UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment
No. )
Filed
by the Registrant ¨
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ Preliminary
Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x Definitive
Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive
Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting
Material under §240.14a-12
Annovis
Bio, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No
fee required.
¨ Fee paid
previously with preliminary materials.
¨ Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per
Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11.
Annovis Bio, Inc.
1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300
Berwyn, PA 19312
April 18, 2022
To our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Time (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held as a virtual
meeting at www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022/VM.
If you attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote and
submit questions during the meeting by using the Virtual Control
Number we have provided to you with the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials. We are pleased to furnish proxy
materials to stockholders primarily over the Internet. We will
commence mailing to our stockholders on or about April 18,
2022, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
containing instructions on how to access the electronic copies of
our 2022 Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report on
Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) and how to vote online.
Internet distribution of our proxy materials expedites receipt by
stockholders, lowers the cost of the Annual Meeting, and conserves
natural resources. However, if you would prefer to receive paper
copies of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions
included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
If you choose to receive your Annual Meeting materials by mail, the
notice of the Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, the Annual Report
and proxy card from our Board of Directors will be enclosed.
Please refer to the Proxy Statement for detailed information on
each of the proposals and the Annual Meeting. Your vote is
important, and we strongly urge all stockholders to vote their
shares. For most items, including the election of directors, your
shares will not be voted unless you provide voting instructions via
the Internet or by returning a proxy card or voting instruction
card. We encourage you to vote promptly, even if you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting.
|
Best
regards, |
|
|
|
/s/ Maria Maccecchini |
|
Maria
Maccecchini, |
|
President and
Chief Executive Officer |
Annovis Bio, Inc.
1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300
Berwyn, PA 19312
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held June 2, 2022
To our Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) of Annovis Bio, Inc. will be held
virtually at www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022/VM on Thursday,
June 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, to
consider and vote on the following matters described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement:
|
1. |
The election of the five director nominees named in the
accompanying Proxy Statement; |
|
2. |
Ratification of the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2022; and |
|
3. |
Transact such other business as may properly be brought before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR”
the election of all of the director nominees (Proposal 1), and
“FOR” the proposal to ratify WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2021 (Proposal 2).
The Board of Directors has fixed April 6, 2022, at the close
of business, as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we are
furnishing these proxy materials and our 2021 Annual Report on
Form 10-K via the Internet. On or about April 18, 2022,
we mailed to stockholders as of the record date a notice with
instructions on how to access our Annual Meeting materials and how
to vote via the Internet, by mail or telephone.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
/s/ Maria Maccecchini |
|
Maria
Maccecchini, |
|
President and
Chief Executive Officer |
Berwyn, Pennsylvania
April 18, 2022
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another
nominee record holder, please be sure to mark your voting choices
on the voting instruction card that accompanies this Proxy
Statement. If you fail to specify your voting instructions for
the election of directors, your shares will not be voted in the
election of directors due to rules applicable to broker
voting, or we may incur additional costs to solicit
votes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annovis Bio, Inc.
1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held June 2, 2022
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022: Copies of this Proxy Statement and the
accompanying form of proxy card, and 2021 Annual Report on
Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) are available at
www.AALvote.com/ANVS, using your Virtual Control Number that was
included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
you received in the mail. If you want to receive a paper or e-mail
copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge
for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods
to make your request:
|
1) |
BY INTERNET: http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022 |
|
2) |
BY TELEPHONE: 877-777-2857 |
|
3) |
BY E-MAIL*: requests@viewproxy.com |
* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail
with your Virtual Control Number that was included in the Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card, the foregoing
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and the Annual
Report are intended to be sent or given to stockholders of Annovis
Bio, Inc. (the “Company,” “Annovis,” “we,” “us” or “our”) on
or about April 18, 2022, in connection with the solicitation
of proxies on behalf of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) for
use at our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual
Meeting”), to be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 10:00
a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), virtually at
www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022/VM, and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT
THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OUR ANNUAL MEETING
Q: Why am I receiving these materials?
A:
You have received these proxy materials because the Board is
soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting.
This Proxy Statement includes information that we are required to
provide to you under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
rules and is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
Pursuant to the “notice and access” rules adopted by the SEC,
we have elected to provide stockholders access to our proxy
materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we sent the Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to all of our stockholders
as of the close of business on April 6, 2022 (the “Record
Date”). The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
includes instructions on how to access our proxy materials over the
internet and how to request a printed copy of these materials. In
addition, by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials, stockholders may request to
receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically
by e-mail on an ongoing basis.
Q: What is included in these materials?
A:
These materials include:
|
• |
|
this
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting; |
|
|
|
|
|
• |
|
a
proxy card for the Annual Meeting; and |
|
|
|
|
|
• |
|
the
Annual Report. |
Q: Who is entitled to vote?
A:
Only stockholders of record as of the Record Date shall be entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. During the ten
days before the Annual Meeting, you may inspect a list of
stockholders eligible to vote. If you would like to inspect the
list, please call our Secretary at 610-727-3913 to arrange a visit
to our offices. The list will also be available on request during
the Annual Meeting.
Q: How many shares of common stock can vote?
A:
There were 8,163,923 shares of common stock outstanding as of the
Record Date. Each stockholder entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting may cast one vote for each share of common stock owned by
such stockholder that has voting power upon each matter considered
at the Annual Meeting. Our stockholders do not have the right to
cumulate their votes in elections of directors.
Q: What may I vote on?
A:
You may vote on the following matters:
|
1. |
the election of five directors who have been nominated to serve
on our Board; |
|
2. |
the ratification of the selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as
our independent registered public accounting firm for the year
ending December 31, 2022; and |
|
3. |
any other business that may properly come before the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Q: Will any other business be presented for action by
stockholders at the Annual Meeting?
A:
Management knows of no business that will be presented at the
Annual Meeting other than Proposals 1 and 2. If any other matter
properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as
proxies in the accompanying proxy card intend to vote the proxies
(which confer discretionary authority to vote on such matters) in
accordance with their judgment on the matter.
Q: How does the Board recommend that I vote on each of the
proposals?
A:
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each of the director nominees,
and “FOR” the ratification of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2022.
Q: How do I vote my shares?
A:
The answer depends on whether you own your shares of common stock
of the Company directly (that is, you hold shares that show your
name as the registered stockholder) or if your shares are held in a
brokerage account or by another nominee holder.
If
you own shares of the Company directly (i.e., you are a “registered
stockholder”): your proxy is being solicited directly by
us, and you can vote by Internet, by telephone, by mail or you can
vote at our Annual Meeting. You are encouraged to vote prior to the
Annual Meeting to ensure that your shares will be represented.
If
you wish to vote by Internet, go to www.AALvote.com/ANVS
and log in using your Virtual Control Number that was included in
the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
If
you wish to vote by telephone, call 866-804-9616. Use
any touch-tone telephone to vote your shares using your Virtual
Control Number that was included in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials.
If
you wish to vote by mail, please request a paper or
e-mail copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. You
can request a paper or e-mail copy of the materials at no charge to
you through one of the following methods:
1) BY INTERNET: http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022
2) BY TELEPHONE: 877-777-2857
3) BY E-MAIL*: requests@viewproxy.com
* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail
with your Virtual Control Number that was included in the Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
If you sign your proxy card but do not indicate how you wish to
vote, the proxies will vote your shares “FOR” each of the five
director nominees, “FOR” the ratification of WithumSmith+Brown, PC
as our independent registered public accounting firm, and, in their
discretion, on any other matter that properly comes before the
Annual Meeting. Unsigned proxy cards will not be counted.
