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

 

Filed by the Registrant x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x

Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

  

   

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

 

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CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033

 

NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

To Be Held August 6, 2019

 

To the Shareholders of Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.:

 

Notice is hereby given that the 2019 Annual Meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. (the “Company”) will be held at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), on August 6, 2019 at 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033 to consider and voting on the following matters:

 

(1) To elect the seven director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until successors are duly elected or until the earliest of their removal or resignation (“Proposal 1”);

 

 

(2) To approve a proposal to reincorporate the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (“Proposal 2”);

 

 

(3) To approve a proposal to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock by 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 (“Proposal 3”);

 

 

(4) To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares (“Proposal 4”);

 

 

(5) To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits (“Proposal 5”).

 

 

(6) To ratify a proposal for the selection of RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (“Proposal 6”)

 

 

(7) To transact any other business which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

  

Only those stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2019, the record date for the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

To make it easier for you to vote, Internet, fax, e-mail, and mail voting, as well as in-person voting, are available. The instructions in the proxy materials, the proxy card describe how to use these convenient services.

 

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please vote your shares. You may submit your proxy card or voting instruction card by completing, signing, dating and mailing your proxy card or voting instruction card in the envelope provided or vote by facsimile, email or over the Internet as instructed in the proxy statement. Any stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person, even if you already returned a proxy card or voting instruction card and intend to change your original vote. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Rob Davidson

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

July 15, 2019 

 

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on August 6, 2019:

The Company’s proxy statement is available electronically at   www.curepharmaceutical.com   and   www.proxyvote.com .

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 1-RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2019

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 2 APPROVAL OF THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM THE STATE OF NEVADA TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 3 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK BY 75,000,000 SHARES TO 150,000,000 SHARES

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 4 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS THEREUNDER BY AN ADDITIONAL 5,000,000 SHARES TO A TOTAL OF 10,000,000 SHARES

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 5 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO REVISE SECTION 5.5 OF THE 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN RELATING TO NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR AWARD LIMITS

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 6 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2019 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

36

 

 

 
 
 
 

   

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033

 

PROXY STATEMENT

2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

August 6, 2019

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This proxy statement is being furnished to shareholders by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cure Pharmaceutical Corp. (the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the 2019 Annual Meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held at 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033 on August 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”) for the purposes set forth in the attached Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

A proxy, in the enclosed form, which is properly executed, duly returned to the Company and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein. The shares represented by executed but unmarked proxies will be voted as follows:

 

(1)  FOR the election of the seven director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until successors are duly elected or until the earliest of their removal or resignation (“Proposal 1”);

 

(2) FOR  the approval of a proposal to reincorporate the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (“Proposal 2”);

 

(3) FOR  the approval of a proposal to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock by 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares (“Proposal 3”);

 

(4)  FOR the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares (“Proposal 5”);

 

(5)  FOR the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits (“Proposal 5”);

 

 (6) FOR  the ratification of a proposal to select RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (“Proposal 6”);

 

With respect to such other business which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, votes will be cast in the discretion of the appointed proxies.

 

The information in this Proxy Statement relates to the Proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Included with this Proxy Statement is a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

All shareholders will have access the proxy materials via www.curepharmaceutical.com and www.proxyvote.com. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, shareholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.

 

It is important that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it to us. If you own your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, please return your voting instruction form to your broker, bank or nominee, or use the electronic voting means described below to vote your shares.

 

Our Board is soliciting proxies for the 2019 fiscal year annual meeting of stockholders and at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the meeting. Please read it carefully.

 

The Company will pay the costs of soliciting proxies from stockholders. Our directors, officers and regular employees may solicit proxies on behalf of the Company, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone.

 

 
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Who is entitled to vote?

 

Only our stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date for the meeting, June 21, 2019, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, we had 43,384,671 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Can I access the proxy materials electronically?

 

Yes. This Proxy Statement is available online at  www.curepharmaceutical.com and on the SEC website.

 

How can I attend the Annual Meeting?

 

Stockholders may attend the Annual Meeting in-person at the Company’s corporate offices, located at 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, CA 93033. While all stockholders will be permitted to attend the Annual Meeting, only stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the close of business on the record date, June 21, 2019, may vote and ask questions during the Annual Meeting. Stockholders must return a proxy by one of the methods described on the proxy card or attend the Annual Meeting in person in order to vote on the proposals.

 

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?

 

Stockholder of Record . If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and we sent a Notice of Annual Meeting and a printed set of the proxy materials, together with a proxy card, directly to you.

 

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name . If your shares are held in an account at a broker, bank or other nominee, then you are the beneficial owner of those shares held in “street name,” and a Notice of Annual Meeting and a printed set of the proxy materials, together with a voting instruction form, were forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account by following the instructions in the Notice of Annual Meeting and the voting instruction form you received.

 

How can I vote my shares?

 

The process for voting your shares depends on how your shares are held. Generally, as discussed above, you may hold shares as a “record holder” (that is, in your own name) or in “street name” (that is, through a nominee, such as a broker or bank). As explained above, if you hold shares in “street name,” you are considered to be the “beneficial owner” of those shares.

 

Voting by Record Holders . If you are a record holder, you may vote by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting or you may vote during the Annual Meeting in person. If you are a record holder and would like to vote your shares by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you have four ways to vote:

 

 

·

Online by visiting http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy ;

 

·

By mailing your proxy card with the return envelope that will be addressed to 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598;

 

·

By fax to (646) 536-3179; and

 

·

By e-mail to vote@vstocktransfer.com.

 

Please note that Internet, fax and e-mail proxy voting will close at 8:59 p.m. (Pacific Standard time) on August 5, 2019. If you received a proxy card in the mail and wish to vote by completing and returning the proxy card via mail, please note that your completed proxy card must be received before the polls close for voting at the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting by beneficial owners of shares held in “street name” . If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or other nominee (that is, your shares are held in “street name”), you should receive separate instructions from the record holder of your shares describing how to vote.

 

 
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How are proxies voted?

 

All shares represented by valid proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted, and where a stockholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.

 

What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?

 

Stockholders of Record . If you are a stockholder of record and you sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions or you indicate when voting in person, on the Internet, by fax or by e-mail that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board, then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name . If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not join and vote at the Annual Meeting or provide the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters but cannot vote on non-routine matters. If the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

 

Which ballot measures are considered ‘‘routine’’ or ‘‘non-routine’’?

 

The ratification of the appointment of RBSM, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 (Proposal No. 6) is considered a “routine” matter. Your broker, therefore, may vote your shares in its discretion if you do not provide instructions on how to vote on this routine matter, and no broker non-votes are expected in connection with this proposal. The (1) election of the seven director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement (“Proposal 1”); (2) the approval of a proposal to reincorporate the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (“Proposal 2”); (3) the approval of a proposal to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock by 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares (“Proposal 3”); (4) the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares (“Proposal 4”); and (5) the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits (“Proposal 5”) are non-routine. Accordingly, a broker may not vote on these proposals without instructions from its customer and broker non-votes may occur with respect to these proposals.

 

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy after I return my proxy card or vote online?

 

Any proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by filing an instrument revoking it with the Company’s Secretary or by submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date prior to the time of the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who have voted by proxy over the Internet, by fax or by e-mail or have executed and returned a proxy and who then attend the Annual Meeting and desire to vote in person are requested to notify the Secretary in writing prior to the time of the Annual Meeting. We request that all such written notices of revocation to the Company be addressed to the Secretary of the Company prior to the Annual Meeting at 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, CA 93033. Stockholders may also revoke their proxy by entering a new vote over the Internet, by fax, or by e-mail.

 

What constitutes a quorum?

 

The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting for the transaction of any business. If a quorum is established, each stockholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be entitled to one vote, virtually or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder on the record date June 21, 2019. Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of votes considered to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be counted for quorum purposes. If a quorum is not present, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned until a quorum is obtained.

 

 
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What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?

 

The recommendations of the Board of Directors are set forth under the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement. In summary, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

 

(1)  FOR the election of the seven director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve until the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until successors are duly elected or until the earliest of their removal or resignation (“Proposal 1”);

 

(2) FOR  the approval of a proposal to reincorporate the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware (“Proposal 2”);

 

(3) FOR  the approval of a proposal to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock by 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares (“Proposal 3”);

 

(4)  FOR the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares (“Proposal 5”);

 

(5)  FOR the approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits (“Proposal 5”);

 

 (6) FOR  the ratification of a proposal to select RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (“Proposal 6”);

 

What vote is required to approve each Proposal?

 

All proposals require the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast. You may vote for, against or abstain from voting for these proposals.

 

Will abstentions and broker non-votes have an impact on the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement?

 

Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted to determine whether there is a quorum present at the Annual Meeting, but will not be considered votes cast for voting purposes and thus will have no effect on any of the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

 

Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

 

We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and disclose final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) within four business days after the Annual Meeting.

 

Who pays the cost for soliciting proxies by the Board of Directors?

 

We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail, our officers and regular employees may, without being additionally compensated, solicit proxies personally and by mail, telephone, facsimile or electronic communication.

 

 
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PROPOSAL 1-RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2019

 

Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall be not less than one nor more than thirteen. Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his/her successor shall have been elected and qualified. Our Board of Directors currently consists of six directors, five of which have been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting with two new nominees nominated by the Board of Directors. Each nominee has confirmed that he or she will be able and willing to serve as a director if elected. If any of the nominees becomes unable or unwilling to serve, your proxy will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee recommended by the current Board of Directors. 

 

Our Board of Directors has recommended and nominated for election as directors at our Annual Meeting the following individuals: Robert Davidson, William Yuan, Gene Salkind, M.D., Ruben King-Shaw Jr., Joshua Held, Lauren Chung Ph.D. and Anya Goldin. Each nominee, if elected at the Annual Meeting, will hold office for a one-year term until our next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successor is duly elected, unless prior thereto the director resigns or the director’s office becomes vacant by reason of death or other cause.

 

Director Nominees

 

The following sections set forth certain information regarding the nominees for election as directors of the Company. There are no familial relationships among any of our directors and/or executive officers.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Title

 

Director Since

Robert Davidson

 

51

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

2011

William Yuan 

 

58

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

 

2016

Gene Salkind, M.D.

 

64

 

Director

 

2018

Ruben King-Shaw Jr.

 

57

 

Director

 

2019

Joshua Held

 

34

 

Director

 

2019

Lauren Chung Ph.D.

 

46

 

New Nominee

Anya Goldin

56

 

New Nominee

 

Robert Davidson – Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

Robert Davidson has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CURE Pharmaceutical since July 2011. Prior to his role at CURE Pharmaceutical, Mr. Davidson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of InnoZen Inc., Chief Executive Officer of Gel Tech LLC, Chief Executive Officer of Bio delivery Technologies Inc., and Director of HealthSport Inc. Mr. Davidson was responsible for the development of several drug delivery technologies and commercial brand extensions. He has worked with brands such as Chloraseptic™, Suppress™, as well as Pediastrip™, a private label electrolyte oral thin film sold in major drug store chains. Mr. Davidson is also considered an industry expert leader in ODF technology. Mr. Davidson received his B.S. degree with a concentration in Biological Life Sciences from the University of the State of New York, Excelsior College. He has a Masters Certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University, Masters of Public Health from American Military University, Virginia and a Masters in Health and Wellness from Liberty University, Virginia. Mr. Davidson is also a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist and Fitness Nutrition Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and attended Post-Graduate Studies at the University of Cambridge. Mr. Davidson’s experience as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and his extensive knowledge of ODF and drug delivery technologies qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

William Yuan – Director

 

William Yuan has served as a director of the Company since November 7, 2016. Mr. Yuan was most recently Chairman and CEO of Fortress Hill Holdings, an Asian-based investment banking firm. With 23 years in global finance experience, he has served as a key strategist and advisor to international institutions. U.S. companies advised by Mr. Yuan include Amgen Corp., Biogen, GE Capital, Warner Brothers Studios, and Fox News. He has also guided such leading Asian institutions as Sina.com, Shanghai Petrochemicals, Jinlia Pharmaceutical and Tsingtao Beer Corp. In 1995, Mr. Yuan led Merrill Lynch Asset Management Asia, and managed one of the largest pension/retirement funds in the world, with a $488 billion portfolio under his leadership. Simultaneously, he was chairman and portfolio manager of the $1.2 billion AmerAsia Hedge Fund. In 1993, he was the founder and managing director of the Corporate Institutional Services Group at Merrill Lynch Asset Management. Prior to that, Mr. Yuan served as a senior-vice president and co-manager at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Portfolio Management Corporation with dual functions as co-head of the Capital Markets Derivative team, and Chairman of the Technology Investment Management and Executive Policy Committee. He began his finance career at Goldman Sachs in 1983 as an investment banker in Mergers & Acquisitions. Mr. Yuan is a member of the International Who’s Who of Finance, Technology, Media and Telecom. Mr. Yuan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Cornell University and attended Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School as a Mason Fellow. Mr. Yuan’s extensive finance, investment banking and corporate strategy background as well as his experience advising large pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen, Biogen and Jinlia Pharmaceutical qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

 
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Gene Salkind M.D. – Director

 

Dr. Gene Salkind is board certified in neurological surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and completed various residencies, fellowships and postgraduate training at Abington Memorial hospital, The Graduate Hospital, Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He received his Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. He has had numerous faculty, hospital and administrative appointments at virtually every major hospital in the northeastern Philadelphia and surrounding areas. As a prolific pharmaceutical investor, some of Dr. Salkind’s previous successful investments include Intuitive Surgical, Pharmacyclics, which grew from less than $1 per share to subsequently being acquired by Abbvie for $250/share, and Centocor, one of the nation’s largest biotechnology companies, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $4.9 billion in stock. Dr. Salkind currently sits on the board of DermTech, a private company based in San Diego that has become the global leader in non-invasive dermatological molecular diagnostics. Dr. Salkind’s medical background and experience as well as his extensive finance and investing experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Ruben King-Shaw, Jr. – Director

 

Mr. King-Shaw is currently the President of Steward Health Care Network (SHCN) since June 2018 where he leads the business unit focused on managing integrated, coordinated and community-based health care services delivery in 9 states. He is also the President, since April 2004, of Mansa Equity Partners, Inc. (Mansa), the King-Shaw family’s personal holding company and investment vehicle. In addition to SHCN and Mansa, Mr. King-Shaw has three decades of executive leadership experience in the healthcare technology and private equity sectors and held c-suite positions with leading private companies including Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc. and JMH Health Plan. He recently served on the board of Atlanta-based Cotiviti Holdings, Inc. and currently serves on the board of privately-held Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems of Pensacola, FL. Past board service consists of Lead Director of Athenahealth; Independent Living Systems, of Miami, FL; and WellCare Health Plans, Inc. of Tampa, FL. He served on the Obama Administration's Medicare Program Advisory and Oversight Committee, and he was COO and deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) during the administration of President George W. Bush, administering a federal budget of $600 billion. Over the past year, Mr. King-Shaw has provided advice on areas of healthcare policy to the Trump Administration, including CMS and the National Economic Council. Mr. King-Shaw completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, and earned both a Master of Health Service Administration and a Master of International Business degree from Florida International University. He also completed advanced studies in Corporate Governance at the Harvard Business School. Mr. King-Shaw’s executive experience and administrative expertise in the healthcare field qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Joshua Held – Director

 

Mr. Joshua Held is currently the President of Form Factory Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Acreage Holdings (ARCG.CN) the largest multi-State cannabis operator licensed in 20 States. Since August of 2018, he has led the manufacturing and strategy divisions of Form Factory Inc. Mr. Held is the founder and CEO of Chemistry Holdings, Inc. a formulation technology company that creates innovative, sustainable delivery systems for a variety of industries. Chemistry Holdings was recently acquired by Cure Pharmaceutical. Mr. Held previously founded and was the CEO of Made by Science, rebranded as Form Factory Inc. a private company acquired by Acreage Holdings for $160 Million in December of 2018. Form Factory is at the forefront of the creation of next-generation delivery systems that raise the bar for cannabis product manufacturers and sellers by eliminating common problems in efficacy, formulation, onset, dosage, and labeling. In his prior role as a Vice President of Investments for JP Morgan, Mr. Held managed more than $100 million in investment dollars for high-net-worth individuals and families. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the California State University, Long Beach. He's a licensed real estate broker in California and formally held his Series 7 & 66 licenses. Mr. Held’s accomplishments as the founder of several medical technology companies, including the Company’s acquisition of Chemistry Holdings, qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Lauren Chung, Ph.D.

 

Dr. Lauren Chung has 20 years of healthcare investment management and advisory experience. Dr. Chung founded in 2012 MINLEIGH LLC identifying, evaluating and partnering with companies for investments and various strategic, operational, and commercial planning, as well as providing growth capital. Dr. Chung was a Managing Director in Healthcare Research at WestPark Capital, where she joined in 2017. Prior to that she was a Senior Healthcare Equity Analyst at Maxim Group. Previously, Dr. Chung was a Co­ Founder of Tokum Capital , a global healthcare fund, which merged with Perella Weinberg Partners. Prior to that, Dr. Chung managed healthcare investment portfolios at RBR Capital, Kingdon Capital, and Pequot Capital. Earlier in her career, Dr. Chung was a recognized research scientist conducting cutting edge research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and Angelman Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, respectively. Dr. Chung has published many highly regarded peer reviewed scientific journals. Dr. Chung serves as a board member in private healthcare companies. Dr. Chung holds a PhD in Neuropathology from Columbia University-College of Physicians & Surgeons, and a BA with honors in Biochemistry and Economics from Wellesley College. Dr. Chung’s experience in healthcare investments and her academic accomplishments in scientific fields qualifies her to serve on our Board.

 

 
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Anya Goldin

 

Mrs. Anya Goldin is an accomplished executive with 28 years of experience and demonstrated success across the law, private equity, venture capital, healthcare and telecommunications industries. Since 2014, she has worked as a consultant advising companies on strategic and business issues, complex and cross-border transactions, as well as corporate restructurings and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Anya is also practicing at Nolan Heimann law firm and is teaching a course on International Business Negotiations at the USC’s Gould School of Law. She has co-founded a technology start-up Provenance Laboratories, and engages in entrepreneurial, investment and philanthropic activities. Throughout her executive career, Anya has held leadership positions as a managing partner at Latham & Watkins (17 years), as well as the General Counsel, Vice President and Chair of the Risk Management Committee of a $20-billion London Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate that controlled four other public companies listed on the New York and London Stock Exchanges, as well as a variety of private international assets. Her responsibilities included managing all aspects of the legal and compliance functions of the group.Anya has served on the boards of eight public and private companies in Europe, Russia, India and the UK, and for seven years oversaw international operations of a global regulated private equity fund in her capacity as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Anya is currently on the Advisory Board of a California private equity fund, Lumia Capital, on the Board of Trustees of Westmark School, and on the Board of Berkeley Law Alumni’s L.A. Chapter. Anya is a member of the State Bar of California. She holds a BA in Mass Communications from University of California Berkeley, as well as a JD from University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), graduating in the top ten percent of her class with both degrees. Ms. Goldin’s experience in both business and law, specifically her experience related to start-up and technology companies, qualifies her to serve on our Board.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board of Directors utilizes NASDAQ’s standards for determining the independence of its members. In applying these standards, the Board considers commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships, among others, in assessing the independence of directors, and must disclose any basis for determining that a relationship is not material.

 

The Board has concluded that, of the seven nominees, William Yuan, Gene Salkind, M.D., Ruben King-Shaw Jr., Joshua Held, Lauren Chung Ph.D. and Anya Goldin are “independent” based on the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market, having concluded that any relationship between such director and our company, in its opinion, does not interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

 

There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers. To our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our officers and any other person, including directors, pursuant to which the officer was selected to serve as an officer.

 

Board Functions and Board Committees

 

Management has been delegated the responsibility for meeting defined corporate objectives, implementing approved strategic and operating plans, carrying on our business in the ordinary course, managing cash flow, evaluating new business opportunities, recruiting staff and complying with applicable regulatory requirements. The Board of Directors exercises its supervision over management by reviewing and approving long-term strategic, business and capital plans, material contracts and business transactions, and all debt and equity financing transactions and stock issuances.

