UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14C INFORMATION
Information
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check
the appropriate box:
☒ Preliminary Information Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
☐ Definitive Information Statement
Inspyr
Therapeutics, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ No fee required.
☐ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.
1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on
which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
☐ Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
and the date of its filing.
1)
Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
INSPYR
THERAPEUTICS, INC.
31200
Via Colinas #200
Westlake
Village, CA 91362
NOTICE
OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN PURSUANT TO THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF A MAJORITY OF THE VOTING POWER OF OUR STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF A SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS, DATED JANUARY 7, 2019
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN to inform the holders of record of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”)
of Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”),
that the sole holder of 5,000 shares of our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Stock”), with each share
of Series D Stock having 30,001 votes per share, representing 55.08% of the voting power entitled to vote on the matters, has
executed a written consent in lieu of a special meeting of stockholders on January 7, 2019, to approve the following action without
a meeting of stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law:
Approval
of a reverse stock split whereby at the discretion of the board of directors, an amount up to every five hundred (500) shares
of the Company’s Common Stock will be exchanged for one share of Common Stock (effectively resulting in up to a five hundred
(500) for one (1) reverse split of the Common Stock;
Your
vote or consent is not requested or required, and our board of directors is not soliciting your proxy. Section 228 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law and the Company’s bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting
of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if shareholders holding at least a majority of the voting power sign a written
consent approving the action. The written consent of a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares of Common Stock
and Series D stock is sufficient to approve the matters voted upon.
The
enclosed information statement contains information pertaining to the matters acted upon.
THIS
IS NOT A NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND NO STOCKHOLDER MEETING WILL BE HELD TO COSNSIDER ANY MATTER WHICH WILL
BE DESCRIBED HEREIN
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY, AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
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By
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Order of the Board of Directors
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Christopher Lowe
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Chief Executive Officer and Director
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January [*], 2019
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INSPYR
THERAPEUTICS, INC.
31200
Via Colinas #200
Westlake
Village, CA 91362
INFORMATION
STATEMENT
Date
first mailed to stockholders: [*], 2019
WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
ABOUT
THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT
This
information statement (the “Information Statement”) has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
and is being mailed or otherwise furnished to the registered shareholders of Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), solely for the purpose of informing you, as one of our shareholders,
in the manner required under Regulation 14(c) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that the holders
of a majority of the voting power of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series D Stock voting as a group (collectively,
the “Capital Stock”), have executed a written consent approving certain corporate actions described herein. All of
these corporate actions described herein have also been approved by the Company’s board of directors (“Board”).
The
proposed corporate actions were approved by a joint written consent (“Written Consent”) of the Board and Mr. Conor
Flannery, the sole holder of all 5,000 shares of our issued and outstanding Series D Stock (“Majority Shareholder”)
on January 7, 2019 (“Written Consent Date”). The Majority Shareholder holds a majority of the voting power of our
Capital Stock entitled to vote on the proposed action as of the Written Consent Date. January 7, 2019 is the record date (“Record
Date”) for the determination of shareholders who are entitled to receive this Information Statement.
WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF THE INFORMATION STATEMENT?
This
Information Statement is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
to notify the Company’s shareholders as of the close of business on the Record Date of corporate actions taken by a majority
of the voting power of the Company’s Capital Stock entitled to vote on the action. Shareholders holding a majority of the
voting power of the Company’s outstanding Capital Stock have voted in favor of the proposal set forth herein.
WHO
IS ENTITLED TO NOTICE?
Each
holder of outstanding shares of the Company’s voting securities on the close of business on the Record Date is entitled
to notice of the matter voted on by the shareholders. The holder of 5,000 shares of Series D Stock, as of the close of business
on the Written Consent Date, held the authority to votes cast, which constitute in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s
outstanding voting power and has voted in favor of the proposal herein. Under Delaware law, stockholder approval may be taken
by obtaining the written consent and approval of more than 50% of the holders of voting power of our Capital Stock entitled to
vote, in lieu of a meeting of the shareholders.
WHAT
CONSTITUTES THE VOTING SHARES OF THE COMPANY?
As
of the Written Consent Date, the Company’s securities entitled to vote on the action consisted of (i) 122,313,929 shares
of Common Stock and 5,000 shares of Series D Stock. Each share of (i) Common Stock was entitled to one (1) vote per share and
(ii) Series D Stock was entitled to 30,001 votes per share on the matter voted upon and disclosed in this Information Statement.
