CPRX Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant  ☒                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1250

Coral Gables, Florida 33134

(305) 420-3200

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1250

Coral Gables, Florida 33134

(305) 420-3200

PROXY STATEMENT

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“we” or the Company”), for use at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, located at 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Alternatively, due to the health impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may need to be held solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance, and the details on how to participate in the virtual webcast of our annual meeting will be set forth in a press release issued by the Company, which will be available on our website at www.catalystpharma.com, and in a supplement to this Proxy Statement and a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Catalyst with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), which will be available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

The approximate date on which this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy will be sent to stockholders will be July 6, 2020. The form of proxy indicates a space for you to withhold your vote for any proposal. You are urged to indicate your vote on each matter in the space provided. If signed but no space is marked, it will be voted upon by the persons named at the Annual Meeting: (i) for the election of six persons to our Board of Directors to serve until the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, or removal; (ii) for the approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation that will increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 150,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares; (iii) for the approval of an amendment to our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan that will increase the shares available for issuance under that plan by an additional 2,500,000 shares (from 7,500,000 shares to 10,000,000 shares); (iv) for the ratification of the extension of our Stockholders’ Rights Plan until September 20, 2022 that was previously approved by our board of directors; (v) for the approval, on an advisory basis, of the 2019 compensation of our named executive officers, as set forth herein; (vi) for the ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; and (vii) in their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, are expected to attend the Annual Meeting.

We will bear the cost of the Board’s proxy solicitation. In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally and by telephone and e-mail, all without extra compensation.

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At the close of business on Monday, June 22, 2020 (the “Record Date”), we had outstanding 103,415,365 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Each share of our common stock entitles the holder thereof on the Record Date to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The quorum necessary to conduct business at the Annual Meeting consists of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. In the event that there are not sufficient proxies for approval of any of the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies.

Shares represented by proxies that are marked “abstain” or which are marked to deny discretionary authority will only be counted for determining the presence of a quorum. Votes withheld in connection with the election of one or more of the nominees for director will not be counted as votes cast for such individuals. In addition, where brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions (commonly referred to as “broker non-votes”), those shares will not be included in the vote totals.

The election of directors requires a majority of the votes cast by the holders of our common stock. A “majority” means the director must receive more votes “for” their election than “against” their election. Consequently, any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) have no impact on the election of directors. All other matters, except for Proposal 2, to be considered for approval at the Annual Meeting will require approval by a majority of the votes cast for and against such matter at the meeting. Proposal 2, to approve an Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation that will increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 150,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

A list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at our principal executive office located at 355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1250, Coral Gables, Florida 33134 for a period of ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting for examination by any stockholder. The list will also be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting by any stockholder who is present.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please fill in, sign and return your proxy card to the transfer agent in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.

A STOCKHOLDER WHO SUBMITS A PROXY ON THE ACCOMPANYING FORM HAS THE POWER TO REVOKE IT AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS USE BY DELIVERING A LATER-DATED WRITTEN NOTICE TO OUR CORPORATE SECRETARY, BY EXECUTING A LATER-DATED PROXY, OR BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING IN PERSON. UNLESS AUTHORITY IS WITHHELD, PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH THEREON.

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Patrick J. McEnany is a co-founder of our company and currently serves as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Mr. McEnany has been our CEO and a director since our formation in January 2002. He became Chairman and President in March 2006. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. McEnany was a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. McEnany was Chairman and CEO of Royce Laboratories, Inc., a generic pharmaceutical manufacturer. From 1997 to 1998, after the merger of Royce into Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mr. McEnany served as president of the wholly-owned Royce Laboratories subsidiary and vice president of corporate development for Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From 1993 to 1997, he also served as vice chairman and a director of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. He currently serves on an emeritus board of directors of the Jackson Health Foundation and on the board of directors of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, and over the last 30 years has served as a director for numerous public companies. The Board believes the characteristics that qualify Mr. McEnany as a director to serve on our Board include his long-term experience in the pharmaceutical industry and his extensive business leadership experience.

Philip H. Coelho has been a member of our Board since October 2002 and currently chairs the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee of our Board. Mr. Coelho is currently Chief Technology Officer of ThermoGenesis Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermogenesis Holdings, Inc, a leading regenerative medicine company that develops, commercializes and markets a range of automated technologies for cell-based therapeutics. ThermoGenesis Corp. provides a full suite of solutions for automated clinical biobanking, point-of-care applications, and automation for the preparation of immuno-oncology drugs. Until July 2017, Mr. Coelho served as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of SynGen, Inc. a company enabling regenerative cures through the application of innovative engineering and President of PHC Medical, Inc., a company providing consulting services for enterprises in the medical device related cell therapy field. Previously, from October 1986 until 2008, Mr. Coelho founded and was employed by ThermoGenesis Corp., at the time a company focused on the blood processing and hospital/woundcare markets. Mr. Coelho was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ThermoGenesis from December 1989 until May 2007 and served as its Chief Technology Architect from June 2007 until May 2008. From October 1986 to September 1989, Mr. Coelho held the position of Vice President and Director of Research, Development and Manufacturing with ThermoGenesis. Prior to his association with ThermoGenesis, from October 1983 to October 1986 Mr. Coelho was President of Castleton, Inc., a company that developed and licensed ultra-rapid heat transfer technology to ThermoGenesis. Mr. Coelho currently serves on the board of directors of Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Coelho holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis. The Board believes the characteristics that qualify Mr. Coelho to be a director of our company include his long-term experience in the pharmaceutical industry and his business leadership experience.