 

The Board of Directors held four (4) meetings during 2018. During 2018, all directors, with the exception of Alan Einstein, attended 100% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors that were held during the time that they served as members of the Board of Directors. Mr. Einstein did not attend any meetings during 2018. We do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting of stockholders, but we strongly encourage all members of the Board of Directors to attend our annual meetings and expect such attendance except in the event of extraordinary circumstances. We did not have an annual meeting of stockholders for the 2018 fiscal year.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors has established and currently maintains the following three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “N&GC”). The Board of Directors has adopted written charters for each of these committees, which we make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, along with other items related to corporate governance matters, including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors. We maintain our Internet website at  http://www.curepharmaceutical.com . You can access our committee charters and code of conduct on our website by first clicking “Investors” and then “Corporate Governance.”

 

 
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Currently, the Audit Committee consists of Mr. Yuan (Chair), Messrs. Berman and Einstein, the Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Berman (Chair), Mr. Yuan, and the N&GC consists of Mr. Berman (Chair), Mr. Yuan. During the 2018 fiscal year, the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the N&GC did not hold any meetings. After the Annual Meeting, the Board will appoint independent directors to the committees and the committees will have regular meetings.

 

Audit Committee

 

Among other functions, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the engagement of our independent auditors to perform audit and any permissible non-audit services, evaluates the performance, independence and qualifications of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or to engage new independent auditors, reviews our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports, including the disclosures contained in the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management, reviews with our independent auditors and management significant issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation and matters concerning scope, adequacy and effectiveness of our financial controls, reviews our major financial risk exposures, including the guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is implemented, and reviews and evaluates on an annual basis the performance of the audit committee, including compliance of the audit committee with its charter. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the current members of the Audit Committee is an independent director within the meaning of the NASDAQ independence standards and Rule 10A-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Yuan qualifies as an Audit Committee Financial Expert under applicable SEC Rules and satisfies the NASDAQ standards of financial literacy and financial or accounting expertise or experience.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee’s functions include reviewing, modifying and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding) our overall compensation strategy and policies, reviewing and approving compensation, the performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation, and other terms of employment of our Chief Executive Officers and our other executive officers, reviewing and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding) the equity incentive plans, compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modifying, amending or terminating existing plans and programs, reviewing and approving the terms of employment agreements, severance arrangements, change in control protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers, reviewing with management and approving our disclosures under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in our periodic reports or proxy statements to be filed with the SEC, and preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement. Neither the Compensation Committee nor the Board of Directors retained any consultants to assist in the review and approval of the compensation and benefits for the executive officers of our company during 2018. The Board of Directors has determined that each current member of the Compensation Committee is an independent director within the meaning of the NASDAQ independence standards.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The functions include identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve on our Board of Directors consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors, evaluating director performance on our Board of Directors and applicable committees of our Board of Directors and determining whether continued service on our board of directors is appropriate, evaluating, nominating and recommending individuals for membership on our Board of Directors, and evaluating nominations by stockholders for election to our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that each current member of the committee is an independent director within the meaning of the NASDAQ independence standards. See “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance – Directors” above for descriptions of the relevant education and experience of each member of the above stated committees.

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the “Exchange Act, requires officers and directors of the Company and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent (10%) of the Common Stock outstanding to file initial statements of beneficial ownership of Common Stock (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership of Common Stock (Forms 4 or 5) with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file. Our records reflect that all reports which were required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were filed on a timely basis.

 

 
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Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Copies of our corporate code of conduct and ethics are available, without charge, upon request in writing to Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033, and are posted on the investor relations section of our website, which is located at www.curepharmaceutical.com. The inclusion of our website address in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include or incorporate by reference the information on our website into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also intend to disclose any amendments to the Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website.

 

Selection of Board Candidates

 

In selecting candidates for the Board of Directors, the Board begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders desire and are qualified to continue their service on the Board of Directors. If there are positions on the Board of Directors for which the Board will not be renominating an incumbent director, or if there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors, the Board will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons whom the Board believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including members of our Board of Directors and our senior management. The Board may also engage a search firm to assist in the identification of qualified candidates. The Board will review and evaluate those candidates whom it believes merit serious consideration, taking into account all available information concerning the candidate, the existing composition and mix of talent and expertise on the Board of Directors and other factors that it deems relevant. In conducting its review and evaluation, the committees may solicit the views of management and other members of the Board of Directors and may conduct interviews of proposed candidates.

 

The Board generally requires that all candidates for the Board of Directors be of the highest personal and professional integrity and have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgement. The Board will consider whether such candidate will be effective, in conjunction with the other members of the Board of Directors, in collectively serving the long-term interests of our stockholders. In addition, the Board requires that all candidates have no interests that materially conflict with our interest and those of our stockholders, have meaningful management, advisory or policy making experience, have general appreciation of the major business issues facing us and have adequate time to devote to service on the Board of Directors.

 

The Board will consider stockholder recommendations for nominees to fill director positions, provided that the Board will not entertain stockholder nominations from stockholders who do not meet the eligibility criteria for submission of stockholder proposals under Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. Stockholders may submit written recommendations for nominees to the Board of Directors, together with appropriate biographical information and qualification of such nominees as required by our Bylaws, to our Cooperate Secretary following the same procedures as described in “Stockholder Communications” in our Proxy Statement. In order for a nominee for directorship submitted by a stockholder to be considered, such recommendation must be received by the Corporate Secretary by the time period set forth in our most recent proxy statement for the submission of stockholder proposals under Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. The Corporate Secretary shall then deliver any such communications to the Chairman of the Board or the N&GC, as applicable. The Board will evaluate stockholder recommendations for candidates for the Board of Directors using the same criteria as for other candidates, except that the Board may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of stockholder recommended candidates, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder or stockholder group in our equity.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our Board of Directors is currently chaired by William Yuan, who was appointed to serve in such capacity effective January 9, 2019. Our amended and restated bylaws provide our Board of Directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure is in the best interests of our company. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Yuan facilitates communications between members of our Board of Directors and works with management in the preparation of the agenda for each board meeting. All of our directors are encouraged to make suggestions for board agenda items or pre-meeting materials. Mr. Davidson presides over the executive sessions of the Board of Directors in which Mr. Yuan does not participate.

 

 
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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To our knowledge, none of our current directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:

 

 

· been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

 

 

 

 

· had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he or she was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;

 

 

 

 

· been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his or her involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

 

 

 

· been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

 

 

 

 

· been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

 

 

 

 

· been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

  

Director Compensation

 

The following Director Compensation Table sets forth information concerning compensation for services rendered to our independent directors for fiscal year 2018:

 

Name

 

Fees Earned

Or Paid in Cash

($)

 

 

Stock

Awards

($)

 

 

Option

Awards

($) (1)

 

 

All Other

Compensation

($)

 

 

Total

($)

 

William Yuan

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

89,258

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

89,258

 

Charles Berman

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

59,505

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

59,505

 

Alan Einstein

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

59,505

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

59,505

 

_______ 

(1) In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts in this column reflect the fair value on the grant date of the option awards granted to the named executive, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Stock options were valued using the Black-Scholes model. The grant-date fair value does not necessarily reflect the value of shares which may be received in the future with respect to these awards. The grant-date fair value of the stock options in this column is a non-cash expense for the Company that reflects the fair value of the stock options on the grant date and therefore does not affect our cash balance. The fair value of the stock options will likely vary from the actual value the holder receives because the actual value depends on the number of options exercised and the market price of our common stock on the date of exercise. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of the stock options, see Note 12 (Stock Based Compensation) to our financial statements, which are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
   

The Company does not have a formal policy regarding compensation for non-employee directors. Directors are not paid for meetings attended. However, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company, as part of its Equity Incentive Plan, granted stock options to Messrs. Yuan and Berman and Dr. Einstein, see table above.

 

Required Vote and Recommendation

 

The election of directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the voting shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of the nominees.

   

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

THE RATIFICATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

 

 
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PROPOSAL 2 APPROVAL OF THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM THE STATE OF NEVADA TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE

 

We are asking you to approve the reincorporation of CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. from the state of Nevada to the state of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”). For the reasons discussed below, our Board of Directors has unanimously adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the reincorporation pursuant to a plan of conversion.

 

Summary

 

The principal effects of the Reincorporation, if approved by our stockholders and effected, will be that:

 

·

The affairs of the Company will cease to be governed by the corporate laws of the state of Nevada and will become subject to the corporate laws of the state of Delaware.

 

 

 

·

Following the Reincorporation, the resulting entity (“CURE-Delaware”) will be the same entity as currently incorporated in the state of Nevada (“CURE-Nevada”) and will continue with all of the rights, privileges and powers of CURE-Nevada, will possess all of the properties of CURE-Nevada, will continue with all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of CURE-Nevada and will continue with the same officers and directors of CURE-Nevada, as further described below.

 

 

 

·

If and when the Reincorporation becomes effective, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of CURE-Nevada will be automatically converted into issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CURE-Delaware, without any action on the part of our stockholders. We will continue to file periodic reports and other documents with the SEC. The Reincorporation will not change the respective positions of the Company or stockholders under federal securities laws. Shares of our common stock that are freely tradable prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be freely tradable after the Reincorporation, and shares of our common stock that are subject to restrictions prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be subject to the same restrictions after the Reincorporation. For purposes of computing compliance with the holding period requirement of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), stockholders will be deemed to have acquired the CURE-Delaware common stock on the date they acquired their shares of CURE-Nevada common stock.

 

 

 

·

The common stock of CURE-Delaware will continue to be quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market with the same trading symbol (“CURR”).

 

 

 

·

Following the Reincorporation, all of our employee benefit and incentive plans will become CURE-Delaware plans, and each option, equity award or other right issued under such plans will automatically be converted into an option, equity award or right to purchase or receive the same number of shares of CURE-Delaware common stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation.

 

Plan of Conversion

 

To accomplish the reincorporation, the Board of Directors has adopted a plan of conversion (the “Plan of Conversion”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A . The Plan of Conversion provides that we will convert into a Delaware corporation and thereafter will be subject to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

 

Assuming the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock vote in favor of this Proposal 2, we will cause the Reincorporation to be effected at such time as we determine by filing with (1) the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada articles of conversion, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix B (the “Articles of Conversion”) and (2) the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (i) the certificate of conversion, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix C (the “Certificate of Conversion) and (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix D (the “Delaware Certificate”). In addition, if and when the Board of Directors effects the Reincorporation, the Board of Directors will adopt the Bylaws of CURE-Delaware (the “Delaware Bylaws”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix E . Approval of this Proposal 2 by our stockholders will constitute approval of the Plan of Conversion, the Articles of Conversion, the Certificate of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate, and the Delaware Bylaws.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Reincorporation may be delayed by the Board of Directors or the Plan of Conversion may be terminated and abandoned by action of the Board of Directors at any time prior to the effective time of the Reincorporation, whether before or after approval by the Company’s stockholders, if the Board of Directors determines for any reason that such delay or termination would be in the best interests of our Company and its stockholders. If the Reincorporation is approved by our stockholders, the Reorganization would become effective upon the filing (and acceptance thereof by the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada) of the articles of conversion and the filing (and acceptance thereof by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) of the certificate of conversion and the Delaware Certificate.

 

 
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Reasons for Voting for Approval of the Reincorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware

  

The Board of Directors has approved the reincorporation because the corporate laws of the State of Delaware are more comprehensive, widely used and extensively interpreted than the corporate laws of other states, including Nevada. The state of Delaware is recognized for adopting comprehensive, modern and flexible corporate laws, which are amended periodically to respond to the changing legal and business needs of corporations. As a result of the flexibility and responsiveness of the Delaware corporate laws to the legal and business needs of corporations, many major corporations are incorporated in Delaware or have changed their corporate domiciles to Delaware. Delaware, unlike Nevada, has established a specialized court, the Court of Chancery, that has exclusive jurisdiction over matters relating to the DGCL. The Delaware judiciary has become particularly familiar with corporate laws and corporate matters, and a substantial body of court decisions has developed construing the DGCL, thus providing greater clarity and predictability with respect to our corporate legal and governance affairs. We believe this will assist our Board of Directors and management in making corporate decisions and taking corporate actions with greater assurance as to the validity and consequences of those decisions and actions. For these and other reasons, we believe that the Reincorporation will directly benefit our stockholders.

 

The Board of Directors is not proposing the reincorporation to prevent a change in control of our company and is not aware of any present attempt by any person to acquire control of our company or to obtain representation on the Board of Directors.

 

Why You Should Vote for Reincorporation

 

Delaware is a nationally recognized leader in adopting and implementing comprehensive, modern and flexible corporate laws. The DGCL is frequently revised and updated to accommodate changing legal and business needs and is more comprehensive, widely used and interpreted than other state corporate laws, including the Nevada Revised Statutes (the “NRS”).

 

Further, Delaware courts (including the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court) are highly regarded for their considerable expertise in dealing with corporate legal issues and for producing a substantial body of case law construing Delaware legal precedents. Because the judicial system is based largely on legal precedents, the abundance of Delaware case law enhances the relative clarity and predictability of many areas of corporate law, which in turn may offer added advantages to us by allowing the Board of Directors and management to make corporate decisions and take actions with a greater assurance as to the validity and consequences of those decisions and actions.

 

The Reincorporation may also make it easier to attract future candidates willing to serve on the Board of Directors because many such candidates are familiar with Delaware law, including provisions of the DGCL relating to fiduciary duties and director indemnification, from their past business experience.

 

Additionally, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, underwriters and other members of the financial services industry may be more willing and better able to assist in capital-raising programs for corporations having the greater flexibility afforded by the DGCL. Certain investment funds, sophisticated investors, and brokerage firms may be more comfortable and more willing to invest in a Delaware corporation than in a corporation incorporated in another U.S. jurisdiction whose corporate laws may be less understood or perceived to be unresponsive to stockholder rights.

 

Effects of Reincorporation

 

Apart from being governed by the Delaware Certificate, the Delaware Bylaws and the DGCL, CURE-Delaware will effectively be the same entity as CURE-Nevada. By virtue of the Reincorporation, all rights, privileges, and powers of CURE-Nevada, all property owned by CURE-Nevada, all debts owed to CURE-Nevada, and all other causes of action belonging to CURE-Nevada immediately prior to the Reincorporation will remain vested in CURE-Delaware following the Reincorporation. In addition, by virtue of the Reincorporation, all debts, liabilities and duties of CURE-Nevada immediately prior to the Reincorporation will remain attached to the CURE-Delaware following the Reincorporation.

 

Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, all shares of common stock of CURE-Nevada will automatically be converted into shares of common stock of CURE-Delaware, without any further action on the part of the stockholders. The Reincorporation will have no effect on the transferability of the shares or the trading of the shares of common stock on Nasdaq under the same trading symbol “CURR.” We will continue to file periodic reports and other documents as and to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Shares of our common stock that are freely tradeable prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be freely tradeable as shares of CURE-Delaware common stock, and shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to restrictions prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be subject to the same restrictions as shares of CURE-Delaware common stock. The Reincorporation will not change the respective positions of CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. or our stockholders under federal securities laws.

 

 
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Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, (i) our directors and officers will become all of the directors and officers of CURE-Delaware, (ii) all of our employee benefit and incentive plans will become CURE-Delaware plans, and each option, equity award or other right issued under such plans will automatically be converted into an option, equity award or right to purchase or receive the same number of shares of CURE-Delaware common stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation.

 

We believe that the Reincorporation will not affect any of our material contracts with any third parties, and that our rights and obligations under such material contractual arrangements will continue as our rights and obligations after the Reincorporation.

 

Effect of Vote for Reincorporation

 

A vote in favor of the reincorporation is a vote in favor of the Plan of Conversion, the Articles of Conversion, the Certificate of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws. Stockholders should also note that approval of the reincorporation also will constitute approval of our equity and other employee benefit and incentive plans continuing as plans of our company after the reincorporation.

 

Effect of Not Obtaining Required Vote for Approval

 

If we fail to obtain the requisite vote of our stockholders for approval of the reincorporation, the reincorporation will not be consummated and we will continue to be incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada, the Nevada Article of Incorporation and the current bylaws of CURE-Nevada.

 

Amendments, Termination, Abandonment of the Plan of Conversion

 

The Plan of Conversion may be amended or modified by the Board of Directors prior to effecting the reincorporation, provided that the board determines that such amendment would be in the best interests of CURE-Nevada and our stockholders, and provided further that, if stockholder approval has been obtained, the amendment does not (1) alter or change the manner or bases of exchanging an owner’s interest to be acquired for owner’s interests, rights to purchase owner’s interests, or other securities of any entity, or for cash or other property in whole or in part, or (2) alter or change any of the terms and conditions of the Plan Conversion in a manner that adversely affects our stockholders.

 

The reincorporation may be delayed by the Board of Directors, or the Plan of Conversion may be terminated and abandoned by action of the Board of Directors, at any time prior to the effective time of the reincorporation, whether before or after approval by our stockholders, if the Board of Directors determines for any reason that such delay or termination would be in the best interests of CURE-Nevada and our stockholders.

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reincorporation to U.S. Holders

 

The discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth below is for general information only and does not purport to be a complete discussion or analysis of all potential tax consequences that may apply to a stockholder. Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the particular tax consequences of the Reincorporation, including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws.

 

The Reincorporation provided for in the Plan of Conversion is intended to be a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming the Reincorporation qualifies as a reorganization, no gain or loss will be recognized to the holders of our capital stock as a result of consummation of the Reincorporation, and no gain or loss will be recognized by us. You will have the same basis in the CURE-Delaware common stock received by you pursuant to the Reincorporation as you have in the shares of CURE-Nevada common stock held by you as of immediately prior to the time the Reincorporation is consummated. Your holding period with respect to CURE-Delaware common stock will include the period during which you held the corresponding shares of CURE-Nevada common stock, provided the latter was held by you as a capital asset at the time of consummation of the Reincorporation.

 

Dissenters’ Rights

 

Under the NRS, stockholders are entitled to dissenters’ rights in connection with a reincorporation. A stockholder who is entitled to dissent and obtain payment pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, may not challenge the corporate action creating the entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the stockholder or the domestic corporation. From and after the effective date of the corporate action, the basis of which invokes dissenters’ rights, any stockholder who has exercised their right to dissent is not entitled to vote on any action for any purpose or receive any dividends accrued and payable after such effective date.

 

 
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Accounting Treatment

 

We expect that the Reincorporation will have no effect from an accounting perspective because there is no different entity as a result of the Reincorporation. As such, our financial statements previously filed with the SEC will remain our financial statements following the Reincorporation.

 

Regulatory Approvals

 

The Reincorporation will not be consummated until after stockholder approval is obtained. We will obtain all required consent of government authorities, including the filing of the Articles of Conversion, the Certificate of Conversion and the Delaware Certificate.

 

Comparison of Stockholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation

 

Although the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws contain many similar provisions to the current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of CURE-Nevada, they also include certain provisions that are different from the provisions contained in CURE current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The following discussion briefly summarizes some of the changes resulting from the Reincorporation and the significant differences between the NRS, the current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of CURE-Nevada and the DGCL, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws. The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the respective rights of holders of our common stock and CURE-Delaware common stock, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the NRS and DGCL, respectively, and to the current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of CURE-Nevada and the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws, respectively. A matrix that compares many of the most important differences between Nevada and Delaware laws can be found below.

 

 

 

 

Provision

 

NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws

 

DGCL and Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware Bylaws

Amendment of Charter Documents

 

Nevada law requires the adoption of a resolution by the corporation’s board of directors followed by the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the corporation.

 

If any proposed amendment would adversely alter or change any preference or any relative or other right given to any class or series of outstanding shares, then the amendment must be approved by the vote, in addition to the affirmative vote otherwise required, of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series adversely affected by the amendment. NRS 78.390.

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation are consistent with the NRS.

 

Delaware law requires the adoption of a resolution by the corporation’s board of directors followed by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote to approve any amendment to the certificate of incorporation, unless a greater percentage vote is required by the certificate of incorporation. Where a separate vote by class or series is required, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of such class or series is required unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage vote. Further, Delaware law states that if an amendment would (i) increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of a class, (ii) increase or decrease the par value of shares of a class, or (iii) alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of a particular class or series of stock so as to affect them adversely, the class or series so affected shall be given the power to vote as a class notwithstanding the absence of any specifically enumerated power in the certificate of incorporation. DGCL Section 242.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation is consistent with the DGCL.

