|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar Year
|
|
Awards
Granted(1)
|
|
Basic
Weighted
Average
Number of
Ordinary
Shares
Outstanding
|
|
Gross Burn
Rate(2)
|
|
2019
|
|
|
3,645,450
|
|
|
74,199,482
|
|
|
4.91
|
%
|
2018
|
|
|
4,440,675
|
|
|
50,795,768
|
|
|
8.74
|
%
|
2017
|
|
|
1,752,400
|
|
|
29,830,669
|
|
|
5.87
|
%
|
Three-Year Average
|
|
|
3,279,508
|
|
|
51,608,640
|
|
|
6.51
|
%
|
-
(1)
-
Awards
granted includes shares subject to options and shares subject to restricted share unit awards, in each case counted on a one-for-one basis.
-
(2)
-
"Gross
burn rate" which we define as the number of equity awards granted in the year divided by the basic weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.
Description of the 2020 Plan
The following summary of the 2020 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2020 Plan, as proposed, which is
attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. References to the board of directors in this summary includes the compensation committee of the board of directors or any similar committee
appointed by the board of directors to administer the 2020 Plan.
Types of Awards; Shares Available for Awards; Share Counting Rules
The 2020 Plan allows for the issuance of incentive share options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, nonstatutory share
options, SARs, restricted shares, RSUs and other share-based awards and other cash-based awards, which we refer to collectively as awards. Subject to adjustment in the event of share splits, share
dividends or similar events, awards (any or all of which may be in the form of incentive share options) may be made under the 2020 Plan for up to the sum of (1) 9,300,000 ordinary shares; plus
(2) a number of ordinary shares (up to 10,925,480 ordinary shares) which is equal to the sum of the number of our ordinary shares that remain available for grant under the 2017 Plan as of
immediately prior to the AGM and the number of ordinary shares subject to awards granted under the 2017 Plan and our Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan 2015, as amended, that expire, terminate or
are otherwise surrendered, cancelled, forfeited or repurchased by us at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right.
The
sub-plan adopted under the 2020 Plan which governs the awards made under the 2020 Plan to non-employee service providers, provides that the maximum value (calculated based on grant
date fair value for financial reporting purposes) of shares subject to awards granted under the sub-plan in any fiscal year to any individual non-employee director may not exceed $500,000 in the case
of an incumbent director or $1,000,000 in the case of a new director during his or her first year of service. In addition, the maximum amount of cash compensation paid in any fiscal year to any
individual non-employee director may not exceed $175,000 in the case of an incumbent director or $225,000 in the case of the chairman of our board of directors. The committee of our board of directors
may make exceptions to these limits for individual nonemployee directors in extraordinary circumstances, as the committee may determine in its discretion, provided that the non-employee director
receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.
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For
purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of awards under the 2020 Plan, all ordinary shares covered by SARs will be counted against the number of shares
available for the grant of awards under the 2020 Plan. However, SARs that may be settled only in cash will not be so counted, and if we grant an SAR in tandem with an option for the same number of
ordinary shares and provide that only one such award may be exercised, which we refer to as a tandem SAR, only the shares covered by the option, and not the shares covered by the tandem SAR, will be
so counted, and the expiration of one in connection with the other's exercise will not restore shares to the 2020 Plan.
Shares
covered by awards under the 2020 Plan that expire or are terminated, surrendered, or cancelled without having been fully exercised or are forfeited in whole or in part (including
as the result of shares subject to such award being repurchased by us at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or that result in any shares not being issued
(including as a result of an SAR that was settleable either in cash or in ordinary shares actually being settled in cash) will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2020 Plan (subject,
in the case of incentive share options, to any limitations under the Code). In the case of the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares counted against the shares available for the grant of awards
will be the full number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the percentage of the SAR actually exercised, regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle the SAR upon exercise, and
the shares covered by a tandem SAR will not again become available for grant upon the expiration or termination of the tandem SAR.
Ordinary
shares that are delivered (by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to us by a participant to purchase ordinary shares upon exercise of an award or to satisfy tax
withholding obligations with respect to awards (including shares retained from the award creating the tax obligation) will not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of
awards under the 2020 Plan. Ordinary shares of ours repurchased by us on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an award will not increase the number of shares available for future
grant of awards under the 2020 Plan.
In
connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with us or our acquisition of property or shares of an entity, our board of directors may grant awards under the 2020 Plan in
substitution for any options or other shares or share-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof on such terms as our board of directors determines appropriate in the circumstances,
notwithstanding any limitation on awards contained in the 2020 Plan. Any such substitute awards will not count against the overall share limit, except as required by Section 422 and related
provisions of the Code.
Shares
issued under the 2020 Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
Descriptions of Awards.
Options. Optionees receive the right to purchase a specified number of our ordinary shares at a specified option price and subject to
such other
terms and conditions as are specified in connection with the option grant. Only our employees or employees of our subsidiaries may receive "incentive share options" as defined in Section 422 of
the Code. An option that is not intended to be an "incentive share option" is a "nonstatutory share option". Options may not be granted at an exercise price that is less than 100% of the fair market
value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that if our board of directors approves the grant of an option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the
exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on such future date. Under present law, incentive share options may not be granted at an exercise price less
than 110% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant in the case of incentive share options granted to optionees holding more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of our shares or any of our subsidiaries. Under the terms of the 2020 Plan, options may not be granted for a term of more than ten years (and, under present law,
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five
years in the case of incentive share options granted to optionees holding greater than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our shares or any of our subsidiaries). The 2020
Plan permits participants to pay the exercise price of options using one or more of the following manners of payment: (i) payment by cash, by check or, except as may otherwise be provided in
the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, in connection with a "cashless exercise" through a
broker, (ii) to the extent provided in the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, and subject to certain conditions, by delivery of ordinary shares to us owned by
the participant valued at their fair market value, (iii) except for awards made to non-employee participants, to the extent provided in an applicable nonstatutory share option agreement or
approved by our board of directors, by delivery of a notice of "net exercise" as a result of which we will retain a number of ordinary shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the share option equal to
the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the option being exercised divided by the fair market value of an ordinary share of ours on the date of exercise, (iv) to the extent permitted by
applicable law and provided for in the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, by payment of any other lawful consideration as our board of directors may determine, or
(v) by any combination of these forms of payment. No option granted under the 2020 Plan may contain any provision entitling the participant to the automatic grant of additional options in
connection with the exercise of the original option nor may any option granted under the 2020 Plan provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.