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Richard J. Daly joined our Board in February 2015. Mr. Daly currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of BeyondSpring Pharma, a pre-commercial company focused on cancer with assets in late Phase 3 trials. From 2016 until mid-2018, Mr. Daly served as Chairman and CEO of Neuralstem, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of central nervous system therapies based on its neuronal stem cell technology. Until October 2014, Mr. Daly served as President of AstraZeneca US Diabetes, where he led all commercial and medical plans and objectives for a $1.2 billion, 3,000-employee division, including the successful launch of an orphan/rare disorder drug, Myalept, for Lipodystrophy. Mr. Daly currently serves on the board of directors of Opiant Pharmaceuticals, where he serves on the Compensation and Audit Committees of the board of directors. From June of 2015 to June 2018 Mr. Daly also served on the Board of Directors of Synergy Pharmaceuticals, where he chaired the Nominations/Corporate Governance Committee and was a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Daly received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Notre Dame in 1983 and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University in 1998. The Board believes that the characteristics that qualify Mr. Daly to be a director of our company include his significant pharmaceutical industry experience and his experience in launching and managing sales of numerous pharmaceutical products, including several products that are used to treat orphan/rare diseases.

Donald A. Denkhaus joined our Board in February 2015 and currently chairs the Audit Committee of our Board. Since 2005, Mr. Denkhaus has been Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of The Kitchen, LLC, a company providing language dubbing and subtitling services to the television industry. From 1970 through 2002, Mr. Denkhaus, who is a retired certified public accountant, worked for Arthur Andersen LLP, a global professional services organization, where he was an audit partner for twenty-two years and held numerous leadership positions, including as head of Andersen’s South Florida audit practice and, from 1998 through 2002, as Audit Practice Partner responsible for Andersen’s offices in Florida and Puerto Rico. From 2010 to 2013, Mr. Denkhaus was Chair of Nuovo Biologics, a privately held biotech company that was developing an antiviral drug for animal use, and, from 2004 until its sale in 2009, Mr. Denkhaus served on the board of directors and as chair of the audit committee of Noven Pharmaceuticals, a publicly-traded specialty pharmaceutical company focused on women’s health and psychiatry. Mr. Denkhaus received a Master’s in Business Administration degree with a major in finance from the University of Maryland and a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in accounting from Kent State University. The Board believes that the characteristics that qualify Mr. Denkhaus to be a member of our Board include his extensive financial experience and his prior experience serving as a director of two pharmaceutical companies, one of which was publicly-traded.

Charles B. O’Keeffe has served as a member of our Board since December 2004 and became our lead independent director in July 2011. Mr. O’Keeffe also served as a consultant to us from December 2004 until June 2011. Mr. O’Keeffe is a Professor in the Departments of Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Community Health at Virginia Commonwealth University (“VCU”), and has served in such capacity since January 1, 2004. Mr. O’Keeffe joined VCU after retiring as President and Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a position Mr. O’Keeffe held from 1991 until 2003. As President of Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Services (from 1970 until 1971), he developed the first child-resistant, abuse-resistant vehicle for dispensing methadone. He served as president of Washington Reference Laboratories from 1972 until 1975, which provided toxicology services to the Department of Defense during the Vietnam War. He has served in the White House (from 1970 until 1973 and from 1976 until 1980) for three presidents—as advisor, special assistant for international health and deputy director for international affairs in the Office of Drug Abuse Policy—and has served on U.S. delegations to the World Health Assembly and the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The Board believes the characteristics that qualify Mr. O’Keeffe to serve as a member of our Board include his business leadership experience and his experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

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David S. Tierney, M.D. has served as a member of our Board since October 2002 and currently chairs the Compensation Committee of our Board. Dr. Tierney currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pharma2B, a privately held clinical stage pharmaceutical company. From September 2018 until January 2020, Dr. Tierney served as President & CEO of BioPharmX Corporation, a dermatology specialty pharmaceutical company. From January 2014 until March 2018, he served as President & CEO of Icon Bioscience, Inc., a privately held ophthalmic drug delivery company. Dr. Tierney served as President and Chief Operating Officer (and a member of the board of directors) of Oceana Therapeutics, Inc., a private specialty pharmaceutical company between the organization of that company in 2008 and the sale of that company to Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in December 2011. Dr. Tierney also served as the President and CEO (and as a member of the board of directors) of Valera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a specialty pharmaceutical company, between August 2000 and April 2007, when Valera completed a merger with Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Further, from January 2000 to August 2000, Dr. Tierney served as President of Biovail Technologies, a division of Biovail Corporation, a Canadian drug delivery company, where he was responsible for all of Biovail’s research and development, regulatory and clinical activities. Finally, from March 1997 to January 2000, Dr. Tierney was Senior Vice President of Drug Development at Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation, where he was responsible for all research and development activities, and for drug development, medical affairs, worldwide regulatory affairs and chemical process development, as well as being part of the executive management team, and from December 1989 to March 1997, Dr. Tierney was employed by Élan Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, in a variety of management positions. Dr. Tierney is also a director of Kempharm, Inc. and Bimeda, Inc. Dr. Tierney received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland and was subsequently trained in internal medicine. The Board believes the characteristics that qualify Dr. Tierney to serve on our Board include his business leadership experience and his pharmaceutical industry experience.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires our officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of changes in their ownership of common stock. Officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders are also required to furnish us with copies of all forms they file under this regulation. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and representations made to us that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2019 all Section 16(a) filings required to be filed by our officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders were timely filed.

Independent Directors

As required under applicable NASDAQ listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. The Board consults with our counsel to ensure that its determinations are consistent with all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent NASDAQ listing standards, as in effect from time to time. Consistent with these considerations, the Board has affirmatively determined that all of our directors (other than Mr. McEnany, who serves as our CEO) are “independent directors” within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.

