UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14A
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PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Amendment No.__)
Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
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KINTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
_____________________________________________________________
(Name(s) of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Fee computer on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per
Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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KINTARA THERAPEUTICS, Inc.
9920 Pacific Heights Blvd, Suite 150
San Diego, California 92121
April [●],
2022
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc., or the Annual Meeting,
which will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 12:00 p.m., Eastern
time. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held via the Internet.
Stockholders will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit
questions and vote online regardless of location via the Internet
at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm.
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by first registering
at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique
join link along with a password prior to the meeting date.
You will not be able to attend the
Annual Meeting in person.
The Annual Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
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to
elect four directors to the Board of Directors to hold office for
the following year until their successors are elected;
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to approve an amendment
to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to increase
the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
thereunder from 175,000,000 to 275,000,000;
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to
approve an amendment to the Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. 2017
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares
of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 13,000,000
to 22,000,000;
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to
ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June
30, 2022; and
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to
transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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Please complete, sign and return the proxy card whether or not you
plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Alternatively, you may vote
online at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
Your vote is important regardless
of the number of shares you own. Voting by proxy will not prevent
you from voting at the virtual Annual Meeting (provided you follow
the revocation procedures described in the accompanying proxy
statement) but will assure that your vote is counted if you cannot
attend.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the employees of Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc., we thank you for your continued support and
look forward to speaking with you at the Annual Meeting.
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By:
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/s/ Robert E. Hoffman
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Robert E. Hoffman
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President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board
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If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your
shares, please call:
Alliance Advisors LLC
200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
855-600-2576
1
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Date:
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June 21, 2022
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Time:
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12:00 p.m., Eastern Time
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Place:
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This year’s Annual Meeting will be held via the Internet.
Stockholders will be able to listen, vote and submit questions
regardless of location via the Internet at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm.
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by first registering
at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique
join link along with a password prior to the meeting date.
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At our 2022 Annual Meeting, we will ask you:
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1.
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to
elect four directors to the Board of Directors to hold office for
the following year until their successors are elected;
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2.
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to
approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance thereunder from 175,000,000 to 275,000,000;
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3.
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to
approve an amendment to our Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase
the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
thereunder from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000;
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4.
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to
ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2022;
and
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5.
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to
transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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You may vote at the Annual Meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement of the Annual Meeting) if you were a stockholder of
Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. at the close of business on April 28,
2022, or the Record Date. Only stockholders of record at the close
of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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By:
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/s/ Scott Praill
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Scott Praill
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Secretary
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San Diego, California
April [●], 2022
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21,
2022: The Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2021, are available at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting via live
webcast by visiting http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm.
To be sure your vote is counted and assure a quorum is present, it
is important that you vote your shares regardless of the number of
shares you own. The Board of Directors urges you to vote over the
Internet by going to http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022
or by telephone by calling (855) 600-2576 or to sign, date and mark
the proxy card promptly and return it to Kintara. Voting over the
Internet or by telephone or by returning the proxy card will not
prevent you from voting at the virtual Annual Meeting. Under Securities and Exchange Commission
rules, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by
sending you this full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you
of the availability of our proxy materials on the
Internet.
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THE MEETING
General
Kintara Therapeutics, Inc., or Kintara, is a Nevada corporation. As
used in this proxy statement, “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company”
refer to Kintara. The term “Annual Meeting” as used in this proxy
statement refers to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
includes any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we are
providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this
full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you of the
availability of our proxy materials online at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022,
where you can access our Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual
Meeting, our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021
and proxy card. In addition, our proxy materials provide
instructions on how you may request to receive, at no charge, all
future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by
email. Your election to receive proxy materials by mail or email
will remain in effect until you revoke it. Choosing to receive
future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing
and mailing documents to stockholders and will reduce the impact of
our annual meetings on the environment.
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) is soliciting your proxy to
vote at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement summarizes the
information you will need to know to cast an informed vote at the
Annual Meeting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to
vote your shares. You may simply complete, sign and return the
proxy card and your votes will be cast for you at the Annual
Meeting or you may vote online at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
This process is described below in the section entitled “Voting
Rights.”
This proxy statement and the Notice of Annual Meeting are dated
April [●], 2022. If you owned shares of common stock or Series C
Preferred Stock of Kintara at the close of business on April 28,
2022, the “Record Date,” you are entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting, as set out below. On the Record Date, there were [●]
shares of common stock and [●] shares of Series C Preferred Stock
of Kintara outstanding.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. Each
share of Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of
common stock based on the respective conversion prices and is
entitled to vote with the common stock on an as-converted basis.
