   6.    To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.           
   
LOGO                                    
            Yes   No                      
   

 

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting

    

 

 

 

                     
   

 

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.

 

         
                                                  
                                                  
      Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]    Date           Signature (Joint Owners)        Date            


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4 Becker Farm Road

Suite 103

Roseland, NJ 07068

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Annual Report and Notice & Proxy Statement are available at www.proxyvote.com

 

 

 

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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned stockholder of Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Emisphere”), hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) and Proxy Statement with respect to the Annual Meeting to be held at 65 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, New Jersey 07068, on Thursday, May 18, 2017 promptly at 8:30 AM Eastern Time, and hereby appoints Alan L. Rubino as proxy with power of substitution and revocation, and with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present, to vote the Emisphere Common Stock of the undersigned at such meeting, and at any postponements or adjournments of such meeting, as set forth below, and in his discretion, upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting (and any such postponements or adjournments).

 

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED OR, IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES UNDER PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2, 4, 5 AND 6 AND FOR A FREQUENCY OF 1 YEAR ON PROPOSAL 3 AND BY THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, AND AT ANY POSTPONEMENTS OR ADJOURNEMENTS THEREOF.

 

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, OR VOTE THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE TELEPHONE.

 

IMPORTANT- TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE SIDE