 

 

 

Amendment of

Bylaws

 

Nevada law provides that, unless otherwise prohibited by any bylaw adopted by the stockholders, the directors may adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw, including any bylaw adopted by the stockholders. The articles of incorporation may grant the authority to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws exclusively to the directors. NRS 78.120.

 

The power to adopt, amend, or repeal the bylaws of a corporation shall be vested in the stockholders entitled to vote, provided that the corporation in its certificate of incorporation may confer such power on the board of directors, although the power vested in the stockholders is not divested or limited where the board of directors also has such power. DGCL Section 109.

 

 

 

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. In addition, the Nevada Bylaws state that (a) these Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by the shareholders at any regular or Annual Meeting of the shareholders if notice of the proposed alteration or amendment is contained in the notice of the meeting; and (b) these Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors at any regular or Annual Meeting of the Board.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation expressly authorizes the Board of Directors to adopt, amend or repeal the Delaware Bylaws. The Delaware Bylaws also state that the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.

 

 
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Number of

Directors

 

A corporation must have at least one director and may provide in its articles of incorporation or in its bylaws for a fixed number of directors or a variable number of directors, and for the manner in which the number of directors may be increased or decreased. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, directors need not be stockholders. NRS 78.115.

 

The board of directors of a corporation shall consist of 1 or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. The number of directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number of directors shall be made only by amendment of the certificate. DGCL Section 141.

 

 

 

 

The Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation (which does not fix the number of directors) and Delaware Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

 

 

Filling Vacancies

on the Board of

Directors

 

All vacancies, including those caused by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, unless it is otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, pursuant to a resignation by a director, the board may fill the vacancy or vacancies with each director so appointed to hold office during the remainder of the term of office of the resigning director or directors. NRS 78.335.

 

The Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS.

 

All vacancies on the board of directors of a Delaware corporation may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, the board may fill the vacancies for the remainder of the term of office of resigning director or directors. Further, if, at the time of filling any vacancy, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole board, the Delaware Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office. DGCL Section 223.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL and are substantially similar to the Nevada Bylaws. However, as noted, the DGCL provides greater protection to the Company’s stockholders by permitting stockholders representing at least 10% of the issued and outstanding shares to apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery to have an election of directors in the situation where the directors in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board of directors.

 

 

 

Removal of Directors

 

Any one or all of the directors of a corporation may be removed by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the voting power of a corporation’s issued and outstanding stock. Nevada law does not distinguish between removal of directors with or without cause. NRS 78.335.

 

The Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. In addition, the Nevada Bylaws state that the directors may be removed from office with or without cause by a vote of shareholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

Any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except as follows: (a) unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, in the case of a corporation whose board is classified stockholders may effect such removal only for cause; or (b) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against such director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which such director is a part. DGCL Section 141.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL.

 
 
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Board Action by

Written Consent

 

Nevada law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by all the members of the board or committee. NRS 78.315.

 

Delaware law provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board or committee consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee. DGCL Section 141.

 

 

 

 

The Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS.

 

The Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL and are substantially similar in regard to board and committee action by written consent.

 

 

 

Interested Party

Transaction

 

Nevada law provides that no contract or transaction between a corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between a corporation and any other entity of which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or in which one or more of its directors or officers have a financial interest, is void or voidable if one of the following circumstances exists: (a) the director’s or officer’s interest in the contract or transaction is known to the Board, and the transaction is approved or ratified by the Board in good faith by a vote sufficient for the purpose (without counting the vote of the interested director or officer); (b) the director’s or officer’s interest in the contract or transaction is known to the stockholders, and the transaction is approved or ratified by a majority of the stockholders holding a majority of voting power; (c) the fact of the common interest is not known to the director or officer at the time the transaction is brought before the Board; or (d) the contract or transaction is fair to the corporation at the time it is authorized or approved. NRS 78.140.

 

Nevada and Delaware law are substantially similar, with Delaware law providing additional provisions for the approval of related party transactions by stockholders.

 

Delaware law provides that no contract or transaction between a corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between a corporation and any other entity of which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or in which one or more of its directors or officers have a financial interest, is void or voidable if (a) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or known to the board of directors or a committee thereof, which authorizes the contract or transaction in good faith by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum, (b) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by the stockholders, or (c) the contract or transaction is fair to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. DGCL Section 144.

 

 

 

  Stockholder Voting

- Quorum

 

Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, a majority of the voting power, present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders (regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters), constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. NRS 78.320.

 

The Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. In addition, the Nevada Bylaws state that a majority of the shares represented at a meeting, even if less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

The certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares and/or the amount of other securities having voting power the holders of which shall be present or represented by proxy at any meeting in order to constitute a quorum for, and the votes that shall be necessary for, the transaction of any business, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than 1/3 of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, except that, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a quorum shall consist of no less than 1/3 of the shares of such class or series or classes or series. In the absence of such specification in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws: (a) a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders; (b) in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders; (c) directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors; and (d) where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter and, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series. A bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the board of directors. DGCL Section 216.

 

 

 

 

 

Consistent with the DGCL, the Delaware Bylaws state that the holders of a majority in voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Delaware Bylaws and Nevada Bylaws are substantially similar with respect to quorum requirements.

 
 
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Annual Meetings

of Stockholders

 

Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the entire Board, any two directors, or the president may call annual and Annual Meetings of the stockholders and directors. NRS 78.310.

 

Annual Meetings of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws. DGCL Section 211.

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS, but also provide that Annual Meetings of the shareholders of this Corporation may be called at any time by the holders of twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting shares of the Corporation, or by the President, or by the Chief Executive Officer, or by the Board of Directors or a majority thereof. No business shall be transacted at any Annual Meeting of shareholders except as is specified in the notice calling for said meeting.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware Bylaws state the Annual Meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, and officer or at the request in writing of stockholders owning at least 25% of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

Neither the Delaware Articles of Incorporation nor the Delaware Bylaws change this statutory rule. Nevada and Delaware law are substantially similar in regard to stockholder approval of mergers and other corporate reorganizations.

 

 

 

Stockholder Action

by Written Consent

 

Nevada law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if the holders of outstanding stock having at least the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting consent to the action in writing. NRS 78.320.

 

The Nevada Bylaws state that unless otherwise restricted by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by shareholders holding at least a majority of the voting power, except that if a different proportion of voting power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents shall be required. Whenever such action is taken by written consent, a meeting of shareholders need not be called or notice given. The shareholders’ written consent may be signed in counterparts, including, without limitation, facsimile counterparts, and shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders.

 

Delaware law provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if the holders of outstanding stock having at least the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting consents to the action in writing. In addition, Delaware law requires the corporation to give prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those stockholders who did not consent in writing. DGCL Section 228.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware Bylaws allow stockholders to act by written consent, and therefore do not differ from the Nevada Bylaws.

 

 

 

 

Advance Notice Provisions

 

Nevada law permits a corporation to include in its bylaws provisions requiring advance notice of shareholder proposals.

 

Delaware law permits a corporation to include in its bylaws provisions requiring advance notice of shareholder proposals.

 

 

 

 

The Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

The Delaware Bylaws will provide that advance notice of a stockholder’s proposal or director nominee must be delivered to the Secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than seventy-five (75) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the later of (i) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made.

 

 
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Effect of Failure to

Hold an Annual

Meeting of

Stockholders

 

If a corporation fails to hold an annual stockholders’ meeting to elect directors within 18 months after the last election of directors, a Nevada district court will have jurisdiction in equity and may order an election upon petition of one or more stockholders holding at least 15% of the voting power. NRS 78.345. The Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

If an annual meeting for election of directors is not held on the date designated or an action by written consent to elect directors in lieu of an annual meeting has not been taken within 30 days after the date designated for the annual meeting, or if no date has been designated, for a period of 13 months after the latest to occur of the organization of the corporation, its last annual meeting or the last action by written consent to elect directors in lieu of an annual meeting, the Court of Chancery may summarily order a meeting to be held upon the application of any stockholder or director. DGCL Section 211.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delaware Bylaws do not change this statutory rule. As between Nevada law and Delaware law, Delaware law provides for a shorter interval than Nevada law (13 months versus 18 months) before a stockholder can apply to a court to order a meeting for the election of directors. Also, Nevada law requires that application be made by a stockholder holding at least 15% of the voting power; whereas, Delaware law permits any stockholder or director to make the application.

 

Limitation on

Director Liability

 

Under Nevada law, unless the articles of incorporation or an amendment thereto (filed on or after October 1, 2003) provides for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to the corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless it is proven that: (a) the director’s or officer’s act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer; and (b) the breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law. NRS 78.138.

 

Under Delaware law, if a corporation’s certificate of incorporation so provides, the personal liability of a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director may be eliminated or limited. A corporation’s certificate of incorporation, however, may not limit or eliminate a director’s personal liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) for the payment of unlawful dividends, stock repurchases or redemptions, or (d) for any transaction in which the director received an improper personal benefit. DGCL Section 102.

 

 

 

 

Consistent with this statutory rule, the Nevada Articles of Incorporation provide that the personal liability of the directors of the corporation is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. The Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

Consistent with this statutory rule, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws limit the personal liability of a director for breach of fiduciary duty as permitted under the DGCL. Delaware law is more extensive in the enumeration of actions under which we may not eliminate a director’s personal liability.

 

 

 

Indemnification

 

A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. However, indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue, or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement, unless and only to the extent that the court determines the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper. NRS 78.7502.

 

A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if: (a) the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (b) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. With respect to actions by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit is brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses which such court shall deem proper. A director or officer who is successful, on the merits or otherwise in defending any proceeding subject to the Delaware corporate statutes’ indemnification provisions shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. DGCL Section 145.

 

 

 

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL. The indemnification provisions of the NRS and DGCL are substantially similar.

 

 
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Declaration and

Payment of

Dividends

 

Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its stockholders, including distributions on shares that are partially paid. However, no distribution may be made if, after giving effect to such distribution: (a) the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (b) except as otherwise specifically allowed by the articles of incorporation, the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. NRS 78.288.

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

Subject to any restriction contained in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, the board of directors may declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends or other distributions upon the shares of its capital stock either (a) out of “surplus”; or (b) in the event that there is no surplus, out of the net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Dividends may not be paid if the capital of the corporation is less than the total amount of capital represented by the outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets. “Surplus” is defined as the excess of the net assets of the corporation over the amount determined to be the capital of the corporation by the board of directors (which amount cannot be less than the aggregate par value of all issued shares of capital stock). DGCL Sections 154, 170.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL.

 

 

 

Business

Combinations

 

Nevada law prohibits certain business combinations between a Nevada corporation and an interested stockholder for three years after such person becomes an interested stockholder. Generally, an interested stockholder is a holder who is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of a corporation’s outstanding stock and at any time within three years immediately before the date in question was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the then outstanding stock of the corporation. After the three-year period, business combinations remain prohibited unless they are (a) approved by the board of directors prior to the date that the person first became an interested stockholder or by a majority of the outstanding voting power not beneficially owned by the interested party, or (b) the interested stockholder satisfies certain fair-value requirements. An interested stockholder is (i) a person that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of a corporation, or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the past three years, was an interested stockholder of the corporation. NRS 78.411-.444.

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule.

 

Delaware law prohibits, in certain circumstances, a “business combination” between the corporation and an “interested stockholder” within three years of the stockholder becoming an “interested stockholder.” Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a holder who, directly or indirectly, controls 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock or is an affiliate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock at any time within the three-year period prior to the date upon which the status of an “interested stockholder” is being determined. A “business combination” includes a merger or consolidation, a sale or other disposition of assets having an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of the consolidated assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of the outstanding stock of the corporation and certain transactions that would increase the interested stockholder’s proportionate share ownership in the corporation. This provision does not apply where, among other things, (i) the transaction which resulted in the individual becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder acquired such 15% interest, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at the time the transaction commenced, or (iii) at or after the date the person becomes an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by a majority of the board of directors of the corporation and an affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock at an annual or Annual Meeting and not by written consent, excluding stock owned by the interested stockholder. This provision also does not apply if a stockholder acquires a 15% interest inadvertently and divests itself of such ownership and would not have been a 15% stockholder in the preceding three years but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership. DGCL Section 203.

 

 

 

 

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware Bylaws do not change this statutory rule. Nevada law and Delaware law provide for different thresholds in determining whether or not a person is an “interested stockholder.” Under Delaware law, since the threshold is higher, we will be able to engage in certain transactions with stockholders that would otherwise be prohibited under Nevada law.

 

 

 

 
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Selection of Forum

 

The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Bylaws do not contain any provisions governing selection of forum for litigating corporate claims.

 

The Delaware Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision regarding selection of forum, which provides that unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Delaware Court of Chancery shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Delaware Bylaws, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to the Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; provided that, if and only if the Court of Chancery dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in Delaware. This provision is not intended to apply to claims arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. To the extent the provision could be construed to apply to such claims, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce the provision in such respect, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision. These exclusive-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. If a court were to find either exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm our results of operations.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the reincorporation from the state of Nevada to the state of Delaware requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the incorporation.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE

“FOR”

THE APPROVAL OF THE REINCORPORATION FROM THE STATE OF NEVADA TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE

 

 

 
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PROPOSAL 3 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK BY 75,000,000 SHARES TO 150,000,000 SHARES

 

Background

 

On May 31, 2019, the Board approved, and recommended that shareholders approve an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation, to increase its authorized common stock from 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares.

 

To increase the number of shares of authorized common stock, the Board proposes to amend Paragraph 1 of Article III of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“The total authorized shares:

 

1. Common Shares: 150,000,000”

 

The Board believes that the current level of authorized common stock constrains the Company’s ability to conduct business in a manner intended to support growth and to enhance shareholder value. The Board considers the proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock desirable because it would give the Company the necessary flexibility to issue common stock for capital raising purposes, and to issue common stock upon the exercise of warrants outstanding and upon the exercise of warrants that may be granted in the future in connection with capital raising transactions or otherwise. Furthermore, an increase in the number of shares of authorized common stock gives the Company the ability to acquire other businesses in exchange for shares of common stock. If approved, and as contemplated under the merger agreement with Chemistry Holdings, Inc. dated March 31, 2019 (“Merger Agreement”), the Company has plans to issue a warrant to purchase 4,143,706 of the newly-authorized shares to MACI Molecule SPV LLC, an Oregon limited liability company, in consideration for consulting and advisory services to be provided.

 

The proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles will ensure that the Company will continue to have an adequate number of authorized and unissued shares of common stock available for future use. As of June 21, 2019, there were 43,384,671 shares of the common stock outstanding and 31,569,489 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants and upon achievement of certain milestones pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as well as for future issuance under our shareholder-approved equity incentive plan. 

 

As is the case with the shares of common stock which are currently authorized but unissued, if this proposal to amend the Company’s Articles to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock is approved by the shareholders, the Board will have authority to issue additional shares of common stock from time to time without further action on the part of shareholders, except as may be required by applicable law or by the rules of any stock exchange or market on which the Company’s securities may then be listed or authorized for quotation.

 

Our Articles do not include any preemptive or other rights of shareholders to subscribe for any shares of common stock which may in the future be issued by the Company, which means that current shareholders do not have a prior right to purchase any new issue of common stock in order to maintain their proportionate ownership of common stock.

 

Other than issuing the aforementioned shares to MACI Molecule SPV LLC we do not have any specific plans, arrangements or understandings for the newly authorized but unissued shares of common stock that would be available following the increase in authorized shares, we view the issuance of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock as our principal source of operating capital until such time as we may begin to generate positive cash flow from operations.

 

The additional shares of common stock that we are seeking authorization for may be used for such corporate purposes as the Board may determine from time to time to be necessary or desirable. These purposes may include, without limitation: issuing shares under our incentive plans, raising capital through the sale of common stock and/or warrants to purchase common stock and acquiring other businesses in exchange for shares of common stock.

 

The authorization of the additional shares of common stock by this proposal would not have any immediate dilutive effect on the proportionate voting power or other rights of existing shareholders, but, to the extent that the additional authorized shares are issued in the future, it will decrease the existing shareholders’ percentage equity ownership and, depending on the price at which they are issued, could be dilutive to existing shareholders and have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

 

 
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Implementation

 

If the amendment is approved by our shareholders, we must file an amendment with the Nevada Secretary of State in order for the amendment to become effective. If we obtain shareholder approval of the amendment, we intend to file the amendment as soon as practicable.

 

 If shareholders approve this Proposal 3 together with Proposal 2 (to reincorporate the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware), the Company will implement this Proposal 3 first and amend, prior to implementation of Proposal 2, Section 4.1 of the Delaware Certificate (as defined in Proposal 2) to reflect the shareholder-approved increase in authorized shares.

 

Effect of Failure to Obtain Shareholder Approval

 

If we do not obtain shareholder approval for this proposal to amend our Articles to increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock from 75,000,000 to 150,000,000, we may not have the ability to raise sufficient capital to continue to operate our business or have sufficient shares authorized to effect strategic transactions in the future where the consideration would otherwise be capital stock.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Under Nevada law, our stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the increase to the number of authorized shares of common stock.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the proposal to amend the Articles to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect on the result of this vote as votes cast AGAINST this proposal.

 

If you do not hold your shares in street name and respond but do not indicate how you want to vote on the amendment, your proxy will be counted as a vote in favor of such proposal.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF

AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK

 

 
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PROPOSAL 4 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS THEREUNDER BY AN ADDITIONAL 5,000,000 SHARES TO A TOTAL OF 10,000,000 SHARES

 

Background

 

On May 31, 2019, the Board approved, and recommended that shareholders approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares.

 

We are asking our stockholders to approve the Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2017 Plan”). As of June 21, 2019, 985,244 shares remained available for future grants under the 2017 Plan. Our Board believes that this share increase is necessary to ensure that the Company has a sufficient reserve of shares available to attract and retain the services of key individuals essential to the Company’s long-term growth and success. Other than the amendment contained in Proposal 5, no other changes to the 2017 Plan are proposed. A copy of the Amendment is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit F, and the discussion in this proposal is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amendment.

 

Currently, the 2017 Plan provides that the maximum number of shares available for issuance pursuant to awards issued thereunder is 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. Because certain of our directors and executive officers may be eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Plan, such directors and executive officers may be considered to have an interest in this proposal.

 

Description of Principal Features of the 2017 Plan

 

Types of Awards. Grants under the 2017 Plan may be made in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares, performance units and other cash or stock-based awards.

 

Number of Authorized Shares . If approved by our stockholders, the 2017 Plan will authorize awards in respect of an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. Of the 5,000,000 shares authorized under the 2017 Plan, no more than 5,000,000 shares will be available for grants of “full-value” awards, meaning awards other than stock options, SARs or other awards for which the recipient pays the exercise price. If an award under the 2017 Plan is canceled, forfeited, terminates or is settled in cash, the shares related to that award will not be treated as having been delivered under the 2017 Plan. For purposes of determining the number of shares available for grant as incentive stock options, only shares that are subject to an award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited or settled in cash shall be treated as not having been issued under the 2017 Plan.

 

Maximum Grants under the 2017 Plan . For purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum (i) number of our shares with respect to which stock options or SARs may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year is 500,000 shares, (ii) number of our shares of restricted stock that may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year is 500,000 shares, (iii) number of our shares with respect to which RSUs may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year is 500,000 shares, (iv) number of our shares with respect to which performance shares may be granted to any participant in any fiscal year is 500,000 shares, (v) amount of compensation that may be paid with respect to performance units or other cash or stock-based awards awarded to any participant in any fiscal year is $1,000,000 or a number of shares having a fair market value not in excess of that amount and (vi) dividend or dividend equivalent that may be paid to any one participant in any one fiscal year is $1,000,000.

 

Administration . The 2017 Plan shall be administered by the Committee, as defined below. All questions of interpretation of the 2017 Plan, of any award agreement or of any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the 2017 Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or Award Agreement or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest therein. All expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company. For purposes of the 2017 Plan, “Committee” shall mean the Compensation

 

Committee and such other committee or subcommittee of the Board, if any, duly appointed to administer the 2017 Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board, and if, at any time, there is no committee of the Board then authorized or properly constituted to administer the 2017 Plan, the Board shall exercise all of the powers of the Committee granted herein, and, in any event, the Board may in its discretion exercise any or all of such powers.