The conversion prices for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock, Series
C-2 Preferred Stock and Series C-3 Preferred Stock are $1.16,
$1.214 and $1.15, respectively. As of the Record Date, we had
outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock that were
convertible into an aggregate of [●] shares of common stock. The
principal Series C holder (the “Series C Holder”) is subject to a
4.99% blocker which restricts the voting power of the Series C
Holder to the blocker amount. As such, shares of Series C Preferred
Stock held by the Series C Holder that were convertible into an
aggregate of [●] shares of common stock are ineligible to vote and
do not count as outstanding for purposes of the Annual Meeting. As
a result, in the aggregate, as of the Record Date, there were [●]
shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format
only. The Annual Meeting will convene on June 21, 2022 at 12:00
p.m. Eastern time. In order to participate in the Annual Meeting
live via the Internet, you must register at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm
by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time by June 20, 2022. If you are a
registered holder, you must register using the virtual control
number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the
proxy materials). If you hold your shares beneficially through a
bank or broker, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank or
broker during registration and you will be assigned a virtual
control number in order to vote your shares during the Annual
Meeting. If you are unable to obtain a legal proxy to vote your
shares, you will still be able to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting
(but will not be able to vote your shares) so long as you
demonstrate proof of stock ownership. Instructions on how to
connect and participate via the Internet, including how to
demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you have properly registered,
you may enter the Annual Meeting by logging in using the event
password you received via email in your registration confirmation
at http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm.
3
The Annual Meeting can be accessed by visiting http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022/vm,
where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit
questions and vote online. You will need the virtual control
number. As part of the Annual Meeting, we will hold a live question
and answer session, during which we intend to answer questions
submitted in writing during the meeting in accordance with the
Annual Meeting procedures which are pertinent to the Company and
the meeting matters, as time permits. Questions and answers will be
grouped by topic and substantially similar questions will be
grouped and answered once.
If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting live
audio webcast during the meeting time, please email
VirtualMeeting@viewproxy.com or call (866) 612-8937.
Even if you plan to attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting,
we encourage you to vote in advance by Internet, telephone or mail
so that your vote will be counted even if you later decide not to
attend the virtual Annual Meeting.
Purpose Of Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote:
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to
elect four directors to the Board of Directors to hold office for
the following year until their successors are elected;
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to
approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance thereunder from 175,000,000 to 275,000,000;
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to
approve an amendment to our Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase
the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
thereunder from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000; and
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to
ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2022;
and
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to
transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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Quorum
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The
holders of at least 33.3% of the outstanding voting power of the
shares of common stock and Series C Preferred Stock as of the
Record Date, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
Kintara will include proxies marked as abstentions and broker
non-votes to determine the number of shares present at the Annual
Meeting.
Voting Rights
Holders of Kintara’s common stock are entitled to one vote at the
Annual Meeting for each share of the common stock that he or she
owned as of the Record Date.
Holders of Kintara’s Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote
on an as-converted basis with the common stock. The conversion
prices for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock, Series C-2 Preferred
Stock and Series C-3 Preferred Stock are $1.16, $1.214 and $1.15,
respectively. Each share of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock, Series
C-2 Preferred Stock and Series C-3 Preferred Stock was convertible
into [●] shares, [●] shares, and [●] shares, respectively, of
common stock as of the Record Date, based on the $1,000 per share
stated value and is entitled to the same number of votes per share.
The Series C Holder is subject to a 4.99% blocker which restricts
the voting power
of the Series C Holder to the blocker amount. As such, shares of
Series C Preferred Stock held by the Series C Holder that were
convertible into an aggregate of [●] shares of common stock are
ineligible to vote and do not count as outstanding for purposes of
the Annual Meeting.
4
You may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting via live webcast,
over the Internet or by proxy. If you wish to vote your shares
electronically at the Annual Meeting, there will be a live link
provided during the Annual Meeting (you will need the virtual
control number assigned to you).
To vote over the Internet, you must go to http://www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022.
To vote by proxy, complete, sign and return the proxy card in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you properly complete your proxy
card and send it to us in time to vote, your “proxy” (one of the
individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares as you
have directed. If you are a
stockholder of record and you return a properly executed proxy card
or vote by proxy over the Internet but do not mark the boxes
showing how you wish to vote, your proxy will vote your shares FOR
the Board’s nominees for director; FOR the amendment to the
Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of
shares authorized for issuance thereunder; FOR the increase in the
number of shares authorized for issuance under the Company’s 2017
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and FOR the
ratification of the appointment of our independent registered
public accounting firm and, in the discretion of the proxy holders,
on any other matters that properly come before the meeting.