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Corporate Governance

Our Board and management are committed to utilizing good corporate governance practices to ensure we are managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. We have in place a variety of policies and practices to promote good corporate governance. A majority of our Board is independent, in accordance with applicable NASDAQ listing standards, and all members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee of our Board also meet applicable NASDAQ listing standards for independence. We have also established:

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for establishing and reviewing our corporate governance guidelines from time to time and reporting and making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance matters. Among the matters addressed by our corporate governance guidelines are:

Copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on the corporate governance page of the Investor Relations section of our website, which is located at http://ir.catalystpharma.com/governance.cfm.

Board Diversity

In carrying out its function to nominate candidates for election to our Board, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee considers the mix of skills, experience, character, commitment and diversity. The committee construes diversity as meaning a variety of opinions, perspectives and backgrounds, including gender, race and ethnicity differences, as well as other differentiating characteristics, all in the context of the requirements of our Board at that point in time.

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Leadership Structure

Patrick J. McEnany serves as both our Chairman of the Board and CEO. The Board and its independent members believe that the most effective board leadership structure at the present time is for the CEO to serve as both Chairman of the Board and CEO, a structure that has served us well in the past. The independent members of the Board believe that because the CEO is ultimately responsible for our day-to-day operations and for executing our strategy, and because our performance is an integral part of the deliberations undertaken by the Board, the CEO is the director best qualified to act as the Chairman of the Board. The Board reserves the authority to modify this structure to best address and advance the interests of all stockholders, as and when appropriate.

The Board believes that independent oversight of management is also an important component of an effective board of directors. The Board believes that, for the reasons set forth below, our existing corporate governance practices achieve independent oversight and management accountability. Our governance practices provide for strong independent leadership, independent discussion among directors and for independent evaluation of, and communication with, our officers. These governance practices are reflected in our various committee charters, which are available on our website at www.catalystpharma.com. Some of the relevant processes and other corporate governance practices include:

Lead Independent Director

The Board has appointed a non-management director to serve in a lead capacity (the “Lead Independent Director”) to perform such duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine. Charles B. O’Keeffe serves as the Lead Independent Director. The role of the Lead Independent Director includes:

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Board Meetings and Attendance at Board and Board Committee Meetings

During 2019, our Board held 11 meetings and took actions by unanimous written consent on five occasions. For 2019, all of our directors attended at least 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings held by our Board and the Board committees on which they served. All of the members of our Board attended the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which was held on May 23, 2019. Directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, and reporting practices of our company, and such other duties as directed by the Board. The committee’s purpose is to oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes, the audits of our financial statements, the qualifications of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged as our independent auditor to prepare or issue an audit report on our financial statements, and the performance of our internal and independent auditors. The committee’s role includes a particular focus on the qualitative aspects of financial reporting to stockholders, our processes to manage business and financial risk, and compliance with applicable legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent auditor.

The Board has determined that Donald A. Denkhaus, the current chair of the Audit Committee, and Philip H. Coelho, a former chair of and a current member of the Audit Committee, are each an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2019 and took one action by unanimous written consent. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter which describes the role, responsibilities, and functioning of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s charter can be found at http://ir.catalystpharma.com/governance.cfm.

Compensation Committee

The role of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities related to compensation of our executive officers, to produce an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our Form 10-K or proxy statement, and to oversee and advise the Board on the adoption of policies that govern our compensation programs, including our stock incentive plans and our benefit plans. The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2019 and took four actions by unanimous written consent. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter which describes the role, responsibilities, and functioning of the Compensation Committee. A copy of this charter can be viewed on our website at http://ir.catalystpharma.com/governance.cfm. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has authority to retain compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation.

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

The role of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (“N&CG Committee”) is to appoint nominees for election to our Board, to identify and recommend candidates to fill vacancies between annual stockholder meetings, to review, evaluate and recommend changes to our corporate governance policies, and to review our policies and programs that relate to matters of corporate responsibility, including public issues of significance to our company and our stockholders. The N&CG Committee held one meeting in 2019. The N&CG Committee operates under a written charter which describes the role, responsibilities, and functioning of the N&CG Committee. A copy of the N&CG Committee’s charter can be found on our website at http://ir.catalystpharma.com/governance.cfm.

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Risk Oversight

Risk oversight is administered through the Board as a whole. The Board does not believe that risk management issues have an effect on our leadership structure. The Board provides feedback to management at regularly held Board meetings. The independent directors meet in executive session at each meeting of the Board and provide insight to our management on a variety of topics, including risk oversight.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that might incorporate future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in part, the Audit Committee Report above shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

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Executive Officers’ Business Experience

Patrick J. McEnany. The business experience of Patrick J. McEnany is included above in “Board of Directors.”

Steven R. Miller, Ph.D., has served as Chief Operating Officer since January 2011 and as our Chief Scientific Officer since October 2009. Previously, commencing in April 2007, Dr. Miller was our Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development and Project Management. Dr. Miller has worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years. Prior to joining us, Dr. Miller spent 15 years with various divisions of Watson Laboratories, a subsidiary of Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., most recently as Executive Director of R&D Operations. In this capacity, Dr. Miller managed a team of 75 in the testing of all R&D products for clinical trials, including method valuation, stability testing, operation of the R&D pilot plant, and assembly of the CMC section of drug applications, in addition to other responsibilities. Prior to holding this position, Dr. Miller was Director of Technology Transfer for Watson Laboratories, and Vice President of Research and Product Development for Royce Laboratories, which was subsequently acquired by Watson Laboratories. Prior to joining Royce Laboratories, Dr. Miller was Group Leader and Senior Scientist at Dade Behring. Prior to that, he served as an Analytical Chemist at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dr. Miller received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland and his Ph.D. from the University of Miami.