 

Effective Date and Duration . The 2017 Plan will become effective if it is approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting, and will authorize the granting of awards for up to ten years. The 2017 Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding awards until no awards remain outstanding.

 

 
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Amendment and Termination . The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the 2017 Plan at any time. However, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2017 Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 of the 2017 Plan), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the 2017 Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Stock may then be listed or quoted. No amendment, suspension or termination of the 2017 Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee. Except as provided by the next sentence, no amendment, suspension or termination of the 2017 Plan may have a materially adverse effect on any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any Participant, amend the 2017 Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the 2017 Plan or such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the 2017 Plan, including, but not limited to, Section 409A of the Code.

 

Change in Capitalization . In the event of any equity restructuring, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause an equitable adjustment to be made (i) in the number and kind of shares of our common stock that may be delivered under the 2017 Plan, (ii) in the individual annual limitations on each type of award under the 2017 Plan and (iii) with respect to outstanding awards, in the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding awards, the exercise price, grant price or other price of shares subject to outstanding awards, any performance conditions relating to shares, the market price of shares, or per-share results and other terms and conditions of outstanding awards, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, such as a merger, consolidation or liquidation, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence to be made, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.

 

Repricing . Without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of common stock cast in person or by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of common stock is present or represented by proxy, the Committee shall not approve a program providing for either (a) the cancellation of outstanding Options or SARs having exercise prices per share greater than the then Fair Market Value of a share of Stock (“Underwater Awards”) and the grant in substitution therefor of new Options or SARs having a lower exercise price, Full Value Awards or payments in cash, or (b) the amendment of outstanding Underwater Awards to reduce the exercise price thereof.

 

Eligibility and Participation . Eligible participants include all employees, directors and consultants of the Company and our subsidiaries, as determined by the Committee. However, eligibility shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

 

Termination of Employment or Service . Each award agreement will set forth the participant’s rights with respect to the award following termination of employment with or service to the Company.

 

Change in Control . In the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A of the Code, if applicable, the Committee may provide for any one or more of the following: a) accelerated vesting, b) the surviving’s corporation’s assumption or continue that Company’s rights and obligations under each or any Award, or c) cash out of outstanding stock based awards.

 

Transferability . Awards generally will be non-transferable except upon the death of a participant, although the Committee may permit a participant to transfer awards (for example, to family members or trusts for family members) subject to such conditions as the Committee may establish.

 

Deferrals . The Committee may permit the deferral of vesting or settlement of an award and may authorize crediting of dividends or interest or their equivalents in connection with any such deferral. Any such deferral and crediting will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee and any terms and conditions of the plan or arrangement under which the deferral is made.

 

Types of Awards

 

The following is a general description of the types of awards that may be granted under the 2017 Plan. Terms and conditions of awards will be determined on a grant-by-grant basis by the Committee, subject to the limitations contained in the 2017 Plan.

 

 
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Stock Options . The Committee may grant incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”) or a combination thereof under the 2017 Plan. The exercise price for each such award will be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant (110% of fair market value in the case of an ISO granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary). Options will expire at such times and will have such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine at the time of grant;  provided, however , that no option may be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of its grant (fifth anniversary in the case of an ISO granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary). The exercise price of options granted under the 2017 Plan may be paid in cash, by tendering previously acquired shares of common stock having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, through broker-assisted cashless exercise or any other means permitted by the Committee consistent with applicable law or by a combination of any of the permitted methods. The Committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with a stock option.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights . SARs granted under the 2017 Plan may be in the form of freestanding SARs (SARs granted independently of any option), tandem SARs (SARS granted in connection with a related option) or a combination thereof. The grant price of a freestanding SAR will be equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The grant price of a tandem SAR will be equal to the exercise price of the related option. Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon such terms and conditions as are imposed by the Committee and set forth in the SAR award agreement. Tandem SARs may be exercised only with respect to the shares of common stock for which its related option is exercisable. Upon exercise of a SAR, a participant will receive the product of the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise over the grant price multiplied by the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in shares of common stock of equivalent value, or in some combination of cash and shares, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with SARs.

 

Restricted Stock . The Committee will be authorized to award restricted stock under the 2017 Plan. Restricted Stock is an award that is non-transferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture until vesting conditions, which can be related to continued service or other conditions established by the Committee, are satisfied. Prior to vesting, holders of restricted stock may receive dividends and voting rights. If the vesting conditions are not satisfied, the participant forfeits the shares. Restricted stock may be granted in the form of either Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right.

 

Restricted Stock Units . The Committee will be authorized to award Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) under the 2017 Plan. RSUs represent a right to receive a share of common stock, an equivalent amount of cash, or a combination of shares and cash, as the Committee may determine, if vesting conditions are satisfied. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) shall be required as a condition of receiving an RSU, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the RSU. RSUs may contain vesting conditions based on continued service or other conditions established by the Committee. The Committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with such awards.

 

Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be granted in the form of either Performance Shares or Performance Units. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in granting a Performance Award, each Performance Share shall have an initial monetary value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of grant of the Performance Share, and each Performance Unit shall have an initial monetary value established by the Committee at the time of grant. Performance Units are awards that entitle a participant to receive shares of common stock, cash or a combination of shares and cash if certain performance conditions are satisfied. The amount received depends upon the value of the performance units and the number of performance units earned, each of which is determined by the Committee. The Committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with such awards. Performance shares may contain vesting conditions based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee in addition to service conditions.

 

Other Cash and Stock-Based Awards . Other cash and stock-based awards are awards other than those described above, the terms and conditions of which are determined by the Committee. These awards may include, without limitation, the grant of shares of our common stock based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, the payment of shares as a bonus or in lieu of cash based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, and the payment of shares in lieu of cash under an incentive or bonus program. Payment under or settlement of any such awards will be made in such manner and at such times as the Committee may determine.

 

Dividend Equivalents . Dividend equivalents granted to participants will represent a right to receive payments equivalent to dividends with respect to a specified number of shares.

 

 
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Performance Goals

 

The Committee will have the discretion to designate any award under the 2017 Plan as a performance compensation award (a “Performance Award”). While awards in the form of stock options and SARs are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may treat certain other awards under the 2017 Plan as “performance-based compensation” and thus preserve deductibility by the Company for federal income tax purposes of such awards which are made to individuals who are “covered employees” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

Each Performance Award will be payable only upon achievement over a specified performance period of a pre-established objective performance goal established by the Committee for such period. The Committee may designate one or more performance criteria for purposes of establishing a performance goal with respect to Performance Compensation Awards made under the 2017 Plan. Performance goals will be chosen from among the following performance measures: revenues; sales; expenses; operating income; gross margin; operating margin, ear before any one or more of: stock-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; pre-tax profit; net operating income; net income; economic value added; free cash flow; operating cash flow; balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities; stock price; earnings per share; return on stockholder equity; return on capital; return on assets; return on investment; total stockholder return; employee satisfaction; employee retention; market share; customer satisfaction; product development; research and development expenses; completion of an identified special project; and completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such performance measures may be established at such levels and on such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.

 

The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events, including, for example, events affecting us or our financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the 2017 Plan. With respect to any awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under section 162(m) of the Code, any such adjustments shall be specified at such times and in such manner as will not cause such awards to fail to so qualify.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

Set forth below is a discussion of certain United States federal income tax consequences with respect to certain awards that may be granted pursuant to the 2017 Plan. The following discussion is a brief summary only, and reference is made to the Code and the regulations and interpretations issued thereunder for a complete statement of all relevant federal tax consequences. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences of participation in the 2017 Plan.

 

Incentive Stock Options. In general, no taxable income is realized by a participant upon the grant of an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"). If shares of common stock are issued to a participant pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, then, generally (i) the participant will not realize ordinary income with respect to the exercise of the option, (ii) upon sale of the underlying shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price paid for the shares will be taxed to the participant as capital gain and (iii) the Company will not be entitled to a deduction. The amount by which the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date of an ISO exceeds the purchase price generally will, however, constitute an item which increases the participant’s income for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. However, if the participant disposes of the shares acquired on exercise before the later of the second anniversary of the date of grant or one year after the receipt of the shares by the participant (a “Disqualifying Disposition”), the participant generally would include in ordinary income in the year of the Disqualifying Disposition an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of the shares), over the exercise price paid for the shares. If ordinary income is recognized due to a disqualifying disposition, the Company would generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount. Subject to certain exceptions, an ISO generally will not be treated as an ISO if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment. If an ISO is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies as an ISO, it will be treated for tax purposes as a nonqualified stock option (“NQSO”) as discussed below.

 

Nonqualified Stock Options . In general, no taxable income is realized by a participant upon the grant of an NQSO. Upon exercise of an NQSO, the participant generally would include in ordinary income at the time of exercise an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price paid for the shares. At the time the participant recognizes ordinary income, the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount. In the event of a subsequent sale of shares received upon the exercise of an NQSO, any appreciation after the date on which taxable income is realized by the participant in respect of the option exercise should be taxed as capital gain in an amount equal to the excess of the sales proceeds for the shares over the participant’s basis in such shares. The participant’s basis in the shares will generally equal the amount paid for the shares plus the amount included in ordinary income by the participant upon exercise of the NQSO.

 

 
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Stock Appreciation Rights . In general, the grant of a SAR will not result in income for the participant or in a tax deduction for the Company. Upon the settlement of a SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the aggregate value of the payment received, and the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at such time in the same amount.

 

Restricted Stock . In general, a participant will not recognize any income upon the grant of restricted stock, unless the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code, within thirty days after such grant, to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the restricted stock at the time of grant, less any amount paid for the shares. If the election is made, the participant will not be allowed a deduction for amounts subsequently required to be returned to the Company. If the election is not made, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income on the date that the restrictions to which the restricted stock lapse, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares on such date, less any amount paid for the shares. At the time the participant recognizes ordinary income, the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount. Generally, upon a sale or other disposition of restricted stock with respect to which the participant has recognized ordinary income (i.e., where a Section 83(b) election was previously made or the restrictions were previously removed), the participant will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale or other disposition and the participant’s basis in such shares.

 

Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards . Restricted stock units and other awards granted under the 2017 Plan are generally not subject to tax at the time of the award but are subject to ordinary income tax at the time of payment, whether paid in cash or shares of our common stock. With respect to such awards, we generally will be allowed a tax deduction for the amount included in the taxable income of the participant in the taxable year of inclusion.

 

Number of Awards Granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors

 

The number of awards that an employee, director, or consultant may receive under the Amended and Restated Plan is in the discretion of the administrator and therefore cannot be determined in advance. The following table sets forth: (i) the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to options granted under the Current Plan since inception to each of our named executive officers; executive officers, as a group; directors who are not executive officers, as a group; and all employees who are not executive officers, as a group and (ii) the average per share exercise price of such options;

 

Name of Individual or Group

 

Number of

Shares

Subject to

Options

Granted

 

 

Average Per

Share

Exercise Price

of Option

Grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Davidson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

 

422,750

 

 

$ 0.68

 

Michael Redard (1) , Chief Financial Officer

 

 

250,000

 

 

$ 4.01

 

Jessica Rousset (2) , Chief Operating Officer

 

 

350,000

 

 

$ 0.68

 

Wayne Nasby (3) , former Chief Operating Officer

 

 

-

 

 

$ -

 

Mark Udell (4) , Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

150,000

 

 

$ 0.74

 

Edward Maliski (5) , former President and Chief Scientific Officer

 

 

50,000

 

 

$ 0.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All executive officers, as a group

 

 

972,750

 

 

$ 0.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All directors who are not executive officers, as a group

 

 

500,000

 

 

$ 1.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All employees who are not executive officers, as a group

 

 

465,300

 

 

$ 0.81

 

________ 

(1)

Michael Redard was appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, replacing Mark Udell who remains with the Company as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.

(2)

Jessica Rousset was appointed to Chief Operating Officer effective January 22, 2018.

(3)

Wayne Nasby entered into a separation agreement that was effective January 21, 2018.

(4)

Mark Udell resigned as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective November 15, 2018, with the appointment of Alex Katz as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Udell remains with the Company as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.

(5)

Edward Maliski resigned as the Company President and Chief Scientific Officer effective June 30, 2018 and entered into a Confidential Severance and General Release Agreement. On July 1, 2018, Mr. Maliski entered into a Consulting Agreement with the Company.

 

 
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Effect of Failure to Obtain Shareholder Approval

 

If the stockholders do not approve the Amendment, the Amendment will not become effective, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will continue in effect (without giving effect to the Amendment), and we will be subject to the current share limit set forth in the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Vote Required

 

Amendment to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to approve the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will operate to prevent the approval of proposal to the same extent as a vote against such proposal

 

If you do not hold your shares in street name and respond but do not indicate how you want to vote on the amendment, your proxy will be counted as a vote in favor of such proposal.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF

THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS THEREUNDER BY AN ADDITIONAL 5,000,000

SHARES TO A TOTAL OF 10,000,000 SHARES

 

 
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PROPOSAL 5 AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO REVISE SECTION 5.5 OF THE 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN RELATING TO NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR AWARD LIMITS

 

Background

 

On May 31, 2019, the Board approved, and recommended that shareholders approve an amendment of Section 5.5 of the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise the nonemployee director award limit in any fiscal year from an aggregate of one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of the Company’s common stock, to an aggregate compensation of up to $300,000 (less any cash retainer made to the nonemployee directors) using (i) the market value for any non-derivative securities (e.g., common stock) granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) the Black-Scholes value of any derivative securities (e.g., options) granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

The revised wording of Section 5.5 shall be:

 

Nonemployee Director Award Limit. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States) of all Awards granted to any Nonemployee Director during any fiscal year of the Company, taken together with any cash compensation paid to such Nonemployee Director during such fiscal year, shall not exceed $300,000.”

 

We are asking our stockholders to approve this revision (the “Revision”) to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. Other than the amendment contained in Proposal 4, no other changes to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan are proposed. A copy of the effect of the Amendment and Revision is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit F, and the discussion in this proposal is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amendment.

 

The Revision was adopted by the Board May 31, 2019, subject to stockholder approval. The Revision allows the Board to be more creative in granting compensation to nonemployee directors under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. Currently, the Board may annually grant nonemployee directors up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Revision allows the Company to structure the compensation for nonemployee directors in a manner that is both favorable to the Company and the nonemployee director.

 

Description of Principal Features of the 2017 Plan and Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

See the information included under Proposal 3 for a description of the principal features of the 2017 plan and certain U.S. Federal income tax consequences.

 

Effect of Failure to Obtain Shareholder Approval

 

If the stockholders do not approve the Revision, the Revision will not become effective, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan will continue in effect (without giving effect to the Revision), and we will be subject to the current grant limit set forth in the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan which allows the Board to annually grant up 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to nonemployee directors.

 

Vote Required

 

The Revision to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise the nonemployee director award limit in any fiscal year from an aggregate of one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of the Company’s common stock, to an aggregate compensation of up to $300,000 (less any cash retainer made to the nonemployee directors) using (i) the market value for any non-derivative securities (e.g., common stock) granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) the Black-Scholes value of any derivative securities granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (e.g., options) requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to approve the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will operate to prevent the approval of proposal to the same extent as a vote against such proposal

 

If you do not hold your shares in street name and respond but do not indicate how you want to vote on the amendment, your proxy will be counted as a vote in favor of such proposal.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO REVISE SECTION 5.5 OF THE 2017

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN RELATING TO NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR AWARD LIMITS

 

 
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PROPOSAL 6 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2019

 

Proposal to Ratify Selection of Auditors for 2019

 

The Audit Committee of our Board has engaged RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018 and is seeking ratification of such selection by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting. RBSM LLP has served as the Company’s independent public accounting firm since 2015. Representatives of RBSM LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Independent Accountants

 

The following table presents aggregate fees billed for each of the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 for professional services rendered by RBSM LLP in the categories listed below.

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2018 

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$ 85,000

 

 

$ 85,811

 

Audit-Related Fees (2)

 

 

 

 

$ 18,000

 

Tax Fees (3)

 

$ 1500

 

 

$ 5,000

 

All Other Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________ 

(1) 

Audit Fees – These consisted of the aggregate fees for professional services rendered in connection with (i) the audit of our annual financial statements and (ii) the review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30.

 

 

(2)

Audit-related Fees–These consisted of professional services rendered in connection with our Form S-1, Form S-1/A and Form S-8.

 

(3) Tax Fees – These consisted of services performed in preparation of the Company’s corporate Federal and State tax returns.

  

The Audit Committee of the Board does not consider the provision of the services described above by RBSM LLP to be incompatible with the maintenance of RBSM LLP’s independence.

 

Before RBSM LLP is engaged by us to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved by our Audit Committee. All of the services performed by RBSM LLP for the Company during 2018 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the proposal to ratify the selection of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of common shares entitled to vote on the matter. We are not required to have shareholders ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting its selection of RBSM LLP to our shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice and to help ensure that we will have the necessary quorum at our Annual Meeting. If our shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain RBSM LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

THE RATIFICAITON OF RBSM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2019

 

 
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OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our Directors and Executive Officers. The age of each Director and Executive Officer listed below is given as of December 31, 2018.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Robert Davidson

 

51

 

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer

Michael Redard (1)

 

60

 

Chief Financial Officer

Jessica Rousset (2)

 

42

 

Chief Operating Officer

Mark Udell

 

41

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

________ 

(1)

Michael Redard was appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective date May 15, 2019 replacing Mark Udell who remains with the Company as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.

(2)

Jessica Rousset was appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer effective January 22, 2018, replacing Wayne Nasby.

 

Executive Officers

 

Robert Davidson – Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

Robert Davidson has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CURE Pharmaceutical since July 2011. Prior to his role at CURE Pharmaceutical, Mr. Davidson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of InnoZen Inc., Chief Executive Officer of Gel Tech LLC, Chief Executive Officer of Bio delivery Technologies Inc., and Director of HealthSport Inc. Mr. Davidson was responsible for the development of several drug delivery technologies and commercial brand extensions. He has worked with brands such as Chloraseptic™, Suppress™, as well as Pediastrip™, a private label electrolyte oral thin film sold in major drug store chains. Mr. Davidson is also considered an industry expert leader in ODF technology. Mr. Davidson received his B.S. degree with a concentration in Biological Life Sciences from the University of the State of New York, Excelsior College. He has a Masters Certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University, Masters of Public Health from American Military University, Virginia and a Masters in Health and Wellness from Liberty University, Virginia. Mr. Davidson is also a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist and Fitness Nutrition Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and attended Post-Graduate Studies at the University of Cambridge. Mr. Davidson’s experience as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and his extensive knowledge of ODF and drug delivery technologies qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Michael Redard – Chief Financial Officer

 

Michael Redard has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CURE Pharmaceutical since May 2019. He comes to CURE with over 30 years of experience in financial operations, strategic planning and capital markets across a broad range of industries including medical devices, healthcare, consumer and industrial products, and manufacturing. Prior to CURE Mr. Redard served as CFO of Casa Pacifica, a California based behavioral health services provider. Before that he held CFO, Vice President and General Manager positions with several venture and private equity backed companies including Inogen, Medical Analysis Systems (acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific), CDTi Advanced Materials, and Abrisa Technologies. Earlier experience includes management roles with Pepsi and in public accounting. He is a CPA (inactive) and received his B.S. in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

   

Jessica Rousset – Chief Operating Officer

 

Jessica Rousset has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since January 22, 2018. She previously served since March 15, 2017 as the Company’s Chief Business Officer, oversees operations and drives corporate strategy and growth. Mrs. Rousset previously served as Head of Innovation at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where over a ten-year period from 2006 to November 2016, she helped launch both therapeutic and medical device companies and founded and operated a national pediatric technology accelerator. Prior to that, Mrs. Rousset held positions at The Scripps Research Institute and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals in laboratory, clinical research and business development roles. She is a seasoned business development and commercialization leader, expert in bridging corporate, academic and governmental interests toward the common goal of improving patient’s lives. She brings more than fifteen years of experience fostering innovation in large organizations and advising start-ups to bring novel healthcare solutions to market and into clinical use. She trained as a biochemical engineer at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées in Lyon, France.