Share Appreciation Rights. An SAR is an award entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive a number of ordinary shares, or cash (or a
combination
of our ordinary shares and cash) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of an ordinary share over the measurement price. The 2020 Plan
provides that the measurement price of an SAR may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date the SAR is granted (provided, however, that if our board of
directors approves the grant of an SAR effective as of a future date, the measurement price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value on such future date) and that SARs may not be granted
with a term in excess of 10 years. No SAR granted under the 2020 Plan may contain any provision entitling the participant to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any
exercise of the original SAR nor may any SAR granted under the 2020 Plan provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.
Limitation on Repricing of Options and SARs. With respect to options and SARs, unless such action is approved by our shareholders or
otherwise
permitted under the terms of the 2020 Plan in connection with certain changes in capitalization and reorganization events, we may not (1) amend any outstanding option or SAR granted under the
2020 Plan to provide an exercise price or measurement price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price or measurement price per share of such outstanding option or SAR,
(2) cancel any outstanding option or SAR (whether or not granted under the 2020 Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new awards under the 2020 Plan (other than certain substitute awards
described above) covering the same or a different number of ordinary shares and having an exercise price or measurement price per share lower than the then-current exercise price or measurement price
per share of the canceled option or SAR, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding option or SAR with an exercise price or measurement price per share above the then-current
fair market value of an ordinary share of ours, or (4) take any other action under the 2020 Plan that constitutes a "repricing" within the meaning of the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Restricted Shares. Restricted shares entitle recipients to acquire ordinary shares, subject to our right to repurchase all or part of
such shares at
their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require
forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) in the event that the conditions specified in the applicable award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period established
for such award. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, any dividend declared and paid by us with respect to restricted shares will be paid to the participant only if and when
such shares become free from any applicable restrictions on transferability and forfeitability.
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Table of Contents
Restricted Share Unit Awards. RSUs entitle the recipient to receive ordinary shares, or cash equal to the fair market value of such
shares, to be
delivered at the time such award vests pursuant to the terms and conditions established by our board of directors. Our board of directors may provide that settlement of an RSU will be deferred, on a
mandatory basis or at the election of the participant in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. A participant has no voting rights with respect to any RSU. Our board may provide
that a grant of RSUs may provide the participant with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding ordinary shares.
Any such dividend equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the participant, may be settled in cash and/or ordinary shares and will be subject to the same restrictions on
transfer and forfeitability as the RSUs with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid, in each case to the extent provided in the award agreement.
Other Share-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards. Under the 2020 Plan, our board of directors may grant other awards of ordinary
shares, and
other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, ordinary shares or other property, having such terms and
conditions as our board of directors may determine. We refer to these types of awards as other share-based awards. Other share-based awards may be available as a form of payment in settlement of other
awards granted under the 2020 Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a participant is otherwise entitled. Other share-based awards may be paid in ordinary shares or in cash, as our board
of directors may determine. Our board may also grant awards under the 2020 Plan that are denominated in, or settled in, cash rather than in ordinary shares, having such terms and conditions as our
board of directors may determine. We refer to these types of awards as other cash-based awards. The award agreement for an other share-based award or an other cash-based award may provide participants
with the right to receive dividend equivalents. Such dividend equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the participant, may be settled in cash and/or ordinary shares and will be
subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the other share-based award or other cash-based award with respect to which it is paid, in each case to the extent provided in the
award agreement.
Performance Awards. Awards under the 2020 Plan may be made subject to the achievement of performance goals. We refer to such awards as
performance
awards. For any such award, the board may specify that the degree of granting, vesting and/or payout of an award will be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures, which
will be based on the relative or absolute attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following, which may be determined pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or
GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis, as determined by the board: net income, earnings before or after discontinued operations, interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, operating profit before or
after discontinued operations and/or taxes, sales, sales growth, earnings growth, cash flow or cash position, gross margins, share price, market share, return on sales, assets, equity or investment,
improvement of financial ratings, achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives, total shareholder return or any other performance measure selected by the board.
Such
performance goals may reflect absolute entity or business unit performance or a relative comparison to the performance of a peer group of entities or other external measure of the
selected performance criteria and may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated. The board may specify that such
performance measures will be adjusted to exclude any one or more of (i) non-recurring or unusual gains or losses, (ii) gains or losses on the dispositions of discontinued operations,
(iii) the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, (iv) the writedown of any asset, (v) fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, (vi) charges for
restructuring and rationalization programs or (vii) any other adjustment determined by the board. Such performance measures (x) may vary by participant and may be different for different
awards, (y) may be particular to a participant or the department, branch, line of business,
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Table of Contents
subsidiary
or other unit in which the participant works and may cover such period as may be specified by the board, and (z) will be set by the board at such time as it may determine, in its
discretion. The
board may adjust upwards or downwards, the number of shares or cash payable pursuant to such a performance award, and the board may waive the achievement of applicable performance measures in any
circumstance, including in the case of the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us. In addition, the board may impose such other restrictions on performance awards as it
may deem necessary or appropriate.
Transferability of Awards
Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by granted participant, either voluntarily or by operation of
law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an incentive share option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. During the life of the
participant, awards are exercisable only by the participant. However, except with respect to awards that are subject to Section 409A, our board of directors may permit or provide in an award
for the gratuitous transfer of the award by the participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the participant and/or an
immediate family member thereof if, with respect to such proposed transferee, we would be eligible to use a Form S-8 for the registration of the sale of the ordinary shares subject to such
award under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Further, we are not required to recognize any such transfer until such time as the permitted transferee has, as a condition to such transfer,
delivered to us a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to us confirming that such transferee will be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the award. Nothing in the 2020 Plan
restricts a participant from making a transfer to us.
Eligibility to Receive Awards
All of our employees and officers, as well as our consultants, advisors and non-employee directors pursuant to the terms of a sub-plan
established under the 2020 Plan, are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan. However, incentive share options may only be granted to our employees, employees of our present or future parent or
subsidiary corporations, and employees of any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive incentive share options under the Code.
Plan Benefits
Approximately 96 persons are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan, including the Company's 84 employees (excluding officers), 6
officers (all of whom are also employees), 6 directors (excluding the CEO, who is an officer), no consultants and no advisors.