If
you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you will be able
to vote your shares if you register to attend, and attend, the
Annual Meeting pursuant to the instructions below.
If
you hold your shares of the Company through a broker, bank or other
nominee: a voting instruction card has been provided to
you by your broker, bank or other nominee describing how to vote
your shares. If you receive a voting instruction card, you can vote
by completing and returning the voting instruction card. Please
be sure to mark your voting choices on your voting instruction card
before you return it. You may also be able to vote by
telephone, via the Internet, or at the Annual Meeting, depending
upon your voting instructions. Please refer to the instructions
provided with your voting instruction card and see “What do I need
to do to attend the Annual Meeting virtually?” below for
information about voting in these ways. See also “What is the
effect if I fail to give voting instructions to my broker or other
nominee?” below.
Q: What do I need to do to attend the Annual Meeting
virtually?
A:
In order to attend our 2022 Annual Meeting live via the Internet,
you must register at http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022 by
11:59 p.m. EDT on May 30, 2022, using your Virtual
Control Number that was included in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received
a printed copy of the proxy materials). If you hold your shares
beneficially through a bank or broker, you must provide a legal
proxy from your bank or broker during registration and you will be
assigned a Virtual Control Number in order to vote your shares
during the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to obtain a legal
proxy to vote your shares, you will still be able to attend the
Annual Meeting (but will not be able to vote your shares) so long
as you demonstrate proof of stock ownership. Instructions on how to
connect and participate via the Internet, including how to
demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at
www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022.
On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you have properly registered,
you may enter the Annual Meeting at
http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022/VM by logging in using the
password you received via e-mail in your registration confirmation.
You are entitled to attend our Annual Meeting only if you were a
stockholder as of the Record Date.
Q: Will I have the same participation rights in this
virtual-only stockholder meeting as I would have at an in-person
stockholder meeting?
A:
Yes. If you register to attend, and attend, the Annual Meeting
pursuant to the instructions above, you will be able to vote online
during the Annual Meeting, change a vote you may have submitted
previously, or ask questions online that will be reviewed and
answered by the speakers. We have created and implemented the
virtual format to facilitate stockholder attendance and
participation by enabling stockholders to participate fully from
any location, at no cost. You will, however, bear any costs
associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from
Internet access providers and telephone companies. A virtual Annual
Meeting makes it possible for more stockholders, regardless of
size, resources or physical location, to have direct access to
information more quickly, while saving the Company and our
stockholders time and money. We also believe that the online tools
we have selected will increase stockholder communication. Both
stockholders of record and street name stockholders will be able to
attend the Annual Meeting via live audio webcast, submit their
questions during the meeting and vote their shares electronically
at the Annual Meeting.
Technical
Difficulties: There will be technicians ready to assist
you with any technical difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting
live audio webcast. Please be sure to check in by 9:45
a.m. EDT on June 2, 2022, (15 minutes prior to the start
of the meeting is recommended), so that any technical difficulties
may be addressed before the Annual Meeting live audio webcast
begins. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the webcast
during the check-in or meeting time, please email
VirtualMeeting@viewproxy.com or call 866-612-8937.
Q: What is a proxy?
A:
A proxy is a person you appoint to vote on your behalf. By using
any of the methods discussed above, you will be appointing as your
proxies Maria Maccecchini and Jeffrey McGroarty. They may act
together or individually on your behalf and will have the authority
to appoint a substitute to act as proxy. Whether or not you expect
to attend the Annual Meeting, we request that you please use the
means available to you to vote by proxy so as to ensure that your
shares of common stock may be voted.
Q: What is the effect if I fail to give voting instructions to
my broker or other nominee?
A:
If your shares are held by a broker or other nominee, you
must provide your broker or nominee with instructions on how
to vote your shares for Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 in order for your
shares to be counted. If you hold your shares in one of these ways,
you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street
name, and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your
broker, bank or other nominee who is considered, with respect to
those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner,
you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on
how to vote your shares. If you hold your shares in street name,
your broker, bank or other nominee has enclosed a voting
instruction card for you to use in directing your broker, bank or
other nominee in how to vote your shares. We encourage you to
provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other
nominee.
Brokers, banks or other nominees that are member firms of the New
York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and who hold shares in street name for
customers have the discretion to vote those shares with respect to
certain matters if they have not received instructions from the
beneficial owners. Brokers, banks or other nominees will have this
discretionary authority with respect to routine matters such as the
ratification of the appointment of our independent registered
public accounting firm; however, they will not have this
discretionary authority with respect to non-routine matters,
including the election of directors. With respect to non-routine
matters, if beneficial owners do not provide voting instructions,
these are called “broker non-votes.”
In the event of a broker non-vote, such beneficial owners’ shares
will be included in determining whether a quorum is present, but
otherwise will not be counted. In addition, abstentions will be
included in determining whether a quorum is present but otherwise
will not be counted. Thus, a broker non-vote or an abstention will
make a quorum more readily obtainable, but a broker non-vote or an
abstention will not otherwise affect the outcome of a vote on a
proposal that requires a plurality of the votes cast, and a broker
non-vote will not otherwise affect the outcome of a vote on a
proposal that requires a majority of the votes cast. An abstention
with respect to a proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote will, however, have the same effect as a vote against the
proposal. See “What vote is required to approve each proposal?”
below.
We encourage you to provide voting instructions to the organization
that holds your shares.
Q: What if I want to change my vote or revoke my proxy?
A:
A registered stockholder may change his or her vote or revoke his
or her proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by
(i) going to www.AALvote.com/ANVS and log in using your
Virtual Control Number that was included in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials, (ii) attending and voting at
the Annual Meeting, or (iii) submitting a later dated proxy
card. We will count your vote in accordance with the last
instructions we receive from you prior to the closing of the polls,
whether your instructions are received by mail or at the Annual
Meeting. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other
nominee and wish to change your vote, you must follow the
procedures required by your nominee.
Q: What is a quorum?
A:
The holders of one-third of the 8,163,923 shares of common stock
outstanding as of the Record Date, either present or represented by
proxy, constitutes a quorum. A quorum is necessary in order to
conduct the Annual Meeting. If you choose to have your shares
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, you will be considered
part of the quorum. Broker non-votes and abstentions will be
counted as present for the purpose of establishing a quorum. If a
quorum is not present by attendance the Annual Meeting or
represented by proxy, the stockholders present by attendance at the
meeting or by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting until a quorum
is present. If an adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, we will provide
notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Q: What vote is required to approve each proposal?
A:
Election of directors: A plurality of the votes
cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of
directors. This means that the five director nominees with the most
votes for a particular director seat are elected to that seat. You
may choose to vote or withhold your vote for such nominees. A
properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD” with respect to the
election of a director will not be voted with respect to the
director indicated and will have no impact on the election of
directors, although it will be counted for the purposes of
determining whether there is a quorum.
Ratification of our independent registered public accounting
firm: A majority of the shares of stock that are
present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting must be voted in favor of the proposal. A properly executed
proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to the proposal will not be
voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining the
number of shares of common stock present or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote. Accordingly, if you choose to “ABSTAIN” with
respect to either proposal, your abstention has the same effect as
a vote “AGAINST.”
Q: What if additional proposals are presented at the Annual
Meeting?
A:
We do not intend to bring any other matter for a vote at the Annual
Meeting, and we do not know of anyone else who intends to do so.
However, with respect to any other business that properly comes
before the Annual Meeting, your proxies are authorized to vote on
your behalf using their judgment.
Q: Do the directors and officers of the Company have an interest
in the outcome of the matters to be voted on?