On all other matters except for those voted on pursuant to the Written Consent, the Series D Stock vote on an as converted basis
to Common Stock. The Series D Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.005 per share, subject to adjustment.
WHAT
CORPORATE MATTERS WERE APPROVED?
Shareholders
holding a majority of our voting Capital Stock have voted in favor of the following proposal:
Approved
a reverse stock split of up to five hundred (500) shares for one (1) share of common stock at the discretion of the Board to occur
on or prior to December 31, 2019;
The
foregoing proposal has been approved and are discussed in further detail under its respective headings below.
WHAT
VOTE IS REQUIRED BY SHAREHOLDERS TO APPROVE THE PROPOSALS
No
further vote is required for approval of any proposal.
APPROVAL
OF THE CORPORATE ACTION
Section
228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if shareholders holding at least a majority of the voting
power sign a written consent approving the action. The written consent of a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares
of Capital Stock is sufficient to approve these matters. We received the written consent of all 5,000 shares of Series D Preferred
Stock pursuant to the Written Consent. Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to 30,001 votes per share with regard
to the proposal, for an aggregate of 150,005,000 votes in favor of the proposal.
OUTSTANDING
VOTING SECURITIES
As
of the Written Consent Date, the Company’s authorized capital consisted of 180,000,000 shares of capital stock, 150,000,0000
of which are authorized as Common Stock and 30,000,000 of which are authorized as preferred stock. As of the Written Consent Date,
(i) 122,313,929 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 133.8125 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
were outstanding, (iii) 71 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were outstanding, (iv) 290.4138 shares of Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and (v) and 5,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
Each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to one (i) vote and (ii) each share of outstanding Series D Preferred Stock
is entitled to thirty thousand one (30,001) votes on the matter approved by the stockholders. The shares of Series A, B and C
convertible Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on the matter. The following shareholders voted in favor of the proposal
via the Written Consent:
Name
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Proposal No. 1
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Number of Votes For
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Conor Flannery
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Reverse Stock Split
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150,005,000 (Based on 5,000 shares of Series
D Stock voting 30,001 votes per share)
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Pursuant
to Rule 14c-2 under the Exchange Act, the proposal will not be adopted until a date at least 20 days after the date
on which this Information Statement has been mailed to the shareholders. The Company anticipates that the actions contemplated
herein will be effected on once the Board has made a final determination as to whether or not to consummate the Reverse Stock
Split and at what ratio.
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The
following table sets forth, as of January 6, 2019, information regarding beneficial ownership of our capital stock by:
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each
person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of our voting securities;
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each
of our current directors and nominees;
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each
of our current named executive officers; and
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all
current directors and named executive officers as a group.
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Beneficial
ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC. Beneficial ownership means that a person has or shares voting or investment
power of a security and includes any securities that person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after the measurement
date. This table is based on information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders. Except as otherwise indicated,
we believe that each of the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below, based on the information such beneficial owner
has given to us, has sole investment and voting power with respect to such beneficial owner’s shares, except where community
property laws may apply.
Common
Stock
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
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Shares
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Shares
Underlying
Convertible
Securities (2)
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Total
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Percent of
Class (2)
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Directors and named Executive Officers
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Christopher Lowe
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—
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12,176
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12,176
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*
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Scott Ogilvie
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—
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11,569
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11,569
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*
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Claire Thom, Pharm.D
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—
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2,500
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2,500
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*
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All directors and executive officers as a group (3 persons)
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—
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26,245
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26,245
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*
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Beneficial Owners of 5% or more
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Series
D Convertible Preferred Stock
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
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Shares
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Shares
Underlying
Convertible
Securities (2)
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Total
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Percent of
Class (2)
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Beneficial Owners of 5% or more
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Conor Flannery (3)
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5,000
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—
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5,000
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100
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%
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(1)
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Except
as otherwise indicated, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and to the information
contained in the footnotes to this table. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is Inspyr Therapeutics,
Inc., 31200 Via Colinas, Suite 200, Westlake Village, CA 91362.
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(2)
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Pursuant
to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a shareholder has sole or shared
voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, including
upon exercise of common shares purchase options or warrants. There are 122,313,928 shares of Common Stock and 5,000 shares of
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of January 7, 2019.
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(3)
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4085 Campbell
Ave. #150, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
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(4)
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The Series
D Convertible Preferred Stock votes on an as converted to Common Stock basis with an initial conversion price of $0.005 per
share, subject to adjustment. With regard to the vote of a reverse stock split to occur on or prior to December
31, 2019, the Series D Convertible Preferred Stock votes at a rate of 30,001 votes per share.