 

 
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Mark Udell – Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

Mark Udell has served as the Chief Accounting Officer since November 2018 and as Treasurer and Secretary of CURE Pharmaceutical since July 2011. He is a Certified Public Accountant with over 17 years of experience in finance and accounting. Prior to joining the Company in 2011, Mr. Udell served as InnoZen, Inc.’s Chief Accounting Officer and Controller and was responsible for establishing, monitoring and enforcing policies and procedures for the company as well as conducting audits and working with external auditors. While working at CURE and InnoZen, Inc., Mr. Udell gained valuable knowledge in the drug delivery industry and is a key contributor in the development and commercialization of various drug delivery technologies. He has also held the position as Auditing Manager at Green Hasson & Janks, LLP in Los Angeles. Mr. Udell received his B.A. in Business Economics with a concentration in accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned during 2018 and 2017 by our principal executive officer and our other most highly compensated executive officers as of the end of the 2018 fiscal year (“Named Executive Officers”).

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

($)

 

 

Bonus

($)

 

 

Stock Awards

($)

 

 

Option Awards

($)

 

 

All Other

Compensation

($)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Robert Davidson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

 

2018

 

 

175,833

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23,125

 

 

 

251,558

 

 

 

15,082

 

 

 

465,598

 

 

 

2017

 

 

155,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

155,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Katz (4) , former Chief Financial Officer  

 

2018

 

 

3,864

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,864

 

 

 

2017

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Rousset (2) , Chief Operating Officer

 

2018

 

 

180,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

29,600

 

 

 

208,268

 

 

 

19,284

 

 

 

437,152

 

 

 

2017

 

 

127,953

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

127,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayne Nasby (1) , former Chief Operating Officer

 

2018

 

 

3,063

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

65,000

 

 

 

68,063

 

 

 

2017

 

 

129,783

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

127,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Udell (3) , Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

2018

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

89,258

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

204,258

 

 

 

2017

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward Maliski (5) , former President and Chief Scientific Officer

 

2018

 

 

32,924

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

29,753

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

62,677

 

 

 

2017

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

60,000

 

__________  

(1)

Wayne Nasby entered into a separation agreement that was effective January 21, 2018.

(2)

Jessica Rousset was appointed to Chief Operating Officer effective January 22, 2018.

(3)

Mark Udell resigned as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective November 15, 2018, with the appointment of Alex Kats as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Udell remains with the Company as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.

(4)

Alex Katz was appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective November 15, 2018, replacing Mark Udell who remains with the Company as Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.

(5)

Edward Maliski resigned as the Company President and Chief Scientific Officer effective June 30, 2018 and entered into a Confidential Severance and General Release Agreement. On July 1, 2018, Mr. Maliski entered into a Consulting Agreement with the Company.

 

 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of May 30, 2019 (the “Determination Date”) by: (i) each current director of our company and each director nominee; (ii) each of our Named Executive Officers; (iii) all current executive officers and directors of our company as a group; and (iv) all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of our common stock.

 

Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, beneficial ownership generally includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any shares that an individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of within 60 days of the Determination Date, through the exercise of any option, warrant or similar right (such instruments being deemed to be “presently exercisable”). In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of our common stock that could be issued upon the exercise of presently exercisable options and warrants are considered to be outstanding. These shares, however, are not considered outstanding as of the Determination Date when computing the percentage ownership of each other person.

 

To our knowledge, except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table, and subject to state community property laws where applicable, all beneficial owners named in the following table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of ownership is based on 43,145,089 shares of common stock outstanding as of the Determination Date. Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person in the table below is c/o Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033. No shares identified below are subject to a pledge.

 

Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

  

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

 

Percent (1)

 

Robert Davidson

 

 

820,641 (4)

 

 

1.9 %

Jessica Rousset

 

 

221,875 (5)

 

*

 

Michael Redard

 

 

50,000 (6)

 

*

 

Mark Udell

 

 

498,882 (7)

 

 

1.2 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Yuan

 

 

93,750 (8)

 

*

 

Joshua Held

 

 

2,099,095 (13)

 

 

4.9 %

Ruben King-Shaw

 

 

12,500 (9)

 

*

 

Alan Einstein

 

 

81,250 (10)

 

*

 

Gene Salkind

 

 

1,884,377 (11)

 

 

4.4 %

*Directors & Executive Officers as a Group (9 persons)

 

 

5,762,370

 

 

 

13.4 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change Investigation, Innovation and Investment Company, LLC (3)

 

 

2,432,004

 

 

 

5.6 %

Hangar202, LLC (2)

 

 

2,706,974

 

 

 

9.1 %

MACI Molecule SPV LLC (12)

 

 

2,579,109

 

 

 

5.7 %

_________

*

Less than 1%

 

 

(1)

Percentage of ownership is based on 43,145,089 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 30, 2019. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such option or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

 
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(2)

James Victor Branstetter is a control person of Hangar202, LLC. The address for this shareholder is 2711 North Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, California 90266.

 

(3)

James Farrell is a control person of Climate Change Investigation, Innovation and Investment Company LLC. The address for this shareholder is 12 San Rafael Avenue, Belvedere, California 94920.

 

(4)

Consists of (i) 510,469 common stock shares, (ii) 354,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.74 per share, (iii) 68,750 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.61 per share, and (iv) 31,250 restricted shares at a price of $0.74 per share.  A total of 278,922 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(5)

Consists of (i) 290,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.74 per share, (ii) 60,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.61 per share and (iii) 40,000 restricted shares at a price of $0.74 per share.  A total of 181,875 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(6)

Consists of 250,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $4.01 per share. A total of 50,000 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(7)

Consists of (i) 442,632 common stock shares and (ii) 150,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.74 per share. A total of 56,250 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(8)

Consists of (i) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.74 per share and (ii) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $3.40 per share.  A total of 93,750 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(9)

Includes of 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $3.40 per share. A total of 12,500 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

(10)

Consists of (i) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $0.74 per share and (ii) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $3.40 per share.  A total of 81,250 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

 

(11)

Consists of (i) 1,871,877 common stock shares and (ii) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $3.40 per share. A total of 12,500 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.

 

 

(12)

Andrew Sturner is a control person of MACI Molecule SPV, LLC. The address for this shareholder is 2890 NE 187 th ST, Aventura, Florida 90049.

(13)

Consists of (i) 2,086,595 common stock shares and (ii) 100,000 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at a price of $4.01 per share. A total of 12,500 outstanding options will have vested 60 days from the determination date.  The common stock shares are held in The Held Family Trust. The address for this shareholder is 2535 Veteran Avenue Los Angeles CA 90064.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Existing Equity Compensation Plans

 

On October 11, 2018, the Company filed a Form S-8 amending the Company’s 2017 Equity incentive plan, described in detail in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2017. The amendment authorized an additional 5,000,000 shares to be added to the 2017 Equity incentive plan pool. The Company does not have any individual compensation arrangements with respect to its common stock. The issuance of any of our common stock is within the discretion of our Board of Directors, which has the power to issue any or all of our authorized but unissued shares without stockholder approval.

 

The following table summarizes certain information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:

 

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities

to be Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding Options

 

 

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding Options

 

 

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

(b)

 

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  (1)

 

 

2,313,050

 

 

$ 0.79

 

 

 

2,065,700

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

-

 

 

$ -

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

 

2,313,050

 

 

$ 0.79

 

 

 

2,065,700

 

_______ 

(1)

Consists of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. For a short description of those plans, see Note 13 to our 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Approval for Related Party Transactions

 

It is our practice and policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding related-person transactions. The Company requires that all employees, including officers and directors, disclose to the CEO the nature of any company business that is conducted with any related party of such employee, officer or director (including any immediate family member of such employee, officer or director, and any entity owned or controlled by such persons). If the transaction involves an officer or director of our company, the CEO must bring the transaction to the attention of the Audit Committee or, in the absence of an Audit Committee the full Board, which must review and approve the transaction in writing in advance. In considering such transactions, the Audit Committee (or the full Board, as applicable) takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances.

 

There were no reportable related party transaction in 2018.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

We are not aware of any matter other than those described in this Proxy Statement that will be acted upon at the annual meeting. In the event that any other matter properly comes before the meeting for a vote of stockholders, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such other matter.

 

We will pay the costs of proxy solicitation. Proxies are being solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition, our officers and employees may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or electronically.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

 

Pursuant to Rule 14a‑8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), if a stockholder wants to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials for the next annual meeting of stockholders, it must be received at our principal executive offices, 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033, Attention: Secretary, not later than [February 28], 2020. In order to avoid controversy, stockholders should submit proposals by such means, including electronic means, which permit them to prove the date of delivery.

 

If a stockholder intends to present a proposal for consideration at the next annual meeting outside of the processes of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, we must receive notice of such proposal at the address given above by [February 28], 2020, or such notice will be considered untimely under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act, and our proxies will have discretionary voting authority with respect to such proposal, if presented at the annual meeting, without including information regarding such proposal in our proxy materials.

 

The deadlines described above are calculated by reference to the mailing date of the proxy materials for this year’s annual meeting. If the Board changes the date of next year’s annual meeting by more than 30 days, the Board will, in a timely manner, inform stockholders of such change and the effect of such change on the deadlines given above by including a notice in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, a current report on Form 8-K or by any other means reasonably calculated to inform the stockholders.

 

Your cooperation in giving this matter your immediate attention and in returning your proxy promptly will be appreciated.

  

 
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You also may obtain free copies of the documents we file with the SEC, including this Proxy Statement, by going to the Investors link of our corporate website at www.curepharmaceutical.com. Our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on our website, other than copies of the documents listed below that have been filed with the SEC, is not part of this Proxy Statement, and therefore is not incorporated herein by reference.

 

Statements contained in this Proxy Statement, or in any document incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement regarding the contents of any contract or other document, are not necessarily complete and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to that contract or other document filed as an exhibit with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this Proxy Statement documents we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this Proxy Statement, and later information that we file with the SEC will update and supersede that information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any documents filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement and before the date of the Annual Meeting.

 

 

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018;

 

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019;

 

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2019, January 17, 2019, February 19, 2019, April 1, 2019, April 9, 2019, May 1, 2019, May 14, 2019, and May 20, 2019; and

 

Our proxy statement on Schedule 14A for our 2017 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on December 13, 2017 and the additional definitive proxy soliciting materials on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on December 13, 2017.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

 

THIS PROXY STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH PROXY SOLICITATION IN THAT JURISDICTION. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS DATED OCTOBER 20, 2017. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND THE MAILING OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS DOES NOT CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

___________________________

 

___________________________

 

Dated: _________________, 2019

 

 
36
 
Table of Contents

 

 

VOTE ON INTERNET

 

Go to http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy

and log-on using the below control number.

Voting will be open until 11:59 pm (ET) on

August 6, 2019.

 

CONTROL #

* SPECIMEN *

 

1 MAIN STREET

ANYWHERE PA 99999-9999

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your consent and

return it in the envelope we have provided to

18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.

  

 

 

VOTE IN PERSON

    

If you would like to vote in person, please

attend the Annual Meeting to be held on

August 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. PST.

 

Please Vote, Sign, Date and Return Promptly in the Enclosed Envelope.

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders - Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

 

        DETACH CARD HERE TO VOTE BY MAIL       

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES

AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4, 5 AND 6.

 

(1) Election of Directors:

 

 

¨ FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW

   (except as marked to the contrary below)

¨   WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR

ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW

   

INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL NOMINEES STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEES' NAMES BELOW:

 

 

01 Robert Davidson

02 William Yuan

03 Gene Salkind, M.D.

04 Ruben King-Shaw Jr.

 

   

 

 

 

 

05 Joshua Held

06 Lauren Chung Ph.D.

07 Anya Goldin

 

  

(2) To approve the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware;

 

¨ VOTE FOR

¨ VOTE AGAINST

¨ ABSTAIN

 

   

(3) To approve an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's common stock by 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares;

¨ VOTE FOR

¨ VOTE AGAINST

¨ ABSTAIN

   

(4) To approve an amendment to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company's common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares;

¨ VOTE FOR

¨ VOTE AGAINST

¨ ABSTAIN

  

(5) To approve and amendment to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits;

¨ VOTE FOR

¨ VOTE AGAINST

¨ ABSTAIN

  

(6) To approve the ratification of RBSM LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019.

¨ VOTE FOR

¨ VOTE AGAINST

¨ ABSTAIN

  

Date

 

Signature

 

Signature, if held jointly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address ¨

 

 

 

 

* SPECIMEN *

AC:ACCT9999

90.00

 

37

 

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

August 6, 2019

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held on August 6, 2019

 

The Company’s proxy statement is available electronically at

www.curepharameutical.com and www.proxyvote.com.

 

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints ___________ with full power of substitution, as proxy to represent and vote all shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. (“CURE,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) beginning on August ____, 2019 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on August 6, 2019 at 12:00 P.M. (Pacific Standard Time) and at any postponement of adjournment thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Company’s corporate officer, located at 1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, CA 93033.

 

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, the proxy shall be voted FOR the approval of all director nominees, FOR the approval of the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware, FOR the approval to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock 75,000,000 to 150,000,000, FOR the approval to amend the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for awards thereunder by an additional 5,000,000 shares to a total of 10,000,000 shares, FOR the approval to amend the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to revise Section 5.5 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan relating to Nonemployee Director Award Limits, FOR the ratification of the appointment of RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 and, in the case of other matters that legally come before the meeting, as said proxy(s) may deem advisable.

 

Please check here if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. (PST).

 

PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTE ON THE REVERSE SIDE

 

(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)

 

 

38

 
 

 

Appendix A

 

PLAN OF CONVERSION

OF

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING, CORP.

 

THIS PLAN OF CONVERSION (this “ Plan ”) is entered into by Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Converting Entity ”), which intends to convert (the “ Conversion ”) into Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Converted Entity ”) as of the ___ day of ___, 2019.

 

WHEREAS, the Converting Entity is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Converting Entity and its stockholder for the Converting Entity to convert from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation;

 

WHEREAS, in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute (“ NRS ”) 92A and Section 265 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”) the Converting Entity proposes to effect the Conversion into the Converted Entity;

 

WHEREAS, the form, terms and provisions of this Plan have been authorized, approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity; and

 

WHEREAS, this Plan has been authorized, approved and adopted by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stockholders of the Converting Entity.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants, agreements, undertakings and obligations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Conversion .

 

(a) The name of the Converting Entity is Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., Inc., a Nevada corporation.

 

(b) The name of the Converted Entity shall be Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(c) Upon the Effective Time (as defined below), and in accordance with NRS 92A and Section 265 of the DGCL, the Converting Entity shall be converted from a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation and shall thereafter be subject to all of the provisions of the DGCL, except that notwithstanding Section 106 of the DGCL, the existence of the Converted Entity shall be deemed to have commenced on the date the Converting Entity commenced its existence in the State of Nevada.

 

(d) Upon the Effective Time (as defined below), by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, the Converted Entity shall for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware, be deemed to be the same entity as the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time. Upon the Effective Time (as defined below), by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware, all of the rights, privileges and powers of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall remain vested in the Converted Entity and shall be the property of the Converted Entity and the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Conversion; but all creditors and all liens upon any property of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain attached to the Converted Entity upon the Effective Time, and may be enforced against the Converted Entity to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had originally been incurred or contracted by the Converted Entity in its capacity as a corporation of the State of Delaware. The rights, privileges, powers and interests in property of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, as well as the debts, liabilities and duties of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall not be deemed, as a consequence of the Conversion, to have been transferred to the Converted Entity upon the Effective Time for any purpose of the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

 
A-1
 
 

 

(e) The Conversion shall not be deemed to affect any obligations or liabilities of the Converting Entity incurred prior to the Conversion or the personal liability of any person incurred prior to the Conversion.

 

2. Filings. As promptly as practicable following the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Converting Entity, the Converting Entity shall cause the Conversion to be effective by:

 

(a) executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) Articles of Conversion pursuant to Section 92A.205 of the NRS, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Articles of Conversion ”);

 

(b) executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) a Certificate of Conversion pursuant to Sections 103 and 265 of the DGCL, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the “ Certificate of Conversion ”); and

 

(c) executing and filing (or causing the execution and filing of) a Certificate of Incorporation of the Converted Entity, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”).

 

3. Effective Time. The Conversion shall become effective upon the later of (i) the effectiveness of the filing of the Articles of Conversion and (ii) the effectiveness of the filing of the Certificate of Conversion and of the Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Effective Time ”).

 

4. Effect of Conversion .

 

(a) Effect on Common Stock . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converting Entity (“ Converting Entity Common Stock ”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Converted Entity (“ Converted Entity Common Stock ”).

 

(b) Effect on Outstanding Warrants . Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each warrant to purchase shares of Converting Entity Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into an equivalent warrant to purchase shares of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(c) Effect on Outstanding Stock Options. Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each option to purchase shares of Converting Entity Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall convert into an equivalent option to purchase shares of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(d) Effect on Stock Certificates. All of the outstanding certificates representing shares of Converting Entity Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed for all purposes to continue to evidence ownership of and to represent the same number of shares of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(e) Effect on Employee Benefit, Equity Incentive or Other Similar Plans. Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholders, each employee benefit plan, stock option plan or other similar plan to which the Converting Entity is a party shall continue to be a plan of the Converted Entity. To the extent that any such plan provides for the issuance of Converting Entity Common Stock, upon the Effective Time, such plan shall be deemed to provide for the issuance of Converted Entity Common Stock.

 

(f) Effect on Directors and Officers. Upon the Effective Time, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action on the part of the Converting Entity or its stockholder, the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Converting Entity holding their respective offices in the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue in their respective offices as members of the Board of Directors and officers, respectively, of the Converted Entity.

 

 
A-2
 
 

 

5. Tax Reporting . The Conversion is intended to be a “reorganization” for purposes of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Plan of Conversion is hereby adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of the Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code.

 

6. Further Assurances. If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Converted Entity shall determine or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, agreements, documents or assurances or any other acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper, consistent with the terms of this Plan, (a) to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Converted Entity its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, purposes, franchises, properties or assets of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (b) to otherwise carry out the purposes of this Plan, the Converted Entity and its officers and directors (or their designees), are hereby authorized to solicit in the name of the Converted Entity any third-party consents or other documents required to be delivered or proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, purposes, franchises, properties or assets of the Converting Entity existing immediately prior to the Effective Time and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Plan.

 

7. Delaware Bylaws. Upon the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Converted Entity shall be the Bylaws of Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.

 

8. Delaware Indemnification Agreements. As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Converted Entity shall enter into an Indemnification Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto with each member of the Board of Directors of the Converted Entity and each executive officer of the Converted Entity.

 

9. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Copy of Plan of Conversion. Following the Conversion, a copy of this Plan will be kept on file at the offices of the Converted Entity, and any stockholder of the Converted Entity (or former stockholder of the Converting Entity) may request a copy of this Plan at no charge at any time.

 

(b) Termination. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Plan may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Converting Entity, such action would be in the best interests of the Converting Entity and its stockholders. In the event of termination of this Plan, this Plan shall become void and of no further force or effect.

 

(c) Third Party Beneficiaries. This Plan shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than as expressly provided herein. For the avoidance of doubt, following the Conversion the Converting Entity will hold all of the rights and obligations of the Converted Entity under this Plan.

 

(d) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Plan will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Plan is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Plan.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 
A-3
 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Plan as of the day and year first above written.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 

_____________________________________

Name:  Robert Davidson

Title:    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 
A-4
 
 

 

Appendix B

 

ARTICLES OF CONVERSION

 

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

 

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

 

Page 1

 

  

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT  

 

ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

PLEASE NOTE: The charter document for the resulting entity must be submitted/filed simultaneously with the articles of conversion.

 

Articles of Conversion

(Pursuant to NRS 92A.205)

 

1. Name and jurisdiction of organization of constituent entity and resulting entity:

 

 

 

 

Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

 

Name of constituent entity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nevada

 

Corporation

 

Jurisdiction

 

Entity type *

 

 

 

 

 

and,

 

 

 

Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

 

Name of resulting entity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

Corporation

 

Jurisdiction

 

Entity type *

 

 

2. A plan of conversion has been adopted by the constituent entity in compliance with the law of the jurisdiction governing the constituent entity.