A:
Our directors and officers will not receive any special benefit as
a result of the outcome of the matters to be voted on, except that
our directors will receive compensation for such service as
described later in this Proxy Statement under the heading
“Executive and Director Compensation.”
Q: How many shares do the directors and officers of the Company
beneficially own, and how do they plan to vote their
shares?
A:
Directors and executive officers, who, as of the Record Date, had
beneficial ownership (or had the right to acquire beneficial
ownership within 60 days following the Record Date) of
approximately 39.5% of our outstanding common stock, are expected
to vote, or direct the voting of their shares, in favor of the
election of the five director nominees set forth in this Proxy
Statement, and in favor of the ratification of the selection of
WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022.
Q: Who will count the votes?
A:
Alliance Advisors will count the votes cast by proxy. A
representative of Alliance Advisors will count the votes cast at
the Annual Meeting and will serve as the inspector of election.
Q: Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
A:
All stockholders as of the Record Date are invited to attend the
Annual Meeting.
Q: Are there any expenses associated with collecting the
stockholder votes?
A:
We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for
forwarding proxy and other materials to our stockholders. In
addition, we have engaged Alliance Advisors, to assist in
soliciting proxies. We will pay the costs of soliciting proxies,
including a fee of approximately $19,715 to Alliance Advisors for
its services in serving as Inspector of Elections, hosting and
coordinating the virtual meeting, etc. We will also reimburse
Alliance Advisors for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Officers and other employees of the Company may solicit proxies in
person or by telephone but will receive no special compensation for
doing so.
Q: Where can you find the voting results?
A:
Voting results will be reported in a Current Report on
Form 8-K, which we will file with the SEC within four business
days following the Annual Meeting.
Q: Who is our independent registered public accounting firm, and
will they be represented at the Annual Meeting?
A:
WithumSmith+Brown, PC served as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
and audited our financial statements for such fiscal year.
WithumSmith+Brown, PC has been selected by our Audit Committee to
serve in the same role and to provide the same services for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. We expect that one or
more representatives of WithumSmith+Brown, PC will be present at
the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a
statement, if they desire, and will be available to answer
appropriate questions at the end of the Annual Meeting.
Q: Why are you being asked to ratify the selection of
WithumSmith+Brown, PC?
A:
Although stockholder approval of our Audit Committee’s selection of
WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public
accounting firm is not required, we believe that it is advisable to
give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this selection. If this
proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee
has agreed to reconsider its selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC,
but will not be required to take any action.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board currently consists of five members. Upon election of the
nominees for director below at the Annual Meeting, our Board will
continue to consist of five members. Biographical information
regarding the business experience of each of our directors and the
primary aspects of each of our directors’ experience,
qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion
that each of our directors should serve on our Board is set forth
below:
Name |
|
Director Since |
|
|
Age |
|
|
Independent |
|
|
Position |
|
|
Audit |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Nominating |
|
Michael Hoffman |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
Chairman
of the Board |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
Maria Maccecchini |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Founder,
President, CEO and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claudine Bruck |
|
|
2015 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
√ |
|
Reid
McCarthy |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
White |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
|
|
√ |
|
Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors for a Term
Expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting
Michael B. Hoffman
Mr. Hoffman has served as Chairman of the Board and a member
of our Board since 2014. Since 2018, he has been the Founder and
Partner at Stone Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on
renewable energy. From 2003 to 2018, Mr. Hoffman was a Partner
of Riverstone Holdings LLC, or Riverstone, where he was
principally responsible for investments in power and renewable
energy. Before joining Riverstone, Mr. Hoffman was senior
managing director and head of the mergers and acquisitions advisory
business of The Blackstone Group L.P., or Blackstone, where he
also served on the firm’s principal group investment committee as
well as its executive committee. Prior to joining Blackstone,
Mr. Hoffman was managing director and co-head of the mergers
and acquisitions department at Smith Barney, Harris
Upham & Co. Mr. Hoffman is currently President
of Northern Genesis III. His non-profit board affiliations include
Rockefeller University. Mr. Hoffman received his Bachelor’s
and Master’s Degrees from Northwestern University and his M.B.A.
from the Harvard Business School. We believe Mr. Hoffman’s
investment and transactional experience, including as director of
other life sciences companies, qualifies him to serve on our
Board.
Maria L. Maccecchini Ph.D.
Dr. Maccecchini founded Annovis and has served as President
and CEO and as a director since May 2008. She has over
30 years of experience in neuroscience and the workings of the
brain. She was partner and director of two angel groups, Robin Hood
Ventures, from 2002 to 2009, and MidAtlantic Angel Group, from 2005
to 2009. In 1992, she founded and became chief executive officer of
Symphony Pharmaceuticals/Annovis, a biotech company, which was sold
in 2001 to Transgenomic. Prior to that, from 1987 to 1991 she was
General Manager of Bachem Bioscience, the US subsidiary of Bachem
AG, Switzerland and Head of Molecular Biology at Mallinckrodt.
Dr. Maccecchini conducted post-doctoral research at Caltech
and the Roche Institute of Immunology. She earned a Ph.D. in
biochemistry is from the Biocenter of Basel with a two-year
visiting fellowship at The Rockefeller University.
Dr. Maccecchini serves on several boards of biotechnology
companies, organizations that promote entrepreneurship,
international trade, women and charitable organizations. She has
been a lecturer at Wharton Business School since 2016. We believe
that Dr. Maccecchini’s experience in the life science
industry, including as principal executive officer and manager of
companies in the pharmaceutical development business, qualifies her
to serve as our President, CEO and a director.
Claudine E. Bruck Ph.D.
Dr. Bruck has served as a member of our Board since 2015.
Dr. Bruck is co-founder and has served as Chief Executive
Officer of Prolifagen LLC, a start-up company developing a
microRNA-based medicine for tissue regeneration, since
June 2016. She is also a course Director at University of
Pennsylvania’s Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
and formerly a VP of Research for SAPVAC LLC, a BioMotiv LLC
company. Dr. Bruck joined GlaxoSmithKline, or GSK, to build
GSK’s HIV vaccine program in 1985. In her role in GSK’s vaccine
group, Dr. Bruck was instrumental in the development of GSK’s
HPV vaccine (Cervarix) and headed their cancer vaccine program from
inception to Phase 2 before joining the drug discovery group
of GSK. She held several roles in the drug discovery group, from
Head of Clinical Immunology (2004-2005) to VP and Head of Biology
for the Center of Excellence for External Drug Discovery
(2005-2008), to VP and Head of a newly formed Ophthalmology R&D
group (2008-2015). Dr. Bruck is a former member of the board
of directors of Navidea, Inc. and currently serves as a member
of the board of directors of Ophidion, Inc. Dr. Bruck has
a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Brussels. She was a
post-doctoral student at Harvard University Medical School and an
Assistant Professor at Tufts Medical School. We believe
Dr. Bruck’s experience and training in the pharmaceutical
industry and serving as an executive and director of companies in
the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, qualifies her to
serve on our Board.