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INTEREST
OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN OR OPPOSITION TO MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
None
of our officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates has any interest in any of the matters to be acted upon, as set
forth in this Information Statement.
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
REVERSE
STOCK SPLIT OF COMMON SHARES
General
Information Regarding Reverse Stock Split
The
Board and Majority Shareholder have approved a proposal to amend our amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate”)
to authorize our Board to effect a Reverse Stock Split of all of our issued and outstanding Common Stock at a ratio of not less
than 1-for-2 and not more than 1-for-500, with our Board having the discretion as to whether or not the Reverse Stock Split is
to be effected, when such Reverse Stock Split would be effected (on or prior to December 31, 2019) and the exact ratio of the
Reverse Stock Split to be set at a whole number within the above range as determined by our Board in its sole discretion. The
Board believes that the availability of alternative reverse split ratios will provide it with the flexibility to implement the
Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for us and our stockholders. In determining whether
to implement the Reverse Stock Split, our Board may consider, among other things, factors such as:
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the historical trading
price and trading volume of our Common Stock;
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the then prevailing
trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading
market for our Common Stock;
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the anticipated
impact of the Reverse Stock Split on our ability to raise additional financing;
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the remaining number
of authorized shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to our obligations under outstanding debentures, warrants,
options, and other convertible securities.
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which alternative
split ratio would result in the greatest overall reduction in our administrative costs; and
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prevailing general
market and economic conditions.
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If
the Board determines that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is in the best interest of the Company, the Reverse Stock Split will
become effective upon the filing of an amendment to our Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The
amendment filed thereby will set forth the number of issued and outstanding shares to be combined into one share of our Common
Stock within the limits set forth in this proposal. Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares
as described below, each stockholder will hold the same percentage of our issued and outstanding Common Stock immediately following
the Reverse Stock Split as such stockholder holds immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split.
Principal
Reasons for Reverse Stock Split
The
Board and Majority Shareholder of the Company believe that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to effect the Reverse Stock Split in order to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock. The Company
believes that an increased market price of its stock will encourage interest and trading in the stock. Due to the trading volatility
often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices
that either prohibit them from investing in low priced (sub-penny) stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending
low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced
stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent
a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price per share of the common
stock can result in individual shareholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value
than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. It should be noted that the liquidity of the Common Stock
may be adversely affected by the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse
Stock Split. The Board anticipates, however, that the expected higher market price will reduce, to some extent, the negative effects
on the liquidity and marketability of the stock inherent in some of the policies and practices of institutional investors and
brokerage houses described above.
Additionally,
as of January 7, 2019, the Company has 122,313,929 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding out of a maximum of 150,000,000
shares of Common Stock authorized. The Company currently has outstanding convertible debentures (collectively, the “Debentures”)
of (i) $2,197,749 in principal issued in our September 2016 private placement and (ii) $515,000 in principal issued in our July
2018 private placement. The Debentures are convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of (i) $0.33
per share, or (ii) 85% of the lesser of (a) the volume weighted average price on the trading day immediately preceding a conversion
date and (b) the volume weighted average price on a conversion date. As a result, the Reverse Stock Split, if and when effected
by the Board, will decrease our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and allow us to continue to meet the obligations
of our outstanding Debentures without being subjected to penalties in the event that we have insufficient authorized shares to
meet the ongoing conversion obligations.
Effect
of Reverse Stock Split
The
Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our shareholders uniformly and will not affect any shareholder’s proportion voting
power or percentage ownership interest of the Company, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split results in any of our
shareholders owning a fractional of a share which shall be rounded up the next whole share as discussed below.
The
Reverse Stock Split will not affect the number of shares of Common Stock that we are authorized to issue, but will reduce the
number of shares each Company shareholder held prior to the Reverse Stock Split, if and when it occurs. As of the Written Consent
Date, the Company was authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 and 30,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.0001. Of this amount, (i) 122,313,929 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 133.8125 shares
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were outstanding, (iii) 71 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were outstanding,
(iv) 290.4138 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and (v) and 5,000 shares of Series D
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. Each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to one (1) vote and each share
of outstanding Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to thirty thousand one (30,001) votes to approve the Reverse Stock Split.
The Series A, B, and C Convertible Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on the Reverse Stock Split.