The
granting of awards under the 2020 Plan is discretionary, and we cannot now determine the number or type of awards to be granted in the future to any particular person or group,
except that on February 6, 2020 our board of directors granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1,837,500 ordinary shares under the 2020 Plan to six employees, including our named executive
officers, subject to our receipt of shareholder approval of the 2020 Plan at the AGM. If shareholder approval of the 2020 Plan
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Table of Contents
is
not obtained at the AGM, the Contingent Options will convert automatically into cash-settled share appreciation rights.
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position
|
|
Number of
Ordinary Shares
Subject to the
Contingent
Options
|
|
Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
|
687,500
|
|
Jennifer Schranz, Chief Medical Officer
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
Steven Gelone, President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
310,000
|
|
All current executive officers, as a group
|
|
|
1,837,500
|
|
All current directors who are not executive officers, as a group
|
|
|
|
|
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
|
|
|
|
|
On
June 2, 2020, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares at the close of business on the Nasdaq Global Market was $0.75. Based solely on the last reported sale price
of our ordinary shares on Nasdaq on June 2, 2020, and the maximum number of shares that would have been available for awards as of June 2, 2020, taking into account the approval of the
2020 Plan described herein, the maximum aggregate market value of the ordinary shares that could potentially be issued under the 2020 Plan is $15.2 million.
Administration
The 2020 Plan will be administered by our board of directors. Our board of directors has the authority to grant awards, to adopt, amend and
repeal the administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the 2020 Plan that it deems advisable and to construe and interpret the provisions of the 2020 Plan and any award agreements
entered into under the 2020 Plan. Our board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the 2020 Plan or any award. All actions and decisions by our board of
directors will be made in our board of directors' discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the 2020 Plan or in any award. Pursuant to the terms of the
2020 Plan, our board of directors may delegate any or all of its powers under the 2020 Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of our board of directors.
In
addition, subject to any requirements of applicable law, our board of directors may delegate to one or more of our officers the power to grant awards (subject to any limitations under
the 2020 Plan) to our employees or officers and to exercise such other powers under the 2020 Plan as our board of directors may determine. Our board will fix the terms of any awards to be granted by
such officers, the maximum number of shares subject to awards that the officers may grant, and the time period in which such awards may be granted. No officer will be authorized to grant awards to any
"executive officer" of ours (as defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, the Exchange Act) or to any "officer" of ours (as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the
Exchange Act).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, awards made under the 2020 Plan to non-employee directors will be granted and administered by a committee, all of the members of which are independent
directors as defined by 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
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Table of Contents
Subject
to any applicable limitations contained in the 2020 Plan (including with respect to performance awards), our board of directors generally selects the recipients of awards and
determines the following with respect to such awards:
-
-
the number of ordinary shares, cash or other consideration covered by awards and the terms and conditions of such awards, including the dates
upon which such awards becomes exercisable or otherwise vest;
-
-
the exercise or measurement price of awards, if any;
-
-
the duration of awards; and
-
-
the effect on awards of a change in control of us.
Except
as otherwise provided by the 2020 Plan, each award under the 2020 Plan may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other award. The terms of each award need not be
identical, and our board of directors need not treat participants uniformly. Our board will determine the effect on an award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment,
office or services, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a participant, and the extent to which, and the period during which, the participant (or the
participant's legal representative, conservator, guardian or designated beneficiary) may exercise rights, or receive any benefits, under the award.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the 2020 Plan, (a) we are not obliged to issue any ordinary shares pursuant to an award unless at least the par value of such newly issued
ordinary share has been fully paid in advance in accordance with all applicable law (which requirement may mean the holder of an award is obliged to make such payment) and (b) we are not
obligated to deliver any ordinary shares pursuant to the 2020 Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously issued or delivered under the 2020 Plan until (i) all conditions of the award
have been met or removed to our satisfaction, (ii) in the opinion of our counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied,
including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the participant has executed and delivered to us such
representations or agreements as we may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
Our
board of directors may at any time provide that any award granted under the 2020 Plan shall become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free from some or all restrictions or
conditions or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be.
In
the event of any alternation or reorganization whatsoever taking place in our capital structure whether by way of share split, reverse share split, share dividend, recapitalization,
combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of our ordinary shares, other than an
ordinary cash dividend, we are required to make equitable adjustments (or make substituted awards, as applicable), in the manner determined by our board of directors, to (i) the number and
class of securities available under the 2020 Plan, (ii) the share counting rules, (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding option,
(iv) the share- and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each outstanding SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each
outstanding award of restricted shares, and (vi) the share-and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding RSU and each other share-based award.
We
will, subject to applicable law and the terms of our constitutional documents, indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, employee or agent to whom any duty or power relating
to the administration or interpretation of the 2020 Plan has been or will be delegated against any cost or expense (including attorneys' fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a
claim with our
47
Table of Contents
board
of directors' approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning the 2020 Plan unless arising out of such person's own fraud or bad faith.
In
accepting an award granted under the 2020 Plan, a participant agrees to be bound by any clawback policy that we have in effect or may adopt in future.
Amendment of Awards. Except as otherwise provided under the 2020 Plan with respect to repricing outstanding share options or SARs, our
board of
directors may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or
realization, and converting an incentive share option to a nonstatutory share option, provided that the participant's consent to any such action will be required unless our board of directors
determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the participant's rights under the 2020 Plan or the change is otherwise permitted under the
terms of the 2020 Plan in connection with a change in capitalization or reorganization event.
Reorganization Events
The 2020 Plan contains provisions addressing the consequences of any reorganization event. A reorganization event is defined under the 2020 Plan
as (a) any merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity as a result of which all of our ordinary shares are converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or
other property, or are cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of our ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or
(c) our liquidation or dissolution; any one of which, (a), (b) or (c), may be effected pursuant to the laws of the Republic of Ireland.
Consequences of Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Shares. Under the 2020 Plan, if a reorganization event occurs, our
board of
directors may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding awards other than restricted shares on such terms as
our board of directors determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable award agreement or another agreement between a participant and us): (1) provide that
such awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (2) upon written notice to a
participant, provide that all of the participant's unvested awards will be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization event and/or that all of the participant's unexercised
awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization event unless exercised by the participant (to the extent then exercisable) within a specified period following the
date of such notice, (3) provide that outstanding awards will become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or
upon such reorganization event, (4) in the event of a reorganization event under the terms of which holders of our ordinary shares will receive, upon consummation thereof, a cash payment for
each share surrendered in the reorganization event, which we refer to as the Acquisition Price, make or provide for a cash payment to participants with respect to each award held by a participant
equal to (A) the number of ordinary shares subject to the vested portion of the award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such
reorganization event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such award and any applicable tax
withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such award, (5) provide that, in connection with our liquidation or dissolution, awards will convert into the right to receive liquidation
proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (6) any combination of the foregoing. Our board is not obligated to
treat all awards, all awards held by a participant, or all awards of the same type, identically.
