SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
CELLADON
CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
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CELLADON CORPORATION
11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650
San Diego, California 92130
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On June 4, 2015
Dear
Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Celladon Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
Company). The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. local time at the offices of Cooley LLP, 4401 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, California 92121 for the following purposes:
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To elect one Class II director named herein to hold office until the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
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To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.
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To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. |
These items of business
are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice.
The record date for the annual meeting is April 15, 2015.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to Be Held on June 4,
2015 at 9:00 a.m. local time at the offices of Cooley LLP, 4401 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, California 92121.
The proxy statement and
annual report to stockholders
are available at www.celladon.com.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Elizabeth E. Reed |
Secretary |
San Diego, California
April 30, 2015
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to
attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy, or vote over the telephone or the internet as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. A return
envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) has been provided for your convenience. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. 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 proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
CELLADON CORPORATION
11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650
San Diego, California 92130
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On June 4, 2015
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
We
have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of Directors (sometimes referred to as the Board) of Celladon Corporation (sometimes referred to as the Company or Celladon) is soliciting your proxy to vote
at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. You are invited to attend the annual meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend
the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the telephone or through the internet.
We intend to mail these proxy materials on or about May 6, 2015 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
How do I attend the annual meeting?
The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. local time at the offices of Cooley LLP, 4401 Eastgate Mall, San
Diego, California 92121. Directions to the annual meeting may be found at:
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4401+Eastgate+Mall,+San+Diego,+CA+92121-1909.
Information on how to vote in person at the annual meeting is discussed below.
Who can vote at the annual meeting?
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2015 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. On this record date, there were 23,905,833 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on April 15, 2015 your shares were registered directly in your name with Celladons transfer agent, American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the
enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the internet as instructed below to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If on April 15, 2015 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar
organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record
for purposes of voting at the annual meeting. As a beneficial owner,
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you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the annual meeting. However, since you are not the
stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
What am I voting on?
There are two
matters scheduled for a vote:
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Proposal 1: Election of the one Class II director named herein to hold office until the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
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Proposal 2: Ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending
December 31, 2015. |
What if another matter is properly brought before the meeting?
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting. If any other matters are
properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.
How do I vote?
You may either vote
For all the nominees to the Board of Directors or you may Withhold your vote for any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be voted on, you may vote For or Against or abstain from
voting.
The procedures for voting are as follows:
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the annual meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, vote by proxy
over the telephone, or vote by proxy through the internet. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted
by proxy.
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To vote in person, come to the annual meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive. |
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To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the annual meeting, we will vote
your shares as you direct. |
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To vote over the telephone, dial toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) if calling from the United States or 1-718-921-8500 if calling from a foreign country using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded
instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the enclosed proxy card. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 3, 2015 to be counted. |
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To vote through the internet, go to http://www.voteproxy.com to complete an electronic proxy card. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the enclosed proxy card. Your internet vote must
be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 2015 to be counted. |
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the
Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should
have received a voting instruction form with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from
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Celladon. Simply complete and mail the voting instruction form to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by your broker or
bank. To vote in person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a
proxy form.
Internet proxy voting may be provided to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the
authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from internet access providers and telephone companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter
to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of April 15, 2015.
What happens if I do not vote?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote by completing your proxy card, by telephone, through the internet or in person at the annual
meeting, your shares will not be voted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If you are a beneficial owner and do not instruct your broker, bank, or other agent how to vote your shares, the question of whether your
broker or nominee will still be able to vote your shares depends on whether the particular proposal is considered to be a routine matter under applicable rules. Brokers and nominees can use their discretion to vote uninstructed shares with respect
to matters that are considered to be routine under applicable rules, but not with respect to non-routine matters. Under applicable rules and interpretations, non-routine matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of
stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive
compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported. Accordingly, your broker or nominee may not vote your shares on Proposal 1, without your instructions, but may vote your shares on Proposal 2.
What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted, as applicable,
For the election of the nominee for director, For the ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the
Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit
proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of
forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
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What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?
If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please
follow the voting instructions on the proxy cards in the proxy materials to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after
submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke
your proxy in any one of the following ways:
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You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date. |
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You may grant a subsequent proxy by telephone or through the internet. |
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You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to Celladons Secretary at 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130. |
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You may attend the annual meeting and submit a ballot in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
Your most current proxy card or telephone or internet proxy is the one that is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next years annual meeting?
To be considered for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting, your proposal must be submitted in
writing by January 7, 2016, to the attention of the Secretary of Celladon Corporation, 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130. If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) at the meeting that is not
to be included in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting, you must do so between February 5, 2016 and March 6, 2016. You are also advised to review the Companys Bylaws, which contain additional
requirements relating to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count, for the proposal to elect a Class II
director, votes For, Withhold and broker non-votes; and, for the proposal to ratify the Audit Committees selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent public accounting firm, votes For and
Against, abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for Proposal 2 and will have the same effect as Against votes. Broker non-votes will be counted towards the
presence of a quorum but will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.
What are broker non-votes?
When a beneficial owner of shares held in street name does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to
how to vote on matters deemed to be non-routine under applicable rules, the broker or nominee cannot vote the shares. These unvoted shares are counted as broker non-votes.
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How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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For the election of a Class II director, the nominee receiving the most For votes from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors will
be elected. Only votes For or Withheld will affect the outcome. |
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To be approved, Proposal 2, the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, must
receive For votes from the holders of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. If you Abstain from voting, it will have the same effect as an Against vote.
Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect. |
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 23,905,833 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of 11,952,917 shares must be present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting to have a quorum.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or
one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you submit a ballot in person at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a
majority of shares present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.
How can I find out the results of
the voting at the annual meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. In addition, final voting
results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the annual meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the
meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results.
What proxy materials are available on the internet?
The proxy statement, Form 10-K and annual report to stockholders are available at www.celladon.com.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Celladons Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Subject to changes that may result from resignations and term expirations,
each class generally consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors, and each class has a three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of the remaining directors. A
director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in a class, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall serve for the remainder of the full term of that class and until the directors successor is duly elected
and qualified.
The Board of Directors presently has seven members. There are two Class II directors whose term of office expires in 2015:
Michael Narachi, and Joshua Funder, M.D. Mr. Narachi has been nominated for reelection at the annual meeting, and we would like to thank Dr. Funder for his service to Celladon as he will not continue to serve as a director following
the annual meeting. The Board of Directors intends to approve a reduction in the authorized size of our Board of Directors from seven directors to six directors, to be effective on or about the date of the annual meeting. Proxies may not be voted
for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this proxy statement. Mr. Narachi, a current director of the Company, was appointed as a director upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of
the Board of Directors and has been recommended for nomination to the Companys Board of Directors at the annual meeting by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. If elected at the annual meeting, Mr. Narachi will serve until
the 2018 annual meeting and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until the directors death, resignation or removal. It is the Companys policy to invite directors and nominees for director to attend the
annual meeting.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote on the election of directors. Accordingly, the nominee receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election
of the nominee named below. If the nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for that nominee will instead will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by
Celladon. The person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. The Companys management has no reason to believe that the nominee will be unable to serve.
NOMINEES
The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to assemble a board that, as a whole, possesses the appropriate balance of professional and industry knowledge, financial expertise and high-level management experience necessary to oversee and direct the
Companys business. To that end, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has identified and evaluated nominees in the broader context of the Boards overall composition, with the goal of recruiting members who complement and
strengthen the skills of other members and who also exhibit integrity, collegiality, sound business judgment and other qualities that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee views as critical to effective functioning of the Board. The
brief biographies below include information, as of the date of this proxy statement, regarding the specific and particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each director or nominee that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee to believe that that nominee should continue to serve on the Board. However, each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may have a variety of reasons why he believes a particular person would be an appropriate
nominee for the Board, and these views may differ from the views of other members.
Nominee for Election for a Three-year Term Expiring at the 2018
Annual Meeting
Michael Narachi, 55, has served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2013. Since March 2009,
Mr. Narachi has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of
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Directors of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity. Previously, Mr. Narachi served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Ren Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private biotechnology company, from November 2006 to March 2009. From August 2002 to January 2008, Mr. Narachi served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Naryx Pharma, Inc., a private pharmaceutical company.
In 2004, Mr. Narachi retired as an officer and Vice President of Amgen Inc., a leading therapeutics company, where he served as General Manager of Amgens Anemia Business from 1999 to 2003. Mr. Narachi joined Amgen in 1984 and held
various positions throughout the organization including: Product Development Team Leader for NEUPOGEN; Director of Clinical Operations in Thousand Oaks, California and Cambridge, UK; Vice President of Development and Representative Director for
Amgen Japan; Head of Corporate Strategic Planning; Chief Operations Officer of Amgen BioPharma; and Vice President, Licensing and Business Development. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., a biotechnology
company focused on rare genetic diseases, and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. Narachi also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Mr. Narachi received a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Biology and Genetics from the University of California at Davis. He received an M.B.A. from the Anderson
Graduate School of Management at University of California, Los Angeles. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Narachis business, leadership and management experience, as well as his experience in the
biotechnology industry, qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR THE
NAMED NOMINEE
Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2016 Annual Meeting
Gregg Alton, 49, has served on our Board of Directors since August 2013. Since August 2009, Mr. Alton has served as executive vice
president of corporate and medical affairs and chief compliance officer at Gilead Sciences. In this role, Mr. Alton oversees legal affairs, public affairs, government affairs, emerging markets and medical affairs. From January 2008 to March
2013, Mr. Alton served as a director of Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc., a global healthcare company. From March 2000 to August 2009, Mr. Alton served as general counsel at Gilead and from October 1999 to March 2000, served as associate
general counsel at the same company. Mr. Alton was a corporate attorney at the law firm of Cooley Godward LLP (now Cooley LLP) from November 1993 to December 1996 and from July 1998 to October 1999, and at the law firm Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. from January 1997 to July 1998. Mr. Alton received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that
Mr. Altons expertise and experience in the biotechnology industry qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
Graham
Cooper, 45, has served on our Board of Directors since September 2013. Since February 2013, Mr. Cooper has served as chief financial officer at Receptos, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company focused on therapeutics for immune
disorders. From January 2012 to December 2012, Mr. Cooper served as chief financial officer at Geron Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company focused on cancer therapies. From May 2006 to March 2011, Mr. Cooper served as chief financial
officer of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on obesity therapeutics. From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Cooper held positions of increasing responsibility, including director, health care investment banking, at Deutsche Bank
Securities, a leading global investment bank, where he was responsible for executing and managing a wide variety of financing and merger and acquisition transactions in the life sciences field. From August 1992 to January 1995, Mr. Cooper
worked as an accountant at Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and was previously a C.P.A. Mr. Cooper holds a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the
Stanford Graduate School of Business. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Coopers expertise and experience in the biotechnology industry and his financial expertise qualifies him to serve on our Board of
Directors.