If any other matter is presented, your proxy will vote your shares
as a majority of the Board determines. As of the date of this proxy
statement, we know of no other matters that may be presented at the
Annual Meeting, other than those listed in the Notice of the Annual
Meeting.
If you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or other
nominee, you should vote your shares in accordance with the steps
required by such bank, brokerage firm or other nominee.
Vote Required
Assuming that a quorum is present, the following votes will be
required to approve each proposal:
With respect to the first proposal (election of directors),
directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person
or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of
directors. The director nominees who receive the greatest number of
votes at the Annual Meeting (up to the total number of directors to
be elected) will be elected. As a result, abstentions and “broker
non-votes” (see below), if any, will not affect the outcome of the
vote on Proposal 1. Consequently, only shares that are voted in
favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward such nominee’s
achievement of a plurality. You may not vote your shares
cumulatively for the election of directors.
With respect to the second proposal to approve an amendment to our
Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of
common stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 175,000,000 to
275,000,000, the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the
voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of our shares of
common stock and Series C Preferred Stock that are entitled to
vote, voting together as a single class is required to approve
Proposal 2. As a result, abstentions and “broker non-votes” (see
below), if any, will have the effect of a vote against Proposal 2.
Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners
instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.
With respect to the third proposal to approve an amendment to the
Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized
for issuance thereunder from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000, the fourth
proposal to ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as well as the
approval of any other matter that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting
power of all of the votes cast, is required to approve these
proposals. As a result, abstentions, broker non-votes, if any, and
any other failure to submit a proxy or vote in person at the
meeting, will not affect the outcome of the vote of Proposals 3 and
4.
You will not have any dissenters’ rights of appraisal in connection
with any of the matters to be voted on at the meeting.
The Board has determined that a vote in favor of the foregoing
proposals is in the best interests of Kintara and its stockholders
and unanimously recommends a vote FOR the Board’s nominees for director; FOR the
amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase
the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder; FOR the
increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the
Plan; and
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FOR the ratification of the
appointment
of our independent registered public accounting firm and, in the
discretion of the proxy holders, on any other matters that properly
come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for action at the meeting, but if other matters are
properly brought before the meeting, shares represented by properly
completed proxies received by mail, telephone or the Internet will
be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named as
proxies.
Broker Non-Votes
Banks and brokers acting as nominees are permitted to use
discretionary voting authority to vote proxies for proposals that
are deemed “routine” by the New York Stock Exchange (the exchange
that makes such determinations) but are not permitted to use
discretionary voting authority to vote proxies for proposals that
are deemed “non-routine” by the New York Stock Exchange. A broker
“non-vote” occurs when a proposal is deemed “non-routine” and a
nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not have
discretionary voting authority with respect to the matter being
considered and has not received instructions from the beneficial
owner. The determination of which proposals are deemed “routine”
versus “non-routine” may not be made by the New York Stock Exchange
until after the date on which this proxy statement has been mailed
to you. As such, it is important that you provide voting
instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, if you wish to
determine the voting of your shares.
Under the applicable rules governing such brokers, we believe
Proposal 2 to approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation
to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance thereunder from 175,000,000 to 275,000,000 and Proposal 4
to ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm are likely to be considered
“routine” items. This means that brokers may vote using their
discretion on such proposals on behalf of beneficial owners who
have not furnished voting instructions. In contrast, certain items
are considered “non-routine”, and a “broker non-vote” occurs when
brokers do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners
with respect to such items because the brokers are not entitled to
vote such uninstructed shares. We believe Proposal 1 to elect
directors and Proposal 3 to approve an amendment to the Plan to
increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance thereunder from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000 are likely to be
considered “non-routine”, which means that brokers cannot vote your
uninstructed shares when they do not receive voting instructions
from you. Furthermore, if approvals of Proposals 2 or 4 are deemed
by the New York Stock Exchange to be “non-routine” matters,
brokers will not be permitted to vote on Proposals 2 or 4 if the
broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. If
the New York Stock Exchange determines Proposal 2 to be
“non-routine,” failure to vote on Proposal 2, which requires the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of our issued and
outstanding voting securities, or to instruct your broker how to
vote any shares held for you in your broker’s names, will have the
same effect as a vote against such proposal. Accordingly, it is
particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their
brokers how they wish to vote their shares for these proposals.
If your shares are held of record by a bank, broker, or other
nominee, we urge you to give instructions to your bank, broker, or
other nominee as to how you wish your shares to be voted so you may
participate in the stockholder voting on these important
matters.
Changing Your Vote after Voting over the Internet or Revoking Your
Proxy
You may change your vote by attending the Annual Meeting and voting
online even if you previously voted over the Internet.