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The
2020 Plan also provides, however, that for RSUs that are subject to Section 409A of the Code: (A) if the applicable RSU agreement provides that the RSUs will be settled
upon a "change in control event" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i), and the reorganization event constitutes such a "change in control event," then no
assumption or substitution of the RSU will be permitted, and the RSUs will instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable RSU agreement; and (B) our board of directors may
only undertake the actions set forth in clauses (3), (4) or (5) above if the reorganization event is a "change in control event" as so defined under the Treasury Regulation and
such action is permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code. If the reorganization event does not constitute a "change in control event" as defined in the Treasury Regulation or such
action is not permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code, and the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not assume or substitute the RSUs pursuant to clause (1) above, then the
unvested RSUs will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the reorganization event without any payment in exchange therefor.
Consequences of Reorganization Event on Restricted Shares. Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event other than our liquidation or
dissolution,
our repurchase and other rights with respect to outstanding restricted shares will inure to the benefit of our successor and will, unless our board of directors determines otherwise, apply to the
cash, securities or other property which our ordinary
shares were converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such reorganization event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such restricted shares. However, our board of directors
may provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any restricted shares or any other agreement between a participant and us, either
initially or by amendment, or provide for forfeiture of such restricted shares if issued at no cost. Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event involving our liquidation or dissolution, except to
the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any award of restricted shares or any other agreement between the participant and us, all restrictions and conditions on
all restricted shares then outstanding will automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.
Authorization of Sub-Plans
Our board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the 2020 Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax or
other laws of various jurisdictions. Our board will establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the 2020 Plan containing any limitations on our board of directors' discretion under the 2020
Plan as our board of directors deems necessary or desirable or any additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the 2020 Plan that our board of directors deems necessary or
desirable. All supplements adopted by our board of directors will be deemed to be part of the 2020 Plan, but each supplement will apply only to participants within the affected jurisdiction.
Amendment or Termination
Our board may amend, suspend or terminate the 2020 Plan or any portion thereof at any time, except that (i) no amendment that would
require shareholder approval under the rules of the national securities exchange on which we then maintain our primary listing may be made effective unless and until such amendment has been approved
by our shareholders and (ii) if the national securities exchange on which we then maintain our primary listing does not have rules regarding when shareholder approval of amendments to equity
compensation plans is required (or if our ordinary shares are not then listed on any national securities exchange), then no amendment to the 2020 Plan (A) materially increasing the number of
shares authorized under the 2020 Plan (other than pursuant to terms of the 2020 Plan), (B) expanding the types of awards that may be granted under the 2020 Plan, or (C) materially
expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the 2020 Plan will be effective unless and until our shareholders approve such amendment. If at any time the approval of our
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shareholders
is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to incentive share options, our board of directors may
not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the 2020 Plan adopted in accordance with the procedures described above
will apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all awards outstanding under the 2020 Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided that our board of directors determines that such amendment,
taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of participants under the 2020 Plan.
Effective Date and Term of Plan
The 2020 Plan will become effective on the date the 2020 Plan is approved by the our shareholders; provided, however, that to the extent the
shareholders do not approve the 2020 Plan, any awards granted under the 2020 Plan that are settleable in cash will remain outstanding and may in the future be granted, with the 2020 Plan remaining
effective to the extent necessary to govern the administration of such awards; provided, further, for the avoidance of doubt that if shareholder approval is not obtained within 12 months from
the date that the board adopts the 2020 Plan, no incentive share options may be granted under the 2020 Plan. No awards shall be granted under the 2020 Plan after the expiration of 10 years from
the effective date, but awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax consequences that generally will arise with respect to awards granted under
the 2020 Plan. This summary is based on the federal tax laws in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. In addition, this summary assumes that all awards are exempt from, or comply with, the
rules under Section 409A of the Code regarding nonqualified deferred compensation. Changes to these laws or assumptions could alter the tax consequences described below.
Incentive Share Options
A participant will not have income upon the grant of an incentive share option. Also, except as described below, a participant will not have
income upon exercise of an incentive share option if the participant has been employed by us or our corporate parent or 50% or more-owned corporate subsidiary at all times beginning with the option
grant date and ending three months before the date the participant exercises the option. If the participant has not been so employed during that time, then the participant will be taxed as described
below under "Nonstatutory Share Options." The exercise of an incentive share option may subject the participant to the alternative minimum tax.
A
participant will have income upon the sale of the shares acquired under an incentive share option at a profit (if sales proceeds exceed the exercise price). The type of income will
depend on when the participant sells the shares. If a participant sells the shares more than two years after the option was granted and more than one year after the option was exercised, then all of
the profit will be long-term capital gain. If a participant sells the shares prior to satisfying these waiting periods, then the participant will have engaged in a disqualifying disposition and a
portion of the profit will be ordinary income and a portion may be capital gain. This capital gain will be long-term if the participant has held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be
short-term. If a participant sells the shares at a loss (sales proceeds are less than the exercise price), then the loss will be a capital loss. This capital loss will be long-term if the participant
held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.
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Nonstatutory Share Options
A participant will not have income upon the grant of a nonstatutory share option. A participant will have compensation income upon the exercise
of a nonstatutory share option equal to the fair market value of the shares on the day the participant exercised the option less the exercise price. Upon sale of the shares, the participant will have
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the fair market value of the shares on the day the option was exercised. This capital gain or loss will be long-term if the
participant has held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.
Share Appreciation Rights
A participant will not have income upon the grant of an SAR. A participant generally will recognize compensation income upon the exercise of an
SAR equal to the amount of the cash and the fair market value of any shares received. Upon the sale of the shares, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the
sales proceeds and the value of the shares on the day the SAR was exercised. This capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be
short-term.
Restricted Shares
A participant will not have income upon the grant of restricted shares unless an election under Section 83(b) of the Code is made within
30 days of the date of grant. If a timely Section 83(b) election is made, then a participant will have compensation income equal to the fair market value of the shares less the purchase
price, if any. When the shares are sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.