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Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D., 59, has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of
our Board of Directors since 2004, and served as our President from 2004 until June 2014. From March 2004 until October 2007, Dr. Zsebo was a venture partner at Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, a venture capital firm. Prior to joining
Enterprise Partners, Dr. Zsebo held executive positions at Remedyne Corporation, a biotechnology company, Connetics Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company, ALZA Corporation, a pharmaceutical and medical systems company, Cell Genesys,
Inc., a biotechnology company, and Amgen Inc., a biotechnology company. Dr. Zsebo received a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. in Comparative
Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Dr. Zsebos 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, experience with drug development and service as
our Chief Executive Officer qualify her to serve on our Board of Directors.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING
IN OFFICE UNTIL THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING
Peter K. Honig, M.D., M.P.H., 58, has served on our Board of Directors since March 2014. Dr. Honig currently serves as Senior Vice
President of Worldwide Regulatory Affairs at Pfizer Inc, a global pharmaceutical company. Prior to this position, from July 2010 to May 2014, Dr. Honig served as the Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance at
AstraZeneca, Inc., a global innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Honig also serves as a director of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity. From January 2003 through December
2009, Dr. Honig served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Regulatory Affairs and Product Safety at Merck & Co., Inc., a global healthcare company. From March 2002 to January 2003, Dr. Honig was Mercks Vice President,
Worldwide Product Safety and Quality Assurance. Prior to Merck, from 1993 to 2002, Dr. Honig held various positions at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including Director of the Office of Drug Safety in the FDAs
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Dr. Honig received his B.A. in History from Columbia College of Columbia University, his M.D. from the Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons and his M.P.H from Columbia University School of
Public Health. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Dr. Honigs expertise and experience in the pharmaceutical industry qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
Patrick Y. Yang, Ph.D., 67, has served on our Board of Directors since March 2014. Dr. Yang recently retired from
F. Hoffman-La Roche AG, a global pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, where he served as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Pharmaceutical Technical Operations from January 2010 until March 2013. In this role, Dr. Yang was
responsible for Roches pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing operations, process development, quality, regulatory, supply management, distribution, and procurement functions, based in Switzerland. From December 2003 through December
2009, Dr. Yang worked for Genentech, Inc., a leading biotechnology company, where his most recent position was Executive Vice President of Product Operations responsible for Genentechs manufacturing, engineering, process development,
regulatory, quality, compliance, and supply chain management functions. Prior to Genentech, Dr. Yang held several leadership roles at Merck, including Vice President of Asia/Pacific Operations and Vice President of Supply Chain Management. He
also previously worked at General Electric Co. and Life Systems, Inc. in research, development, and manufacturing operations. Dr. Yang currently works as a biotech industry consultant. He serves on the board of directors of Tesoro Corporation,
a publicly held company in the business of refining and marketing petroleum products, the board of directors of Codexis, Inc., a publicly held company in the development and production of custom industrial enzymes for use in the pharmaceutical,
chemical and biofuel production; and on the board of directors of Amyris, Inc., a synthetic biology company. Dr. Yang holds a Ph.D. in engineering from Ohio State University. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that
Dr. Yangs expertise and experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As required under the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ) listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed companys Board of
Directors must qualify as independent, as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors. The Board consults with the Companys counsel to ensure that the Boards determinations are consistent with relevant securities and
other laws and regulations regarding the definition of independent, including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of NASDAQ, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of
his or her family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent auditors, the Board has affirmatively determined that all of our directors, except Dr. Zsebo who is not considered independent because she is an executive
officer of the Company, are independent directors as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. In making this determination, the Board found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the
Company.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Our Board of Directors is currently chaired by Mr. Narachi. As a general policy, our Board of Directors believes that separation of the
positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of the Board from management, creates an environment that encourages objective oversight of managements performance and enhances the effectiveness of the Board as a
whole. As such, Dr. Zsebo serves as our Chief Executive Officer while Mr. Narachi serves as our Chairman of the Board of Directors but is not an employee. We expect and intend the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer to continue to be held by two individuals in the future.
ROLE OF THE
BOARD IN RISK OVERSIGHT
One of the key functions of our Board of Directors
is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees
of our Board of Directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board of Directors 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. The
Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance 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.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors met eight times during the last fiscal year. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of
the Board and of the committees on which they served, held during the portion of the last fiscal year for which they were directors or committee members, respectively.
The Board of Directors does not have a formal policy with respect to the attendance of members of the Board of Directors at the annual
meetings of stockholders. Dr. Zsebo, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors, and Mr. Narachi, our Chairman, were in attendance at our 2014 annual meeting.
9
INFORMATION REGARDING COMMITTEES OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting information for fiscal 2014 for each of these Board committees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Audit |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance |
|
Michael Narachi(a) |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
* |
|
|
X |
|
Gregg Alton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
* |
Graham Cooper(b) |
|
|
X |
* |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Todd Foley(c) |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joshua Funder, Ph.D.(d) |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Honig, M.D., MPH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Johan Kördel, Ph.D.(e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Yang, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Meetings in Fiscal Year 2014 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
(a) |
Mr. Narachis service as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ended following the 2014 annual meeting. |
(b) |
Mr. Coopers service as a member of the Compensation Committee ended following the 2014 annual meeting. |
(c) |
Mr. Foleys service as a director and as a member of the Audit Committee ended following the 2014 annual meeting. |
(d) |
Dr. Funders service as a director and as a member of the Audit Committee will end immediately following the annual meeting. |
(e) |
Dr. Kördel resigned from the Board of Directors in March 2014 and ceased being a member of the Compensation Committee upon his resignation. |
Below is a description of each committee of the Board of Directors.
Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its
responsibilities. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of each committee satisfies the NASDAQ Stock Market and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) independence requirements.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of
the Board of Directors was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), to oversee the Companys corporate accounting and financial
reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee performs several functions, including, among other things:
|
|
|
evaluating the performance, independence and qualifications of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or engage new independent auditors; |
|
|
|
reviewing and approving the engagement of our independent auditors to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services; |
|
|
|
monitoring the rotation of partners of our independent auditors on our engagement team as required by law; |
|
|
|
prior to engagement of any independent auditor, and at least annually thereafter, reviewing relationships that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence, and assessing and otherwise taking the appropriate
action to oversee the independence of our independent auditor; |
10
|
|
|
reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports, including the disclosures contained under the caption Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management; |
|
|
|
reviewing with our independent auditors and management significant issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation and matters concerning the scope, adequacy and effectiveness of
our financial controls; |
|
|
|
reviewing with management and our auditors any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding material developments; |
|
|
|
establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting or auditing matters and other matters; |
|
|
|
preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement; |
|
|
|
reviewing and providing oversight of any related-person transactions in accordance with our related-person transaction policy and reviewing and monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities, including
our code of business conduct and ethics; |
|
|
|
reviewing our major financial risk exposures, including the guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is implemented; |
|
|
|
reviewing on a periodic basis our investment policy; and |
|
|
|
reviewing and evaluating on an annual basis the performance of the Audit Committee, including compliance of the Audit Committee with its charter. |
As stated above, the Audit Committee is currently composed of three directors: Mr. Cooper (Chair), Dr. Funder and Mr. Narachi.
Mr. Foley was a member of the Audit Committee during 2014 until the date of our 2014 annual meeting and his departure from our Board of Directors. Dr. Funders service as a director and as a member of the Audit Committee will end
immediately following the 2015 annual meeting, at which time Dr. Honig will be appointed to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met four times during 2014. The Board has adopted a written Audit Committee charter that is available to
stockholders on the Companys website at www.celladon.com.
The Board of Directors reviews the NASDAQ listing standards definition of
independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of the Companys Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) of the NASDAQ listing standards and
Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act).
The Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Cooper qualifies as an audit
committee financial expert, as defined in applicable SEC rules. The Board made a qualitative assessment of Mr. Coopers level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including his formal education and previous and
current experience in financial roles.
Effective immediately following the annual meeting, the Audit Committee will be composed of
Mr. Cooper (Chair), Dr. Honig and Mr. Narachi.
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors*
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 with
management of the Company. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
11
(PCAOB). The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the
PCAOB regarding the independent accountants communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the accounting firms independence. Based on the
foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Graham Cooper (Chair)
Joshua Funder, Ph.D.