Upon
completion of the of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company will be authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.0001, and 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001. Of this amount, it is estimated that (i) 291,207 shares
of Common Stock, (ii) warrants to purchase 5,260 shares of Common Stock at an average exercise price of $2,655, and (iii) options
to purchase 340 shares of Common Stock at an average exercise price of $5,070 will be outstanding upon completion of the Reverse
Stock Split assuming the maximum reverse split. The table below summarizes the potential minimum and maximum Reverse Stock Split
information:
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Pre-Reverse
Stock Split
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Post-Reverse
Stock Split*
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1-For-2 Reverse Stock Split
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Common Stock – Issued and Outstanding
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122,313,929
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61,156,965
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Common Stock – Authorized
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150,000,000
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150,000,000
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Common Stock – Available for future issuance
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27,686,071
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88,843,035
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Preferred Stock – Issued and Outstanding
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500.24398
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500.24398
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Preferred Stock – Authorized
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30,000,000
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30,000,000
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Preferred Stock – Available for future issuance
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29,999,499.75602
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29,999,499.75602
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1-For-500 Reverse Stock Split
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Common Stock – Issued and Outstanding
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122,313,929
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244,628
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Common Stock – Authorized
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150,000,000
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150,000,000
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Common Stock – Available for future issuance
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27,686,071
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149,755,372
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Preferred Stock – Issued and Outstanding
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500.24398
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500.24398
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Preferred Stock – Authorized
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30,000,000
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30,000,000
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Preferred Stock – Available for future issuance
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29,999,499.75602
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29,999,499.75602
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*
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Number of shares issued and
outstanding are approximate as the figures do not take into account issuances required for fractional shares.
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Fractional
Shares
No
fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, shareholders who otherwise would
be entitled to receive fractional shares will be entitled to receive an additional share by rounding up to the nearest whole number
of shares.
Potential
Anti-Takeover Effects
The
Reverse Stock Split will have the effect of increasing the proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares. Under
certain circumstances this may have an anti-takeover effect. These authorized but unissued shares
could be used by the Company to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent a change of control
or changes in or removal of the Board, including a transaction that may be favored by a majority
of our shareholders or in which our shareholders might receive a premium for their
shares over then-current market prices or benefit in some other manner. For example, without further stockholder approval, the
Board could issue and sell shares thereby diluting the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition
of our Board or to propose or complete a tender offer or business combination involving us and potentially strategically placing
shares with purchasers who would oppose such a change in the Board or such a transaction.
Although
an increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares could, under certain circumstances, have a potential anti-takeover
effect, the Reverse Stock Split is not in response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate the shares of our Common
Stock or obtain control of the Company. There are no plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other
arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.
The
Board does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction”
within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are currently not engaged in any negotiations or otherwise
have no specific plans to use additional authorized shares of for any future acquisition, merger or consolidation.
Board
Discretion to Implement or Abandon Reverse Stock Split
The
Reverse Stock Split will be effected, if at all, only upon a determination by the Board that the Reverse Stock Split (with an
exchange ratio determined by Board as described above) is in the best interest of our Company and its stockholders. Such determination
shall be based upon certain factors, including, but not limited to, existing and expected marketability and liquidity of our Common
Stock, the number of remaining authorized shares of Common Stock, and the expense of effecting the Reverse Stock Split. Notwithstanding
approval of the Reverse Stock Split by our shareholders, the Board may, in its sole discretion, abandon the proposal and determine,
prior to the effectiveness of any filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, not to effect the Reverse Stock
Split. If the Board fails to implement the Reverse Stock Split on or prior to December 31, 2019, stockholder approval again would
be required prior to implementing any Reverse Stock Split.
Effective
Date
The
Board of Directors will have discretion as to whether or not to effect the Reverse Stock Split at any time on or prior to December
31, 2019. If implemented by the Board, the Reverse Stock Split would become effective upon the filing of an amendment to our Certificate
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Except as explained below with respect to fractional shares, on the effective
date, shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto will be combined and converted, automatically and
without any action on the part of the stockholders, into new shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Reverse Stock Split
ratio determined by the Board within the limits set forth in this proposal.