Alternatively, you may change your vote by contacting Alliance
Advisors by phone at (855) 600-2576, or re-voting over the Internet
following the instructions provided.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised
by:
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filing
with our Secretary, a letter revoking the proxy;
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submitting
another signed proxy with a later date; or
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attending
the Annual Meeting and voting online, provided you file a written
revocation with the Secretary of the Annual Meeting prior to the
voting of such proxy.
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6
If your shares are not registered in your own name, you will need
appropriate documentation from your stockholder of record to vote
at the Annual Meeting. Examples
of such documentation include a broker’s statement, letter or other
document that will confirm your ownership of shares of
Kintara.
Solicitation of Proxies
Kintara will pay the costs of soliciting proxies from its
stockholders, directors, officers or employees of Kintara may
solicit proxies by mail, telephone or other forms of communication.
We will also reimburse banks, brokers, nominees and other
fiduciaries for the expenses they incur in forwarding the proxy
materials to you.
Kintara has also retained Alliance Advisors LLC to assist it in the
solicitation of proxies. Alliance Advisors LLC will solicit proxies
on behalf of Kintara from individuals, brokers, bank nominees and
other institutional holders in the same manner described above. The
fees that will be paid to Alliance Advisors LLC are anticipated to
be approximately $12,000, and we will reimburse their out-of-pocket
expenses. Kintara has also agreed to indemnify Alliance Advisors
against certain claims.
7
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information, as of April 22,
2022, with respect to the beneficial ownership of the outstanding
common stock by (i) any holder of more than five (5%) percent; (ii)
each of the Company’s named executive officers, directors and
executive officers; and (iii) the Company’s directors and executive
officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the
stockholders listed below has sole voting and investment power over
the shares beneficially owned.
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
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Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
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Percentage of
Common
Stock(2)
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5% or Greater Stockholders:
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Lind Global Fund II LP
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3,773,586
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(3)
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5.8%
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Directors, Executive Officers and Named Executive Officers:
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Dennis Brown
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395,209
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(4)
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*
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Robert E. Hoffman
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332,597
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(5)
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*
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Laura Johnson
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197,997
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(6)
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*
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John Liatos
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464,137
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(7)
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*
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Scott Praill
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512,815
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(8)
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*
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Tamara A. Seymour
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51,253
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(9)
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*
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Robert J. Toth, Jr.
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282,163
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(10)
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*
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Saiid Zarrabian
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2,196,723
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(11)
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3.3%
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All officers and directors as a group (7 persons)
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3,968,757
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5.9%
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(1)
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Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner
is c/o Kintara Therapeutics, Inc., 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd, Suite
150, San Diego, CA 92121.
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(2)
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Applicable percentage ownership is based on 65,532,826 shares of
common stock outstanding as of April 22, 2022, together with
securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock
within 60 days of April 22, 2022 for each stockholder. Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and
generally includes voting or investment power with respect to
securities. Shares of common stock that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60 days of April 22, 2022 are deemed to be
beneficially owned by the person holding such securities for the
purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of such person,
but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person.
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(3)
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Ownership is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on April
20, 2022. Includes 3,773,586 shares of common stock and does not
include 3,773,586 shares of common stock underlying investment
warrants. The exercise of the investment warrants held by Lind
Global Fund II LP are subject to a 4.99% beneficial ownership
blocker. Jeff Easton, the managing member of Lind Global Fund II
LP, has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares
held by Lind Global Fund II LP and may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of these shares. Lind Global Partners II LLC, the
general partner of Lind Global Fund II LP, may be deemed to have
sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held
by Lind
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Global Fund II LP. The principal business address for Lind Global
Fund II LP is 444 Madison Ave., Floor 41, New York, NY
10022.
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(4)
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Includes 53,750 shares held by Valent Technologies, LLC, and
334,641 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options and
outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 22,
2022.
|
(5)
|
Includes 277,597 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
(6)
|
Includes 194,997 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
(7)
|
Includes 267,387 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
(8)
|
Includes 475,629 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
(9)
|
Includes 51,253 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
(10)
|
Includes 280,597 shares issuable upon exercise of vested options
and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of April
22, 2022.
|
(11)
|
Includes 2,140,633 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock
options and outstanding stock options exercisable within 60 days of
April 22, 2022.
|
_____________________
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
_____________________
Our Board is currently composed of five directors, four of whom are
being nominated for reelection at this Annual Meeting. Vacancies on
the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a majority of
the remaining directors or by the sole remaining director. A
director elected by the Board to fill a vacancy, including
vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall
serve for the remainder of the full term of that director for which
the vacancy was created and until the director’s successor is duly
elected and qualified.