If the participant does not make a Section 83(b) election, then when the shares vest the participant will have compensation income equal to the fair market value of the shares on the vesting
date less the purchase price. When the shares are sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the sales proceeds less the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date. Any
capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.
Restricted Share Units
A participant will not have income upon the grant of an RSU. A participant is not permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect
to an RSU award. When the RSU vests, the participant will have income on the vesting date in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on such date less the purchase price, if any. When
the shares are sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the sales proceeds less the value of the shares on the vesting date. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the
participant held the shares for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.
Other Share-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards
The tax consequences associated with any other share-based award or any other cash-based award granted under the 2020 Plan will vary depending
on the specific terms of such award. Among the relevant factors are whether or not the award has a readily ascertainable fair market value, whether or not the award is subject to forfeiture provisions
or restrictions on transfer, the nature of the property to be received by the participant under the award and the participant's holding period and tax basis for the award or underlying ordinary
shares.
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Tax Consequences to Us
There will be no tax consequences to us with respect to awards made under the 2020 Plan, except that we will be entitled to a deduction when a
participant has compensation income. Any such deduction will be subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2020 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN.
Proposal 4: To Approve a Reverse Stock Split
Background to and Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split Proposal
Our board of directors is seeking approval for a reverse stock split with the primary purpose of increasing the price of our ordinary shares in
order to meet the price criteria for continued listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, if our board of directors determines that it is necessary to do so by implementing a reverse stock split.
On
April 29, 2020, we received written notice from Nasdaq, notifying us that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our ordinary shares had closed below
the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Select Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), or the Bid Price Rule. In accordance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), or the Compliance Period Rule, we have been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. However, due to recent
market conditions, Nasdaq has determined to toll the compliance period for the Bid Price Rule through June 30, 2020. As a result, the compliance period for the Bid Price Rule will be reinstated
on July 1, 2020 and we will have until December 28, 2020, or the Compliance Date, to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of our
ordinary shares must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days on or before the Compliance Date.
If
we do not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule by the Compliance Date, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would need to
transfer the listing of our ordinary shares to the Nasdaq Capital Market, provided that we meet the continued listing requirement for the market value of publicly held shares and all other initial
listing standards, with the exception of the Bid Price Rule. To effect such a transfer, we would also need to pay an application fee to Nasdaq and provide written notice to Nasdaq of our intention to
cure the deficiency during the additional compliance period.
If
we do not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule by the Compliance Date and we are not eligible for an additional compliance period at that time, Nasdaq will provide written
notification to us that our ordinary shares may be delisted. At that time, we may appeal the Nasdaq's delisting
determination to a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel, or the Panel. We expect that our ordinary shares would remain listed pending the Panel's decision. There can be no assurance that, if we do
appeal the delisting determination by Nasdaq to the Panel, such appeal would be successful.
In
the event we are delisted from Nasdaq, the only established trading market for our ordinary shares would be eliminated and we would be forced to list our shares on the OTC Markets or
another quotation medium, depending on our ability to meet the specific listing requirements of those quotation systems. As a result, an investor would likely find it more difficult to trade, or to
obtain accurate price quotations for, our shares. Delisting would likely also reduce the visibility, liquidity and value of our ordinary shares, including as a result of reduced institutional investor
interest in our company, and may increase the volatility of our ordinary shares. Delisting could also cause a loss of confidence of potential industry partners, lenders and employees, which could
further harm our business and our
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future
prospects. We believe that effecting a reverse stock split may, if necessary, help us avoid delisting from Nasdaq and any resulting consequences.
Accordingly,
on April 29, 2020, our board of directors unanimously approved a shareholder proposal to approve a reverse stock split of our share capital by way of the
consolidation of every 10 ordinary shares of $0.01 each in the authorized but unissued and in the authorized and issued share capital of the Company into 1 ordinary share of $0.10 each and the
subsequent immediate reduction in the nominal value of each of the authorized but unissued and authorized and issued ordinary shares from $0.10 each to $0.01 each, or the Reverse Stock Split. The
implementation of the Reverse Stock Split is subject to and conditional upon our board of directors determining, in its sole discretion, that a reverse stock split is necessary for us to comply with
the Bid Price Rule. If we have regained compliance with the Bid Price Rule within the time permitted by Nasdaq, for example, due to the increase in our share price for a minimum of 10 consecutive
business days on or before the Compliance Date, our board of directors may still determine to implement the Reverse Stock Split if it considers that it would be necessary to do so in order to maintain
compliance with the Bid Price Rule. However, in no event will the Reverse Stock Split occur after the date of our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2021. If our board of directors does not
determine that a reverse stock split is necessary for us to comply with the Bid Price Rule prior to the date of our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2021, our board of directors will be
deemed to have abandoned the Reverse Stock Split.
In
addition to enabling us to comply with the Bid Price Rule, our board of directors believes that, if the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, the expected increased share price could
encourage investor interest and improve the marketability of our ordinary shares to a broader range of investors, and thus enhance our liquidity. Because of the trading volatility often associated
with low-priced stocks, many brokerage firms and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced shares or tend to discourage
individual brokers from recommending low-priced shares to their customers. Additionally, because brokers' commissions on low-priced shares
generally represent a higher percentage of the share price than commissions on higher-priced shares, the current share price of our ordinary shares may result in an investor paying transaction costs
that represent a higher percentage of total share value than would be the case if our share price were higher. Our board of directors believes that the higher share price that may result from the
Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, could enable institutional investors and brokerage firms with such policies and practices to invest in our ordinary shares.
Although
we expect that the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will result in an increase in the market price of our ordinary shares, the Reverse Stock Split may not result in a
permanent increase in the market price of our ordinary shares, which would be dependent on many factors, including general economic, market and industry conditions and other factors detailed from time
to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
In
evaluating the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, our board of directors has taken into consideration negative factors associated with reverse stock splits. These factors include the
negative perception of reverse stock splits held by many investors, analysts and other stock market participants, as well as the fact that the stock price of some companies that have effected reverse
stock splits has subsequently declined back to pre-reverse stock split levels. In recommending the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, our board of directors determined that these potential negative factors
were significantly outweighed by the potential benefits.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY DECIDE NOT TO PROCEED TO IMPLEMENT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION.