Mike Narachi
* The
material in this report is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Exchange Act or the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation
Committee is composed of three directors: Mr. Narachi (Chair), Mr. Alton and Dr. Yang. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(d)(2)(A) of the NASDAQ listing
standards and Rule 10C-1 of the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee met four times during the prior fiscal year. The Board has adopted a written Compensation Committee charter that is available to stockholders on the Companys website at
www.celladon.com.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors acts on behalf of the Board to review, adopt or recommend for
adoption, and oversee the Companys compensation strategy, policies, plans and programs. For this purpose, the Compensation Committee performs several functions, including, among other things:
|
|
|
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, modifying and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding) the compensation and other terms of employment of our executive officers;
|
|
|
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers and assessing their performance against these goals
and objectives; |
|
|
|
reviewing and approving (or if it deems it 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; |
|
|
|
evaluating risks associated with our compensation policies and practices and assessing whether risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for our employees are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on us; |
|
|
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to our non-employee board members; |
|
|
|
establishing policies with respect to votes by our stockholders to approve executive compensation to the extent required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act and, if applicable, determining our recommendations
regarding the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation; |
|
|
|
reviewing and assessing the independence of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors as required by Section 10C of the Exchange Act; |
12
|
|
|
administering our equity incentive plans; |
|
|
|
establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements; |
|
|
|
reviewing the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs and evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policy and strategy in achieving expected benefits to us; |
|
|
|
reviewing, modifying and approving (or if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding) the terms of any employment agreements, severance arrangements, change of control
protections and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers; |
|
|
|
reviewing the adequacy of its charter on a periodic basis; |
|
|
|
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, to the extent such caption
is included in any such report or proxy statement; |
|
|
|
preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement; and |
|
|
|
reviewing and assessing on an annual basis the performance of the Compensation Committee. |
Compensation
Committee Processes and Procedures
Our Compensation Committee generally meets at least twice annually and with greater frequency if
necessary. The agenda for each meeting is usually developed by the Chair of the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee meets regularly in executive session. However, from time to time,
various members of management and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, to provide financial or other background information or advice or to otherwise
participate in Compensation Committee meetings. The Chief Executive Officer may not participate in, or be present during, any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding her compensation or individual performance
objectives. The charter of the Compensation Committee grants the Compensation Committee full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company. In addition, under the charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to
obtain, at the expense of the Company, advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting or other advisors and other external resources that the Compensation Committee considers necessary or appropriate in the performance of its
duties. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility for the oversight of the work of any advisers engaged for the purpose of advising the Committee. In particular, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain compensation
consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultants reasonable fees and other retention terms. Under the charter, to the extent required by SEC and NASDAQ rules,
the Compensation Committee may select, or receive advice from, a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Compensation Committee, other than in-house legal counsel and certain other types of advisers, only after taking into
consideration six factors, prescribed by the SEC and NASDAQ, that bear upon the advisers independence; however, there is no requirement that any adviser be independent. The Compensation Committee may, pursuant to its charter, form and delegate
authority to subcommittees as appropriate, including, but not limited to, a subcommittee composed of one or more members of the Board to grant stock awards under the Companys equity incentive plans to employees who are not officers. In June
2014, the Board delegated to the Compensation Committee, as permitted under our 2013 equity incentive plan (2013 plan), the non-exclusive authority to delegate to each of our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial
Officer, and Vice President, Finance & Administration (the authorized officers), the non-exclusive authority to grant stock options exercisable for up to 100,000 shares in the aggregate under the 2013 plan to employees
who are not officers of the Company, within ranges to be determined and approved by the Compensation Committee (the option grant guidelines). In August 2014, the Compensation Committee determined and approved the option grant guidelines
and delegated to the authorized officers, with the authority for each to act independently, the non-exclusive authority to grant stock options under the 2013 plan to new-hire employees who are not officers of
13
the Company, within the option grant guidelines. The purpose of this delegation of authority is to enhance the flexibility of option administration within the Company and to facilitate the timely
grant of options to non-management employees, namely new hires, within specified limits approved by the Compensation Committee. During fiscal 2014, the authorized officers exercised their authority to grant options to purchase an aggregate of 76,200
shares of the Companys common stock to non-officer employees.
In October 2013, the Compensation Committee, after taking into
consideration the six factors prescribed by the SEC and NASDAQ described above, engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FWC) as its compensation consultant. FWC was retained to provide an assessment of the Companys executive and
director compensation programs in comparison to executive and director compensation programs at selected publicly-traded peer companies. As part of its engagement, FWC was requested by the Compensation Committee to develop a comparative group of
companies and to perform analyses of competitive performance and compensation levels for that group. FWC ultimately developed recommendations that were presented to the Compensation Committee for its consideration. Following an active dialogue with
FWC, the Compensation Committee recommended that the Board of Directors approve certain modifications to our executive compensation program based in part on FWCs recommendations. These modifications were approved by the Board as recommended by
the Compensation Committee. Our 2014 executive compensation program is discussed in the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement.
The Compensation Committee generally considers most of the significant adjustments to annual compensation, target bonuses and equity awards
and establishes new performance objectives at one or more meetings held during the first quarter of the year. The Compensation Committee also considers matters related to individual compensation, such as compensation for new executive hires, as well
as high-level strategic issues, such as the efficacy of the Companys compensation strategy, potential modifications to that strategy and new trends, plans or approaches to compensation, at periodic meetings throughout the year on an as-needed
basis. Generally, the Compensation Committees process comprises two related elements: the determination of compensation levels and the establishment of performance objectives for the current year. For executives other than the Chief Executive
Officer, the Compensation Committee solicits and considers evaluations and recommendations submitted to the Committee by the Chief Executive Officer. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of her performance is conducted by the
Compensation Committee, which recommends any adjustments to her compensation as well as awards to be granted. For all executives and directors as part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee may review and consider, as appropriate,
materials such as financial reports and projections, operational data, tax and accounting information, tally sheets that set forth the total compensation that may become payable to executives in various hypothetical scenarios, executive and director
stock ownership information, company stock performance data, analyses of historical executive compensation levels and current Company-wide compensation levels and recommendations of the Compensation Committees compensation consultant,
including analyses of executive and director compensation paid at other companies identified by the consultant. Modifications to executive compensation must be approved by the full Board of Directors prior to implementation.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
As stated above, the Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Narachi (Chair), Mr. Alton and Dr. Yang.
Dr. Kördel resigned from the Compensation Committee in March 2014 concurrently with his resignation from the Board. Mr. Cooper served on the Compensation Committee from March 2014 to May 2014. No member of the Compensation Committee
has ever been an officer or employee of ours. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, on the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors of any other entity that has one or more
executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
14
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates
to serve as directors of the Company (consistent with criteria approved by the Board), reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors, selecting or recommending to the Board for selection candidates for election to the Board of Directors, making
recommendations to the Board regarding the membership of the committees of the Board, assessing the performance of the Board, and developing a set of corporate governance principles for the Company.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three directors: Mr. Alton (Chair), Mr. Cooper and Dr. Honig.
All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during 2014.
The Board has adopted a written Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter that is available to stockholders on the Companys website and www.celladon.com.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including
the ability to read and understand basic financial statements and having the highest personal integrity and ethics. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also intends to consider such factors as possessing relevant expertise upon which
to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, having sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company, demonstrated excellence in his or her field, having the ability to exercise sound business judgment and having the commitment to
rigorously represent the long-term interests of the Companys stockholders. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time. Candidates for director nominees are
reviewed in the context of the current composition of the Board, the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee typically
considers diversity, age, skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate, given the current needs of the Board and the Company, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of
office are set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews these directors overall service to the Company during their terms, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance
and any other relationships and transactions that might impair the directors independence. In the case of new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines whether the nominee is independent for NASDAQ
purposes, which determination is based upon applicable NASDAQ listing standards, applicable SEC rules and regulations and the advice of counsel, if necessary. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then uses its network of contacts to
compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts any appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds and
qualifications of possible candidates after considering the function and needs of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to discuss and consider the candidates qualifications and then selects a nominee by majority
vote which we expect will typically be recommended to the full board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
director candidates recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria set forth above, based on whether or not the
candidate was recommended by a stockholder. Stockholders who wish to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to become nominees for election to the Board may do so by delivering a written
recommendation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: c/o Celladon Corporation, 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130, Attn: Secretary, no later than the close of business on the 90th
day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting. Submissions must include the name and address of the Company stockholder on whose behalf the submission is made;
the number
15
of Company shares that are owned beneficially by such stockholder as of the date of the submission; the full name of the proposed candidate; a description of the proposed candidates
business experience for at least the previous five years; complete biographical information for the proposed candidate; and a description of the proposed candidates qualifications as a director. Any such submission must be accompanied by the
written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Companys Board has adopted a formal process by which stockholders may communicate with the Board or any of its directors.
Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board may do so by sending written communications addressed to the Secretary of Celladon at 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130. These communications will be reviewed by the
Secretary of Celladon, who will determine whether the communication is appropriate for presentation to the Board or the relevant director. The purpose of this screening is to allow the Board to avoid having to consider irrelevant or inappropriate
communications (such as advertisements, solicitations and hostile communications).
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees. The Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Companys website at www.celladon.com. If the Company makes any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants any waiver from a provision of the Code to any executive
officer or director, the Company will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on its website.
Securities Authorized for
Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides certain information with respect to all of the Companys
equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2014.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Category |
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) |
|
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
|
|
Number of securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
2,408,634 |
|
|
$ |
7.18 |
|
|
|
294,845 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,408,634 |
|
|
$ |
7.18 |
|
|
|
294,845 |
|
16
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 and has further directed that management submit the selection of its independent
registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the annual meeting. Ernst & Young has audited the Companys financial statements since its inception in 2000. Representatives of Ernst & Young 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.
Neither the Companys Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of Ernst &
Young as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee of the Board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.
If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee of the Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee of the Board in its discretion may direct the appointment
of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter
at the annual meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING
FEES AND SERVICES
The following table represents aggregate fees billed to the Company for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, by Ernst & Young, the Companys principal accountant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
333,023 |
|
|
$ |
1,007,862 |
|
Audit-related Fees (2) |
|
|
22,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
|
60,144 |
|
|
|
128,798 |
|
All Other Fees(4) |
|
|
1,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
417,462 |
|
|
$ |
1,136,660 |
|
(1) |
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services by Ernst & Young for audit and quarterly review of our financial statements and review of our registration statement for our initial public offering,
and related services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
(2) |
Audit-Related Fees include services relating to accounting consultations and reviews and due diligence services |
(3) |
Tax Fees include services relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning in the United States and Europe. |
(4) |
Includes amounts billed for annual subscription to Ernst and Young LLPs online resource library. |
All fees described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
In connection with the audit of the 2014 financial statements, the Company entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young
that sets forth the terms by which Ernst & Young will perform audit services for the Company. That agreement is subject to alternative dispute resolution procedures and an exclusion of punitive damages.
17
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services
rendered by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young. The policy generally pre-approves specified services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services and tax services up to
specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be given as part of the Audit Committees approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditor or on an individual, explicit, case-by-case basis before the independent auditor is engaged to
provide each service. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committees members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of services other than audit services by Ernst & Young is compatible with
maintaining the principal accountants independence.
THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D. 59, has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors since 2004, and served as
our President from 2004 until June 2014. For additional information regarding Dr. Zsebos industry experience and education, see above under Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2016 Annual Meeting.
Paul B. Cleveland, 58, has served as our President and Chief Financial Officer since June 2014. From February 2013 to August 2013,
Mr. Cleveland served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private biotechnology company focused on the development of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of
hormone-dependent cancers. From April 2011 to February 2013, Mr. Cleveland served as General Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Mohr Davidow Ventures. From January 2006 to February 2011, Mr. Cleveland served as Executive Vice
President, Corporate Development and Chief Financial Officer of Affymax, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. From April 2004 to December 2005, he served as a managing director at Integrated Finance, Ltd., an investment bank. From September 1996 to
April 2003, Mr. Cleveland served as a managing director at investment bank J.P.Morgan Chase and Co. and a predecessor firm, Hambrecht & Quist. From January 1993 to September 1996, Mr. Cleveland was a partner at Cooley LLP, from
December 1988 to December 1992, he was a corporate attorney at Sidley Austin LLP and from September 1981 to November 1988, he was a corporate attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sangamo
BioSciences, Inc. Mr. Cleveland received an A.B. from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.