3. Location of plan of conversion: (check one)

 

The entire plan of conversion is attached to these articles.

The complete executed plan of conversion is on file at the registered office or principal place of business of the resulting entity.

The complete executed plan of conversion for the resulting domestic limited partnership is

on file at the records office required by NRS 88.330.

 

* corporation, limited partnership, limited-liability limited partnership, limited-liability company or business trust.

 

This form must be accompanied by appropriate fees.

 

 
B-1
 
 

  

BARBARA K. CEGAVSKE

Secretary of State

202 North Carson Street

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

(775) 684-5708

Website: www.nvsos.gov

 

Articles of Conversion

 

(PURSUANT TO NRS 92A.205)

 

Page 2

 

 

 

USE BLACK INK ONLY - DO NOT HIGHLIGHT

 

  ABOVE SPACE IS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

 

4. Forwarding address where copies of process may be sent by the Secretary of State of Nevada (if a foreign entity is the resulting entity in the conversion):

 

 

 

 

Attn:

 Mark Udell

 

 

 

 

 

c/o:

1620 Beacon Place, Oxnard, California 93033

 

 

 

5. Effective date and time of filing: (optional) (must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Time:

 

 

 

6. Signatures - must be signed by:

 

1. If constituent entity is a Nevada entity: an officer of each Nevada corporation; all general partners of each Nevada limited partnership or limited-liability limited partnership; a manager of each Nevada limited-liability company with managers or one member if there are no managers; a trustee of each Nevada business trust; a managing partner of a Nevada limited-liability partnership (a.k.a. general partnership governed by NRS chapter 87).

 

2. If constituent entity is a foreign entity: must be signed by the constituent entity in the manner provided by the law governing it.

 

Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

 

Name of constituent entity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

* Pursuant to NRS 92A.205(4) if the conversion takes effect on a later date specified in the articles of conversion pursuant to NRS 92A.240, the constituent document filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to paragraph (b) subsection 1 must state the name and the jurisdiction of the constituent entity and that the existence of the resulting entity does not begin until the later date.

This statement must be included within the resulting entity's articles.

 

FILING FEE: $350.00

IMPORTANT: Failure to include any of the above information and submit with the proper fees may cause this filing to be rejected.

 

T his form must be accompanied by appropriate fees.

Nevada Secretary of State 92A Conversion Page 2

Revised: 1-5-15

 

 
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Appendix C

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

of

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

(a Nevada Corporation)

to

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 (a Delaware Corporation)

 

THIS CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION of Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., a Nevada corporation (the “ Nevada Corp. ”) to Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., a Delaware Corporation (the “ Corporation ”) is being executed and filed pursuant to Section 265 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

1. The date on which and jurisdiction where the Nevada Corp. was first formed is May 15, 2014, in the State of Nevada.

 

2. The name and type of entity of the Nevada Corp. immediately prior to filing this Certificate of Conversion is Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., a Nevada corporation.

 

3. The name of the Corporation as set forth in its Certificate of Incorporation filed simultaneously herewith is Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

 

4. This Certificate of Conversion shall be effective as of the date of filing of this Certificate of Conversion with Certificate of Incorporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Nevada Corp. has executed this Certificate on the ____ day of ______________, 2019.

 

   
By:

Name:

Robert Davidson  
Title:  Chief Executive Officer      

 

 
C-1
 
 

 

Appendix D

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 

a Delaware corporation

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of this corporation is Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. (the “ Corporation ”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

4.1 Authorized Capital Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

 

4.2 Increase or Decrease in Authorized Capital Stock . The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), voting together as a single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the class or classes the number of authorized shares of which are being increased or decreased.

 

4.3 Common Stock .

 

(a) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or this certificate of incorporation (this “ Certificate of Incorporation ” which term, as used herein, shall mean the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as amended from time to time, at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have the right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

 

(b) Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

 

 
D-1
 
 

 

ARTICLE V

 

5.1 General Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

5.2 Number of Directors; Election; Term .

 

(a) The number of directors that constitutes the entire Board of Directors shall be fixed solely by resolution of the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “ Whole Board ” shall mean the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies or unfilled seats in previously authorized directorships.

 

(b) The term of office of each director shall expire at the first regularly-scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders following the election of such director.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.2, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal.

 

(d) Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “ Bylaws ”) shall so provide.

 

5.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships . Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL or as permitted in the specific case by resolution of the Board of Directors, vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors for any reason and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. A person so chosen to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until expiration of the term for which elected and until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

7.1 Meetings of Stockholders . Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors, acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, any of the officers of the Corporation, or any stockholder holding at least fifteen percent (15%) of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat who complies with the provisions of the Bylaws related thereto, but a special meeting of stockholders may not be called by any other person or persons. The Board of Directors, acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Whole Board, or the chairperson of a meeting of stockholders may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

7.2 Advance Notice . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

 
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ARTICLE VIII

 

8.1 Limitation of Personal Liability . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

8.2 Indemnification .

 

The Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any director or officer of the Corporation who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. The Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.

 

Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VIII will, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors) and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any current or former director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

 
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ARTICLE IX

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL; and all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon stockholders by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article IX. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 50% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or adopt any provision as part of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with the purpose and intent of, Article V, Article VI, Article VII or this Article IX (including, without limitation, any such article as renumbered as a result of any amendment, alteration, change, repeal or adoption of any other article).

 

ARTICLE X

 

The name and mailing address of the incorporator of the Corporation is:

 

Mark Udell

Secretary

1620 Beacon Place

Oxnard, California 93033

 

 
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I, the undersigned, as the sole incorporator of the Corporation, have signed this Certificate of Incorporation on _______ __, 2019.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

_______________________________________________________        

Name:

Incorporator

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

BYLAWS OF CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

________________________________

 

ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES

 

1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE

 

The registered office of Cure Pharmaceutical Holdings Corp. (the “ corporation ”) shall be fixed in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

1.2 OTHER OFFICES

 

The corporation may at any time establish other offices at any place or places.

 

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS

 

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors or any of the officers of the corporation (the “ Officers ”). The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive office.

 

2.2 ANNUAL MEETING

 

The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year. The board of directors shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business, brought in accordance with Section 2.4 of these bylaws, may be transacted. The board of directors, acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors, may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled annual meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

2.3 SPECIAL MEETING

 

(i) A special meeting of the stockholders, other than as required by statute, may be called at any time by (a) the board of directors, (b) any of the Officers, or (c) any stockholder holding at least fifteen percent (15%) of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons. The board of directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

(ii) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. If a special meeting is properly called by any person or persons other than the board of directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. The board of directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which shall be held not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4 of these bylaws. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the (a) the board of directors, (b) any of the officers, or (c) any stockholder holding at least fifteen percent (15%) of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(ii) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.

 

 
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2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES

 

(i) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (C) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i), on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business (other than business included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto (the “ 1934 Act ”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(a) To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.4(i) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be timely received by the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the 45th day nor earlier than the 75th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “ Public Announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

 

(b) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposed business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, (5) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (6), a “ Business Solicitation Statement ”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented not later than ten days following the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) and (4) above as of such record date. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “ Stockholder Associated Person ” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).

 

 
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(c) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4(i), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.

 

(ii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (B) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii), on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the corporation.

 

(a) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the final three sentences of Section 2.4(i)(a) above.

 

(b) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:

 

 
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(1) as to each person (a “ nominee ”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between or among the stockholder, any nominee or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, including a description of any compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding involving the nominee and of any compensation or other payment received by or on behalf of the nominee, in each case in connection with candidacy or service as a director of the corporation, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging and representing that the nominee intends to serve a full term on the board of directors if elected and that, as a director of the corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the corporation and its stockholders, and (G) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and

 

(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (5) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “ Nominee Solicitation Statement ”).

 

(c) At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given and (2) such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).

 

(d) Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or in any other notice to the corporation or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or any other relevant notice contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

 
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(iii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings.

 

(a) For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to Section 2.3, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) by any stockholder of the corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(iii), on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the special meeting and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the corporation that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.4(ii)(b) and (ii)(c) above. To be timely, such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(iii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or in any other notice to the corporation or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or any other relevant notice contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(b) The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.

 

(iv) Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4, including, with respect to business such stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting that involves a proposal that such stockholder requests to be included in the corporation’s proxy statement, the requirements of Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any right of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.

 

2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

 

 
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2.6 QUORUM

 

The holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the board of directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 of these bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business and discussion as seem to the chairperson in order. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the board of directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the board, if any, or the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson of the board), or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the board and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the corporation, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting.

 

2.9 VOTING

 

The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.

 

Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

 
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Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange.

 

2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series of Preferred Stock or any other class of stock or series thereof having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

2.11 RECORD DATES

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the board of directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the board of directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.

 

If no record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however , that the board of directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

 
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2.12 PROXIES

 

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.

 

2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

 

The corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the corporation’s principal place of business. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

 

A written proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

Before any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The corporation may designate one (1) or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. Such inspectors shall take all actions as contemplated under Section 231 of the DGCL or any successor provision thereto.

 

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are multiple inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS

 

3.1 POWERS

 

The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.

 

 
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3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

 

The board of directors shall consist of two or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

 

Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.

 

If so provided in the certificate of incorporation, the directors of the corporation shall be divided into three classes.

 

3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

 

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws or permitted in the specific case by resolution of the board of directors, and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders.

 

3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

 

The board of directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors may participate in a meeting of the board of directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS

 

Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.

 

3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

 

 
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Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors.

 

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

 

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

 

(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

 

(iii) sent by facsimile;

 

(iv) sent by electronic mail; or

 

(v) otherwise given by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 7.2), directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address or other contact for notice by electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the corporation’s records.

 

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile, (iii) sent by electronic mail or (iv) otherwise given by electronic transmission, it shall be delivered, sent or otherwise directed to each director, as applicable, at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting, unless required by statute.

 

3.8 QUORUM; VOTING

 

At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.

 

3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this Section 3.9 at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.

 

 
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3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

 

3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

 

ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES

 

4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the board of directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation.

 

4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

 

4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

 

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

 

(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

 

(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

 

(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);

 

(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);

 

(v) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting); and

 

(vi) Section 7.5 (waiver of notice)

 

 
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with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members. However :

 

(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee;

 

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors; and

 

(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

 

Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee or subcommittee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the board of directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

 

5.1 OFFICERS

 

The officers of the corporation shall be a president and a secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairperson of the board of directors, a vice chairperson of the board of directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

 

The board of directors shall appoint the officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

 

5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

 

The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require. Each of such officers shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

 

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors unless as otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.

 

 
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Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES

 

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors or as provided in Section 5.3.

 

5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES

 

The chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or other securities of any other entity or entities standing in the name of this corporation, including the right to act by written consent. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

All officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE VI - STOCK

 

6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

 

The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the corporation by any two officers of the corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

 

The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

 
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6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

 

If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a), 218(a) or 364 of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.

 

6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES

 

Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

6.4 DIVIDENDS

 

The board of directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. The board of directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. .

 

6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK

 

Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.

 

6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

 

The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

 
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6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

 

The corporation:

 

(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and

 

(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER

 

7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the corporation’s records. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

7.2 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

 

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

 

(i) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent; and

 

(ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.

 

However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given as provided under Section 232 of the DGCL. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

An “ electronic transmission ” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

 
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Notice by a form of electronic transmission shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.

 

7.3 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice. This Section 7.3 shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.

 

7.4 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL

 

Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

7.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”) (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 
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8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

 

To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

8.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The board of directors shall have the power to delegate to any person or persons identified in subsections (1) through (4) of Section 145(d) of the DGCL the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.

 

8.5 ADVANCE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

 

Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by former directors and officers or other current or former employees and agents of the corporation or by persons currently or formerly serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any claim for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 8.6(ii) or 8.6(iv) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

 

 
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8.6 LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION

 

Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

 

(i) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

 

(ii) for which such indemnitee’s conduct is finally adjudged to have involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law;

 

(iii) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

(iv) for any reimbursement of the corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the corporation, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

(v) initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (a) the board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or

 

(vi) if prohibited by applicable law.

 

8.7 DETERMINATION; CLAIM

 

If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the corporation of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The corporation shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the corporation under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.

 

 
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8.8 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

 

The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

8.9 INSURANCE

 

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

8.10 SURVIVAL

 

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

8.11 EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

 

A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

 

8.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “ corporation ” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “ other enterprises ” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “ serving at the request of the corporation ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the corporation ” as referred to in this Article VIII.

 

 
19
 
 

 

ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS

 

9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

9.2 FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

 

9.3 SEAL

 

The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the board of directors. The corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “ person ” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

 
20
 
 

 

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. However, the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

A bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the board of directors.

 

ARTICLE XI - EXCLUSIVE FORUM

   

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Delaware Court of Chancery shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Delaware Bylaws, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to the Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; provided that, if and only if the Court of Chancery dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in Delaware.

 

This provision is not intended to apply to claims arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. To the extent the provision could be construed to apply to such claims, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce the provision in such respect, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision. These exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. If a court were to find either exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm our results of operations. 

 

 
21
 
 

EXHIBIT F

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CURE PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDING CORP.

 

2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 
 
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Establishment, Purpose and Term of Plan

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

Establishment

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

Purpose

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

Term of Plan

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

2

Definitions and Construction

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

Construction

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

3

Administration

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

Administration by the Committee

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

Authority of Officers

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

Administration with Respect to Insiders

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

Committee Complying with Section 162(m)

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

Powers of the Committee

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

Option or SAR Repricing

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.7

Indemnification

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

4

Shares Subject to Plan

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

Maximum Number of Shares Issuable

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

Share Counting

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

Assumption or Substitution of Awards

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

5

Eligibility, Participation and Award Limitations

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

Persons Eligible for Awards

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.2

Participation in the Plan

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.3

Incentive Stock Option Limitations

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

Section 162(m) Award Limits

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

Nonemployee Director Award Limit

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

6

Stock Options

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.1

Exercise Price

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2

Exercisability and Term of Options

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.3

Payment of Exercise Price

 

14

 

  

 
-i-
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4

Effect of Termination of Service

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.5

Transferability of Options

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

7

Stock Appreciation Rights

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.1

Types of SARs Authorized

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.2

Exercise Price

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.3

Exercisability and Term of SARs

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.4

Exercise of SARs

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.5

Deemed Exercise of SARs

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.6

Effect of Termination of Service

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

Transferability of SARs

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

8

Restricted Stock Awards

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1

Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.2

Purchase Price

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.3

Purchase Period

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.4

Payment of Purchase Price

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.5

Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.6

Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions.

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.7

Effect of Termination of Service

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.8

Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

9

Restricted Stock Units

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.1

Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.2

Purchase Price

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.3

Vesting

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5

Effect of Termination of Service

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.6

Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.7

Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

10

Performance Awards

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

Types of Performance Awards Authorized

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units

 

23

 

 

 
-ii-
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

Measurement of Performance Goals

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

Settlement of Performance Awards

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

Effect of Termination of Service

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

Nontransferability of Performance Awards

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

11

Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.1

Grant of Cash-Based Awards

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.2

Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.3

Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.4

Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.5

Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

Effect of Termination of Service

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.7

Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

12

Standard Forms of Award Agreement

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.1

Award Agreements

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.2

Authority to Vary Terms

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

13

Change in Control

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.1

Effect of Change in Control on Awards

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.2

Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.3

Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

14

Compliance with Securities Law

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

15

Compliance with Section 409A

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.1

Awards Subject to Section 409A

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.2

Deferral and/or Distribution Elections

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.3

Subsequent Elections

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.4

Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation

 

34

 

 

 
-iii-
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Tax Withholding

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.1

Tax Withholding in General

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

17

Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

18

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.1

Repurchase Rights

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.2

Forfeiture Events

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.3

Provision of Information

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.4

Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.5

Rights as a Stockholder

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.6

Delivery of Title to Shares

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.7

Fractional Shares

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.8

Retirement and Welfare Plans

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.9

Beneficiary Designation

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.10

Severability

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.11

No Constraint on Corporate Action

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.12

Unfunded Obligation

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.13

Choice of Law

 

39

 

 

 
-iv-
 
 

 

Amended and Restated

Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

2017 Equity Incentive Plan

 

1. Establishment, Purpose and Term of Plan .

 

1.1 Establishment . The Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan was established as December 27, 2017, the date of its approval by the stockholders of the Company. The Amended and Restated Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan ) is hereby amended and restated effective as of _________, 2019, the date of its approval by the stockholders of the Company (the Effective Date ).

 

1.2 Purpose . The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.

 

1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan will continue in effect until its termination by the Committee; provided, however, that all Awards must be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the Effective Date.

 

2. Definitions and Construction .

 

2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

 

(a) Affiliate means (i) a parent entity, other than a Parent Corporation, that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities, controls the Company or (ii) a subsidiary entity, other than a Subsidiary Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the terms “parent,” “subsidiary,” “control” and “controlled by” shall have the meanings assigned such terms for the purposes of registration of securities on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

 

(b) Award means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Purchase Right, Restricted Stock Bonus, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.

 

(c) Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to an Award.

 

(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 
1
 
 

 

(e) Cash-Based Award means an Award denominated in cash and granted pursuant to Section 11.

 

(f) Cashless Exercise means a Cashless Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(i).

 

(g) Cause means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, any of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by a Participating Company’s code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a Participating Company (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of a Participating Company’s confidential or proprietary information); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a Participating Company’s reputation or business; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment, service, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere ) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.

 

(h) Change in Control means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, the occurrence of any one or a combination of the following:

 

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d‑3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Fair Market Value or total combined voting power of the Company’s then‑outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if such degree of beneficial ownership results from any of the following: (A) an acquisition by any person who on the Effective Date is the beneficial owner of more than fifty percent (50%) of such voting power, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company, including, without limitation, pursuant to or in connection with a public offering of securities, (C) any acquisition by the Company, (D) any acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary under an employee benefit plan of a Participating Company or (E) any acquisition by an entity owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the voting securities of the Company; or

 

 
2
 
 

 

(ii) an Ownership Change Event or series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a Transaction ) in which the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors or, in the case of an Ownership Change Event described in Section 2.1(ee)(iii), the entity to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the Transferee ), as the case may be; or

 

(iii) a date specified by the Committee following approval by the stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall be deemed not to include a transaction described in subsections (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.1(h) in which a majority of the members of the board of directors of the continuing, surviving or successor entity, or parent thereof, immediately after such transaction is comprised of Incumbent Directors.

 

For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Committee shall determine whether multiple events described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.1(h) are related and to be treated in the aggregate as a single Change in Control, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations and administrative guidelines promulgated thereunder.

 

(j) Committee means the Compensation Committee and such other committee or subcommittee of the Board, if any, duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board. If, at any time, there is no committee of the Board then authorized or properly constituted to administer the Plan, the Board shall exercise all of the powers of the Committee granted herein, and, in any event, the Board may in its discretion exercise any or all of such powers.

 

(k) Company means Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp., a Nevada corporation, and any successor corporation thereto.

 

(l) Consultant means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on registration on Form S‑8 under the Securities Act.

 

(m) “ Covered Employee means, at any time the Plan is subject to Section 162(m), any Employee who is or may reasonably be expected to become a “covered employee” as defined in Section 162(m), or any successor statute, and who, with respect to a Performance Award, is designated, either as an individual Employee or a member of a class of Employees, by the Committee no later than the earlier of (i) the date that is ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Performance Period, or (ii) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, as a “Covered Employee” under this Plan for such applicable Performance Period.

 

 
3
 
 

 

(n) Director means a member of the Board.

 

(o) Disability means, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and a Participating Company applicable to an Award, the permanent and total disability of the Participant, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(p) Dividend Equivalent Right means the right of a Participant, granted at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Stock for each share of Stock represented by an Award held by such Participant.

 

(q) Employee means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a Director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individual’s rights, if any, under the terms of the Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination of whether or not the individual is an Employee, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive as to such rights, if any, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination as to such individual’s status as an Employee.

 

(r) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(s) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

 

(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, if, on such date, the Stock is listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock as quoted on the national or regional securities exchange or quotation system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or quotation system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded or quoted prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion.