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Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Stock Split
There can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of our ordinary shares after the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented,
will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization before the proposed Reverse Stock Split or that the per share market price of our ordinary shares following the proposed Reverse Stock
Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of our ordinary shares outstanding in connection with the proposed Reverse Stock Split. Also, we cannot assure you that the proposed
Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, would lead to a sustained increase in the trading price of our ordinary shares. The trading price of our ordinary shares
may change due to a variety of other factors, including our ability to successfully accomplish our business goals, market conditions and the market perception of our business. You should also keep in
mind that the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will not have an effect on the actual or intrinsic value of our business or a shareholder's proportional ownership in our company (subject
to the treatment of fractional shares). However, should the overall value of our ordinary shares decline after the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, then the actual or intrinsic value of
the ordinary shares held by you will also proportionately decrease as a result of the overall decline in value.
Further,
the liquidity of our ordinary shares may be harmed by the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the
Reverse Stock Split, particularly if the expected increase in share price as a result of the Reverse Stock Split is not sustained. For instance, the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, may
increase the number of shareholders who own odd lots (less than 100) of our ordinary shares, creating the potential for such shareholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares
and greater difficulty effecting sales. If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, the resulting per-share price may nevertheless fail to attract institutional investors and may not satisfy the
investing guidelines of such investors and, consequently, the trading liquidity of our ordinary shares may not improve.
While
our board of directors has proposed the Reverse Stock Split Proposal for the purpose of enabling us to bring or maintain the price of our ordinary shares above $1.00 per share in
order to comply with the requirements for the continued listing of our ordinary shares on Nasdaq, if the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, there is no guarantee that the price of our ordinary shares
will not decrease in the future, or that our ordinary shares will remain in compliance with Nasdaq listing standards. Additionally, there can be no guarantee that the closing bid price of our ordinary
shares will remain at or above $1.00 for 10 consecutive trading days, whether following the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split or otherwise, which is required to cure our current Nasdaq listing
standard deficiency.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split
If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved by our shareholders and our board of directors determines that it is necessary to implement the
Reverse Stock Split for us to comply with the Bid Price Rule, with effect from implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of our authorized and issued ordinary shares will be reduced in
proportion to the ratio of 10:1. As of the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, we would also adjust and proportionately decrease the number of our ordinary shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of, and adjust and proportionately increase the exercise price of, all options and warrants and other rights to acquire our ordinary shares. In addition, as of the effective time of the
Reverse Stock Split, we would adjust and proportionately decrease the total number of our ordinary shares that may be the subject of the future grants under our share plans. The proposed Reverse Stock
Split, if implemented, would also proportionately reduce the number of authorized and unissued ordinary shares under our memorandum and articles of association. Following the implementation of the
Reverse Stock Split, we would be
required to file an amended memorandum and articles of association with the Irish Companies Registration Office to reflect the Reverse Stock
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Split.
The amended memorandum and articles of association, to reflect the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B.
The
Reverse Stock Split would, if implemented, be effected simultaneously for all of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The Reverse Stock Split would affect all of our
shareholders uniformly and would not change any shareholder's percentage ownership interest in our company, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split results in any of our shareholders owning
fractional shares. We will not issue any fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split and in lieu thereof, to the extent that we have the ability to aggregate and sell such shares on the
market (see further below under "Fractional Shares"), any shareholders that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share will be entitled to receive a cash payment in an
amount equal to the net cash proceeds attributable to the sale of such fractional entitlement following the aggregation and sale by the Company on behalf of each of the relevant shareholders of all of
our ordinary shares that they would otherwise be entitled to receive, on the basis of prevailing market prices at such time. The Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, would not change the rights
attaching to our ordinary shares. The Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, is not intended as, and would not have the effect of, a "going private transaction" covered by Rule 13e-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Following the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, we would continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
After
the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, our ordinary shares will have a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures ("CUSIP") number, which
is a number used to identify our equity securities, and share certificates with the older CUSIP numbers (if any) will need to be exchanged for share certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by
following the procedures described below.
The
following table sets forth (i) the number of our ordinary shares that would be authorized and issued, (ii) the number of our ordinary shares that would be reserved for
issuance pursuant to outstanding options, warrants and restricted stock units, and (iii) the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options and warrants, assuming the Reverse Stock
Split were implemented as of June 2, 2020.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before
Reverse
Stock
Split
|
|
Following
Reverse
Stock
Split
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Authorized and Issued
|
|
|
142,965,483
|
|
|
14,295,869
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Reserved for Issuance Pursuant to Outstanding Options, Warrants and Restricted Stock Units
|
|
|
67,590,127
|
|
|
6,759,012
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options and Warrants
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
$
|
15.18
|
|
Our
directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, except to the extent of their
ownership of our ordinary shares and securities convertible or exercisable for our ordinary shares, which shares and securities would be subject to the same proportionate adjustment in accordance with
the terms of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal as all of our other outstanding ordinary shares and securities convertible into or exercisable for our ordinary shares.
Authorized Share Capital
At the date of this proxy statement, our authorized share capital is €25,000 and $11,000,000 divided into 25,000 Euro
Deferred Shares of €1.00 each, 1,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares of $0.01 each
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and
100,000,000 Preferred Shares of $0.01 each. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved and our board of directors determines, in its sole discretion, that a reverse stock split is necessary
for us to comply with the Bid Price Rule, following implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of ordinary shares of our authorized share capital would decrease by approximately
900,000,000, adjusted for any fractional shares which it is necessary to cancel (see further below under "Fractional Shares"). Consequently, our authorized share capital would be
€25,000 and (approximately) $2,000,000 divided into 25,000 Euro Deferred Shares of €1.00 each, (approximately) 100,000,000 Ordinary Shares of $0.01 each and
100,000,000 Preferred Shares of $0.01 each. The Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will not change the number of authorized Preferred Shares or Euro Deferred Shares.
Procedure for Effecting a Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Share Certificates
If shareholders approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, and our board of directors determines, in its sole discretion, that a reverse stock
split is necessary for us to comply with the Bid Price Rule, we will publicly announce our intention to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. Such announcement will specify the effective time and date
of the Reverse Stock Split. Beginning at the effective time, each certificate representing ordinary shares will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of the number of whole shares
into which the shares previously represented by the certificate were combined pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split.
Following
the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, shareholders holding physical certificates would need to exchange those certificates. As we are now fully
participating in the direct registration system, you will not receive a replacement physical certificate. Instead, you will receive uncertificated shares and a written confirmation from our transfer
agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., indicating the whole number of uncertificated shares you own after the effect of the Reverse Stock Split and a cash payment in lieu of any fractional shares.