Rebecque J. Laba, 53, has served as our Vice President, Corporate Operations since January 2015 and served as our Vice President of
Finance and Administration from September 2007 to January 2015. Previously, she served as a consultant to us on finance and administrative matters since October 2005. From 1999 to 2005, Ms. Laba served in various financial and operational roles
at Idun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. until Idun was acquired by Pfizer Inc., a pharmaceutical company, in 2005. From 1997 to 1999, Ms. Laba worked at Asset Management Group, where she served in various financial and operational roles.
Elizabeth E. Reed, 44, has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since June 2014, and before that served as a
legal consultant to us since February 2014. From 2013 to June 2014, Ms. Reed served as a legal consultant for several companies in the life sciences industry. From 2001 to 2012, Ms. Reed led the legal function at Anadys Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary until Anadys acquisition by Roche. Prior to Anadys, Ms. Reed was an attorney with
the law firms Cooley LLP and Brobeck,
18
Phleger & Harrison LLP. Ms. Reed is a member of the State Bar of California and received her B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of
California, Berkeley and holds a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
Jeffrey J. Rudy, 53, has served as our Vice President,
Clinical Operations since 2006. From 1997 to 2006, Mr. Rudy worked at Agouron Pharmaceuticals (prior to its acquisition by the Warner-Lambert Company, which was subsequently acquired by Pfizer) where he served in roles of increasing
responsibility within its clinical research operations, including portfolio manager of the ophthalmology franchise and director of development operations. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Rudy was at Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company,
where he was clinical program manager in the clinical research department overseeing a number of antiviral compounds in early development. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Rudy was at Amgen, where he worked in clinical affairs on a number of antiviral
programs. Mr. Rudy received his B.S. in Microbiology from Ohio State University.
Ryan K. Takeya,
46, has served as our Vice President, Manufacturing since April 2012. Previously, Mr. Takeya served as a biotechnology process development and manufacturing consultant from 2010 until April 2012, other than during 2011 when he was employed by
Dendreon Corporation, a biotechnology company, where he was involved with the transfer of the PROVENGE antigen manufacturing process to a secondary commercial manufacturing site. From August 1996 to December 2009, Mr. Takeya served in the
Manufacturing Group at Targeted Genetics Corporation, a biotechnology company, where he oversaw in-house and contract manufacturing of clinical gene therapy products, including clinical supplies used in the MYDICAR clinical program. From 1993 to
1996, Mr. Takeya held various process development and process transfer roles at Immunex Corporation, a biotechnology company. Mr. Takeya received his B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Washington.
Fredrik Wiklund, 44, has served as our Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations since August 2013 and as our Vice
President, Corporate Development from June 2013 to August 2013. Before that, he served as our Senior Director, Corporate Development from April 2012 to June 2013. From September 2009 to April 2012, Mr. Wiklund served as a consultant to us on
business development matters. From November 2003 to November 2008, Mr. Wiklund was head of corporate development and investor relations at Tercica, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, until its acquisition by the Ipsen Group, a biotechnology
company, in 2008. From January 2001 to June 2003, Mr. Wiklund was at Lehman Brothers, Inc., a global financial services firm, where he served in the Investment Banking Health Care Group. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Wiklund served as an
antiviral specialist at Gilead Sciences. Mr. Wiklund received his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and his B.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Companys common stock as of March 13, 2015 by:
(i) each director; (ii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below; (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial
owners of more than five percent of its common stock.
19
The following table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal
stockholders and Schedules 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the Company believes that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 23,827,918 shares outstanding on March 13, 2015, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC. Unless otherwise
indicated, the address for the following stockholders is c/o Celladon Corporation, 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership |
|
Beneficial Owner |
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Percent of Total |
|
Greater than 5% stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eagle Asset Management
880 Carillon Parkway St.
Petersburg, FL 33716 |
|
|
2,308,952 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
% |
Entities Affiliated with Enterprise Partners(1)
2223 Avenida de la Playa, Suite 205
La Jolla, CA 92037 |
|
|
1,921,034 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
Pfizer Inc.
c/o Pfizer Venture Investments
235 E. 42nd Street New
York, NY 10017 |
|
|
1,828,495 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
% |
Lundbeckfond Invest A/S(2)
Vestagervej 17 DK-2900
Hellerup Denmark |
|
|
1,774,349 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
% |
GBS Bioventures IV(4)
Level 5, 71 Collins Street
Melbourne, Vic 3000
Australia |
|
|
1,412,310 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
% |
Palo Alto Investors(3)
470 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301 |
|
|
1,403,800 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
% |
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D.(5) |
|
|
329,647 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
Elizabeth E. Reed (6) |
|
|
1,773 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paul B. Cleveland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Gregg Alton (7) |
|
|
25,423 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Graham Cooper(8) |
|
|
25,423 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joshua Funder, Ph.D.(9) |
|
|
17,499 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael Narachi(10) |
|
|
96,274 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Peter Honig, M.D.(11) |
|
|
5,854 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Patrick Yang, Ph.D.(12) |
|
|
15,554 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons) (13) |
|
|
821,464 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
(1) |
Consists of (a) 883,674 shares of common stock and 8,581 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Enterprise Partners Liquidating Trust V, (b) 1,016,477 shares of common stock and 8,581
shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Enterprise Partners Liquidating Trust VI, and (c) 3,721 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Enterprise Partners Management, LLC. |
(2) |
Includes 28,666 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants. |
20
(3) |
Anthony Joonkyoo Yun, MD and Patrick Lee, MD are co-managers of Palo Alto Investors and have shared voting and dispositive power over these shares. Drs. Yun and Lee have disclaimed beneficial ownership of these shares
except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. |
(4) |
Includes 53,807 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by GBS Bioventures IV and 17,499 shares that Dr. Funder has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise
of stock options. |
(5) |
Includes 326,522 shares that Dr. Zsebo has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(6) |
Includes 1,604 shares that Ms. Reed has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(7) |
Consists of 25,423 shares that Mr. Alton has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(8) |
Consists of 25,423 shares that Mr. Cooper has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(9) |
Consists of 17,499 shares that Dr. Funder has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(10) |
Includes 33,774 shares that Mr. Narachi has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(11) |
Consists of 5,854 shares that Dr. Honig has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(12) |
Consists of 15,554 shares that Dr. Yang has the right to acquire from us within 60 days of March 13, 2015 pursuant to the exercise of stock options. |
(13) |
Consists of the shares described in footnotes (5) through (12) and (i) 28,476 shares of common stock and (ii) 275,541 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options within 60 days of May 13, 2015 held by
executive officers who are not listed in the table above. |
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered class of the Companys equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities
were complied with and filed on time.
21
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2014, which consist of our principal executive officer and our two other
most highly compensated executive officers, are:
|
|
|
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D., our Chief Executive Officer; |
|
|
|
Paul B. Cleveland, our President and Chief Financial Officer; and |
|
|
|
Elizabeth E. Reed, our Vice President and General Counsel. |
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and principal position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary ($) (1) |
|
|
Option awards ($) (2) |
|
|
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) (3) |
|
|
All other compensation ($) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2014 2013 |
|
|
|
479,296 417,524 |
|
|
|
745,893 |
|
|
|
258,086 83,505 |
|
|
|
70,641(4) 20,152 |
|
|
|
1,553,916 521,181 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul B. Cleveland(5)
President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
189,707 |
|
|
|
2,786,511 |
|
|
|
118,114 |
|
|
|
1,165(6) |
|
|
|
3,095,497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth E. Reed(7)
Vice President and General Counsel |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
233,806 |
|
|
|
442,023 |
|
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
|
11,808(8) |
|
|
|
770,137 |
|
(1) |
Mr. Clevelands and Ms. Reeds 2014 annual base salaries were $355,700 and $275,000, respectively. The amount shown for Mr. Cleveland in the table above reflects base salary actually paid in 2014 following his
employment start date in June 2014. The amount shown for Ms. Reed in the table above reflects base salary actually paid in 2014 following her employment start date in June 2014 and the amount paid to her pursuant to her prior consulting agreement
with us dated February 25, 2014 in the amount of $79,500. |
(2) |
In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards granted during the applicable year computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting
Standards Codification Topic 718 for stock-based compensation transactions (ASC 718). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 7 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the named executive officer upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the
stock options, or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options. |
(3) |
Amounts shown represent annual performance-based bonuses earned for the applicable year. For more information, see below under Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity. |
(4) |
Amount shown represents $29,448 in 401(k) matching contributions, $1,050 premiums for life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, $1,200 personal life insurance subsidy. These benefits are
provided to the named executive officers on the same terms as provided to all of our regular full-time employees in the United States. The amount shown also includes $38,943 for commuting expenses paid by us on behalf of or directly to, as
applicable, Dr. Zsebo. For more information regarding these benefits, see below under Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits. |
(5) |
Mr. Cleveland was not a named executive officer in 2013. |
(6) |
Amount shown represents $525 premiums for life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and a $640 personal life insurance subsidy paid by us on behalf of or directly to, as applicable, Mr.
Cleveland. These benefits are provided to the named executive officers on the same terms as provided to all of our regular full-time employees in the United States. For more information regarding these benefits, see below under
Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits. |
(7) |
Ms. Reed was not a named executive officer in 2013. |
22
(8) |
Amount shown represents $10,610 in 401(k) matching contributions, $525 premiums for life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and a $673 personal life insurance subsidy paid by us on behalf of
or directly to, as applicable, Ms. Reed. These benefits are provided to the named executive officers on the same terms as provided to all of our regular full-time employees in the United States. For more information regarding these benefits,
see below under Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits. |
Annual Base Salary
The compensation of our named executive officers is generally determined and approved by our Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the
Compensation Committee of our Board. Our Board of Directors approved the following 2014 base salaries for our named executive officers. The 2014 base salary for Dr. Zsebo was effective on March 19, 2014 while Ms. Reeds and
Mr. Clevelands base salaries were effective in connection with their hire dates on June 9, 2014 and June 19, 2014 respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
2014 Base Salary ($) |
|
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D. |
|
|
495,000 |
|
Paul B. Cleveland |
|
|
355,700 |
|
Elizabeth E. Reed |
|
|
275,000 |
|
Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity
In addition to base salaries, our named executive officers are eligible to receive annual performance-based cash bonuses, which are designed to
provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined annual corporate goals and to reward our executives for individual achievement towards these goals. The annual performance-based bonus each named executive officer is eligible to
receive is generally based on the extent to which we achieve the corporate goals that our Board of Directors establishes each year. At the end of the year, our Board of Directors and/or our Compensation Committee reviews our performance against each
corporate goal and approves the extent to which we achieved each of our corporate goals.