Reid S. McCarthy
Mr. McCarthy has served as a member of our Board since
April 2021. He is experienced in corporate financial
management, operating management, and new venture development. A
specialist in bank, bond, and equity financings, Mr. McCarthy
retired after serving from 2016 to 2019 as CFO of JJ
Haines & Company, Inc., a $400 million revenue
distribution company operating internationally. Prior to that,
Mr. McCarthy provided consulting Chief Financial Officer
services to several life sciences companies since 2011. Prior to
his service as a consulting CFO, Mr. McCarthy served as Chief
Financial Officer of Topaz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2007 to
2011. Mr. McCarthy arranged over $34 million in capital
investment to fund the development and FDA approval of this
company’s therapeutic product. Mr. McCarthy and his colleagues
successfully sold the company in late 2011 to Sanofi Pasteur, an
international pharmaceuticals company. From 1993 to 2007
Mr. McCarthy served as a founding executive of several venture
capital-backed companies operating in the senior real estate,
bio-metric technology, and agribusiness industries, all of which
were successfully sold. Mr. McCarthy's past positions include
Vice President of Financing for Trinity Capital Corporation,
Director-Project Financing for ASEA Brown Boveri, Inc., and
officer positions with New York-based money center banks, including
J.P. Morgan Chase. Mr. McCarthy holds an undergraduate degree
in international relations from the University of New Hampshire and
an MBA in international finance from New York University.
Mark White
Mr. White has served as a member of our Board since 2016. He
is a consultant specializing in new product commercialization,
marketing, business development and strategy and a partner in Robin
Hood Ventures and Seedfunders, two angel investor groups that
provide capital and mentoring to early stage, high growth
companies. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. White served as chief
executive officer of Neurokine Therapeutics, an early-stage
biopharma company focused on neurodegenerative disorders. From 2002
to 2014 he served as a vice president and senior director in
Pfizer’s worldwide marketing group and led the
Inflammation/Immunology and CNS/Pain Therapeutic areas.
Mr. White led some of Pfizer’s most successful global product
launches including Lyrica and Xeljanz, as well as global marketing
for Enbrel and Celebrex. Before Pfizer, Mr. White was senior
director, marketing and business development with Bracco
Diagnostics, a diagnostic pharmaceutical business with radiology
and cardiology applications, and earlier in his career, he worked
for Abbott, Bayer and Ortho-McNeil, in sales and marketing roles of
increasing responsibility. Mr. White received
his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Missouri
and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of
Business. We believe Mr. White’s experience as a business
consultant and his service as an executive of companies in the
pharmaceutical industry qualifies him to serve on our Board.
Corporate Governance and Board Matters
Our Board is responsible for the supervision of our overall
affairs. Our Board has established three standing committees: Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”). The Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee operate
under charters adopted by the Board that govern their
responsibilities. Copies of each of these charters and our Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics can be obtained free of charge from the
Company’s website, www.annovisbio.com, or by contacting the Company
at the attention of the Secretary at our offices at Annovis
Bio, Inc., 1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300, Berwyn,
Pennsylvania 19312. All references to our website address are
intended to be inactive textual references only and do not
constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained
at or available through our website.
Leadership Structure
The Company seeks to maintain an appropriate balance between
management and the Board. Our Board does not have a policy
regarding the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer. Our Board believes that it is
important to retain the flexibility to combine or separate the
responsibilities of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, as from time to time it may be in the best
interests of the Company.
Executive Sessions of the Board
The Board meets periodically, and at least annually, in executive
session without those directors who are also executive officers of
the Company and any other members of management of the Company.
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that Michael Hoffman, Claudine Bruck, Reid
McCarthy and Mark White are independent within the meaning of
Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and
Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, that Claudine Bruck, Reid McCarthy and Mark White meet the
additional test for independence for audit committee members
imposed by SEC regulations and Section 303A.07(a) of the
NYSE Listed Company Manual and that Michael Hoffman and Mark White
meet the additional test for independence for compensation
committee members imposed by Section 303A.05(a) of the
NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Board is responsible for ensuring
that independent directors do not have a material relationship with
us or any of our affiliates or any of our executive officers or his
or her affiliates.
Removal and Appointment of Directors
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that a director
may be removed with or without cause by the holders of at least a
majority of the voting power of the shares then entitled to vote at
an election of directors. Under such certificate of incorporation
and bylaws, any vacancy on our Board, including a vacancy resulting
from an enlargement of our Board, may be filled only by the vote of
a majority of our directors then in office. Furthermore, such
certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized number of
directors may be changed only by a resolution adopted by the
majority of our Board.
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
One of the key functions of our Board is informed oversight of our
risk management process. Our Board does not have a standing risk
management committee, but rather administers this oversight
function directly through our Board as a whole, as well as through
various standing committees of our Board that address risks
inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our
Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk
exposure and our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider
and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our
management has taken to monitor and control these exposures,
including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which
risk assessment and management is undertaken. Our Audit Committee
also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Our Nominating Committee monitors the effectiveness of our
corporate governance practices, including whether they are
successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating
conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether
any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to
encourage excessive risk-taking. While each committee is
responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the
management of such risks, our entire Board is regularly informed
through committee reports about such risks.
Management regularly reports on any potential material risks to the
Company at each Board meeting. Management reports regularly to the
full Board, which also considers the Company’s risk factors. While
the Board oversees the Company’s risk management, Company
management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes.
We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective
approach for addressing the risks facing our Company and that our
Board leadership structure supports this approach.
Board Committees
During 2021, our Audit Committee consisted of Claudine Bruck, Reid
McCarthy and Mark White, with Reid McCarthy serving as chair. Our
Compensation Committee consisted of Michael Hoffman and Mark White,
with Michael Hoffman serving as chair. Our Nominating Committee
consisted of Claudine Bruck and Mark White, with Claudine Bruck
serving as chair. In compliance with the NYSE Listed Company
Manual, all of the members of our Audit, Compensation and
Nominating Committees are independent. For the current composition
of each of our Board committees, please see the table above under
“BOARD OF DIRECTORS”.
Audit Committee
The primary purpose of our Audit Committee is to assist the Board
in the oversight of the integrity of our accounting and financial
reporting process, the audits of our financial statements, and our
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The functions of
our Audit Committee include, among other things:
|
• |
appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the
independence of our registered public accounting firm; |
|
• |
overseeing the work of our registered public accounting firm,
including through the receipt and consideration of reports from
such firm; |
|
• |
reviewing and discussing with management and the registered
public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial
statements and related disclosures; |
|
• |
coordinating our Board’s oversight of our internal control over
financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; |
|
• |
discussing our risk management policies; |
|
• |
meeting independently with our internal auditing staff, if any,
registered public accounting firm and management; |
|
• |
reviewing and approving or ratifying any related person
transactions; |
|
• |
establishing procedures for the treatment of complaints
received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls
or auditing matters and confidential submissions by our employees
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters; |
|
• |
establishing procedures for the treatment of complaints
received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls
or auditing matters and confidential submissions by our employees
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters; |
|
• |
preparing the audit committee report required by SEC rules;
and |
|
• |
reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, our Audit
Committee’s charter. |
The financial literacy requirements of the SEC require that each
member of our Audit Committee be able to read and understand
fundamental financial statements. In addition, at least one member
of our Audit Committee is qualified as an audit committee financial
expert, as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K, and
has financial sophistication in accordance with the NYSE Listed
Company Manual. Our Board has determined that Reid McCarthy
qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. For the relevant
experience of Mr. McCarthy that qualifies him as an audit
committee financial expert, please see his biographical information
under “Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors for a Term
Expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting.”
Our Audit Committee met five times during our fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021.
For information on audit fees, see “Proposal 2: Ratification of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Compensation Committee
The primary purpose of our Compensation Committee is to assist our
Board in exercising its responsibilities relating to compensation
of our executive officers and employees and to administer our
equity compensation and other benefit plans. In carrying out these
responsibilities, this committee reviews all components of
executive officer and employee compensation for consistency with
its compensation philosophy, as in effect from time to time. The
functions of our Compensation Committee include, among other
things:
|
• |
reviewing and approving, or recommending for approval by the
Board, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our
Chief Financial Officer; |
|
• |
overseeing and administering our cash and equity incentive
plans; |
|
• |
reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect
to director compensation; |
|
• |
engaging compensation consultants or other advisors it deems
appropriate to assist with its duties; |
|
• |
reviewing and discussing annually with management our
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” to the extent required; |
|
• |
preparing the annual compensation committee report required by
SEC rules, to the extent required; and |
|
• |
reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, our Compensation
Committee’s charter. |
Our Compensation Committee met three times during our fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021.