Alicia Grande, CPA, CMA, has served as our Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since December 2011 and as our Chief Accounting Officer since January 2007. Prior to joining Catalyst, since 2003 Ms. Grande was employed by The Hackett Group, Inc. (formerly known as Answerthink, Inc.), a publicly traded information technology consulting services company. Ms. Grande served in various capacities with The Hackett Group, most recently as Senior Director of Finance, and was responsible for all external and SEC financial reporting. Ms. Grande also served as head of The Hackett Group’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance team. Prior to joining The Hackett Group, Ms. Grande was employed in public accounting, and she began her career with Arthur Andersen LLP. Ms. Grande earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with majors in accounting and finance, from Syracuse University and a master of accounting degree from Florida International University.

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Gary Ingenito, M.D., Ph.D., is our Chief Medical and Regulatory Officer. He joined us as our Chief Medical Officer in June 2015 and took over the supervision of our regulatory operations in February 2016. Prior to joining Catalyst, Dr. Ingenito spent more than 25 years in the field of pharmaceutical development; including drugs, biologics, and combination products. During this time, Dr. Ingenito has held executive responsibilities for clinical research, regulatory, drug safety, and medical affairs at pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations. Dr. Ingenito initially joined Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in the neuroendocrine group and progressed to become head of medical affairs. He spent 8 years at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, overseeing the approval of anti-infective, cardiovascular, and central nervous system products. Dr. Ingenito has also held positions at Corning-Besselaar, SFBC International, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Biotest Pharmaceuticals, and, most recently at Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, where he served as head of regulatory affairs North America for biosimilars. After obtaining his bachelor of arts degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Ingenito earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Thomas Jefferson University. He completed a post-graduate residency in neurology at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Brian Elsbernd, J.D. joined us in February 2016 as our Sr. Vice President of Legal and Compliance and became our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Legal Officer on January 1, 2019. Prior to joining Catalyst, Mr. Elsbernd was, from 2004 until February 2016, employed in various capacities with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and its predecessors, including as Senior Director of U.S. Healthcare Compliance. At Mallinckrodt, he was involved in the building of their formal compliance program including providing leadership and vision on ethics and business conduct while also managing multiple other legal and business functions. Before joining Mallinckrodt, Mr. Elsbernd was an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP, within its Health Care practice group, representing health care providers nationwide in matters pertaining to regulatory and administrative law, transactional matters, litigation, and reimbursement issues. Mr. Elsbernd holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Illinois-Urbana and a law degree from the Saint Louis University School of Law.

Jeffrey Del Carmen has been our Chief Commercial Officer since June 23, 2020. Previously, since July 2018, Mr. Del Carmen served as our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Del Carmen has over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales and project management. Prior to joining Catalyst, from January 2018 until July 2018, Mr. Del Carmen served as Vice President of Business Development of Paragon Biosciences evaluating commercial assets to expand Paragon’s portfolio. From September 2016 until June 2017 (when it was acquired by PTC Therapeutics), Mr. Del Carmen was Senior Director, Rare Disease Marketing for Marathon Pharmaceuticals, leading Marathon’s marketing efforts for the commercialization of Emflaza. From January 2016 to August 2016, Mr. Del Carmen served as Vice President of Sales at Insys Therapeutics. From August 2011 until January 2016, Mr. Del Carmen was employed by Lundbeck Inc., where for the last two years of his tenure at Lundbeck he was the Movement Disorder National Sales Director. Prior to joining Lundbeck, Mr. Del Carmen spent 16 years at Abbott Laboratories in various sales and marketing leadership roles, with increasing responsibility. Mr. Del Carmen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Dayton and an Executive MBA Degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between or among any of our directors and/or officers.

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COMPENSATION – DISCLOSURE AND ANALYSIS

The role of the compensation committee in setting executive officer compensation

The Compensation Committee establishes and regularly reviews our compensation philosophy and programs, exercises authority with respect to the determination and payment of base and incentive compensation to our executive officers and administers our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) and our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan” and, together with the 2014 Plan, the “Plans”). Our Compensation Committee consists of three members of our Board, each of whom is independent as that term is defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations that have been promulgated thereunder and under the Exchange Act, and in the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.

Executive officers

During 2019, our Board designated that our “executive officers” (as that term is defined in the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act) are our Chief Executive Officer (Patrick J. McEnany), our Chief Operating and Chief Scientific Officer (Dr. Steven Miller), our Chief Financial Officer (Alicia Grande), our Chief Medical and Regulatory Officer (Dr. Gary Ingenito), our Chief Commercial Officer (Daniel Brennan), and our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Legal Officer (Brian Elsbernd). Each of our executive officers were employed by us for all of fiscal 2019. On June 23, 2020, Jeffrey Del Carmen replaced Mr. Brennan as Chief Commercial Officer.

Overview of executive officer compensation

In evaluating executive compensation, our Compensation Committee receives third-party data and analysis on market trends and competitive practices from its independent compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee also receives and considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer with respect to goals and compensation of executive officers. Our Compensation Committee assesses the information it receives in accordance with its business judgment. Our Chief Executive Officer is not present when his compensation is discussed by the Compensation Committee.

Our Compensation Committee believes that our executive officers are instrumental to our success. To that end, our compensation program is designed around the following:

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We also offer health and other insurance benefits to each of our employees, including our executive officers, and the benefits available to our executive officers are equal to the benefits available to all employees. Except as noted in the table below, no other perquisite benefits are available to our executive officers.