In determining actual bonus award levels our
Board of Directors will generally consider each named executive officers individual contributions towards reaching our annual corporate goals but does not typically establish specific individual goals for our named executive officers. For
2014, our Board of Directors established target bonuses as a percentage of their respective annual base salaries of 55% for Dr. Zsebo, 35% for Mr. Cleveland and 30% for Ms. Reed.
Our Board of Directors established five sets of corporate goals for 2014. The first set of goals, weighted at 30% towards overall corporate
goal achievement, consisted of clinical goals relating to our CUPID 2 trial for MYDICAR and additional clinical trials that were to potentially initiate during 2014. The second set of goals, weighted at 10% towards overall corporate goal
achievement, consisted of biostatistics goals relating to the analysis of data from our CUPID 2 trial. The third set of corporate goals, weighted at 20% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consisted of goals relating to regulatory activities
in the United States and the European Union associated with MYDICAR and our companion diagnostic. The fourth set of goals, weighted at 20% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consisted of manufacturing and controls related goals. The final
set of goals, weighted at 20% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consisted of financial and investor relations related goals. No specific individual goals were established for any of our named executive officers for 2014.
In December 2014, our Board of Directors reviewed, on a preliminary basis, the level of achievement of our 2014 corporate goals, and in
January 2015 our Compensation Committee conducted a complete assessment of the level of achievement for 2014 and determined that we had achieved each of the corporate goals. Our
23
Compensation Committee determined that we had achieved our clinical goals by completing enrollment of CELL-004 with 230 or more patients by the end of February 2014 and by meeting the specified
metrics for measuring speeding the time to un-blinding and analysis of CELL-004 and by maintaining consistency with Board approved strategy for the initiation of other clinical trials. Our Compensation Committee determined that we achieved our
biostatics goal of being prepared to speed the time to a high quality analysis of data upon completion of data lock by our satisfaction of the specified metrics for measuring the biostatistics goal. With respect to our regulatory goals, our
Compensation Committee determined that we had achieved our regulatory goals by completing specified activities and milestones related to the regulatory pathway for MYDICAR, including obtaining breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA. Our
Compensation Committee determined that we had achieved our manufacturing and controls related goals by completing the manufacture of the 2,000 liter commercial scale demonstration batch at Lonza and by conducting the specified process development
related activities for 2014. Finally, our Compensation Committee determined that we achieved our financial and investor relations goals by maintaining 2014 operations within our approved budget and satisfying the specified public company investor
relations metrics. Accordingly, our Compensation Committee awarded each of our named executive officers their target bonus opportunity for 2014 in recognition of our substantial achievement of our corporate goals and each of the executives
efforts towards our successful achievement of our corporate goals.
Accordingly, our Board of Directors awarded each of our named
executive officers 100% of their target bonus opportunity for 2014 in recognition of our substantial achievement of our corporate goals and each of the executives efforts towards our successful achievement of our corporate goals.
Equity-Based Incentive Awards
Our
equity-based incentive awards are designed to align our interests with those of our employees and consultants, including our named executive officers. Our Board of Directors is responsible for approving equity grants. As of December 31, 2014,
stock option awards were the only form of equity awards we granted to our named executive officers. Vesting of the stock option awards is tied to continuous service with us and serves as an additional retention measure. Our executives generally are
awarded an initial grant upon commencement of employment. Additional grants may occur periodically in order to specifically incentivize executives with respect to achieving certain corporate goals or to reward executives for exceptional performance.
Prior to our initial public offering, we granted all equity awards pursuant to the 2012 equity incentive plan (2012 plan) and
the 2001 stock option plan (2001 plan), the terms of which are described below under Equity Benefit Plans. All options are granted with a per share exercise price equal to no less than the fair market value of a share
of our common stock on the date of the grant of such award.
Generally our stock option awards vest over a four-year period subject to the
holders continuous service to us and may be granted with an early exercise feature. Such early exercise feature allows the holder to exercise and receive unvested shares of our stock, so that the holder may have a greater opportunity for gains
on the shares to be taxed at long-term capital gains rates rather than ordinary income rates. From time to time as our Board of Directors considers appropriate, we may grant stock options that vest upon achievement of performance goals.
On January 29, 2014, in connection with our initial public offering, we granted Dr. Zsebo an option to purchase 134,000 shares of
our common stock.
In March 2014, Ms. Reed was granted 5,500 options pursuant to the terms of her consulting agreement. In June 2014,
the Compensation Committee approved the grant of 277,500 options to Mr. Cleveland and 65,000 options to Ms. Reed pursuant to the terms of their employment letter agreements and as an inducement to their commencement of employment with us.
24
On December 5, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the grant to each of
Dr. Zsebo, Mr. Cleveland and Ms. Reed of options to purchase 275,000, 140,000 and 72,000 shares of common stock, respectively. Each of these options was granted effective as of January 1, 2015 as an annual refresh grant. Each of
these option grants vests and becomes exercisable over a four-year period following the grant date subject to the named executive officers continued service with us and has an exercise price per share equal to the closing price of our stock on
the grant date.
Agreements with our Named Executive Officers
Below are descriptions of our employment letter agreements with our named executive officers and our consulting agreement with Ms. Reed
that was in effect prior to her employment letter agreement.
Agreement with Dr. Zsebo. We entered into an amended and
restated employment letter agreement with Dr. Zsebo in August 2013, as amended in January 2014 that replaced her previous letter agreement dated July 2012 and became effective in January 2014 in connection with the execution and delivery of the
underwriting agreement related to our initial public offering. Under the amended and restated letter agreement, Dr. Zsebo was entitled to an initial annual base salary of $417,524, was eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of
up to 45% of her base salary as determined by the Board of Directors, and certain severance benefits, the terms of which are described below under Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control. In March 2014, the
Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors reviewed the salary and target bonus percentages for the executive officers and made certain changes. As approved by the Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2014, Dr. Zsebo was entitled
to an annual base salary of $495,000 and was eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to 55% of her base salary as determined by the Board of Directors. Dr. Zsebos base salary and annual target performance bonus
percentage are subject to modification from time to time at the discretion of the Compensation Committee or, if deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors.
Agreement with Mr. Cleveland. We entered into an employment letter agreement with Mr. Cleveland in May 2014. Under this
letter agreement, Mr. Cleveland was entitled to an initial base salary of $355,700, and was eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to 35% of his base salary as determined by the Board of Directors, and certain severance
benefits, the terms of which are described below under Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control. Mr. Clevelands base salary and annual target performance bonus percentage are subject to modification from
time to time at the discretion of the Compensation Committee or, if deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors.
Agreement with Ms. Reed. We entered into a consulting agreement with Ms. Reed in February 2014. Pursuant to the consulting
agreement, in exchange for providing legal consulting services for us, Ms. Reed was paid a weekly retainer fee of $5,000, plus an additional hourly fee if the number of hours worked per week exceeded the specified number of weekly retainer
hours, and was granted an option to purchase 5,500 shares of our common stock. We entered into an employment letter agreement with Ms. Reed in May 2014, which replaced and terminated the consulting agreement described above. Under this letter
agreement, Ms. Reed was entitled to an initial base salary of $275,000, and was eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of up to 30% of her base salary as determined by the Board of Directors, and certain severance benefits, the
terms of which are described below under Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control. Ms. Reeds base salary and annual target performance bonus percentage are subject to modification from time to time at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee or, if deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors.
Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change of Control
Each of our named executive officers employment is at will and may be terminated at
any time. Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officers service terminates, the named executive officer is
25
entitled to receive amounts earned during his or her term of service, including salary and unused vacation pay. In addition, each of our named executive officers is eligible to receive certain
benefits pursuant to his or her letter agreements with us described above under Agreements with our Named Executive Officers.
Under the terms of the named executive officers employment letter agreements, upon the executives termination without
cause, or resignation for good reason, each as defined below, each of our named executive officers is eligible to receive continued base salary payments and COBRA premium payments for 12 months for Dr. Zsebo and nine
months for Mr. Cleveland and Ms. Reed. If the named executive officers termination without cause or resignation for good reason occurs within the three month period before or 12 month period following a change of control, as defined
under the 2013 plan, the named executive officer will be eligible to receive (1) continued base salary payments and COBRA premium payments for 18 months for Dr. Zsebo and 12 months for Mr. Cleveland and Ms. Reed, (2) a lump
sum payment equal to the named executive officers target bonus for the year of termination and (3) full vesting acceleration of all outstanding equity awards that are subject to time-based vesting. All severance benefits under the letter
agreements are contingent upon the named executive officer executing an effective release and waiver of claims against us.
For purposes
of each of the named executive officers employment letter agreements, cause generally means the executives conviction of any felony or conviction of any crime involving fraud or dishonesty; (2) executives
participation in any material fraud, material act of dishonesty or other material act of misconduct against us; (3) executives willful and habitual neglect of executives duties, provided executive has been given written notice of
such neglect and, if curable, a reasonable opportunity to cure, not to exceed thirty (30) days; (4) executives material violation of any fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty owed to us; (5) executives breach of any material
term of any material contract between executive and us which has a material adverse effect on us; (6) executives knowing violation of any material policy we have in effect which has a material adverse effect on us; or
(7) executives knowing violation of state or federal law in connection with the performance of executives job which has a material adverse effect on us. For purposes of each of the named executive officers letter agreements,
good reason generally means the following events, conditions or actions taken by us with respect to the executive without cause and without the executives express written consent: (1) a material reduction in base salary;
(2) a material reduction in the executives authority, duties or responsibilities; (3) a material reduction in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the executive is required to report; or (4) a
relocation of the executives principal place of employment to a place that increases the executives one-way commute by more than 50 miles.
Each of our named executive officers holds stock options under our equity incentive plans that were granted subject to our form of stock
option agreements. A description of the termination and change of control provisions in such equity incentive plans and stock options granted thereunder is provided below under Equity Benefit Plans and the specific vesting terms of
each named executive officers stock options are described below under Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.
2015
Compensation Changes
Our Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of our Compensation Committee, approved the following changes to
the annual base salaries for our named executive officers, effective January 1, 2015: $509,850 for Dr. Zsebo, $359,257 for Mr. Cleveland, and $280,500 for Ms. Reed. For 2015, the target bonus percentages for our named executive
officers remain unchanged from 2014 levels.