Our ordinary shares will also receive a new CUSIP number.
If
the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, our transfer agent will advise registered shareholders of the procedures to be followed to exchange certificates in a letter of transmittal to
be sent to shareholders. No written confirmations will be issued to a shareholder until the shareholder has surrendered the shareholder's outstanding certificate(s), together with the properly
completed and executed letter of transmittal, to our transfer agent. Any old shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale, other disposition or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged
for new shares. Shareholders should not destroy any share certificate(s) and should not submit any certificate(s) until requested to do so.
Certain
of our registered shareholders hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with our transfer agent. These shareholders do not hold physical certificates
evidencing their ownership of our ordinary shares. However, they are provided with a statement reflecting the number of our ordinary shares registered in their accounts. If a shareholder holds
ordinary shares in book-entry form with our transfer agent, no action needs to be taken to receive post-Reverse Stock Split shares or payment in lieu of fractional shares, if applicable. If a
shareholder is entitled to post-Reverse Stock Split shares, a transaction statement will automatically be sent to the shareholder's address of record indicating the number of our ordinary shares held
following the Reverse Stock Split.
If
the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, we intend to treat shareholders holding our ordinary shares in "street name," through a broker, bank or other nominee, in the same manner as
registered shareholders whose shares are registered in their names. Brokers, banks or other nominees will be instructed to effect a reverse stock split for their beneficial holders holding our
ordinary shares in "street name." However, these brokers, banks or other nominees may have different procedures than registered shareholders for processing a reverse stock split. If you hold your
shares with a broker, bank
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or
other nominee and if you have any questions in this regard, we encourage you to contact your nominee.
Fractional Shares
We will not issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented. Instead, we will aggregate the fractional
entitlements of shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by 10 or they hold less than 10 ordinary shares and,
to the extent possible, sell such ordinary shares on the basis of prevailing market prices at such time. We will subsequently remit the proceeds of such sales, after deducting any applicable costs, to
the shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares and such shareholders will be entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu of such fractional entitlement in an amount equal
to the net cash proceeds attributable to the sale of such fractional entitlement. Each (if any) of the authorized and issued ordinary shares of $0.01 each that cannot be consolidated into 1 ordinary
share of $0.10 each shall, immediately following the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, be acquired by us from the shareholders otherwise entitled thereto for no consideration and be
cancelled.
No Appraisal Rights
No action is proposed herein for which the laws of Ireland, or our constitution, provide a right to our shareholders to dissent and obtain
appraisal of, or payment for, such shareholder's ordinary shares.
Reduction in the Nominal Value of the Ordinary Shares and Accounting Matters
If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, the nominal value per share of our ordinary shares will be consolidated from $0.01 to $0.10 and
subsequently immediately reduced from $0.10 to $0.01 nominal value per share. Subject to non-material adjustments to cater for the cancellation of remaining fractional entitlements, the consolidation
would not affect the total ordinary shareholders' equity on the balance sheet, although it would result in the share capital attributable to ordinary shares decreasing and the undenominated capital
increasing. If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, reported per share net income or loss and net book value would be higher because there would be fewer ordinary shares issued and outstanding and
we would plan to adjust historical per share amounts set forth in our future financial statements.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split to us and to U.S.
Holders (as defined below) that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). This discussion is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any
such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a U.S. Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the
matters discussed below and there can be no
assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split.
For
purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as (i) an individual who
is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a corporation)
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created
or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless
of its source; or (iv) a trust if (1) its administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and all of its substantial decisions are subject to the
control of one or more "United States persons" (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a United States person.
This
discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the particular circumstances of a U.S. Holder, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax
on net investment income.
In
addition, it does not address consequences relevant to U.S. Holders that are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, real
estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, grantor trusts, tax-exempt organizations, dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies, shareholders who hold our ordinary
shares as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion or integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar,
or U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock.
If
a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of
a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships (and other entities treated as partnerships for U.S.
federal income tax purposes) holding our ordinary shares and the partners in such entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the proposed
Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, to them.
In
addition, the following discussion does not address the U.S. federal estate and gift tax, alternative minimum tax, or state, local and non-U.S. tax law consequences of the proposed
Reverse Stock Split, if
implemented. Furthermore, the following discussion does not address any tax consequences of transactions effectuated before, after or at the same time as the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if
implemented, whether or not they are in connection with the proposed Reverse Stock Split. This discussion should not be considered as tax or investment advice, and the tax consequences of the proposed
Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, may not be the same for all shareholders.
Each shareholder should consult his, her or its own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if
implemented, as well as the consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, including any state, local or foreign tax consequences.
Tax Consequences to the Company. The proposed Reverse Stock Split is intended to be treated as a "recapitalization" pursuant to
Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code. As a result, we should not recognize taxable income, gain or loss in connection with the proposed Reverse Stock Split.
Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders. A U.S. Holder generally should not recognize gain or loss upon the proposed Reverse Stock
Split for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional ordinary share, as discussed below. A U.S. Holder's aggregate adjusted tax basis in the our ordinary shares received
pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split should equal the aggregate adjusted tax basis of our ordinary shares exchanged therefor (reduced by the amount of such basis that is allocated to any
fractional ordinary share for which the U.S. Holder receives cash). The U.S. Holder's holding period in our ordinary shares received pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split should include the
holding period in our ordinary shares exchanged therefor. U.S. Treasury Regulations provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of ordinary shares surrendered in a
recapitalization to shares received in the recapitalization. U.S. Holders of shares of
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our
ordinary shares acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.
A
U.S. Holder that, pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split, receives cash in lieu of a fractional ordinary share should recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the portion of the U.S. Holder's aggregate adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares surrendered that is allocated to such fractional share.
Such capital gain or loss
will be short term if the pre-Reverse Stock Split shares were held for one year or less at the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split and long term if held for more than one year.
A
U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding on cash paid in lieu of a fractional share in connection with the proposed Reverse
Stock Split. A U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares will be subject to backup withholding if such U.S. Holder is not otherwise exempt and such U.S. Holder does not provide its taxpayer identification
number in the manner required or otherwise fails to comply with applicable backup withholding tax 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 federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders of our
ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.
The
U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of such
shareholder's circumstances and income tax situation. Accordingly, we urge you to consult with your own tax advisor with respect to all of the potential U.S. federal, state,
local and foreign tax consequences to you of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented.