Process of setting 2019 executive officer compensation

In December 2017, our Compensation Committee engaged Radford (an Aon Hewitt Company), an independent compensation consultant, to provide advice and recommendations relating to our executive and non-executive compensation arrangements. Radford assisted the Compensation Committee in determining an appropriate peer group to evaluate the Company’s executive compensation group for alignment with governance and market best practices, and to provide recommendations as to an appropriate compensation philosophy to guide the Compensation Committee in determining executive officer base, bonus and equity compensation for 2018 and future years.

The peer group that was put in place and that was followed in setting 2019 compensation is below. The peer group was selected based on the following criteria: (i) publicly traded, pre-commercial therapeutics/biotechnology companies; (ii) companies in the late stage of development of a product (Phase 3) and companies that were currently in the regulatory approval process; (iii) companies with market capitalization of between $200 million and $1 billion; and (iv) companies with less than 100 employees. The Compensation Committee believed when it selected this peer group that this peer group was appropriate from a strategic/stage of development and market capitalization prospective based on the above-defined criteria.

When the Compensation Committee met to consider these matters in December 2017, it determined to adopt a compensation philosophy, based on Radford’s advice, to move executive compensation (including equity compensation) from the less than 25^th percentile to the 50^th percentile over a three-year period. In December 2018, the Compensation Committee determined to follow these guidelines for setting fiscal 2019 executive officer compensation. Base salaries increases for 2019 compensation ranged from four percent to six percent and bonus targets were set at 55% for the CEO and 40% for other company executive officers.

The Compensation Committee also established the following corporate goals and objectives for the payment of 2019 cash bonuses:

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The criteria established for the last category included (i) no official action indicated on FDA inspections, (ii) achieving average of 95% training compliance for quality/compliance training each quarter, (iii) no CRLs and no refuse to files on FDA submissions, and (iv) no warning letters from OPDP for marketing materials/activities.

At a Compensation Committee meeting held in December 2019, the Committee, after considering our company’s 2019 performance, determined to award cash bonuses to our executive officers. At the same meeting, the Compensation Committee made grants of stock options and restricted stock units to each executive officer for 2019 services.

The base and bonus compensation for our Principal Executive Officer and our two most highly compensated officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 , as well as the value of the option grants made to each such executive officer for 2019 and 2018 services are described in the following summary compensation table:

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Employment Agreements and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

We have an employment agreement with Patrick J. McEnany, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, which provides for the payment of a base salary plus bonus compensation based on performance. Mr. McEnany’s employment agreement also contains a “change of control” severance arrangement if the employee is not retained in our employment after a change of control. The employment agreement for Mr. McEnany expires on November 8, 2020. After the expiration of his employment agreement, Mr. McEnany becomes an employee-at-will, and he will still be entitled to payments for termination without cause or in the event of a change in control, as set forth below.

Pursuant to the employment agreement that we have with Mr. McEnany, we may terminate his employment at any time for “cause”, in which he would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination. Termination for “cause” occurs when the executive performs dishonest acts intended to benefit the executive personally, the executive willfully neglects his duties, or the executive fails to perform his duties because of gross negligence on the part of the executive, violation of any obligation under the executive’s employment agreement not remedied by the executive after ten (10) days’ notice of such violation, or the executive’s arrest for, conviction of or plea of nolo contendre to a crime constituting a felony.

In certain circumstances, Mr. McEnany is entitled to severance pay. These circumstances include (i) his voluntary resignation after a change in control or a demotion, or our failure to perform our material obligations under his employment agreement and our failure to remedy such violation within ten (10) days’ notice of such violation, (ii) his termination without cause, (iii) his total and permanent disability, or (iv) his death.

A change in control under our employment agreement with Mr. McEnany includes:

Under any of those circumstances, the executive’s severance package includes: (i) the payment of any accrued but unpaid annual bonus at the time of termination; (ii) the payment of the executive’s base salary for a period of twelve (12) months (24 months if his termination involves a change in control); and (iii) continuation of the executive’s medical benefits (in case of disability), including to his family (in case of death or disability).

We also have a severance and change in control plan in place that provides for severance if those of our executive officers designated to participate in the benefits under the plan are terminated for other than “cause” or if they terminate their employment with us for “good reason”, and for severance compensation in the event of a “change in control” (as all of those terms are defined in the plan).

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Under our severance and change in control plan,

To date, the Compensation Committee has designated that Ms. Grande, Mr. Brennan, Mr. Elsbernd, Dr. Ingenito and Dr. Miller, will receive benefits under the severance and change in control plan. Further, on his becoming Chief Commercial Officer replacing Mr. Brennan, Mr. Del Carmen was designated to receive benefits under the severance and change in control plan. Pursuant to the terms of the plan, once an executive has been designated to participate in the severance benefits afforded by the plan, the Compensation Committee cannot modify the plan as to that designated executive to eliminate any benefits or to modify the definitions used in the policy to the detriment of the designated executive, unless otherwise agreed to by the designated executive.

The following chart sets forth the amounts payable to our CEO and our two most highly compensated employees assuming the event had occurred on December 31, 2019:

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2019

The following table provides information relating to stock options granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Stock options granted relate to 2019 services.

[Chart on Next Page]

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In addition, on December 2, 2019, (i) Mr. McEnany was granted 92,500 restricted stock units, (ii) Dr. Miller was granted 60,000 restricted stock units, and (iii) Dr. Ingenito was granted 44,000 restricted stock units. Under the award agreement relating to the RSUs granted, none of such RSUs will grant their holder any voting or other rights as a stockholder until the shares underlying the RSUs become vested and such shares are issued.