Each of the four nominees listed below are incumbent directors.
Saiid Zarrabian, who has served as a director since 2017, will not
be standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. If elected at
the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees would serve until the
next annual meeting and until his or her successor has been duly
elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until the director’s death,
resignation or removal.
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. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will not be treated as a vote for or against any particular
director nominee and will not affect the outcome of the election.
Stockholders may not vote, or submit a proxy, for a greater number
of nominees than the four nominees named below. The director
nominees 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 four
director nominees named below. If any director nominee becomes
unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence,
shares that would have been voted for that nominee will instead be
voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our
Board. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if
elected. Our management has no reason to believe that any nominee
will be unable to serve.
9
Nominees for Election Until the Next Annual Meeting
The following table sets forth the name, age, position and tenure
of each of the nominees at the 2022 Annual Meeting:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position(s) Held With
Kintara
|
|
Director
Since
|
Robert E. Hoffman
|
|
56
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board
|
|
2018
|
Robert J. Toth, Jr.
|
|
58
|
|
Director
|
|
2013
|
Laura Johnson
|
|
57
|
|
Director
|
|
2020
|
Tamara A. Seymour
|
|
63
|
|
Director
|
|
2021
|
The following includes a brief biography of each of the nominees
standing for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual
Meeting, based on information furnished to us by each director
nominee, with each biography including information regarding the
experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of
Directors to determine that the applicable nominee should serve as
a member of our Board of Directors.
Robert E. Hoffman has served as
our director since April 11, 2018, as our Chairman since June 2,
2018, and as our Chief Executive Officer and President since
November 8, 2021. He has served as a member of Aslan
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s board of directors since October 2018, as a
member of Antibe Therapeutics Inc.’s board of directors since
November 2020, and as a member of Saniona AB’s board of directors
since September 2021. Mr. Hoffman served as Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. a
publicly-held pharmaceutical company from April 2017 to October
2020. Prior to joining Heron Therapeutics, Inc., Mr. Hoffman
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Innovus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-held pharmaceutical
company, from September 2016 to April 2017. From July 2015 to
September 2016, Mr. Hoffman served as Chief Financial Officer
of AnaptysBio, Inc., a publicly-held biotechnology company. From
June 2012 to July 2015, Mr. Hoffman served as the Senior Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Arena
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Arena, a publicly-held biopharmaceutical
company. From August 2011 to June 2012 and previously from December
2005 to March 2011, he served as Arena’s Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer and in a number of various roles of
increasing responsibility from 1997 to December 2005. From March
2011 to August 2011, Mr. Hoffman served as Chief Financial
Officer for Polaris Group, a biopharmaceutical drug company.
Mr. Hoffman formerly served as a member of the board of
directors of Kura Oncology, Inc., a cancer research company,
CombiMatrix Corporation, a molecular diagnostics company, MabVax
Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company and
Aravive, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company.
Mr. Hoffman serves as a member of the steering committee of
the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers. Mr. Hoffman
formerly served as a director and President of the San Diego
Chapter of Financial Executives International and was an advisor to
the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) for 10 years (2010
to 2020) advising the United States accounting rulemaking
organization on emerging issues and new financial guidance.
Mr. Hoffman holds a B.B.A. from St. Bonaventure University,
and is licensed as a C.P.A. (inactive) in the State of California.
Mr. Hoffman’s financial and executive business experience
qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
Robert J. Toth, Jr.
has served as our director since
August 20, 2013 and serves as Chair of our Compensation Committee.
Since 2005, Mr. Toth has primarily been managing his personal
investment portfolio. From 2004-2005, Mr. Toth served as a
consulting analyst to Narragansett Asset Management, a New
York-based healthcare-focused hedge fund, where he advised the firm
on biotechnology investments. From 2001-2003, he was the Senior
Portfolio Manager for San Francisco-based EGM Capital’s Medical
Technology hedge fund, where he was responsible for managing and
maintaining a dedicated medical technology portfolio. Mr. Toth
began his Wall Street career in 1996 as an Equity Research
Associate for Vector Securities International, a healthcare-focused
brokerage firm. From 1997-1999 he served as Senior Biotechnology
Analyst. He joined Prudential Securities as Senior Vice President
and Biotechnology Analyst where he served from 1999-2001 following
Prudential’s acquisition of Vector. His responsibilities included
the analysis of commercial, clinical and scientific fundamentals of
oncology and genomics-
10
based biotechnology companies on
behalf of institutional investors. Mr. Toth was named to the Wall
Street Journal’s Allstar List for stock picking in 1999. Mr. Toth
received an MBA from the University of Washington and Bachelor of
Science degrees in Biological Sciences and Biochemistry from
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Mr.