Material Irish Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following is a summary of the material Irish tax consequences of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, for beneficial holders of
our ordinary shares. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to each shareholder. The summary is based upon Irish tax laws
and the practice of the Irish Revenue Commissioners in effect on the date of this proxy statement. Changes in law and/or administrative practice may result in alteration of the tax considerations
described below, possibly with retrospective effect.
The
summary does not constitute legal or tax advice and is intended only as a general guide. The summary is not exhaustive and shareholders should consult their own tax advisors about
the Irish tax consequences (and tax consequences under the laws of other relevant jurisdictions) of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented. The summary applies only to shareholders who hold
their ordinary shares as capital assets and does not apply to other categories of shareholders, such as dealers in securities, trustees, insurance companies, collective investment schemes and
shareholders who acquired their ordinary shares, or who have, or who are deemed to have, acquired their ordinary shares by virtue of an Irish office or employment (performed or carried on in Ireland).
Such persons may be subject to special rules.
Irish Tax on Chargeable Gains
The current rate of tax on chargeable gains (where applicable) in Ireland is 33%.
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Non-Irish Resident Shareholders
Shareholders that are not resident or ordinarily resident in Ireland and who do not hold our ordinary shares in connection with a trade or
business carried on by them through a branch or agency in Ireland will not be subject to Irish tax on chargeable gains as a result of the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented.
Irish Resident Shareholders
Shareholders that are resident or ordinarily resident in Ireland for tax purposes or shareholders that hold their ordinary shares in connection
with a trade or business carried on through a branch or agency in Ireland will, subject to the availability of any exemptions or reliefs, be within the charge to Irish tax on chargeable gains on the
consolidation of their existing ordinary shares pursuant to the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented. Such shareholders should consult their own tax advisors on the Irish tax consequences of
the proposed Reverse Stock Split, if implemented.
The
proposed Reverse Stock Split will be intended, if implemented, to be treated as a "reorganization" of our share capital and, accordingly, should not result in a disposal by any such
shareholder of any of
our ordinary shares, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional ordinary share, as discussed below. Instead the ordinary shares held after the proposed Reverse Stock Split should be
treated as the same asset and as having been acquired at the same time and for the same consideration as the ordinary shares held before the Reverse Stock Split (adjusted for any part of the
consideration attributable to the part disposal in respect of the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional ordinary share).
The
receipt by such a shareholder of any cash in lieu of a fractional ordinary share should be treated as a part disposal of his or her ordinary shares for Irish tax on chargeable gains
in respect of the cash consideration received.
Stamp Duty
The rate of stamp duty (where applicable) on transfers of shares of Irish incorporated companies is 1% of the price paid or the market value of
the shares acquired, whichever is greater. Irish stamp duty should not arise as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented.
THE IRISH TAX CONSIDERATIONS SUMMARIZED ABOVE ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. HOLDERS OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, IF IMPLEMENTED, IN IRELAND.
Proposed Resolution
In light of the foregoing, the Board recommends that you vote in favor of the following resolution at the AGM:
RESOLVED,
as an ordinary resolution, subject to and conditional upon the board of directors of the Company determining, in its sole discretion, at any time prior to the 2021 annual
general meeting of the Company, that the reverse stock split is necessary for the Company to comply with the minimum
$1.00 per share requirement pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the Bid Price Rule):
-
i.
-
That
every 10 authorized but unissued ordinary shares of $0.01 each (nominal value) in the capital of the Company be consolidated with effect from such time and date
as shall be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the "Effective Time") into 1 ordinary share of $0.10 (nominal value) each in the capital of the Company, provided that, where such
consolidation would otherwise result in a fraction of an unissued consolidated ordinary share
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of
$0.10 (nominal value) each, the number of existing unissued ordinary shares of $0.01 each (nominal value) that would otherwise constitute such fraction be cancelled, with effect from the Effective
Time, pursuant to section 83(1)(f)(ii) of the Irish Companies Act 2014;
-
ii.
-
That
every 10 authorized and issued ordinary shares of $0.01 each (nominal value) in the capital of the Company be consolidated, with effect from the Effective Time,
into 1 ordinary share of $0.10 (nominal value) each, provided that, (1) where such consolidation would otherwise result in a shareholder being entitled to a fraction of an ordinary share of
$0.10 (nominal value) each, such fraction shall, so far as possible, be aggregated and consolidated with the fractions of a consolidated ordinary share of $0.10 (nominal value) each to which other
shareholders would otherwise be entitled and the board of directors of the Company be authorized to sell (or appoint any other person to sell) to any person, on behalf of the relevant shareholders,
all the consolidated ordinary shares representing such fractions at the best price reasonably obtainable, (2) the net proceeds of any such sale shall be remitted in due proportion to the
shareholders who would have been entitled to the fractions, (3) any director of the Company (or any person appointed by the board of directors of the Company) be authorized to execute an
instrument of transfer in respect of such shares on behalf of the relevant shareholders and to do all acts and things the directors consider necessary or desirable to effect the transfer of such
shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, any buyer of any such share; and (4) each (if any) of the authorized and issued ordinary shares of $0.01 (nominal value) each that cannot be
consolidated into 1 ordinary share of $0.10 (nominal value) each, including pursuant to (1) above be, with effect from the Effective Time, immediately acquired by the Company from the
shareholders otherwise entitled thereto for no consideration. The existing ordinary shares so acquired shall be cancelled and the issued share capital of the Company shall be reduced by the nominal
value of the existing ordinary shares so acquired and cancelled and any director of the Company (or any person appointed by the board of directors of the Company) be and is hereby authorized to
execute an instrument of transfer (if necessary) in respect of such shares on behalf of the shareholders of the Company concerned and to do all acts and things that the directors consider necessary or
desirable to effect the acquisition and cancellation of such shares; and
-
iii.
-
That
the nominal value of each of the authorized but unissued ordinary shares of $0.10 (nominal value) each in the capital of the Company and the nominal value of
each of the authorized and issued ordinary shares of $0.10 (nominal value) each in the capital of the Company resulting from the foregoing resolutions, be reduced, with effect from immediately after
the Effective Time, from $0.10 each to $0.01 each pursuant to section 83(1)(d) of the Irish Companies Act 2014.
The affirmative vote of the holders of ordinary shares representing a majority of the votes cast on the matter and voting affirmatively or
negatively is required for the approval of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.
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