In addition, our Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of our Compensation Committee,
established five sets of corporate goals for 2015. The first set of goals, weighted at 30% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consists of clinical and biostatistics associated goals relating to our CUPID 2 trial for MYDICAR and additional
clinical trials that we may initiate during 2015. The second set of goals, weighted at 25% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consists of manufacturing related goals for MYDICAR. The third set of corporate goals, weighted at 25% towards
overall corporate goal achievement, consists of goals relating to
26
additional development matters. The fourth set of goals, weighted at 10% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consists of goals related to the development of our companion diagnostic for
MYDICAR. The final set of goals, weighted at 10% towards overall corporate goal achievement, consists of corporate and financial related goals. No specific individual goals have been established for any of our named executive officers for 2015.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity awards granted to our named executive officers that remain outstanding as
of December 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards (1) |
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable |
|
|
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable |
|
|
Option exercise price ($)
(2) |
|
|
Option expiration date |
|
Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D. |
|
|
12/2/2005 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137.39 |
|
|
|
12/2/2015 |
|
|
|
|
7/25/2006 |
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
212.33 |
|
|
|
7/25/2016 |
|
|
|
|
7/3/2007 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224.82 |
|
|
|
7/3/2017 |
|
|
|
|
11/13/2007 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224.82 |
|
|
|
11/13/2017 |
|
|
|
|
5/6/2008 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224.82 |
|
|
|
5/6/2018 |
|
|
|
|
3/10/2009 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224.82 |
|
|
|
3/10/2019 |
|
|
|
|
1/14/2010 |
|
|
|
128 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
224.82 |
|
|
|
1/14/2020 |
|
|
|
|
6/10/2010 |
|
|
|
270 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
349.72 |
|
|
|
6/10/2020 |
|
|
|
|
6/15/2012 |
|
|
|
419,781 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
6/14/2022 |
|
|
|
|
1/29/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,000 |
(6) |
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
1/28/2024 |
|
Paul B. Cleveland |
|
|
6/19/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
277,500 |
(7) |
|
|
14.40 |
|
|
|
6/18/2024 |
|
Elizabeth E. Reed |
|
|
3/17/2014 |
|
|
|
1,145 |
(8) |
|
|
4,355 |
(8) |
|
|
14.19 |
|
|
|
3/16/2024 |
|
|
|
|
6/9/2014 |
|
|
|
|
(9) |
|
|
65,000 |
(9) |
|
|
9.12 |
|
|
|
6/8/2024 |
|
(1) |
All of the option awards granted in 2014 were granted under the 2013 plan, the options granted in 2012 were granted under the 2012 plan and all of the option awards granted prior to 2012 were granted under the 2001
plan, the terms of which plans are described below under Equity Benefit Plans. Except as otherwise indicated, each option award under the 2012 and 2001 plans is fully exercisable on the date of grant subject to our right to
repurchase any exercised shares prior to the vesting date for such shares and all vesting is subject to the executives continuous service to us through the vesting dates. The share amounts and exercise prices presented give effect to the
1-for-100 reverse split of our common stock that occurred in January 2012 and the 1-for-12.49 reverse stock split of our common stock effected on October 25, 2013. |
(2) |
All of the option awards were granted with a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date of grant. Prior to our initial public offering, fair market value was
determined in good faith by our Board of Directors, often with the assistance of a third-part valuation expert. Stock options granted after our initial public offering are granted with an exercise price equivalent to the closing price of our common
stock on NASDAQ on the date of grant. |
(3) |
25% of the shares subject to the option vested on the one year anniversary of the March 10, 2009 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest in equal monthly installments
thereafter over the next three years. |
(4) |
1/48th of the shares vested each month after the April 27, 2010 vesting commencement date. |
(5) |
25% of the shares subject to the option vested on the one year anniversary of the January 27, 2012 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest in equal monthly installments
thereafter over the next three years. |
(6) |
25% of the shares subject to the option vest on the one year anniversary of the January 29, 2014 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest in equal monthly installments
thereafter over the next three years. |
27
(7) |
25% of the shares subject to the option vest on the one year anniversary of the June 19, 2014 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest in equal monthly installments thereafter over
the next three years. |
(8) |
1/48th of the shares subject to the option vested on the one month anniversary of the February 25, 2014 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to
the option vest in equal monthly installments thereafter such that the option will be fully vested four years after the vesting commencement date. |
(9) |
25% of the shares subject to the option shall vest on the one year anniversary of the June 9, 2014 vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest in equal monthly installments thereafter
over the next three years. |
Option Repricings
We did not engage in any repricings or other modifications or cancellations to any of our named executive officers outstanding equity
awards during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits
All of our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans, including our medical, dental, vision, life,
disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans, in each case on the same basis as all of our other employees. We pay the premiums for the life, disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance for all of our employees,
including our named executive officers. In addition, we provide each of our employees, including our named executive officers, with $100 cash each month to supplement our life insurance plan and we provide our named executive officers the ability to
participate, on the same basis as all of our employees, in a heath reimbursement arrangement under Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). We provide a 401(k) plan to our employees, including our
named executive officers, as discussed in the section below entitled 401(k) Plan.
We do not provide perquisites or
personal benefits to our named executive officers, except for the commuting expenses paid by us on behalf of or directly to Dr. Zsebo. None of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in qualified or nonqualified
defined benefit plans sponsored by us. Our Board of Directors may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified benefit plans in the future if it determines that doing so is in our best interests.
401(k) Plan
We maintain a defined
contribution employee retirement plan, or 401(k) plan, for our employees. Our named executive officers are also eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same basis as our other employees. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify as a
tax-qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Code. The plan provides that each participant may contribute up to the lesser of 75% of his or her eligible compensation or the statutory limit, which is $17,500 for calendar year 2014.
Participants that are 50 years or older can also make catch-up contributions, which in calendar year 2014 may be up to an additional $5,500 above the statutory limit. We provide an automatic matching contribution as follows: a match of
200% on the first 3% of compensation contributed by a participant and a match of 100% on amounts above 3%, up to 4% of compensation contributed by a participant. We may also elect to provide for discretionary profit sharing contributions, but we did
not provide any such contributions in 2014. In general, eligible compensation for purposes of the 401(k) plan includes an employees earnings reportable on IRS Form W-2 subject to certain adjustments, limits and exclusions required under the
Code. The 401(k) plan currently does not offer the ability to invest in our securities.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
None of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in nonqualified defined contribution plans or other nonqualified
deferred compensation plans maintained by us. Our Board of Directors
28
may elect to provide our officers and other employees with nonqualified defined contribution or other nonqualified deferred compensation benefits in the future if it determines that doing so is
in our best interests.
Equity Benefit Plans
2013 Equity Incentive Plan
Our
Board of Directors adopted the 2013 plan in September 2013 and our stockholders approved the 2013 plan in October 2013, which became effective on January 29, 2014, the date of our final prospectus for our initial public offering. In October
2013, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2013 plan, which our stockholders approved in November 2013. In January 2014, our Board of Directors again approved an amendment to the 2013 plan, which our stockholders approved in January
2014.
No person may be granted stock awards covering more than 3,000,000 shares of our common stock under our 2013 plan during any
calendar year pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights and other stock awards whose value is determined by reference to an increase over an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value on the date the stock award is
granted. Additionally, no person may be granted in a calendar year a performance stock award covering more than 3,000,000 shares of our common stock or a performance cash award having a maximum value in excess of $3,000,000. Such limitations are
designed to help assure that any deductions to which we would otherwise be entitled with respect to such awards will not be subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to any covered executive officer
imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.
Our Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has the authority to
administer the 2013 plan. Our Board of Directors may also delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than other officers) to be recipients of certain stock awards, and (2) determine the number
of shares of common stock to be subject to such stock awards. Subject to the terms of the 2013 plan, our Board of Directors or the authorized committee, referred to herein as the plan administrator, determines recipients, dates of grant, the numbers
and types of stock awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of the stock awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting schedule applicable to a stock award. Subject to the limitations set forth below, the plan
administrator will also determine the exercise price, strike price or purchase price of awards granted and the types of consideration to be paid for the award.
The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2013 plan. Subject to the terms of our 2013 plan, the plan
administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is
treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.
The plan
administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2013 plan, up to a maximum of ten years. Unless the terms of an optionholders stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholders service relationship with
us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. The option term may be extended in
the event that exercise of the option following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws or our insider trading policy. If an optionholders service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to
disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in
the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan
administrator and may include (1) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (2) a
29
broker-assisted cashless exercise, (3) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder, (4) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, and
(5) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator.
Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options
generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. An optionholder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the option following the optionholders
death.
The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable
for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at
the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (1) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock
subject to the option on the date of grant, and (2) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
The 2013
plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards that may qualify as performance-based compensation that is not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation on the income tax deductibility of compensation paid to a covered executive officer
imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. To help assure that the compensation attributable to performance-based awards will so qualify, our Compensation Committee can structure such awards so that stock or cash will be issued or paid pursuant to
such award only after the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period.
The plan
administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The plan administrator will set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split or recapitalization, appropriate
adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2013 plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (3) the
class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs, (4) the class and maximum number of shares subject to stock awards that can be granted in a calendar year (as established under the 2013 plan pursuant to
Section 162(m) of the Code) and (5) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
In the event of certain specified significant corporate transactions, the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following
actions with respect to stock awards:
|
|
|
arrange for the assumption, continuation or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring entity or parent company; |
|
|
|
arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to the surviving or acquiring entity or parent company; |
|
|
|
accelerate the vesting of the stock award and provide for its termination prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction; |
|
|
|
arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase right held by us; |
|
|
|
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as our Board of Directors may deem appropriate; or |
|
|
|
make a payment equal to the excess of (1) the value of the property the participant would have received upon exercise of the stock award over (2) the exercise price otherwise payable in connection with the
stock award. |
30
Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the
same type, in the same manner.
Under the 2013 plan, a corporate transaction is generally the consummation of (1) a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving
corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other
property by virtue of the transaction.
The plan administrator may provide, in an individual award agreement or in any other written
agreement between a participant and us that the stock award will be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the event of a change of control. For example, certain of our employees may receive an award agreement that
provides for vesting acceleration upon the individuals termination without cause or resignation for good reason (including a material reduction in the individuals base salary, duties, responsibilities or authority, or a material
relocation of the individuals principal place of employment with us) in connection with a change of control. Under the 2013 plan, a change of control is generally (1) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined
voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (2) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
surviving entity; or (3) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our consolidated assets.
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Our
Board of Directors and our stockholders approved our 2012 plan, which became effective in January 2012, and was further amended by our Board of Directors and stockholders in October 2013. As of December 31, 2014, there were outstanding stock
awards under our 2012 plan covering a total of 1,195,077 shares of our common stock.