Authorized
Shares of Common Stock
The
Reverse Stock Split will not change the number of authorized shares of Common Stock but by virtue of the total number of shares
decreasing, it will increase the number of shares available for future issuance for corporate needs such as equity financing,
stock splits and stock dividends, employee benefit plans, or other corporate purposes as may be deemed by the Board to be in the
best interests of the Company. The Board believes that such increase in available shares for future issuance as a result of the
Reverse Stock Split will assist in the funding of our future operations. It will also provide us with greater flexibility in the
future to take advantage of market conditions or favorable opportunities without the potential expense or delay incident to obtaining
stockholder approval to increase our authorized capital.
Other
Effects
If
approved, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd-lots” of fewer than 100 shares of Common
Stock. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd-lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions
in “round-lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
Exchange
of Stock Certificates
As
soon as practicable after the effective date, stockholders will be notified that the Reverse Stock Split has been effected. Our
transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. We refer to such person
as the “Exchange Agent.” Holders of pre-Reverse Stock Split shares (“Old Shares”) will be asked to surrender
to the Exchange Agent certificates representing the Old Shares in exchange for certificates representing post-Reverse Stock Split
shares (“New Shares”) in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by us.
No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding
certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the Exchange Agent. Stockholders should
not destroy any stock certificate and should not submit any certificates until requested to do so.
No
Appraisal Rights
Under
applicable Delaware law, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenter’s or appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse
Stock Split and we would not independently provide our stockholders with any such right.
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split to holders of
our Common Stock, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. This discussion is based on the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions,
and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in effect as
of the date of this proxy statement. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change
may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of our common stock. We have not sought and will
not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will
not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split.
This
discussion is limited to holders that hold our Common Stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences
relevant to a holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax. In addition, it
does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to special rules or to holders that are partnerships for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income
and other tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split.
Tax
Consequences to U.S. Holders
For
purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is for U.S. federal income
tax purposes: (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated
as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof,
or the District of Columbia; or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source.
The
proposed Reverse Stock Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, except as
described below with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the proposed
Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the aggregate tax basis in the New Shares should equal the aggregate tax basis in the Old Shares
(excluding the portion of the tax basis that is allocable to any fractional share), and the holding period for the New Shares
should include the holding period for the Old Shares.
A
U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our Common Stock pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split should
recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the U.S. holder’s
tax basis in the Old Shares that is allocated to such fractional share of our common stock. Such capital gain or loss will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the Old Shares for more than one year as of the effective date of the
proposed Reverse Stock Split. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
. Information returns generally will be required to be filed with the IRS with
respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our Common Stock by a U.S. holder pursuant to the proposed Reverse
Stock Split unless such U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. In addition, U.S. holders may be subject to backup withholding on
the payment of such cash if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers in the manner required or otherwise fail
to comply with applicable backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Tax
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
For
purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a U.S.
holder nor a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Generally,
a non-U.S. holder will not recognize any gain or loss upon the proposed Reverse Stock Split. In particular, any gain or loss realized
with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding
tax unless (a) such gain or loss is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the
United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained
by the non-U.S. holder), (b) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or
more during the taxable year of the proposed Reverse Stock Split and certain other conditions are met, or (c) our common stock
constitutes a U.S. real property interest by reason of our status as U.S. real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes.
Gain
described in clause (a) above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as
if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to a branch profits
tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as
adjusted for certain items. A non-U.S. holder described in clause (b) above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate
of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) on the gain realized with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share,
which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses, even though the non-U.S. holder is not considered a resident of the
United States. With respect to clause (c) above, we believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a U.S. real property
holding corporation. If we are or have been a U.S. real property holding corporation, any gain realized with respect to cash received
in lieu of a fractional share may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct a trade or business in the United States
subject to U.S. federal income tax and the cash proceeds may also be subject to a 10% withholding tax.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payment
of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock to a non-U.S. holder pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split if
the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder and the applicable withholding agent does
not have actual knowledge to the contrary. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules may be refunded or allowed as a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
Information Statement may contain certain “forward-looking” statements as such term is defined by the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases, which represent our expectations or beliefs, including but not
limited to, statements concerning our operations, economic performance, financial condition, growth and acquisition strategies,
investments, and future operational plans. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical
fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,”
“will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,”
“estimate,” “might,” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable
terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements, by their nature, involve substantial risks
and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of
important factors, including uncertainty related to acquisitions, governmental regulation, managing and maintaining growth, volatility
of stock prices and any other factors discussed in this and other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
By Order of the Board of
Directors
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Of Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc.
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/s/
Christopher Lowe
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Christopher Lowe
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Chief Executive Officer
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January
[*], 2019