Outstanding Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units

We have two stock incentive plans; our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) and our 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan” and, collectively with the 2018 Plan, the “Plans”). As of the Record Date, there were outstanding stock options under the Plans to purchase 12,205,002 shares of our common stock, at exercise prices ranging from $0.79 to $6.63 per share, 7,016,312 shares of which were currently vested. On the same date, there were outstanding 352,500 restricted stock units for shares of our common stock, none of which were currently vested, and 851,271 shares of our common stock remained eligible for grant under the 2018 Plan. Further, subsequent to the Record Date, an additional 250,000 stock options and 30,000 restricted stock units were issued, none of which are currently vested.

2018 Stock Incentive Plan

In February 2018, our Board adopted the 2018 Plan, which became effective in May 2018 when the 2018 Plan was approved by our stockholders at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. We initially reserved an aggregate of 7,500,000 shares for issuance under the 2018 Plan. If Proposal No. 3 being voted on at the Annual Meeting is approved, we will add an additional 2,500,000 shares to the shares reserved for issuance under the 2018 Plan.

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Administration

The Compensation Committee of the Board administers the 2018 Plan and determines which persons will receive grants of awards and the type of award to be granted to such persons. The Compensation Committee will also interpret the provisions of the 2018 Plan and make all other determinations that it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2018 Plan.

Eligibility to Participate in the 2018 Plan

All eligible individuals are able to participate in the 2018 Plan. Eligible individuals include our directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and consultants, as well as individuals who have accepted an offer of employment with us.

Form of Awards

Awards under the 2018 Plan may be granted in any one or all of the following forms: (i) Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (ii) stock options that are not Incentive Stock Options (“Non-Qualified Stock Options”, unless otherwise noted herein, “Options” refers to both Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options), (iii) the right to receive all or some portion of the increase in value of a fixed number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Stock Appreciation Rights” or “SARs”), which may be awarded either in tandem with Options or on a stand-alone basis, (iv) shares of Common Stock that are restricted (“Restricted Shares”), (v) the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock at the end of a specified period (“RSUs”), (vi) the right to receive a fixed number of shares of the Company’s common stock, or the cash equivalent, which is contingent on the achievement of certain performance goals (“Performance Shares”), and (vii) the right to receive a designated dollar value, or shares of the Company’s common stock of the equivalent value, which is contingent on the achievement of certain performance goals (“Performance Units”).

Stock Options

Options may be granted under the 2018 Plan for the purchase of shares of our common stock. The Compensation Committee may designate Options as either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. The term of each Option granted will be determined by the Compensation Committee. However, no Incentive Stock Option will be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is granted, or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (a “10% Stockholder”), more than five years after the date it is granted.

The purchase price per share under each Incentive Stock Option will be specified by the Compensation Committee, but in no event may it be less than 100% of the market price per share of our common stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% Stockholder, the purchase price per share must not be less than 110% of the market price of our common stock on the date of grant.

Options may be exercised in whole or in part. Payment for such exercise must be made in cash or through the delivery to the Company of shares of common stock previously owned by the Option holder. The Compensation Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may allow other forms of payment.

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Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock Appreciation Rights may be awarded by the Compensation Committee in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion. The terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be substantially identical to the terms and conditions that would apply if the grant of such Stock Appreciation Right had been the grant of an Option.

Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the owner of such Stock Appreciation Right shall be entitled to receive payment in cash, in shares of common stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The amount of such payment shall be determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise over the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, by the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Rights are being exercised.

Restricted Stock

Shares of Restricted Stock may be granted, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion. The Compensation Committee shall impose such restrictions on any Restricted Stock granted under the 2018 Plan as it may deem advisable.

Except as provided by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, Restricted Stock granted under the 2018 Plan will vest over a four year period after the grant date in equal annual increments of 25%. Shares of Restricted Stock may also be granted subject to performance goals, and such shares will be released from restrictions only after the attainment of such performance goals has been certified by the Compensation Committee.

Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, until the expiration of all applicable restrictions, and subject to the terms of the Plan, (i) the Restricted Stock is treated as outstanding common stock in the Company, (ii) the participant holding shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to such shares, and (iii) the participant holding shares of Restricted Stock is entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares while they are so held.

RSUs

RSUs may be granted, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion. The Compensation Committee shall impose such restrictions on any RSUs granted under the 2018 Plan as it may deem advisable.

Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee in an award agreement, upon the expiration of all applicable restrictions, shares of the Company’s common stock will be paid within 60 days following the date the restrictions lapse. Participant’s holding RSUs will not have any rights of a stockholder until the underlying shares of the Company’s common stock are delivered.

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Performance Shares and Performance Units

Performance Shares and Performance Units may be granted, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion. Performance Shares and Performance Units will be subject to the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals. Such performance goals shall be established by the Committee in writing (other than options and SARs) and shall be based on one or more of the following business criteria: (i) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, the Company’s enterprise value or value creation targets; (ii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, the Company’s after-tax or pre-tax profits including, without limitation, that attributable to the Company’s continuing and/or other operations; (iii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase relating to, the Company’s operational cash flow or working capital, or a component thereof; (iv) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified decrease relating to, the Company’s operational costs, or a component thereof; (v) the attainment of a certain level of reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of bank debt or other of the Company’s long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee; (vi) the attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per share or earnings per share from the Company’s continuing operations; (vii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage increase in, the Company’s net sales, revenues, net income or earnings before income tax or other exclusions; (viii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, the Company’s return on capital employed or return on invested capital; (ix) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, the Company’s after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholder equity; (x) the attainment of certain target levels in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock; (xi) the growth in the value of an investment in the common stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; (xii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, EBITDA (earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization); and/or attainment of synergies and cost reductions in connection with mergers, acquisitions and similar corporate transactions involving the Company.

As soon as practicable after the end of a performance period (as set forth by the Compensation Committee), the Compensation Committee shall determine to what extent the Performance Shares or Performance Units have been earned on the basis of the Company’s performance.