No additional awards will be granted under the 2012
plan, and all awards granted under the 2012 plan that are repurchased, forfeited, expire or are cancelled will become available for grant under the 2013 plan in accordance with its terms.
The plan administrator has the authority to modify outstanding awards under our 2012 plan. Subject to the terms of our 2012 plan, the plan
administrator has the authority to reduce the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding stock award, cancel any outstanding stock award in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is
treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any adversely affected participant.
Unless the
plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a domestic relations order. An optionholder may designate a beneficiary, however, who may exercise the
option following the optionholders death.
In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a
stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (a) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2012 plan, (b) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise
of ISOs and (c) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
Unless otherwise provided in a stock award agreement or other written agreement between us and a participant, in the event of certain
specified significant corporate transactions, the plan administrator has the discretion to take any of the following actions with respect to stock awards:
31
|
|
|
arrange for the assumption, continuation or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring entity or parent company; |
|
|
|
arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to the surviving or acquiring entity or parent company; |
|
|
|
accelerate the vesting of the stock award and provide for its termination prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction; |
|
|
|
arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase right held by us; |
|
|
|
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as our Board of Directors may deem appropriate; or |
|
|
|
make a payment equal to the excess of (a) the value of the property the participant would have received upon exercise of the stock award over (b) the exercise price otherwise payable in connection with the
stock award. |
Our plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards, even those that are of the same type, in
the same manner.
Under the 2012 plan, a corporate transaction is generally defined as the consummation of (1) a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets, (2) a sale or other disposition of at least 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving
corporation, or (4) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other
property by virtue of the transaction.
2001 Stock Option Plan
Our Board of Directors and our stockholders approved our 2001 plan, which became effective in December 2001 and was subsequently amended most
recently in March 2008. The 2001 plan terminated and no further awards were granted under the 2001 plan upon the effective date of the 2012 plan. As of December 31, 2014, there were outstanding stock awards under our 2001 plan covering a total
of 5,484 shares of our common stock.
In the event that there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock
split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of
ISOs, and (3) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock options.
In the event of certain change of control events, outstanding stock options may be assumed or substituted for substantially equivalent stock
options by the surviving or acquiring corporation. If any surviving or acquiring corporation fails to assume or substitute such stock options, all outstanding stock options will terminate effective as of the date of the change of control. However,
not all options will automatically terminate if the Board of Directors otherwise provides for such options in the event of a change of control triggered by the direct or indirect sale or exchange by our stockholders of more than 50% of our voting
stock, where we are the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such sale or exchange less than 50% of the total combined voting power of our voting stock is held by another corporation or corporations that are members of an
affiliated group. In addition, the plan administrator may provide for special vesting acceleration in an individual award agreement or in any other written agreement between a participant and us.
Under the 2001 plan, a change of control is generally defined as an ownership change event where our stockholders immediately before such
event do not retain immediately thereafter, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total combined voting power of outstanding voting securities of us or the
32
corporation or other entity to which our assets were transferred, as applicable, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of our voting stock immediately before such
event. An ownership change event is generally defined as (1) the sale or exchange by our stockholders of more than 50% of our voting stock, (2) a merger or consolation in which we are a party, (3) the sale, exchange or transfer or all
or substantially all of our assets or (4) our liquidation or dissolution.
2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our Board of Directors adopted the 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) in September 2013 and our stockholders approved the
ESPP in October 2013. The ESPP became effective on January 29, 2014, the date of our final prospectus for our initial public offering. The purpose of the ESPP is to retain the services of new employees and secure the services of new and
existing employees while providing incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates.
Our Board of Directors has delegated its authority to administer the ESPP to our Compensation Committee. The ESPP is implemented through a
series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Under the ESPP, we may specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more
purchase dates on which shares of our common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. An offering may be terminated under certain circumstances.
Generally, all regular employees, including executive officers, employed by us or by any of our designated affiliates, may participate in the
ESPP and may contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to 15% of their earnings for the purchase of our common stock under the ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by our Board of Directors, common stock will be purchased for accounts of
employees participating in the ESPP at a price per share equal to the lower of (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first date of an offering or (2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common
stock on the date of purchase.
In the event that there occurs a change in our capital structure through such actions as a stock split,
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate
structure or similar transaction, the Board of Directors will make appropriate adjustments to (1) the number of shares reserved under the ESPP, (2) the maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each
year and (3) the number of shares and purchase price of all outstanding purchase rights.
In the event of certain significant
corporate transactions, including the consummation of: (1) a sale of all our assets, (2) the sale or disposition of 90% of our outstanding securities, (3) a merger or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction and
(4) a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, any
then-outstanding rights to purchase our stock under the ESPP may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to
assume, continue or substitute for such purchase rights, then the participants accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our common stock within ten business days prior to such corporate transaction, and such
purchase rights will terminate immediately.
33
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth in summary form information concerning the compensation that we paid or awarded during the year ended
December 31, 2014 to each of our non-employee directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (1) |
|
Fees Earned or Pain in Cash ($) |
|
|
Option Awards ($) (2) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
Gregg Alton |
|
|
41,500 |
|
|
|
93,012 |
|
|
|
134,512 |
|
Graham Cooper |
|
|
53,028 |
|
|
|
93,012 |
|
|
|
146,040 |
|
Todd Foley (3) |
|
|
11,712 |
|
|
|
109,282 |
|
|
|
120,994 |
|
Joshua Funder, Ph.D |
|
|
34,583 |
|
|
|
167,242 |
|
|
|
201,825 |
|
Michael Narachi |
|
|
66,861 |
|
|
|
108,465 |
|
|
|
175,326 |
|
Peter Honig, M.D. |
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
152,479 |
|
|
|
185,812 |
|
Patrick Yang, Ph. D. |
|
|
29,167 |
|
|
|
152,479 |
|
|
|
181,646 |
|
Barbara J. Dalton, Ph.D. (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johan Kördel, Ph.D. (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Dr. Zsebo was an employee director during 2014 and did not earn any compensation in 2014 for her service on the Board of Directors. Her compensation as an employee is fully reflected in the Summary Compensation
Table above. |
(2) |
Amounts listed represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted during 2014 computed in accordance with ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 7 to our
audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015. These amounts do not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the
non-employee director upon vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options, or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate number of shares outstanding under all options to
purchase our common stock held by our non-employee directors were: Mr. Alton: 30,000; Mr. Cooper: 30,000, Dr. Funder: 30,000, Mr. Narachi: 40,000, Dr. Honig: 22,500, and Dr. Yang: 22,500. |
(3) |
Mr. Foley and Dr. Dalton did not stand for re-election at our 2014 annual meeting. |
(4) |
Dr. Kördel resigned from our Board of Directors in March 2014. |
Our Board of Directors
adopted a new compensation policy in September 2013 that became effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement dated January 29, 2014 for our initial public offering and is applicable to all of our non-employee
directors. This compensation policy provides that each such non-employee director will receive the following compensation for service on our Board of Directors:
|
|
|
an annual cash retainer of $30,000; |
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an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000 for service as chairman of our Board of Directors or at the chairmans election, an option to purchase 5,000 shares subject to the terms described below for an annual
option grant; |
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an additional annual cash retainer of $7,500, $5,000 and $5,000 for service on our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, respectively; |
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an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 for service as chairman of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, respectively;
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an automatic annual option grant to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock for each non-employee director serving on the Board of Directors on the date of our annual stockholder meeting (including by reason of his
or her election at such meeting), in each case vesting monthly until our next annual stockholder meeting subject to the directors continued service with us (the foregoing grants to non-employee directors joining our Board of Directors other
than at an annual stockholder meeting will be prorated for the number of months remaining until our next annual stockholder meeting); |
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upon first joining our Board of Directors, an automatic initial grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock that vests monthly over a three-year period following the grant date subject to the
directors continued service with us; and |
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on January 29, 2014, the date of the underwriting agreement for our initial public offering, an automatic option grant to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock to each non-employee director serving on the
Board of Directors on such date that will vest monthly over a three-year period following the grant date subject to the directors continued service with us; provided that Mr. Alton, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Narachi received grants of
6,415, 6,415 and 9,243 shares of common stock, respectively, in lieu of such grants. |
In March 2014, the Board of Directors
approved the establishment of a Research & Development Committee, and approved cash compensation for the non-employee directors serving on the Research & Development Committee. Each non-employee director serving on the
Research & Development Committee will receive an additional cash retainer of $5,000, and the chairman of the Research & Development Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000 for service as chairman.
Each of the option grants described above will vest and become exercisable subject to the directors continuous service with us, provided
that each option will vest in full upon a change of control, as defined under our 2013 plan. In addition, the post-termination exercise period for each of the option grants described above will be three years from the date of termination of service,
if such termination of service is other than for cause subject to the ten-year term of each option. The options will be granted under our 2013 plan, the terms of which are described in more detail above under Equity Benefit
Plans2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Drs. Dalton and Kördel waived their right to receive any director compensation.
35
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
RELATED-PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES
We have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review,
consideration and oversight of related-person transactions. For purposes of our policy only, a related-person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or
relationships) in which we and any related person are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.
Transactions
involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than 5% of our common
stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
Under the policy, where a
transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, management must present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our Audit Committee (or, where review by our Audit Committee would be inappropriate, to another
independent body of our Board of Directors) for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and
whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-person transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant stockholders. In considering related-person
transactions, our Audit Committee or another independent body of our Board of Directors takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
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the risks, costs and benefits to us; |
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the impact on a directors independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; |
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the terms of the transaction; |
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the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and |
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the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally. |
In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and
approval.
CERTAIN RELATED-PERSON TRANSACTIONS
The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2014 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the
transaction exceeded the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Companys total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years. Since January 1, 2014, the Company has engaged in the following transactions with
related persons:
Convertible Note and Warrant Financing
In October 2013, we entered into a convertible note and warrant purchase agreement with each of our greater than 5% stockholders, including
entities affiliated with certain members of our board of directors, pursuant to which we issued $1,097,017 aggregate principal amount of convertible notes (the 2013 notes), and warrants exercisable for shares of our Series A-1 preferred
stock (the 2013 warrants). The 2013 notes accrued interest at a rate of 6% per annum, compounded annually, and were converted into an aggregate of 139,644 shares of our common stock in February 2014 in connection with the closing of
our initial public offering at a conversion price of $8.00 per share (the purchase price to the public in our initial public offering).