Toth’s financial and biotechnology industry knowledge and
experience quality him to serve on our Board of
Directors.
Laura Johnson has served as our
director since June 26, 2020 and serves as Chair of our Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Johnson currently serves as
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation
Clinical Research, a contract research organization that Ms.
Johnson founded in 1999. Additionally, Ms. Johnson is the President
and Chief Executive Officer of Eufaeria Biosciences, Inc., a
development biotechnology company that she founded in 2016. Ms.
Johnson is also a founder and former member of the board of
directors of SB Bancorp, Inc., a financial holding company, and
Settlers Bank, Inc., a Wisconsin chartered business bank. In
addition, Ms. Johnson serves as a member of the board of directors
of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (Nasdaq: LJPC), a
biopharmaceutical company, since 2013, Odonate Therapeutics
(Nasdaq: ODT), a biopharmaceutical company, since 2018, Harmony
Hill Farm Sanctuary since 2019 and Agrace HospiceCare from 2013 to
2016. In 2008 and 2010, she was honored as a biotechnology
entrepreneur by the national organization, Women in Bio, and in
2008 received the Rising Star Award by the Wisconsin Biotech and
Medical Device Association. Most recently, she was the
recipient of
the Wisconsin Biohealth Business Award at the BioForward Annual
Biohealth Summit in October 2019. Ms. Johnson holds a nursing
degree from The University of the State of New York-Albany. Ms.
Johnson’s biotechnology industry and executive knowledge and
experience qualify her to serve on our Board of
Directors.
Tamara A. Seymour has served as
our director since April 29, 2021 and serves as Chair of our Audit
Committee. Ms. Seymour has more than 30 years of life sciences
industry experience including 20 years as a chief financial
officer. She currently serves as a board member and audit committee
chair of Artelo Biosciences, Inc. and as a board member, a member
of the compensation committee, and audit committee chair of
KemPharm, Inc., both publicly-traded clinical-development stage
companies. Ms. Seymour served on the board of directors of Beacon
Discovery, Inc. from 2018 until their acquisition in 2021. Ms.
Seymour was Interim Chief Financial Officer of Immunic, Inc., a
publicly-traded clinical-stage drug development company in 2019.
She served as Chief Financial Officer of Signal Genetics, Inc., a
publicly-traded molecular diagnostics company, from 2014 to 2017,
HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a venture-backed clinical-stage
drug development company, from 2010 to 2014 and Favrille, Inc., a
previously publicly-traded clinical-stage drug development company,
from 2001 to 2009. While at these companies, she led multiple
private and public financings, including Favrille’s IPO. In
addition, she was instrumental in M&A transactions and led the
finance, investor relations, human resources, administration and
managed care and payor reimbursement functions. Ms. Seymour is a
Certified Public Accountant (inactive). She received an MBA, with
an emphasis in Finance, from Georgia State University, and a
bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in
Accounting from Valdosta State University. Ms. Seymour also
participated in an executive management program at Kellogg Graduate
School of Management at Northwestern University. Ms. Seymour’s
professional experience and financial expertise qualify her to
serve on our Board of Directors.
Board Membership Diversity
In accordance with Nasdaq’s new Board Diversity Rules (Rule 5605(f)
and Rule 5606), the following Board Diversity Matrix presents our
Board diversity statistics. The minimum diversity objective for
smaller reporting companies listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market on
or after August 6, 2021 is two diverse directors by August 6, 2026
or two years from the date of listing, whichever is later,
including one who self-identifies as female, and one who
self-identifies as either female, an underrepresented minority or
LGBTQ+. “Underrepresented Minority” means an individual who
self-identifies as one or more of the following: Black or African
American, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian, Native American or Alaska
Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Two or More Races
or Ethnicities. “Two or More Races or Ethnicities” means a
person who identifies with more than one of the following
categories: White (not of Hispanic or Latinx origin), Black or
African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian, Native American or
Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
11
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April
22,
2022)
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of Directors
|
5
|
|
Female
|
Male
|
Non-Binary
|
Did Not Disclose Gender
|
Part I: Gender Identity
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Part II: Demographic Background
|
|
|
|
|
African American or Black
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Alaskan Native or Native American
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Asian
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Hispanic or Latinx
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
White
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
LGBTQ+
|
0
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background
|
1
|
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” all of the nominees
for election as directors.
12
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors Operations and Meetings
Our Board currently consists of five members, one of whom will not
be standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting. Our directors are
appointed for a one-year term to hold office until their successors
have been elected and qualified or until the earlier of their
resignation or removal.