Nominating Committee
The primary purpose of our Nominating Committee is to assist our
Board in promoting the best interests of the Company and our
stockholders through the implementation of sound corporate
governance principles and practices. The functions of our
Nominating Committee include, among other things:
|
• |
developing, overseeing and making recommendations to the Board
regarding our corporate governance principles; |
|
• |
developing, recommending to the Board, implementing and
monitoring compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics; |
|
• |
reviewing and advising the Board on composition and minimum
director qualifications for the Board and each Board
committee; |
|
• |
identifying nominees for election to the Board, consistent with
the qualifications and criteria approved by the Board and
recommending to the Board the director nominees for the next annual
meeting of stockholders; |
|
• |
developing a self-evaluation process of the Board’s
effectiveness and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and each
Board committee; and |
|
• |
reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, our Nominating
Committee’s charter. |
While the Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity
policy, the Nominating Committee recommends candidates based upon
many factors, including the diversity of their business or
professional experience, the diversity of their background and
their array of talents and perspectives. We believe that the
Nominating Committee’s existing nominations process is designed to
identify the best possible nominees for the Board, regardless of
the nominee’s gender, racial background, religion or ethnicity. The
Nominating Committee identifies candidates through a variety of
means, including recommendations from members of the Board and
suggestions from our management including our Chief Executive
Officer. In addition, the Nominating Committee considers candidates
recommended by third parties, including stockholders. The
Nominating Committee gives the same consideration to candidates
recommended by stockholders as those candidates recommended by
members of our Board. Stockholders wishing to recommend director
candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee may do so
by writing to our Secretary and giving the recommended candidate’s
name, biographical data and qualifications. Nominees should have a
reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical
standards, should have demonstrated business acumen, experience and
ability to exercise sound judgments in matters that relate to the
current and long-term objectives of the Company, should be willing
and able to contribute positively to the decision-making process of
the Company, should have a commitment to understand the Company and
its industry and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of
the Board and its committees, should have the interest and ability
to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the various
constituencies of the Company, which include stockholders,
employees, customers, governmental units, creditors and the general
public, and to act in the interests of all stockholders, should not
have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair
the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of all the
Company’s stockholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a
director. Nominees shall not be discriminated against on the basis
of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,
disability or any other basis proscribed by law. The value of
diversity on the Board should be considered.
Our Nominating Committee met two times during our fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
During 2021, our Compensation Committee consisted of Michael
Hoffman and Mark White, with Michael Hoffman serving as chair.
During 2021 and as of the date of this Proxy Statement, no member
of our Compensation Committee has ever been an executive officer or
employee of ours and no executive officer of the Company currently
serves, or has served during the last completed year, on the board
of directors, compensation committee or other committee serving an
equivalent function, of any other entity that has one or more
officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation
Committee.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
Stockholders who wish to communicate directly with the Board, or
with a particular director, may send a letter addressed to our
Secretary at Annovis Bio, Inc., 1055 Westlakes Drive,
Suite 300, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312. The mailing envelope
must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter
is a “Stockholder Board Communication” or “Stockholder Director
Communication.” All such letters must identify the author as a
stockholder and clearly state whether the intended recipients are
all members of the Board or just certain specified individual
directors. The Secretary will make copies of all such letters and
circulate them to the directors addressed. If a stockholder wishes
the communication to be confidential, such stockholder must clearly
indicate on the envelope that the communication is “confidential.”
The Secretary will then forward such communication, unopened, to
the directors, or director, specified on the envelope, or if none,
to the Chairman of the Board.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
applicable to all of our directors, executive officers and
employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics outlines the
principles, policies and laws that govern our activities and
establishes guidelines for conduct in the workplace. Every
director, executive officer and employee is required to read the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics annually. The Nominating
Committee of our Board is responsible for overseeing the Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and must approve any waivers of the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for directors, executive
officers or employees. We expect that any amendments to the Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics, or any waivers of its requirements,
will be disclosed on our website at www.annovisbio.com.
Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons
The Board has adopted a Related Person Transactions Policy that
charges the Audit Committee with the responsibility of reviewing
and approving or ratifying any related person transaction. The
Audit Committee reviews related-party transactions for potential
conflicts of interests or other improprieties. Under SEC rules,
related person transactions are those transactions or series of
related transactions to which we are or may be a party in which the
amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any of our directors
or executive officers or any other related person had or will have
a direct or indirect material interest, excluding, among other
things, compensation arrangements with respect to employment and
board membership. Our Audit Committee could approve a related
person transaction if it determines that the transaction is in our
best interests. Our directors are required to disclose to the Audit
Committee or the full Board any potential conflict of interest, or
personal interest in a transaction that our Board is considering.
Our executive officers are required to disclose any related person
transaction to the Audit Committee. We also poll our directors on
an annual basis with respect to related person transactions and
their service as an officer or director of other entities. Any
director involved in a related person transaction that is being
reviewed or approved must recuse himself or herself from
participation in any related deliberation or decision. Whenever
possible, the transaction should be approved in advance and if not
approved in advance, must be submitted for ratification as promptly
as practical.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board assists the Board in performing
its oversight responsibilities for our financial reporting process
and audit process as more fully described in the Audit Committee’s
charter. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process. Our independent
registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an
independent audit of our financial statements in accordance with
the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), or the PCAOB, and to issue a report
thereon.
In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee
has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2021 with management and with our
independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the
Audit Committee has discussed the matters required to be discussed
by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with
Audit Committees, which includes, among other items, matters
related to the conduct of the audit of our financial statements,
with WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2021. The
Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written
disclosures and the letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC required by
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Ethics and
Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees
Concerning Independence (which relates to the independent
registered public accounting firm’s independence from us) and has
discussed with WithumSmith+Brown, PC their independence from us. We
also considered whether any non-audit services provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm are compatible with
maintaining its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referenced above, the Audit
Committee recommended to our Board that our audited financial
statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2021.