36
The 2013 warrants were originally exercisable for an aggregate of 2,895,570 shares of Series A-1
preferred stock at an exercise price of $0.449 per share. In connection with the completion of our initial public offering, the 2013 warrants became exercisable for an aggregate of 231,821 shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of
approximately $5.61 per share. In May 2014, we issued 25,481 shares of our common stock to Novartis International Pharmaceutical Investment Ltd pursuant to the exercise of a 2013 warrant for approximately $0.1 million in cash. The 2013 warrants
will expire in October 2018.
The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of securities acquired by the listed holders of more
than 5% of our capital stock, or their affiliates, in the convertible note and warrant financing.
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Aggregate Principal Amount of 2013 Notes (dollars in thousands) |
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Shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock Underlying 2013 Warrants |
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Coöperatief LSP IV UA |
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81 |
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198,916 |
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Enterprise Partners and affiliated entities (1) |
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106 |
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260,859 |
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Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation |
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43 |
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GBS Bioventures IV |
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182 |
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672,060 |
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H&Q Healthcare Investors and affiliated entities (2) |
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81 |
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199,055 |
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Lundbeckfond Invest A/S |
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146 |
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358,049 |
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MPM Capital and affiliated entities (3) |
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89 |
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218,806 |
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Novartis Bioventures Ltd. and affiliated entities (4) |
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130 |
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318,266 |
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Pfizer Inc. |
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182 |
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532,818 |
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Venrock Partners and affiliated entities (5) |
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56 |
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136,741 |
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(1) |
Consists of $43,752.19 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 107,187 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Enterprise Partners V, L.P.; $43,752.19 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013
warrants to purchase 107,187 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Enterprise Partners VI, L.P.; and $18,974.54 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 46,485 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Enterprise
Partners Management, LLC. |
(2) |
Consists of $56,062.96 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 137,348 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to H & Q Healthcare Investors and $25,187.70 principal amount of 2013 notes and
2013 warrants to purchase 61,707 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to H & Q Life Sciences Investors. |
(3) |
Consists of $83,708.25 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 205,075 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to MPM BioVentures IV-QP, L.P.; $3,224.93 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013
warrants to purchase 7,900 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to MPM BioVentures IV GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG; and $2,380.30 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 5,831 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock
issued to MPM Asset Management Investors BV4 LLC. |
(4) |
Consists of $129,910.51 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 318,266 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Novartis International Pharmaceutical Investment Ltd. |
(5) |
Consists of $9,265.45 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 22,699 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Venrock Partners, L.P.; $45,434.20 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013
warrants to purchase 111,308 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Venrock Associates IV, L.P.; and $1,116.30 principal amount of 2013 notes and 2013 warrants to purchase 2,734 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock issued to Venrock
Entrepreneurs Fund IV, L.P. |
37
Below is a summary of certain information relating to such notes as of and for the year ended December 31,
2014:
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Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
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Largest aggregate principal amount outstanding |
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1,097 |
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Principal and interest repaid |
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Principal and interest converted to equity |
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License Agreement with Enterprise Partners
In July 2014, we and Enterprise Partners Management, LLC (Enterprise) entered into an Assignment and License Agreement, pursuant to
which Enterprise granted to us an exclusive, worldwide license and the assignment of patents held by Enterprise relating to certain gene therapy applications of mSCF for the treatment of cardiac ischemia. We have the right to grant sublicenses to
third parties under the agreement.
In consideration for the rights granted to us under the agreement, we paid an upfront fee to
Enterprise of $160,000. We are also obligated to pay to Enterprise a milestone payment in the amount of $1,000,000 upon the grant to us, or an affiliate or sublicensee of ours, of the first regulatory approval in the United States of a product that
is covered by the licensed patents. In addition, we are required to pay to Enterprise a 2% royalty on net sales of products sold by us or by our affiliates or sublicensees that are covered by the licensed patents. Our royalty obligations continue on
a product-by-product and country-by-country basis until the expiration of the last-to-expire valid claim in the licensed patents covering a licensed product in such country.
Participation in our Initial Public Offering
In January 2014, certain of our existing stockholders, officers and directors purchased an aggregate of 1,453,651 shares of our common stock in
our initial public offering at a price of $8.00 per share, or $11.6 million in the aggregate.
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Purchaser |
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Initial Public Offering Shares |
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Pfizer, Inc. |
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227,261 |
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H&Q Healthcare Investors |
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70,072 |
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H&Q Life Sciences Investors |
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31,485 |
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GBS Bioventure IV |
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227,261 |
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MPM BioVentures IV-QP, LP |
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104,603 |
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MPM BioVentures IV BMBH & Co |
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4,030 |
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MPM Asset Management Investors |
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2,975 |
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Lundbeckfond Invest A/S |
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182,681 |
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Cooperatief LSP IV UA |
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101,488 |
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Novartis Bioventures Ltd. |
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162,386 |
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Enterprise Liquidating Trust V |
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57,229 |
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Enterprise Liquidating Trust VI |
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57,229 |
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Enterprise Partners Management |
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18,625 |
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Venrock Partners, L.P. |
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11,574 |
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Venrock Associates IV, L.P. |
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56,784 |
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Venrock Entrepreneurs Fund IV, L.P. |
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1,385 |
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Johnson & Johnson Development Corp |
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54,083 |
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Michael Narachi |
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62,500 |
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B. Fredrik Wiklund |
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20,000 |
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Participation in Follow-on Offering
In August 2014, we conducted a follow-on public offering in which GBS Venture Partners participated by purchasing 146,800 shares of our common
stock at the public offering price of $9.50 per share, or $1.4 million in the aggregate.
Certain of our current and former directors have
affiliations with the investors that participated in the convertible note and warrant financing, initial public offering and August 2014 follow-on offering described above, as indicated in the table below:
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Director |
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Principal Stockholder |
Fouad Azzam, Ph.D.* |
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Coöperatief LSP IV UA |
Barbara Dalton, Ph.D.* |
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Pfizer Inc. |
Todd Foley* |
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MPM Capital and affiliated entities |
Joshua Funder, Ph.D. |
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GBS Bioventures IV and affiliated entities |
Johan Kördel, Ph.D.* |
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Lundbeckfond Invest A/S |
Daniel Omstead, Ph.D.* |
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H&Q Healthcare Investors and affiliated entities |
Andrew E. Senyei, M.D.* |
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Enterprise Partners V, L.P. and affiliated entities |
Lauren Silverman, Ph.D.* |
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Novartis Bioventures Ltd. and affiliated entities |
Investor Agreements
In connection with our preferred stock financings, we entered into amended and restated investor rights, voting and right of first refusal and
co-sale agreements containing voting rights, information rights, rights of first refusal and registration rights, among other things, with certain holders of our preferred stock and certain holders of our common stock, including all of the holders
of more than 5% of our capital stock or entities affiliated with them. These stockholder agreements terminated upon the closing of our initial public offering, except for the amended and restated investor rights agreement which terminates seven
years after the closing of our initial public offering, and contains certain registration rights as more fully described in our final prospectus for our initial public offering filed with the SEC on January 30, 2014 under the heading
Description of Capital StockRegistration Rights.
Employment Arrangements
We currently have written employment agreements with our executive officers. For information about our employment agreements with our named
executive officers, refer to Executive CompensationAgreements with our Named Executive Officers.
Stock Options Granted to Executive
Officers and Directors
We have granted stock options to our executive officers and directors, as more fully described in
Executive CompensationOutstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in
addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments,
fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or executive
39
officers or as a director or executive officer of any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification
agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
The limitation of liability and
indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the
likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. A stockholders investment may decline in value to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and
damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
40
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for annual
meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of annual meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding,
potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders
who are Celladon stockholders will be householding the Companys proxy materials. A single set of annual meeting materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received
from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke
your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate set of annual meeting materials, please notify your broker or Celladon. Direct your written request to Celladon
Corporation, Fredrik Wiklund, Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations, 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130 or contact Mr. Wiklund at (858) 432-7215. Stockholders who currently receive multiple
copies of the annual meeting materials at their addresses and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their brokers.
41
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are
properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Elizabeth E. Reed |
Secretary |
April 30, 2015
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014 is available without charge upon written request to: Corporate Secretary, Celladon Corporation, 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 650, San Diego, California 92130.
42
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
CELLADON CORPORATION
June 4, 2015
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PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
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INTERNET - Access www.voteproxy.com and follow the on-screen instructions or scan the QR code with
your smartphone. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page. |
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TELEPHONE - Call toll-free
1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you
call. |
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Vote online/phone until
11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting.
MAIL - Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. |
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COMPANY NUMBER |
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ACCOUNT
NUMBER |
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IN PERSON - You may vote your shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting. |
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GO GREEN -
e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.amstock.com to enjoy online
access. |
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NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/18634
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i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the
envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet. i
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10030000000000000000 3 |
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060415
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
x |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
1. Election of one Class II director: |
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To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2015. |
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NOMINEE: |
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To transact such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
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FOR THE NOMINEE |
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Michael Narachi |
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In their discretion, the
proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted FOR THE NOMINEE in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2. |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR THE NOMINEE |
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To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address
in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Note: n |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator,
attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person. |
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n |
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
CELLADON CORPORATION
June 4, 2015
GO GREEN
e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy
material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and
paper waste. Enroll today via www.amstock.com to enjoy online access.
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card
are available at
http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/18634
Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
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i Please detach along perforated line and mail in the
envelope provided. i |
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¢
10030000000000000000 3 |
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060415
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
x |
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FOR |
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1. Election of one Class II director: |
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To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2015. |
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NOMINEE: |
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To transact such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
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FOR THE NOMINEE |
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Michael Narachi |
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In their discretion, the
proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted FOR ALL NOMINEE in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2. |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR THE NOMINEE |
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To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address
in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Note: n |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator,
attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person. |
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0 |
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n |
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PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
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TO BE HELD ON JUNE 4, 2015 |
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CELLADON CORPORATION |
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The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Krisztina M. Zsebo, Ph.D. and Paul B. Cleveland, and each of
them, as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, to vote all of the shares of stock of Celladon Corporation that the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Celladon
Corporation to be held at the offices of Cooley LLP located at 4401 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, California 92121 on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. (local time), and at any and all postponements and adjournments thereof, with all powers that the
undersigned would possess if personally present, on the following matters and in accordance with the following instructions, with discretionary authority as to any other business that may properly come before the meeting. |
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This proxy, when properly executed and returned, will be voted in the manner directed herein.
If no direction is indicated, this proxy will be voted FOR the nominee listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2, as more specifically described in the proxy statement, and in the discretion of the proxy holders upon any other business as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.) |
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1.1 |
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14475 |
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n |
CELLADON CORP (NASDAQ:CLDN)
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