We have no formal policy regarding board diversity. Our priority in
selection of board members is identification of members who will
further the interests of our stockholders through their established
record of professional accomplishment, the ability to contribute
positively to the collaborative culture among board members,
knowledge of our business and understanding of the competitive
landscape.
Our Board met 15 times in fiscal 2021. Each of the directors
attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of
meetings of our Board (held during the period for which such
directors served on the Board), and (ii) the total number of
meetings of all committees of our Board on which the director
served (during the periods for which the director served on such
committee or committees).
The Board oversees our business and monitors the performance of our
management. In accordance with our corporate governance procedures,
the Board does not involve itself in the day-to-day operations of
Kintara. Our executive officers and management oversee our
day-to-day operations. Our directors fulfill their duties and
responsibilities by attending meetings of the Board, which are
usually held on at least a quarterly basis. Our directors also
discuss business and other matters with other key executives and
our principal external advisers (legal counsel, auditors, financial
advisors and other consultants).
Independent Directors
Our Board has determined that Robert J. Toth, Jr., Laura Johnson,
and Tamara A. Seymour are qualified to serve as independent
directors. The standards relied on by the Board in affirmatively
determining whether a director is “independent,” in compliance with
Nasdaq’s rules, are comprised of those objective standards set
forth in the rules promulgated by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(“Nasdaq”). The Board is responsible for ensuring that independent
directors do not have a relationship that, in the opinion of the
Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in
carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Nasdaq’s rules, as well as SEC rules, impose additional
independence requirements for all members of the Audit Committee.
Specifically, in addition to the “independence” requirements
discussed above, “independent” audit committee members must: (1)
not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or
other compensatory fees from Kintara or any subsidiary of Kintara
other than in the member’s capacity as a member of the Board and
any Board committee; (2) not be an affiliated person of Kintara or
any subsidiary of Kintara; and (3) not have participated in the
preparation of the financial statements of Kintara or any current
subsidiary of Kintara at any time during the past three years. In
addition, Nasdaq’s rules require that all audit committee members
be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements,
including Kintara’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow
statement. The Board believes that the current members of the Audit
Committee meet these additional standards.
Audit Committee
The Board has formed an Audit Committee, which currently consists
of Tamara A. Seymour, Chair, Robert J. Toth, Jr., and Laura
Johnson. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as
that term is defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and the
applicable rules of Nasdaq. The Board has determined that each
Audit Committee member has sufficient knowledge in financial and
auditing matters to serve on the Audit Committee. In addition, our
Board has determined that Ms. Seymour qualifies as an audit
committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations
and the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The Audit Committee met four
times in fiscal 2021.
The Audit Committee oversees and monitors our financial reporting
process and internal control system, reviews and evaluates the
audit performed by our registered independent public accountants
and reports to our Board
13
any substantive issues found during the audit. The Audit Committee
will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and
oversight of the work of our registered independent public
accountants. The Audit Committee reviews and approves all
transactions with affiliated parties. The Board has adopted a
written charter for the Audit Committee.
A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is posted under the
“Investors” tab on our website, which is located at www.kintara.com.
Compensation Committee
The Board has formed a Compensation Committee which consists of
Robert J. Toth, Jr., Chair, Laura Johnson, and Tamara A. Seymour,
all of whom are independent (as that term is defined under the
Nasdaq Marketplace Rules). The Compensation Committee assists the
Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to (i)
corporate governance practices and policies and (ii) compensation
matters, including compensation of the directors and senior
management of the Company and the administration of compensation
plans of the Company. The Compensation Committee met five times in
fiscal 2021.
The Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation
Committee. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is posted
under the “Investors” tab on our website, which is located at
www.kintara.com.
The Compensation Committee has engaged Anderson Pay Advisors LLC,
or Anderson Pay Advisors, as its independent compensation
consultant. In 2021, Anderson Pay Advisors reviewed both executive
and director compensation and did not provide us any other
services. Anderson Pay Advisors reported directly to the
Compensation Committee and provided guidance on trends in executive
and non-employee director compensation, the development of specific
executive compensation programs, the composition of our
compensation peer group and other matters as directed by the
Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Board has formed a Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, which currently consists of Laura Johnson, Chair, Robert
J. Toth, Jr., and Tamara A. Seymour. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee assesses potential candidates to fill
perceived needs on the Board for required, skills, expertise,
independence and other factors. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee met three times in fiscal 2021.
The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. A copy of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee Charter is posted under the
“Investors” tab on our website, which is located at www.kintara.com.