Audit Committee: Claudine Bruck, Mark White, and Reid McCarthy,
Chair
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee does not constitute
soliciting material and shall not be deemed filed, incorporated by
reference into or a part of any other filing by the Company
(including any future filings) under the Securities Act or the
Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company
specifically incorporates such report by reference therein.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information known to us
regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of
April 6, 2022 (except where otherwise noted) by:
|
• |
each stockholder known by the Company to own beneficially more
than 5% of our common stock; |
|
• |
each of our named executive officers (as that term is defined
later in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive and
Director Compensation”); |
|
• |
each of our directors; and |
|
• |
all directors and executive officers as a group. |
Percentage ownership in the following table is based on 8,163,923
shares of common stock outstanding as of April 6, 2022. We
have determined beneficial ownership in the table in accordance
with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares
beneficially owned by any person or group of persons and the
percentage ownership of that person or group, shares of common
stock that may be acquired within 60 days of April 6, 2022
subject to options or other rights held by such person, are deemed
to be beneficially owned by such person and outstanding for the
calculation of such person’s percentage ownership. These shares are
not considered to be outstanding for computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise noted, the address
of all listed stockholders is c/o Annovis Bio, Inc., 1055
Westlakes Drive, Suite 300, Berwyn, PA 19312. To our
knowledge, each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common
stock shown as beneficially owned by such stockholder unless noted
otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares Beneficially
Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
% of Shares Outstanding |
|
Michael Hoffman |
|
|
1,419,095 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
17.4 |
% |
Maria
Maccecchini |
|
|
1,612,146 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
18.3 |
% |
Claudine Bruck |
|
|
60,706 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
* |
|
Reid
McCarthy |
|
|
9,329 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
* |
|
Mark
White |
|
|
100,103 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
1.2 |
% |
Jeffrey McGroarty |
|
|
474,579 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
5.5 |
% |
All executive officers and directors as a group (6
persons)
|
|
|
3,675,958 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
39.5 |
% |
Other beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Denotes beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
(1) Includes 2,812 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(2) Includes 624,412 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(3) Includes 54,639 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(4) Includes 2,500 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(5) Includes 43,926 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(6) Includes 421,746 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
(7) Includes 1,150,035 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 6, 2022.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following are biographical summaries of our executive officers
and their ages:
Name |
|
Age |
|
|
Position |
Maria Maccecchini |
|
|
71 |
|
|
Founder, President, CEO and Director |
Jeffrey McGroarty |
|
|
52 |
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
Jeffrey McGroarty
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. McGroarty has been our Chief Financial Officer since
April 2019. Prior to joining Annovis, Mr. McGroarty
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. from 2013 to 2018.
Mr. McGroarty joined Safeguard Scientifics in 2005 as Vice
President and Corporate Controller and subsequently became Vice
President—Finance and Corporate Controller and served as Senior
Vice President—Finance from 2012 to 2013. Mr. McGroarty served
as Interim Controller of Cephalon, Inc. in 2005; Vice
President-Financial Planning & Analysis and previously
Assistant Controller at Exide Technologies from 2002 to 2005; and,
previously, with PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1991 to 2001.
Mr. McGroarty earned his Bachelor’s degree from The
Pennsylvania State University and his MBA from The Wharton School
of The University of Pennsylvania.
Information about our President and Chief Executive Officer, Maria
Maccecchini, is included under the caption “Board of
Directors.”
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the
compensation of our named executive officers for the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Name
and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary
($) |
|
|
Option
Awards
($) |
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) |
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)(1) |
|
|
Total
($) |
|
Maria
Maccecchini |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
510,000 |
|
|
|
7,794,537 |
|
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
11,600 |
|
|
|
8,586,137 |
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
|
|
594,232 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,224,232 |
|
Jeffrey
McGroarty |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
4,503,084 |
|
|
|
148,500 |
|
|
|
11,600 |
|
|
|
4,978,184 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
594,232 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,044,232 |
|
(1) Represents matching contributions under the Company’s
401(k) retirement plan.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with our named executive
officers, which include provisions regarding post termination
compensation. We do not have a formal severance policy or plan
applicable to our executive officers as a group. The following
summaries of the employment agreements are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the text of the employment agreements, as
amended, which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report.
Maccecchini Employment Agreement
We
entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with
Dr. Maccecchini dated as of May 10, 2019. On
March 24, 2020, we entered into a second amended and restated
employment agreement with Dr. Maccecchini.
Dr. Maccecchini's employment agreement includes a base salary,
subject to annual review and an annual performance bonus in an
amount up to 50.0% of base salary based on the achievement of
certain performance goals established by our board of directors
(the “Board”), and such bonus may be paid in cash or equity as
determined by the Board. In accordance with the employment
agreement, Dr. Maccecchini was granted the following
equity-based awards:
|
• |
on April 9, 2020, 300,000 options, all
such options vested upon grant; |
|
• |
on December 6, 2021, 112,995 options,
all such options vested upon grant; |
|
• |
on December 6, 2021, 145,305 options,
of which 72,653 vested on March 31, 2022 and 72,652 vest on
March 31, 2023; and |
|
• |
on January 3, 2022, 19,894 options, of
which 9,947 vested on March 31, 2022 and 9,947 vest on
March 31, 2023. |
The employment agreement has a term commencing on the date thereof
and continuing until terminated (i) upon death or disability,
(ii) for cause, (iii) with good reason or without cause,
or (iv) voluntarily. Upon a termination of
Dr. Maccecchini's employment by us without cause or a
resignation by Dr. Maccecchini for good reason,
Dr. Maccecchini is eligible to receive a continuation of her
base salary for twelve months, with such amount payable in a lump
sum payment upon a change in control, as defined in the employment
agreement, subject to her execution and delivery of a general
release of claims. If such termination occurs upon or within
twelve months after a change of control, Dr. Maccecchini will
also be entitled to receive an amount equal to the projected target
amount of her annual bonus for the calendar year in which her
employment termination occurs payable in a single lump sum. Upon
such termination, Dr. Maccecchini is also eligible to receive
reimbursement for the medical insurance premiums at the same level
as was in effect on the termination date until the earlier of
(1) the end of such 12-month period or (2) the date she
becomes eligible for medical benefits through another employer.
McGroarty Employment Agreement
Mr. McGroarty
was appointed our Chief Financial Officer in April 2019 and
worked as a consultant through the effective date of his employment
agreement. On March 24, 2020, we entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. McGroarty. Mr. McGroarty’s
employment agreement includes a base salary, subject to annual
review and an annual performance bonus in an amount up to 50.0% of
base salary based on the achievement of certain performance goals
established by our board of directors (the “Board”), and such bonus
may be paid in cash or equity as determined by the Board. In
accordance with the employment agreement, Mr. McGroarty was
granted the following equity-based awards:
|
• |
on April 9, 2020, 300,000 options, of
which 250,000 vested upon grant and 50,000 vested on April 30,
2021; |
|
• |
on December 6, 2021, 30,396 options,
all such options vested upon grant; and |
|
• |
on December 6, 2021, 165,199 options,
of which 82,600 vested on March 31, 2022, and 82,599 vest on
March 31, 2023. |
The employment agreement has a term commencing on the date thereof
and continuing until terminated (i) upon death or disability,
(ii) for cause, (iii) with good reason or without cause,
or (iv) voluntarily. Upon a termination of
Mr. McGroarty’s employment by us without cause or a
resignation by Mr. McGroarty for good reason,
Mr. McGroarty is eligible to receive a continuation of his
base salary for twelve months, with such amount payable in a lump
sum payment upon a change in control, as defined in the employment
agreement, subject to his execution and delivery of a general
release of claims. If such termination occurs upon or within
twelve months after a change of control, Mr. McGroarty will
also be entitled to receive an amount equal to seventy-five percent
of the projected target amount of his annual bonus for the calendar
year in which his employment termination occurs payable in a single
lump sum. Upon such termination, Mr. McGroarty is also
eligible to receive reimbursement for the medical insurance
premiums at the same level as was in effect on the termination date
until the earlier of (1) the end of such 12-month period or
(2) the date he becomes eligible for medical benefits through
another employer.
Base Salaries
Annual base salaries are intended to provide a fixed component of
compensation to our named executive officers, reflecting their
skill sets, experience, roles and responsibilities, and are
typically reviewed on an annual basis. Base salaries for our named
executive officers have generally been set at levels deemed
necessary to attract and retain individuals with superior talent
and were set based on feedback from our compensation
consultant.
Effective July 1, 2021, the Board increased the base salary of
Dr. Maccecchini from $420,000 to $600,000 and the base salary
of Mr. McGroarty from $300,000 to $330,000. On January 1,
2022, the Board increased the base salaries of Dr. Maccecchini
and Mr. McGroarty to $636,000 and $350,000, respectively.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
Our
Board determined that each of our named executive officers achieved
90% of the performance goals established for 2021 and were paid
an annual performance bonus in an amount of 45.0% of base
salary. Our Board determined that each of our named executive
officers achieved 100% of the performance goals established for
2020 and were paid an annual performance bonus in an amount of
50.0% of base salary.