 

 
4
 
 

 

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the basis of the opening, closing, or average of the high and low sale prices of a share of Stock on such date or the preceding trading day, the actual sale price of a share of Stock received by a Participant, any other reasonable basis using actual transactions in the Stock as reported on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, or on any other basis consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. The Committee may vary its method of determination of the Fair Market Value as provided in this Section for different purposes under the Plan to the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(iii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed or quoted on a national or regional securities exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(t) Full Value Award means any Award settled in Stock, other than (i) an Option, (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right, or (iii) a Restricted Stock Purchase Right or an Other Stock-Based Award under which the Company will receive monetary consideration equal to the Fair Market Value (determined on the effective date of grant) of the shares subject to such Award.

 

(u) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

 

(v) Incumbent Director means a director who either (i) is a member of the Board as of the Effective Date or (ii) is elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but excluding a director who was elected or nominated in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company).

 

(w) Insider means an Officer, a Director or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

(x) Net Exercise means a Net Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(iii).

 

(y) “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

 

(z) Nonemployee Director Award means any Award granted to a Nonemployee Director.

 

 
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(aa) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

 

(bb) Officer means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.

 

(cc) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(dd) Other Stock-Based Award means an Award denominated in shares of Stock and granted pursuant to Section 11.

 

(ee) Ownership Change Event means the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; or (iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (other than a sale, exchange or transfer to one or more subsidiaries of the Company).

 

(ff) Parent Corporation means any present or future “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(gg) Participant means any eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.

 

(hh) Participating Company means the Company or any Parent Corporation, Subsidiary Corporation or Affiliate.

 

(ii) Participating Company Group means, at any point in time, the Company and all other entities collectively which are then Participating Companies.

 

(jj) Performance Award means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units.

 

(kk) Performance Award Formula means, for any Performance Award, a formula or table established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 which provides the basis for computing the value of a Performance Award at one or more levels of attainment of the applicable Performance Goal(s) measured as of the end of the applicable Performance Period.

 

(ll) “ Performance-Based Compensation ” means compensation under an Award that satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m) for certain performance-based compensation paid to Covered Employees.

 

(mm) Performance Goal means a performance goal established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3.

 

 
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(nn) Performance Period means a period established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.3 at the end of which one or more Performance Goals are to be measured.

 

(oo) Performance Share means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Share, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).

 

(pp) Performance Unit means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Unit, as determined by the Committee, based upon attainment of applicable Performance Goal(s).

 

(qq) Restricted Stock Award means an Award of a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right.

 

(rr) Restricted Stock Bonus means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

 

(ss) Restricted Stock Purchase Right means a right to purchase Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.

 

(tt) Restricted Stock Unit means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 to receive on a future date or occurrence of a future event a share of Stock or cash in lieu thereof, as determined by the Committee.

 

(uu) Rule 16b‑3 means Rule 16b‑3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

 

(vv) SAR or Stock Appreciation Right means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 to receive payment, for each share of Stock subject to such Award, of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the Award over the exercise price thereof.

 

(ww) Section 162(m) means Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(xx) Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code.

 

(yy) Section 409A Deferred Compensation means compensation provided pursuant to an Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

(zz) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 
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(aaa) Service means a Participant’s employment or service with the Participating Company Group, whether as an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have been interrupted or terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company. However, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if any such leave taken by a Participant exceeds ninety (90) days, then on the ninety-first (91st) day following the commencement of such leave the Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated, unless the Participant’s right to return to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, an unpaid leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participant’s Award Agreement. A Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the business entity for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of and reason for such termination.

 

(bbb) Stock means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.4.

 

(ccc) Stock Tender Exercise means a Stock Tender Exercise as defined in Section 6.3(b)(ii).

 

(ddd) Subsidiary Corporation means any present or future “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(eee) Ten Percent Owner means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company (other than an Affiliate) within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

 

(fff) Trading Compliance Policy means the written policy of the Company pertaining to the purchase, sale, transfer or other disposition of the Company’s equity securities by Directors, Officers, Employees or other service providers who may possess material, nonpublic information regarding the Company or its securities.

 

(ggg) Vesting Conditions mean those conditions established in accordance with the Plan prior to the satisfaction of which an Award or shares subject to an Award remain subject to forfeiture or a repurchase option in favor of the Company exercisable for the Participant’s monetary purchase price, if any, for such shares upon the Participant’s termination of Service or failure of a performance condition to be satisfied.

 

2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

 
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3. Administration .

 

3.1 Administration by the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All questions of interpretation of the Plan, of any Award Agreement or of any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or Award Agreement or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest therein. All expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Company herein, provided that the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.

 

3.3 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b‑3.

 

3.4 Committee Complying with Section 162(m). If the Company is a “publicly held corporation” within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Board may establish a Committee of “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) to approve the grant of any Award intended to result in the payment of Performance-Based Compensation.

 

3.5 Powers of the Committee . In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

 

(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock, units or monetary value to be subject to each Award;

 

(b) to determine the type of Award granted;

 

(c) to determine whether an Award granted to a Covered Employee shall be intended to result in Performance-Based Compensation;

 

(d) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;

 

 
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(e) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise or purchase price of shares pursuant to any Award, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any Award, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, (v) the Performance Measures, Performance Period, Performance Award Formula and Performance Goals applicable to any Award and the extent to which such Performance Goals have been attained, (vi) the time of expiration of any Award, (vii) the effect of any Participant’s termination of Service on any of the foregoing, and (viii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any Award or shares acquired pursuant thereto not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

 

(f) to determine whether an Award will be settled in shares of Stock, cash, other property or in any combination thereof;

 

(g) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;

 

(h) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto;

 

(i) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service;

 

(j) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt sub-plans or supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy, accounting principles or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose residents may be granted Awards; and

 

(k) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.

 

3.6 Option or SAR Repricing. Without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Stock cast in person or by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of Stock is present or represented by proxy, the Committee shall not approve a program providing for either (a) the cancellation of outstanding Options or SARs having exercise prices per share greater than the then Fair Market Value of a share of Stock (“ Underwater Awards ”) and the grant in substitution therefor of new Options or SARs having a lower exercise price, Full Value Awards or payments in cash, or (b) the amendment of outstanding Underwater Awards to reduce the exercise price thereof. This Section shall not be construed to apply to (i) “issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) applies,” within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code, (ii) adjustments pursuant to the assumption of or substitution for an Option or SAR in a manner that would comply with Section 409A, or (iii) an adjustment pursuant to Section 4.4.

 

 
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3.7 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or the Committee or as officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, to the extent permitted by applicable law, members of the Board or the Committee and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for the Board, the Committee or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

 

4. Shares Subject to Plan .

 

4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be equal to ten million (10,000,000) shares, and such shares shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof.

 

4.2 Share Counting. If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company for an amount not greater than the Participant’s purchase price, the shares of Stock allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited or repurchased shares of Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares of Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash. Upon payment in shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the SAR is exercised. If the exercise price of an Option is paid by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant, or by means of a Net Exercise, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option is exercised. Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds from the exercise of Options shall not be added to the limit set forth in Section 4.1. Shares withheld or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to the exercise or settlement of any Award shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan.

 

 
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4.3 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure . Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting regular, periodic cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and kind of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, the Award limits set forth in Section 5.3 and Section 5.4, and in the exercise or purchase price per share under any outstanding Award in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the New Shares ), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the exercise or purchase price per share shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the exercise or purchase price, if any, under any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to such Award. The Committee in its discretion, may also make such adjustments in the terms of any Award to reflect, or related to, such changes in the capital structure of the Company or distributions as it deems appropriate, including modification of Performance Goals, Performance Award Formulas and Performance Periods. The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

4.4 Assumption or Substitution of Awards. The Committee may, without affecting the number of shares of Stock reserved or available hereunder, authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, subject to compliance with Section 409A and any other applicable provisions of the Code.

 

5. Eligibility, Participation and Award Limitations .

 

5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards. Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants and Directors.

 

5.2 Participation in the Plan. Awards are granted solely at the discretion of the Committee. Eligible persons may be granted more than one Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

 

5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations.

 

(a) Maximum Number of Shares Issuable Pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall not exceed 10,000,000 shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to all Awards other than Incentive Stock Options shall be the number of shares determined in accordance with Section 4.1, subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.

 

 
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(b) Persons Eligible. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to a person who, on the effective date of grant, is an Employee of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation (each being an ISO-Qualifying Corporation ). Any person who is not an Employee of an ISO-Qualifying Corporation on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

(c) Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a limitation different from that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Upon exercise of the Option, shares issued pursuant to each such portion shall be separately identified.

 

5.4 Section 162(m) Award Limits. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, no Covered Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more share-denominated Awards intended to qualify for treatment as Performance-Based Compensation which in the aggregate are for more than 500,000 shares or one or more cash-dominated Awards intended to qualify for treatment as Performance-Based Compensation which could result in such Covered Employee receiving more than $1,000,000 or equivalent value in shares for each full fiscal year of the Company contained in the Performance Period for such Award.

 

5.5 Nonemployee Director Award Limit . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States) of all Awards granted to any Nonemployee Director during any fiscal year of the Company, taken together with any cash compensation paid to such Nonemployee Director during such fiscal year, shall not exceed $300,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4.

 

 
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6. Stock Options .

 

Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price less than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A or Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option and (c) no Option granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such Option (except in the event of such Employee’s death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of an Option, each Option shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

 

6.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

 

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent; (ii) if permitted by the Committee and subject to the limitations contained in Section 6.3(b), by means of (1) a Cashless Exercise, (2) a Stock Tender Exercise or (3) a Net Exercise; (iii) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (iv) by any combination thereof. The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

 

 
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(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

 

(i) Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect to one or more Participants specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to other Participants.

 

(ii) Stock Tender Exercise. A Stock Tender Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice accompanied by a Participant’s tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. If required by the Company, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

 

(iii) Net Exercise. A Net Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed exercise notice followed by a procedure pursuant to which (1) the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.

 

6.4 Effect of Termination of Service.

 

(a) Option Exercisability. Subject to earlier termination of the Option as otherwise provided by this Plan and unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an Option shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section and thereafter shall terminate.

 

(i) Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option’s term as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option (the Option Expiration Date ).

 

 
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(ii) Death. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the Participant’s termination of Service.

 

(iii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause or if, following the Participant’s termination of Service and during any period in which the Option otherwise would remain exercisable, the Participant engages in any act that would constitute Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service or act.

 

(iv) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months (or such longer or shorter period provided by the Award Agreement) after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of Service for Cause, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) is prevented by the provisions of Section 14 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions or (ii) the end of the applicable time period under Section 6.4(a), but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. An Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, an Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S‑8 under the Securities Act or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, only as permitted by applicable regulations under Section 421 of the Code in a manner that does not disqualify such Option as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

 
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7. Stock Appreciation Rights .

 

Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

7.1 Types of SARs Authorized. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or any portion of a related Option (a Tandem SAR ) or may be granted independently of any Option (a Freestanding SAR ). A Tandem SAR may only be granted concurrently with the grant of the related Option.

 

7.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each SAR shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share subject to a Tandem SAR shall be the exercise price per share under the related Option and (b) the exercise price per share subject to a Freestanding SAR shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an SAR may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such SAR is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another stock appreciation right in a manner that would qualify under the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.3 Exercisability and Term of SARs.

 

(a) Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent, and only to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable, subject to such provisions as the Committee may specify where the Tandem SAR is granted with respect to less than the full number of shares of Stock subject to the related Option. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Tandem SAR that such SAR may not be exercised without the advance approval of the Company and, if such approval is not given, then the Option shall nevertheless remain exercisable in accordance with its terms. A Tandem SAR shall terminate and cease to be exercisable no later than the date on which the related Option expires or is terminated or canceled. Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR with respect to some or all of the shares subject to such SAR, the related Option shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the Tandem SAR was exercised. Upon the exercise of an Option related to a Tandem SAR as to some or all of the shares subject to such Option, the related Tandem SAR shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the related Option was exercised.

 

 
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(b) Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR; provided, however, that (i) no Freestanding SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such SAR and (ii) no Freestanding SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of such SAR (except in the event of such Employee’s death, disability or retirement, upon a Change in Control, or as otherwise permitted by the Worker Economic Opportunity Act). Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of a Freestanding SAR, each Freestanding SAR shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the SAR, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

 

7.4 Exercise of SARs. Upon the exercise (or deemed exercise pursuant to Section 7.5) of an SAR, the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the SAR by reason of the Participant’s death) shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount for each share with respect to which the SAR is exercised equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price. Payment of such amount shall be made (a) in the case of a Tandem SAR, solely in shares of Stock in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR and (b) in the case of a Freestanding SAR, in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee, in a lump sum upon the date of exercise of the SAR. When payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of shares to be issued shall be determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR. For purposes of Section 7, an SAR shall be deemed exercised on the date on which the Company receives notice of exercise from the Participant or as otherwise provided in Section 7.5.

 

7.5 Deemed Exercise of SARs. If, on the date on which an SAR would otherwise terminate or expire, the SAR by its terms remains exercisable immediately prior to such termination or expiration and, if so exercised, would result in a payment to the holder of such SAR, then any portion of such SAR which has not previously been exercised shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion.

 

7.6 Effect of Termination of Service. Subject to earlier termination of the SAR as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an SAR shall be exercisable after a Participant’s termination of Service only to the extent and during the applicable time period determined in accordance with Section 6.4 (treating the SAR as if it were an Option) and thereafter shall terminate.

 

7.7 Transferability of SARs. During the lifetime of the Participant, an SAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. An SAR shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award, a Tandem SAR related to a Nonstatutory Stock Option or a Freestanding SAR shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S‑8 under the Securities Act.

 

 
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8. Restricted Stock Awards .

 

Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying whether the Award is a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right and the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

8.1 Types of Restricted Stock Awards Authorized. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted in the form of either a Restricted Stock Bonus or a Restricted Stock Purchase Right. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of or satisfaction of Vesting Conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).

 

8.2 Purchase Price. The purchase price for shares of Stock issuable under each Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be established by the Committee in its discretion. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding) shall be required as a condition of receiving shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award.

 

8.3 Purchase Period. A Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be exercisable within a period established by the Committee, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of the grant of the Restricted Stock Purchase Right.

 

8.4 Payment of Purchase Price. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the purchase price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be made (a) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent, (b) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (c) by any combination thereof.

 

 
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8.5 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Shares issued pursuant to any Restricted Stock Award may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. During any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, such shares may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of other than pursuant to an Ownership Change Event or as provided in Section 8.8. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award that, if the satisfaction of Vesting Conditions with respect to any shares subject to such Restricted Stock Award would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then satisfaction of the Vesting Conditions automatically shall be determined on the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

 

8.6 Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions. Except as provided in this Section, Section 8.5 and any Award Agreement, during any period in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding shares of Stock, including the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares; provided, however, that if so determined by the Committee and provided by the Award Agreement, such dividends and distributions shall be subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid, and otherwise shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders (or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders). In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.4, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Award shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid or adjustments were made.

 

8.7 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Award, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant’s death or disability), then (a) the Company shall have the option to repurchase for the purchase price paid by the Participant any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase Right which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service and (b) the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to a Restricted Stock Bonus which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company.

 

8.8 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights. Rights to acquire shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

 

 
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9. Restricted Stock Units .

 

Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be granted upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 10.4. If either the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award or the Vesting Conditions with respect to such Award is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 10.3 through 10.5(a).

 

9.2 Purchase Price. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) shall be required as a condition of receiving a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if required by applicable state corporate law, the Participant shall furnish consideration in the form of cash or past services rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit having a value not less than the par value of the shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

9.3 Vesting. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may (but need not) be made subject to Vesting Conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award.

 

 
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9.4 Voting Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Restricted Stock Units until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Restricted Stock Unit Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid by crediting the Participant with a cash amount or with additional whole Restricted Stock Units as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Restricted Stock Units (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Restricted Stock Units previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. Such cash amount or additional Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions and shall be settled in the same manner and at the same time as the Restricted Stock Units originally subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.4, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as are applicable to the Award.

 

9.5 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award, if a Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant’s death or disability), then the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Award which remain subject to Vesting Conditions as of the date of the Participant’s termination of Service.

 

9.6 Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Company shall issue to a Participant on the date on which Restricted Stock Units subject to the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit Award vest or on such other date determined by the Committee in compliance with Section 409A, if applicable, and set forth in the Award Agreement one (1) share of Stock (and/or any other new, substituted or additional securities or other property pursuant to an adjustment described in Section 9.4) for each Restricted Stock Unit then becoming vested or otherwise to be settled on such date, subject to the withholding of applicable taxes, if any. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award that if the settlement date with respect to any shares issuable upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units would otherwise occur on a day on which the sale of such shares would violate the provisions of the Trading Compliance Policy, then the settlement date shall be deferred until the next trading day on which the sale of such shares would not violate the Trading Compliance Policy but in any event no later than the 15 th day of the third calendar month following the year in which such Restricted Stock Units vest. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred issuance date(s) and amount(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide for settlement of any Restricted Stock Unit Award by payment to the Participant in cash of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the payment date of the shares of Stock or other property otherwise issuable to the Participant pursuant to this Section.

 

9.7 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The right to receive shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

 

 
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10. Performance Awards .

 

Performance Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

10.1 Types of Performance Awards Authorized. Performance Awards may be granted in the form of either Performance Shares or Performance Units. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award shall specify the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units subject thereto, the Performance Award Formula, the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Period applicable to the Award, and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

 

10.2 Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in granting a Performance Award, each Performance Share shall have an initial monetary value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4, on the effective date of grant of the Performance Share, and each Performance Unit shall have an initial monetary value established by the Committee at the time of grant. The final value payable to the Participant in settlement of a Performance Award determined on the basis of the applicable Performance Award Formula will depend on the extent to which Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period established by the Committee.

 

10.3 Establishment of Performance Period, Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula. In granting each Performance Award, the Committee shall establish in writing the applicable Performance Period, Performance Award Formula and one or more Performance Goals which, when measured at the end of the Performance Period, shall determine on the basis of the Performance Award Formula the final value of the Performance Award to be paid to the Participant. Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements under Section 162(m) with respect to each Performance Award intended to result in the payment of Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee shall establish the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Award Formula applicable to each Performance Award no later than the earlier of (a) the date ninety (90) days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period or (b) the date on which 25% of the Performance Period has elapsed, and, in any event, at a time when the outcome of the Performance Goals remains substantially uncertain. Once established, the Performance Goals and Performance Award Formula applicable to a Performance Award intended to result in the payment of Performance-Based Compensation to a Covered Employee shall not be changed during the Performance Period. The Company shall notify each Participant granted a Performance Award of the terms of such Award, including the Performance Period, Performance Goal(s) and Performance Award Formula.

 

10.4 Measurement of Performance Goals. Performance Goals shall be established by the Committee on the basis of targets to be attained ( Performance Targets ) with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance (each, a Performance Measure ), subject to the following:

 

 
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(a) Performance Measures. Performance Measures shall be calculated in accordance with the Company’s financial statements, or, if such measures are not reported in the Company’s financial statements, they shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, a method used generally in the Company’s industry, or in accordance with a methodology established by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award. As specified by the Committee, Performance Measures may be calculated with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary Corporation consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes, one or more Subsidiary Corporations or such division or other business unit of any of them selected by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee prior to the grant of the Performance Award, the Performance Measures applicable to the Performance Award shall be calculated prior to the accrual of expense for any Performance Award for the same Performance Period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) on the Performance Measures of any change in accounting standards or any unusual or infrequently occurring event or transaction, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Award.[1] Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the calculation of Performance Measures in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights with respect to a Performance Award. Performance Measures may be based upon one or more of the following, as determined by the Committee:

 

(i) revenue;

 

(ii) sales;

 

(iii) expenses;

 

(iv) operating income;

 

(v) gross margin;

 

(vi) operating margin;

 

(vii) earnings before any one or more of: stock-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

 

(viii) pre-tax profit;

 

(ix) net operating income;

 

(x) net income;

 

(xi) economic value added;

 

(xii) free cash flow;

____________

1 FASB Update 2015-01. Effective years beginning after 12/15/2015, concept of “extraordinary item” eliminated and replaced by exclusion from “income from continuing operations” of “unusual or infrequently occurring items.”