Transferability of Awards

Awards are non-transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly allowed by the Compensation Committee pursuant to a gift to members of an eligible person’s immediate family. The gift may be directly or indirectly transferred, by means of a trust, partnership, or otherwise. Stock options and SARs may be exercised only by the optionee, any such permitted transferee or a guardian, legal representative or beneficiary.

Treatment of Awards upon a Change in Control

If there is a change in control of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., any award that is not exercisable and vested may immediately become exercisable and vested in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee. Vested awards will be deemed earned and payable in full. The Compensation Committee may also terminate the awards, entitling participants to a cash payment. If we are liquidated or dissolved, awards may also be converted into the right to receive liquidation proceeds. In the event that the Compensation Committee does not terminate or convert an award upon a change of control, then the award will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

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Amendments, Modifications and Termination

Our Board may, at any time, amend, suspend or terminate the 2018 Plan, but the Board may not impair the rights of holders of outstanding awards without the holder’s consent. No amendment to the 2018 Plan may be made without consent of our stockholders. In the event that an award is granted to a person residing outside of the United States, the Board may, at its discretion, modify the terms of the agreement to comply with the laws of the country of which the eligible individual is a resident. The 2018 Plan will terminate 10 years after its effective date.

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

In February 2014, our Board adopted the 2014 Plan, which became effective in May 2014 when the 2014 Plan was approved by our stockholders at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. Amendments adding additional shares to the 2014 Plan were approved by our stockholders at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Following adoption of the 2018 Plan, no additional shares will be issued under the 2014 Plan.

Administration. The Compensation Committee administers the 2014 Plan and makes all determinations that it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2014 Plan.

Transferability of Awards. Awards are non-transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly allowed by the Compensation Committee pursuant to a gift to members of an eligible person’s immediate family. The gift may be directly or indirectly transferred, by means of a trust, partnership, or otherwise. Stock options and SARs may be exercised only by the optionee, any such permitted transferee or a guardian, legal representative or beneficiary.

Change of control. If there is a change in control of our company, any award that is not exercisable and vested may immediately become exercisable and vested in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee. Vested awards will be deemed earned and payable in full. The Compensation Committee may also terminate the awards, entitling participants to a cash payment. If our company is liquidated or dissolved, awards may also be converted into the right to receive liquidation proceeds. In the event that the Compensation Committee does not terminate or convert an award upon a change of control, then the award will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

Amendments, Modifications and Termination. Our Board may, at any time, amend, suspend or terminate the 2014 Plan, but the Board may not impair the rights of holders of outstanding awards without the holder’s consent. No amendment to the 2014 Plan may be made without consent of our stockholders. The 2014 Plan will terminate 10 years after its effective date.

Hedging and Pledging Policies

Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our executive officers, other employees, non-employee directors and consultants from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our ordinary shares at any time. In addition, no officer, director, other employee or consultant of Catalyst may margin or pledge, or make any offer to margin or pledge, any of our ordinary shares, including without limitation, borrowing against the value of such ordinary shares, at any time.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity-based awards held by our CEO and our two other most highly compensated employees as of December 31, 2019.

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Vote Required

Since this will be an uncontested election, the election of directors at the Annual Meeting requires a majority of the votes cast by the holders of our common stock at such meeting. A “majority” means the director must receive more votes “for” their election than “against”. Consequently, any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) have no impact on the election of directors.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the six persons listed above who have been nominated for election to the Board of Directors.

As a general matter, the Board of Directors does not believe the currently available number of unissued shares of common stock is an adequate number of shares to assure that there will be sufficient shares available for issuance in connection with possible future acquisitions, equity and equity-based financings, possible future awards under employee benefit plans, stock dividends, stock splits, and other corporate purposes. Therefore, the Board of Directors has approved the above-described increase in our authorized shares of common stock as a means of providing us with the flexibility to act with respect to the issuance of common stock or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, common stock in circumstances which they believe will advance our interests and the interests of our stockholders without the delay of seeking an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation at that time.

The Board of Directors has considered, and will continue to consider, various financing options, including the issuance of common stock from time to time to raise additional capital necessary to support future growth of our company. As a result of the proposed Amendment, the Board of Directors will have more flexibility to pursue opportunities to engage in possible future capital market transactions involving common stock or securities convertible into common stock, including, without limitation, public offerings or private placements of such common stock. There are no specific financing or acquisition transactions under consideration at this time.

Vote Required

Pursuant to Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, approval of the amendment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date. As a result, broker non-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the resolution.

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders approve the above-described proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 150,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares.

By approving the Amendment, stockholders will be approving the addition of 2.5 million shares to the 2018 Plan, representing approximately 2.5% of our outstanding common stock as of the Record Date on a fully diluted basis. The 2018 Plan as originally adopted reserved 7.5 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 2018 Plan, 851,271 shares of which remain available for future issuance under the 2018 Plan. This Amendment will increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan to 10.0 million shares, 3,351,271 of which will remain available for future issuance.

The primary features of the Plan which, except for the increase in shares set forth under the Amendment, will remain the same if the stockholders approve this proposal. Such terms are described in “2018 Stock Incentive Plan” beginning on page 19 of this proxy statement.

The form of proposed amendment to our 2018 Plan is Annex B to this proxy statement. The description in this proxy statement to the proposed amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the full text of the form of the amendment.

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders approve the proposed amendment to our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.