Equity Compensation
Equity compensation includes stock option grants and other types of
equity awards within the terms of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
(the “Plan”). The aggregate number of shares of our common stock
that may be issued pursuant to awards under the Plan is 2,000,000
shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be subject
to grants to any individual in any calendar year is 300,000 shares.
Under the Plan we may grant stock options, stock awards, stock
units, stock appreciation rights or other equity awards.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, our Board may at
any time amend any or all of the provisions of the Plan. The term
of the Plan is 10 years, unless earlier terminated by the Board or
extended by the Board with the approval of the stockholders.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock
underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named
executive officer as of December 31, 2021.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
Name |
|
Grant
Date |
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable |
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable |
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($) |
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date |
Maria Maccecchini |
|
4/1/2017 |
|
|
85,714 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
4/1/2027 |
|
|
4/6/2018 |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
4/5/2028 |
|
|
4/9/2020 |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3.13 |
|
|
4/9/2030 |
|
|
7/7/2021 |
|
|
5,212 |
|
|
|
36,488 |
(1) |
|
|
102.85 |
|
|
7/7/2031 |
|
|
12/6/2021 |
|
|
112,995 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.97 |
|
|
12/6/2031 |
|
|
12/6/2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
145,305 |
(2) |
|
|
20.97 |
|
|
12/6/2031 |
Jeffrey McGroarty |
|
4/9/2020 |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3.13 |
|
|
4/9/2030 |
|
|
7/7/2021 |
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
12,250 |
(3) |
|
|
102.85 |
|
|
7/7/2031 |
|
|
12/6/2021 |
|
|
30,396 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.97 |
|
|
12/6/2031 |
|
|
12/6/2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
165,199 |
(4) |
|
|
20.97 |
|
|
12/6/2031 |
|
(1) |
On July 7, 2021, Dr. Maccecchini
was granted 41,700 options that vest in equal installments over
eight fiscal quarters beginning on the first fiscal quarter after
the grant date. |
|
(2) |
On December 6, 2021,
Dr. Maccecchini was granted 145,305 options, of which 72,653
vested on March 31, 2022 and 72,652 vest on March 31,
2023. |
|
(3) |
On July 7, 2021, Mr. McGroarty was
granted 14,000 options that vest in equal installments over eight
fiscal quarters beginning on the first fiscal quarter after the
grant date. |
|
(4) |
On December 6, 2021, Mr. McGroarty
was granted 165,199 options, of which 82,600 vested on
March 31, 2022 and 82,599 vest on March 31, 2023. |
Other Compensation
Employee Healthcare Benefits
We offer healthcare benefits to our full-time employees through a
group health plan.
401(k) Plan
We maintain a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan for
all full-time employees. Beginning with the plan year ended
December 31, 2021, we have instituted a safe-harbor company
match of 100% on employee deferrals up to 3% of compensation, plus
50% on deferrals greater than 3% but less than or equal to 5% of
employee compensation, subject to IRS compensation limits. There
were no matching contributions made for the plan year ended
December 31, 2020.
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are also our employees do not receive compensation
for their service on our Board. Historically, our non-employee
directors have not received compensation for their service on our
Board other than awards of stock options.
During our fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, we paid only
equity compensation to our directors. The following table sets
forth information concerning compensation for services rendered by
our directors (other than our Chief Executive Officer who was also
a member of the Board) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021:
Name |
|
|
|
Year |
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1) |
|
|
Total
Compensation ($) |
Michael Hoffman |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
363,430 |
|
|
363,430 |
Reid
McCarthy |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
323,049 |
|
|
323,049 |
Mark
White |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
323,049 |
|
|
323,049 |
Claudine Bruck |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
323,049 |
|
|
323,049 |
(1) The Company granted to Mr. Hoffman 4,500 options and
to each other director 4,000 options to purchase common stock with
an exercise price of $102.85. Amounts shown in this column do not
reflect dollar amounts actually received by our directors. Instead,
these amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of each
stock option granted in 2021 determined in accordance with the
provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting
Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock
Compensation. The assumptions made in the calculation of these
amounts are included in Note 10 of the Notes to the Financial
Statements included in our Annual Report.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Since January 1, 2021, there have been no transactions, to
which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the
transaction or series of related transactions exceeded $120,000,
and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our
knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5.0% of our common stock
or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will
have a direct or indirect material interest, other than employment,
compensation, termination, indemnification and change in control
arrangements with our named executive officers, which are described
under “Executive and Director Compensation.”
Our Audit Committee is responsible for the review, approval and
ratification of related person transactions. The Audit Committee
will review these transactions under our Code of Conduct, which
will govern conflicts of interests, among other matters, and will
be applicable to our employees, officers and directors. See
“Management—Audit Committee” for additional information regarding
related-party transactions.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
Our Board consists of a number of members as established by
resolution adopted by the Board. The number of directors that
presently constitute the entire Board is five. The Board has
nominated Michael Hoffman, Maria Maccecchini, Claudine Bruck, Reid
McCarthy and Mark White for election as directors at the Annual
Meeting. Upon the adjournment of our 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the Board will be composed of five directors, whose
term expires on the election and qualification of successor
directors at our next annual meeting of stockholders or until his
or her earlier death, removal or resignation. All of the nominees
recommended by the Board are currently serving as directors, and
each nominee has consented to serve as a nominee for election to
the Board, to being named in this Proxy Statement and, if elected
by our stockholders, to serve as members of the Board until our
next annual meeting.
Listed above under the caption “Board of Directors” are the names
and biographical information of Michael Hoffman, Maria Maccecchini,
Claudine Bruck, Reid McCarthy and Mark White, the five nominees for
director. The persons designated as proxies in the accompanying
proxy card intend to vote “FOR” such nominees, unless a
contrary instruction is indicated on the proxy card. If for any
reason any nominee should become unavailable for election, the
persons designated as proxies in the proxy card may vote the proxy
for the election of another person nominated as a substitute by the
Board, if any person is so nominated. The nominees are currently
directors and have consented to be named and have agreed to serve,
if elected.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the election of Michael
Hoffman, Maria Maccecchini, Claudine Bruck, Reid McCarthy and Mark
White to the Board as directors.
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
WithumSmith+Brown, PC audited our financial statements as of and
for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Audit
Committee of our Board has selected WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2022. We are submitting our selection of
WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered public
accounting firm for ratification by our stockholders at the Annual
Meeting. We expect that one or more representatives of
WithumSmith+Brown, PC will be present at the Annual Meeting. They
will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire, and
will be available to answer appropriate questions at the end of the
Annual Meeting. The Audit Committee has the sole authority and
responsibility to select, appoint, evaluate and, where appropriate,
discharge and replace WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent
registered public accounting firm, and the selection of the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not
required to be submitted to a vote of the stockholders for
ratification. Notwithstanding the outcome of the vote by the
stockholders of the Company, the Audit Committee is not bound to
retain the independent registered public accounting firm or to
replace the independent registered public accounting firm, where,
in either case, after considering the outcome of the vote, the
Audit Committee determines its decision regarding the independent
registered public accounting firm to be in the best interests of
the Company.
WithumSmith+Brown, PC were initially appointed as our independent
public accounting firm in 2019 to audit the financial statements as
of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the two years
then-ended. The following table presents fees for professional
services by WithumSmith+Brown, PC for the audit of Annovis’
financial statements for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 and fees billed
for audit-related services, tax services and all other services for
fiscal years 2021 and 2020.