 

 
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(xiii) operating cash flow;

 

(xiv) balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities;

 

(xv) stock price;

 

(xvi) earnings per share;

 

(xvii) return on stockholder equity;

 

(xviii) return on capital;

 

(xix) return on assets;

 

(xx) return on investment;

 

(xxi) total stockholder return;

 

(xxii) employee satisfaction;

 

(xxiii) employee retention;

 

(xxiv) market share;

 

(xxv) customer satisfaction;

 

(xxvi) product development;

 

(xxvii) research and development expenses;

 

(xxviii) completion of an identified special project; and

 

(xxix) completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction.

 

(b) Performance Targets. Performance Targets may include a minimum, maximum, target level and intermediate levels of performance, with the final value of a Performance Award determined under the applicable Performance Award Formula by the Performance Target level attained during the applicable Performance Period. A Performance Target may be stated as an absolute value, an increase or decrease in a value, or as a value determined relative to an index, budget or other standard selected by the Committee.

 

10.5 Settlement of Performance Awards.

 

(a) Determination of Final Value. As soon as practicable following the completion of the Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award, the Committee shall certify in writing the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained and the resulting final value of the Award earned by the Participant and to be paid upon its settlement in accordance with the applicable Performance Award Formula.

 

 
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(b) Discretionary Adjustment of Award Formula. In its discretion, the Committee may, either at the time it grants a Performance Award or at any time thereafter, provide for the positive or negative adjustment of the Performance Award Formula applicable to a Performance Award granted to any Participant who is not a Covered Employee to reflect such Participant’s individual performance in his or her position with the Company or such other factors as the Committee may determine. If permitted under a Covered Employee’s Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the discretion, on the basis of such criteria as may be established by the Committee, to reduce some or all of the value of the Performance Award that would otherwise be paid to the Covered Employee upon its settlement notwithstanding the attainment of any Performance Goal and the resulting value of the Performance Award determined in accordance with the Performance Award Formula. No such reduction may result in an increase in the amount payable upon settlement of another Participant’s Performance Award that is intended to result in Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(c) Effect of Leaves of Absence. Unless otherwise required by law or a Participant’s Award Agreement, payment of the final value, if any, of a Performance Award held by a Participant who has taken in excess of thirty (30) days in unpaid leaves of absence during a Performance Period shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period during which the Participant was not on an unpaid leave of absence.

 

(d) Notice to Participants. As soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination and certification in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), the Company shall notify each Participant of the determination of the Committee.

 

(e) Payment in Settlement of Performance Awards. As soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination and certification in accordance with Sections 10.5(a) and (b), but in any event within the Short-Term Deferral Period described in Section 15.1 (except as otherwise provided below or consistent with the requirements of Section 409A), payment shall be made to each eligible Participant (or such Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to receive such payment by reason of the Participant’s death) of the final value of the Participant’s Performance Award. Payment of such amount shall be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, payment shall be made in a lump sum. If permitted by the Committee, the Participant may elect, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to defer receipt of all or any portion of the payment to be made to the Participant pursuant to this Section, and such deferred payment date(s) elected by the Participant shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. If any payment is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, provide for the payment during the deferral period of Dividend Equivalent Rights or interest.

 

(f) Provisions Applicable to Payment in Shares. If payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of such shares shall be determined by dividing the final value of the Performance Award by the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock determined by the method specified in the Award Agreement. Shares of Stock issued in payment of any Performance Award may be fully vested and freely transferable shares or may be shares of Stock subject to Vesting Conditions as provided in Section 8.5. Any shares subject to Vesting Conditions shall be evidenced by an appropriate Award Agreement and shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 8.5 through 8.8 above.

 

 
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10.6 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Performance Share Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares, if any (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Performance Share Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date the Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date on which the Performance Shares are settled or the date on which they are forfeited. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be credited to the Participant either in cash or in the form of additional whole Performance Shares as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock, as determined by the Committee. The number of additional Performance Shares (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be so credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of shares of Stock represented by the Performance Shares previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be accumulated and paid to the extent that the related Performance Shares become nonforfeitable. Settlement of Dividend Equivalent Rights may be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee, and may be paid on the same basis as settlement of the related Performance Share as provided in Section 10.5. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be paid with respect to Performance Units. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.4, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Performance Share Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the Performance Share Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Performance Goals as are applicable to the Award.

 

10.7 Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award, the effect of a Participant’s termination of Service on the Performance Award shall be as follows:

 

(a) Death or Disability. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the death or Disability of the Participant before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, the final value of the Participant’s Performance Award shall be determined by the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained with respect to the entire Performance Period and shall be prorated based on the number of months of the Participant’s Service during the Performance Period. Payment shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.

 

 
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(b) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service terminates for any reason except death or Disability before the completion of the Performance Period applicable to the Performance Award, such Award shall be forfeited in its entirety; provided, however, that in the event of an involuntary termination of the Participant’s Service, the Committee, in its discretion, may waive the automatic forfeiture of all or any portion of any such Award and determine the final value of the Performance Award in the manner provided by Section 10.7(a). Payment of any amount pursuant to this Section shall be made following the end of the Performance Period in any manner permitted by Section 10.5.

 

10.8 Nontransferability of Performance Awards. Prior to settlement in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, no Performance Award shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to a Performance Award granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

 

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

 

Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements in such form as the Committee shall establish. Such Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

11.1 Grant of Cash-Based Awards . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions, including the achievement of performance criteria, as the Committee may determine.

 

11.2 Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted securities, stock-equivalent units, stock appreciation units, securities or debentures convertible into common stock or other forms determined by the Committee) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Other Stock-Based Awards may be made available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Stock to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Stock and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.

 

11.3 Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards . Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a monetary payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of shares of Stock or units based on such shares of Stock, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may require the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 10.4, as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance criteria, the final value of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance criteria are met. The establishment of performance criteria with respect to the grant or vesting of any Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award intended to result in Performance-Based Compensation shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those applicable to Performance Awards set forth in Section 10.

 

 
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11.4 Payment or Settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards . Payment or settlement, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award or an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash, shares of Stock or other securities or any combination thereof as the Committee determines. The determination and certification of the final value with respect to any Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award intended to result in Performance-Based Compensation shall comply with the requirements applicable to Performance Awards set forth in Section 10. To the extent applicable, payment or settlement with respect to each Cash-Based Award and Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

11.5 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Other Stock-Based Awards until the date of the issuance of such shares of Stock (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), if any, in settlement of such Award. However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Other Stock-Based Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 9.4. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall not be granted with respect to Cash-Based Awards. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid in shares of Stock or other property or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company as described in Section 4.4, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participant’s Other Stock-Based Award so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property (other than regular, periodic cash dividends) to which the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of such Award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions and performance criteria, if any, as are applicable to the Award.

 

11.6 Effect of Termination of Service . Each Award Agreement evidencing a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain such Award following termination of the Participant’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination, subject to the requirements of Section 409A, if applicable.

 

11.7 Nontransferability of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Prior to the payment or settlement of a Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award, the Award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may impose such additional restrictions on any shares of Stock issued in settlement of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such shares of Stock are then listed and/or traded, or under any state securities laws or foreign law applicable to such shares of Stock.

 

 
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12. Standard Forms of Award Agreement .

 

12.1 Award Agreements . Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Committee and as amended from time to time. No Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement, which execution may be evidenced by electronic means.

 

12.2 Authority to Vary Terms . The Committee shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

13. Change in Control .

 

13.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, the Committee may provide for any one or more of the following:

 

(a) Accelerated Vesting. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the grant of any Award or at any other time may take such action as it deems appropriate to provide for acceleration of the exercisability, vesting and/or settlement in connection with a Change in Control of each or any outstanding Award or portion thereof and shares acquired pursuant thereto upon such conditions, including termination of the Participant’s Service prior to, upon, or following the Change in Control, and to such extent as the Committee determines.

 

 
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(b) Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror ), may, without the consent of any Participant, assume or continue the Company’s rights and obligations under each or any Award or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control or substitute for each or any such outstanding Award or portion thereof a substantially equivalent award with respect to the Acquiror’s stock, as applicable. For purposes of this Section, if so determined by the Committee in its discretion, an Award denominated in shares of Stock shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Committee may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award, for each share of Stock subject to the Award, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. Any Award or portion thereof which is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised or settled as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control.

 

(c) Cash-Out of Outstanding Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award denominated in shares of Stock or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised or settled shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested share (and each unvested share, if so determined by the Committee) of Stock subject to such canceled Award in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control, reduced (but not below zero) by the exercise or purchase price per share, if any, under such Award. In the event such determination is made by the Committee, an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control may be canceled without payment of consideration to the holder thereof. Payment pursuant to this Section (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be made to Participants in respect of the vested portions of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portions of their canceled Awards in accordance with the vesting schedules applicable to such Awards.

 

13.2 Effect of Change in Control on Nonemployee Director Awards. Subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 409A, if applicable, including as provided by Section 15.4(f), in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Nonemployee Director Award shall become immediately exercisable and vested in full and, except to the extent assumed, continued or substituted for pursuant to Section 13.1(b), shall be settled effective immediately prior to the time of consummation of the Change in Control.

 

 
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13.3 Federal Excise Tax Under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

(a) Excess Parachute Payment. If any acceleration of vesting pursuant to an Award and any other payment or benefit received or to be received by a Participant would subject the Participant to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code due to the characterization of such acceleration of vesting, payment or benefit as an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, then, provided such election would not subject the Participant to taxation under Section 409A, the Participant may elect to reduce the amount of any acceleration of vesting called for under the Award in order to avoid such characterization.

 

(b) Determination by Tax Firm. To aid the Participant in making any election called for under Section 13.3(a), no later than the date of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in an “excess parachute payment” to the Participant as described in Section 13.3(a), the Company shall request a determination in writing by the professional firm engaged by the Company for general tax purposes, or, if the tax firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the Acquiror, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section (the “ Tax Firm ”). As soon as practicable thereafter, the Tax Firm shall determine and report to the Company and the Participant the amount of such acceleration of vesting, payments and benefits which would produce the greatest after-tax benefit to the Participant. For the purposes of such determination, the Tax Firm may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Participant shall furnish to the Tax Firm such information and documents as the Tax Firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses the Tax Firm charges in connection with its services contemplated by this Section.

 

14. Compliance with Securities Law .

 

The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock pursuant to any Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities and the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised or shares issued pursuant to an Award unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such exercise or issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable pursuant to the Award, or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable pursuant to the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares under the Plan shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to issuance of any Stock, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

 
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15. Compliance with Section 409A .

 

15.1 Awards Subject to Section 409A. The Company intends that Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, and the Plan shall be so construed. The provisions of this Section 15 shall apply to any Award or portion thereof that constitutes or provides for payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation. Such Awards may include, without limitation:

 

(a) A Nonstatutory Stock Option or SAR that includes any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later of (i) the exercise or disposition of the Award or (ii) the time the stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Award first becomes substantially vested.

 

(b) Any Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Award, Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award that either (i) provides by its terms for settlement of all or any portion of the Award at a time or upon an event that will or may occur later than the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period (as defined below) or (ii) permits the Participant granted the Award to elect one or more dates or events upon which the Award will be settled after the end of the Short-Term Deferral Period.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 409A, the term “ Short-Term Deferral Period means the 2½ month period ending on the later of (i) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Participant’s taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or (ii) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the right to payment under the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. For this purpose, the term “substantial risk of forfeiture” shall have the meaning provided by Section 409A.

 

15.2 Deferral and/or Distribution Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, the following rules shall apply to any compensation deferral and/or payment elections (each, an “ Election ”) that may be permitted or required by the Committee pursuant to an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation:

 

(a) Elections must be in writing and specify the amount of the payment in settlement of an Award being deferred, as well as the time and form of payment as permitted by this Plan.

 

(b) Elections shall be made by the end of the Participant’s taxable year prior to the year in which services commence for which an Award may be granted to the Participant.

 

(c) Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the Election determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above or as permitted by Section 15.3.

 

 
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15.3 Subsequent Elections . Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, any Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation which permits a subsequent Election to delay the payment or change the form of payment in settlement of such Award shall comply with the following requirements:

 

(a) No subsequent Election may take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the subsequent Election is made.

 

(b) Each subsequent Election related to a payment in settlement of an Award not described in Section 15.4(a)(ii), 15.4(a)(iii) or 15.4(a)(vi) must result in a delay of the payment for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.

 

(c) No subsequent Election related to a payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(iv) shall be made less than twelve (12) months before the date on which such payment would otherwise have been made.

 

(d) Subsequent Elections shall continue in effect until a written revocation or change in the subsequent Election is received by the Company, except that a written revocation or change in a subsequent Election must be received by the Company prior to the last day for making the subsequent Election determined in accordance the preceding paragraphs of this Section 15.3.

 

15.4 Payment of Section 409A Deferred Compensation .

 

(a) Permissible Payments. Except as otherwise permitted or required by Section 409A, an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation must provide for payment in settlement of the Award only upon one or more of the following:

 

(i) The Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined by Section 409A);

 

(ii) The Participant’s becoming “disabled” (as defined by Section 409A);

 

(iii) The Participant’s death;

 

(iv) A time or fixed schedule that is either (i) specified by the Committee upon the grant of an Award and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award or (ii) specified by the Participant in an Election complying with the requirements of Section 15.2 or 15.3, as applicable;

 

(v) A change in the ownership or effective control or the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 409A; or

 

(vi) The occurrence of an “unforeseeable emergency” (as defined by Section 409A).

 

 
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(b) Installment Payments . It is the intent of this Plan that any right of a Participant to receive installment payments (within the meaning of Section 409A) shall, for all purposes of Section 409A, be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

(c) Required Delay in Payment to Specified Employee Pursuant to Separation from Service. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, no payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(i) in settlement of an Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation may be made to a Participant who is a “specified employee” (as defined by Section 409A) as of the date of the Participant’s separation from service before the date (the Delayed Payment Date ) that is six (6) months after the date of such Participant’s separation from service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. All such amounts that would, but for this paragraph, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date shall be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.

 

(d) Payment Upon Disability. All distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation payable pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(ii) by reason of a Participant becoming disabled shall be paid in a lump sum or in periodic installments as established by the Participant’s Election. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon becoming disabled, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum upon the determination that the Participant has become disabled.

 

(e) Payment Upon Death . If a Participant dies before complete distribution of amounts payable upon settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A, such undistributed amounts shall be distributed to his or her beneficiary under the distribution method for death established by the Participant’s Election upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participant’s death. If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions of Section 409A Deferred Compensation upon death, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum upon receipt by the Committee of satisfactory notice and confirmation of the Participant’s death.

 

(f) Payment Upon Change in Control. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount constituting Section 409A Deferred Compensation would become payable under this Plan by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A. Any Award which constitutes Section 409A Deferred Compensation and which would vest and otherwise become payable upon a Change in Control as a result of the failure of the Acquiror to assume, continue or substitute for such Award in accordance with Section 13.1(b) shall vest to the extent provided by such Award but shall be converted automatically at the effective time of such Change in Control into a right to receive, in cash on the date or dates such award would have been settled in accordance with its then existing settlement schedule (or as required by Section 15.4(c)), an amount or amounts equal in the aggregate to the intrinsic value of the Award at the time of the Change in Control.

 

 
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(g) Payment Upon Unforeseeable Emergency. The Committee shall have the authority to provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Award providing for Section 409A Deferred Compensation for payment pursuant to Section 15.4(a)(vi) in settlement of all or a portion of such Award in the event that a Participant establishes, to the satisfaction of the Committee, the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. In such event, the amount(s) distributed with respect to such unforeseeable emergency cannot exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution(s), after taking into account the extent to which such emergency need is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or by cessation of deferrals under the Award. All distributions with respect to an unforeseeable emergency shall be made in a lump sum upon the Committee’s determination that an unforeseeable emergency has occurred. The Committee’s decision with respect to whether an unforeseeable emergency has occurred and the manner in which, if at all, the payment in settlement of an Award shall be altered or modified, shall be final, conclusive, and not subject to approval or appeal.

 

(h) Prohibition of Acceleration of Payments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, this Plan does not permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under an Award providing Section 409A Deferred Compensation, except as permitted by Section 409A.

 

(i) No Representation Regarding Section 409A Compliance . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company makes no representation that Awards shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. No Participating Company shall be liable for any tax, penalty or interest imposed on a Participant by Section 409A.

 

16. Tax Withholding .

 

16.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan, or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, to make adequate provision for, the federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including social insurance), if any, required by law to be withheld by any Participating Company with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock, to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement, or to make any payment in cash under the Plan until the Participating Company Group’s tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.

 

16.2 Withholding in or Directed Sale of Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise or settlement of an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates. The Company may require a Participant to direct a broker, upon the vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award, to sell a portion of the shares subject to the Award determined by the Company in its discretion to be sufficient to cover the tax withholding obligations of any Participating Company and to remit an amount equal to such tax withholding obligations to such Participating Company in cash.

 

 
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17. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION or Termination of Plan .

 

The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule, including the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Stock may then be listed or quoted. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee. Except as provided by the next sentence, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may have a materially adverse effect on any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the consent of any Participant, amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the Plan, including, but not limited to, Section 409A.

 

18. Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

18.1 Repurchase Rights . Shares issued under the Plan may be subject to one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time the Award is granted. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

 

18.2 Forfeiture Events.

 

(a) The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of Service for Cause or any act by a Participant, whether before or after termination of Service, that would constitute Cause for termination of Service, or any accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirements of securities laws as a result of which, and to the extent that, such reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment is required by applicable securities laws.

 

 
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(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, any Participant who knowingly or through gross negligence engaged in the misconduct, or who knowingly or through gross negligence failed to prevent the misconduct, and any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall reimburse the Company for (i) the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award received by such Participant during the twelve- (12-) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and (ii) any profits realized by such Participant from the sale of securities of the Company during such twelve- (12-) month period.

 

18.3 Provision of Information. Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Company’s common stockholders.

 

18.4 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director. No person, even though eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or Director or interfere with or limit in any way any right of a Participating Company to terminate the Participant’s Service at any time. To the extent that an Employee of a Participating Company other than the Company receives an Award under the Plan, that Award shall in no event be understood or interpreted to mean that the Company is the Employee’s employer or that the Employee has an employment relationship with the Company.

 

18.5 Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided in Section 4.4 or another provision of the Plan.

 

18.6 Delivery of Title to Shares. Subject to any governing rules or regulations, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award and shall deliver such shares to or for the benefit of the Participant by means of one or more of the following: (a) by delivering to the Participant evidence of book entry shares of Stock credited to the account of the Participant, (b) by depositing such shares of Stock for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship, or (c) by delivering such shares of Stock to the Participant in certificate form.

 

18.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise or settlement of any Award.

 

 
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18.8 Retirement and Welfare Plans . Neither Awards made under this Plan nor shares of Stock or cash paid pursuant to such Awards may be included as “compensation” for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under any Participating Company’s retirement plans (both qualified and non-qualified) or welfare benefit plans unless such other plan expressly provides that such compensation shall be taken into account in computing a Participant’s benefit.

 

18.9 Beneficiary Designation. Subject to local laws and procedures, each Participant may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant is entitled in the event of such Participant’s death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. If a married Participant designates a beneficiary other than the Participant’s spouse, the effectiveness of such designation may be subject to the consent of the Participant’s spouse. If a Participant dies without an effective designation of a beneficiary who is living at the time of the Participant’s death, the Company will pay any remaining unpaid benefits to the Participant’s legal representative.

 

18.10 Severability . If any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be modified so as to make it valid, legal and enforceable, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of the Plan shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

18.11 No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or another Participating Company’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (b) limit the right or power of the Company or another Participating Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

 

18.12 Unfunded Obligation. Participants shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be considered unfunded and unsecured obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. No Participating Company shall be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Committee or any Participating Company and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participant’s creditors in any assets of any Participating Company. The Participants shall have no claim against any Participating Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.

 

18.13 Choice of Law. Except to the extent governed by applicable federal law, the validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to its conflict of law rules.

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies that the foregoing sets forth the Cure Pharmaceutical Holding Corp. Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan as duly adopted by the Board on May 31, 2019.

 

/s/ Mark Udell

 

Mark Udell

 

 

Secretary

 

 

 
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