Objectives of the Rights Plan

The fundamental objectives of the Rights Plan are to provide adequate time for our Board and stockholders to assess an unsolicited take-over bid for the company, to provide the Board with sufficient time to explore and develop alternatives for maximizing stockholder value if a take-over bid is made, and to provide stockholders with an equal opportunity to participate in a take-over bid. The Rights Plan also prevents the potential adverse impact of an accumulation of a significant interest in the Company through a creeping bid or private agreement transaction. In the absence of the Rights Plan, a person could acquire in excess of 17.5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares through such transactions, without affording all stockholders the opportunity to sell their shares.

The Rights Plan encourages a potential acquirer who makes a take-over bid to proceed by way of an agreement with the Company’s Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors does not waive the Rights Plan after a take-over bid is made, the Rights Plan holds that holders of common shares, other than the acquirer, will be able to effectively purchase common shares at a fifty percent (50%) discount to the market price, thus exposing the person acquiring shares to a significant dilution of their holdings.

The adoption of a rights plan does not relieve the Board of Directors of its fiduciary duty to consider in good faith any proposal to acquire the corporation. Directors are subject to these same fiduciary standards in relation to each board action undertaken with respect to a rights plan, including the adoption of such a plan and any subsequent refusal or agreement to redeem it.

The rights plan has not and will not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Company. The continuation of the existing outstanding rights and the issuance of any additional rights in the future will not in any way alter the financial condition of the Company, impede its business plans, or alter its financial statements. In addition, the Rights Plan is initially not dilutive. However, if a “Triggering Event” (described below) occurs and the rights separate from the common shares (as described below), reported earnings-per-share and reported cash flow per share on a fully diluted or non-diluted basis may be affected.

Description of the Rights Plan

The following description of the principal terms and conditions of the Rights Plan is in summary only, is not comprehensive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Rights Agreement. The Rights Plan, as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 thereto, are available on the SEC’s website.

Issuance of Rights

The Company has issued one Right in respect of each common share of the Company. One Right will also be issued in respect of each common share issued before the Distribution Date (as defined below) or until the termination of the Rights Agreement, whichever comes first.

Distribution Date

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will separate from the common shares and each will become exercisable at a price of $7.80 for 0.01 share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. This portion of a Preferred Share would give the holder thereof approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one common share.

The Distribution date is the earliest of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a person has become an “Acquiring Person” by acquiring beneficial ownership of 17.5% or more of the common shares then outstanding, or (ii) 10 business days after the commencement by or on behalf of any person (other than the Company) of a tender or exchange offer, if (a) such tender offer or exchange offer has not commenced as of the date of the Rights Agreement, and (b) upon consummation thereof, such person would become an Acquiring Person.

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Issuance of Rights Certificates

As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will mail rights certificates to holders of record of the common shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and, thereafter, the separate rights certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

Expiration of Rights

The Rights will expire on the earlier of (i) the time at which the Rights are redeemed, (ii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged in full, or (iii) September 20, 2022.

Change of Exercise Rights Following Certain Events

The following described events are referred to as “Triggering Events”:

In a “Flip-In Event”, in the event that a person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common shares having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price, meaning that each holder of a Right could purchase $15.60 worth of common stock for the $7.80 purchase price (the number of shares depending on the then-prevailing stock price). Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the occurrence of a person becoming an Acquiring Person, all Rights that are or (under certain circumstances) were beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null and void.

In a “Flip-Over Event”, in the event that, at any time after a person has become an Acquiring Person, (i) the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity, (ii) the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity and the common shares of the Company are changed or exchanged, or (iii) 50% or more of the Company’s assets or earning power are sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights that have been previously voided) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common shares of the Acquiring Company having a value equal to two times the purchase price.

Exchange of Rights

At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors of the Company may direct the Company to exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or certain related parties, which shall have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one common share per Right (subject to adjustment). The Company may substitute Preferred Shares (or their equivalent) for common shares at an initial rate of 1/100^th of a Preferred Share per Common Share. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company directing the Company to exchange the Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive a number of common shares equal to the number of Rights held by such holder multiplied by the exchange ratio.

Adjustments to Prevent Dilution; Fractional Shares

The Board of Directors may adjust the purchase price, the number of Preferred Shares or other securities or assets issuable upon exercise of a right, and the number of rights outstanding to prevent dilution that may occur (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the preferred shares, (ii) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision or combination of, the common shares, (iii) if holders of the preferred shares are granted certain rights, options, or warrants to subscribe for preferred shares or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the preferred shares, or (iv) upon the distribution to holders of preferred shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets or of subscription rights or warrants. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase price will be required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the purchase price. No fractional preferred shares will be issued (other than fractions that are in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a preferred share) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash may be made on the market price of the preferred shares on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.

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No Stockholder Rights Prior to Exercise; Tax Considerations

Until a right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of rights will not be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending on the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the rights become exercisable for common shares (or other consideration) of the Company or shares of the acquiring company or in the event of the redemption of the rights as set forth above.

Amendment of Rights Agreement

As long as the rights are then redeemable, the Company may supplement or amend any provisions of the Rights Plan Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of the rights. At any time when the rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may supplement or amend the Rights Plan Agreement without the holders of any rights in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provisions contained therein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions therein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period thereunder, or (iv) change or supplement the provisions thereunder in any manner which the Company deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such supplement or amendment shall adversely affect the interests of holders of rights as such (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate thereof), and no such amendment may cause the rights again to become redeemable or cause the rights agreement to become amendable other than as set forth above.

Vote Required

The ratification of the extension of the Rights Plan requires a majority of the votes cast by holders of our common stock. If the Rights Plan extension is not ratified by our stockholders, the Rights Plan will be cancelled and of no further force or effect. However, the Board of Directors reserves the right to approve a new rights plan, subject to ratification by the Company’s stockholders, even if the extension of the Rights Plan is not ratified at the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote to ratify the extension of the Stockholders’ Rights Plan previously approved by our board of directors.

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