Fee Category: |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
99,096 |
|
|
$ |
94,760 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
28,840 |
|
|
|
5,356 |
|
Tax
Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
127,936 |
|
|
$ |
100,116 |
|
Audit
Fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services
rendered in connection with quarterly reviews and the audit of our
financial statements as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Audit-Related
Fees: Consists of fees billed for services rendered in
connection with the issuance of consents, comfort letters and other
regulatory compliance reports and reviews of documents filed with
the SEC.
There were no tax or other fees billed in 2021 or 2020 for any
services other than those reported above.
All of the above services were approved by the Audit Committee. In
accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, the
Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit
services provided by our independent registered public accounting
firm. On an ongoing basis, management defines and communicates
specific projects and categories of service for which the advance
approval of the Audit Committee is requested. The Audit Committee
reviews these requests and advises management if the Audit
Committee approves the engagement of our independent registered
public accounting firm for such services.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the
selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2022.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND
DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2023
ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholders intending to present proposals at our Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held in 2023 and intending to have such
proposals included in our next proxy statement must send their
proposals to our Secretary, in writing, at Annovis Bio, Inc.,
1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312,
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act for
inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our 2023
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and must be received by us not
earlier than December 19, 2022 and not later than
January 18, 2023. If, however, the date of our 2023 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders will be on or before May 3, 2023 or on
or after July 2, 2023, then notice by the stockholder to be
timely must be so received 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 the 90th day prior to such
annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The dates
referenced below with respect to proposing an item of business at
our 2023 Annual Meeting will not affect any rights of stockholders
to request inclusion of proposals in our proxy statement pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.
In addition, under our bylaws, a stockholder of record on the date
of the giving of the written notice to introduce a nomination or to
propose an item of business must follow certain procedures to
nominate persons for election as directors or to introduce an item
of business at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders. These procedures
provide that a nomination for director nominee(s) and/or an
item of business to be introduced at an Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must be in writing and received by our Secretary at
our offices at Annovis Bio, Inc., 1055 Westlakes Drive,
Suite 300, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312. We must receive written
notice of your intention to introduce a nomination or to propose an
item of business at our 2022 Annual Meeting:
|
• |
no earlier than December 19, 2022;
and |
|
• |
no later than January 18, 2023; or |
|
• |
if the 2023 Annual Meeting will be held be
on or before May 3, 2023 or on or after July 2, 2023,
then no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior
to the 2023 Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business
on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to the 2023 Annual
Meeting and (B) the 10th day following the day on which notice
of the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting was mailed or public
disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever
first occurs; or (ii) in the case of an election of directors
at a special meeting of stockholders, provided that our Board, or
such person or persons requested by a majority of our Board to call
special meetings, has determined that directors shall be elected at
such special meeting and provided further that the nomination made
by the stockholder is for one of the director positions that our
Board, or such person or persons requested by a majority of our
Board to call special meetings, as the case may be, has determined
will be filled at such special meeting not later than the close of
business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such
special meeting and (y) the 10th day following the day on
which notice of the date of such special meeting was mailed or
public disclosure of the date of such special meeting was made,
whichever first occurs. |
Any such notice must include all of the information required to be
in such notice pursuant to our bylaws filed with the SEC.
ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of our Annual Report is available to our stockholders with
this Proxy Statement as described in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials. A paper copy can be requested at
no charge by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO
STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may
participate in the practice of “householding” proxy statements,
annual reports and notices of Internet availability of proxy
materials. This means that only one copy of this Proxy Statement
and our Annual Report may have been sent to multiple stockholders
in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of any
such documents to you if you write or call our Secretary, at
Annovis Bio, Inc., 1055 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300,
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312; telephone: 610-727-3913.
If you want to receive separate copies of our Proxy Statement and
Annual Report in the future, or if you are receiving multiple
copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household,
you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record
holder, or you may contact our Secretary, in writing, at the
address listed above.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
/s/ Maria
Maccecchini |
|
Maria Maccecchini, |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
ttANNOVIS BIO, INC.Annual Meeting of
StockholdersJune 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM EDTThis Proxy is solicited on
behalf of the Board of Directors of Annovis Bio, Inc.The
stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Maria Maccecchini and Jeffrey
McGroarty, or any of them, as proxies, each with the power to
appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to
represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this
ballot, all of the shares of common stock of Annovis Bio, Inc. that
the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held at 10:00 AM EDT on June 2, 2022 and any
adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Meeting of
Stockholders will be held virtually. In order to attend the
meeting, you must register at
http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022 by 11:59 PM EDT on May 30,
2022. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your
unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date.
Stockholders will be able to listen, vote and submit questions
during the virtual meeting. Further instructions on how to attend
and vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders are contained in the
Proxy Statement in the section titled “Questions and Answers About
the Proxy Materials and Our Annual Meeting - What do I need to do
to attend the Annual Meeting virtually?”.This proxy, when properly
executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such
direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the
Board of Directors’ recommendations.CONTINUED AND TO BE MARKED,
DATED AND SIGNED ON THE OTHER SIDEImportantNotice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:The Notice
and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at
http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022

PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED LINE
AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. t t
Date:_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Signature
_________________________________________________________________
Signature (if held jointly) NOTE: This proxy should be marked,
dated and signed by each stockholder exactly as such stockholder’s
name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed
envelope. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.
When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian please give full title as such. If the signatory is a
corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized
officer, giving full title as such. If the signatory is a
partnership, please sign in the partnership name by authorized
person. 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 01 Michael Hoffman 02
Maria Maccecchini 03 Claudine Bruck 04 Reid McCarthy 05 Mark White
Please mark your votes like this x PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS Please
have your 11-digit Virtual Control Number ready when voting by
Internet or telephone INTERNET Vote Your Shares on the Internet: Go
to www.AALVote.com/ANVS Have your proxy card available when you
access the above website. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.
TELEPHONE Vote Your Shares by Phone: Call 1 (866) 804-9616 Use any
touch-tone telephone to vote your Shares. Have your proxy card
available when you call. Follow the voting instructions to vote
your shares. MAIL Vote Your Shares by Mail: Mark, sign, and date
your proxy card, then detach it, and return it in the postage-paid
envelope provided. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
each of the following nominees for director: 2. Ratification of the
selection of WithumSmith+Brown, PC as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2022. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. FOR WITHHOLD o
o o o o o o o o o VIRTUAL CONTROL NUMBER o Change of Address —
Please print new address below
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ VIRTUAL CONTROL
NUMBER As a stockholder of Annovis Bio, Inc., you have the option
of voting your shares electronically through the Internet or by
telephone, eliminating the need to return the proxy card. Your
electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in
the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the
proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over the Internet or by
telephone must be received by 11:59 PM EDT on June 1, 2022. As a
Registered Holder, you may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting
by first registering at http://www.viewproxy.com/AnnovisBio/2022
using your Virtual Control Number below. Your registration must be
received by 11:59 PM EDT on May 30, 2022. You will receive a
meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with
a password prior to the meeting date. Stockholders will be able to
listen, vote and submit questions during the virtual meeting.
Please have your Virtual Control Number with you during the meeting
in order to vote. Further instructions on how to attend and vote at
the Annual Meeting are contained in the Proxy Statement in the
section titled “Questions and Answers About the Proxy Materials and
Our Annual Meeting - What do I need to do to attend the Annual
Meeting virtually?”. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
the following proposal: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Annovis Bio (AMEX:ANVS)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to Jun 2023
Annovis Bio (AMEX:ANVS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2022 to Jun 2023