Nomination of Directors
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of
Directors assesses potential candidates to fill perceived needs on
the Board of Directors for required skills, expertise, independence
and other factors. A director candidate recommended by our
stockholders will be considered in the same manner as a nominee
recommended by a Board member, management or other sources.
Stockholders wishing to recommend a candidate for nomination should
contact our Secretary in writing at the Secretary of Kintara at
9920 Pacific Heights Blvd Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92121. Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has discretion to
decide which individuals to recommend for nomination as
directors.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Periodically, our Board will assess the roles of Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and the Board leadership structure to ensure the
interests of Kintara and our stockholders are best served. Our
Board believes the current combination of the two roles is
satisfactory at present. Mr. Hoffman, as our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman, has extensive knowledge of all
aspects of Kintara and its business. We have no policy requiring
the combination or separation of leadership roles and our governing
documents do not mandate a particular structure. This
14
has allowed, and will continue to allow, our Board the flexibility
to establish the most appropriate structure for the Company at any
given time.
Our Board is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk
management processes. The Board receives and reviews periodic
reports from management, auditors, legal counsel, and others, as
considered appropriate regarding the Company’s assessment of risks.
The Board focuses on the most significant risks facing the Company
and the Company’s general risk management strategy, and also
ensures that risks undertaken by the Company are consistent with
the Board’s risk strategy. While the Board oversees the Company’s
risk management, management is responsible for day-to-day risk
management processes. We believe this division of responsibilities
is the most effective approach for addressing the risks facing the
Company and that our Board leadership structure supports this
approach.
Related Party Transactions
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, we did not have any
reportable related party transactions.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies
to all of our executive officers, financial and accounting
officers, our directors, our financial managers and all of our
employees. The Board is committed to a high standard of corporate
governance practices and, through its oversight role, encourages
and promotes a culture of ethical business conduct. A copy of our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted under the “Investors”
tab on our website, which is located at www.kintara.com.
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors and
Attendance at Annual Meetings
The Board maintains a process for stockholders to communicate with
the Board and its committees. Stockholders of Kintara and other
interested persons may communicate with the Board or the chair of
the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee by writing to the Secretary of
Kintara at 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92121.
All communications that relate to matters that are within the scope
of the responsibilities of the Board will be presented to the Board
no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting. Communications
that relate to matters that are within the responsibility of one of
the Board committees will be forwarded to the chair of the
appropriate committee. Communications that relate to ordinary
business matters that are not within the scope of the Board’s
responsibilities will be forwarded to the appropriate officer.
Solicitations, junk mail and obviously frivolous or inappropriate
communications will not be forwarded, but will be made available to
any director who wishes to review them.
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our
current executive officers:
Name of Individual
|
|
Age
|
|
Position(s) Held With
Kintara
|
Robert E. Hoffman
|
|
56
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board
|
Dennis Brown, PhD
|
|
72
|
|
Chief Scientific Officer
|
Scott Praill, CPA
|
|
56
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Saiid Zarrabian
|
|
69
|
|
Head of Strategic Partnerships and Director
|
Robert E. Hoffman, see Mr.
Hoffman’s biography under “Proposal 1”.
Dennis Brown, PhD, has been our
Chief Scientific Officer since January 25, 2013. He also served as
our director from February 11, 2013 to April 11, 2018. Dr. Brown is
one of our founders and has served as Chief Scientific Officer and
director of Del Mar (BC) since inception. Dr. Brown has more than
thirty years of drug discovery and
15
development experience. He has
served as Chairman of Mountain View Pharmaceutical’s Board of
Directors since 2000 and is the President of Valent. In 1999 he
founded ChemGenex Therapeutics, which merged with a publicly traded
Australian company in 2004 to become ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals, of
which he served as President and a Director until 2009. He was
previously a co-founder of Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc., where he
served as Vice President (VP) of Scientific Affairs from 1985-1995
and as VP, Discovery Research, from 1995-1999. He also previously
served as an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard University
Medical School and as a Research Associate in Radiology at Stanford
University Medical School. He received his B.A. in Biology and
Chemistry (1971), M.S. in Cell Biology (1975) and Ph.D. in
Radiation and Cancer Biology (1979), all from New York University.
Dr. Brown is an inventor of many issued U.S. patents and
applications, many with foreign counterparts.
Scott Praill, CPA, BSc. has been
our Chief Financial Officer since January 29, 2013 and previously
served as a consultant to Del Mar (BC). From 2004 to 2012 Mr.
Praill was an independent consultant providing accounting and
administrative services to companies in the resource industry. Mr.
Praill served as CFO of Strata Oil & Gas, Inc. from June 2007
to September 2008. From November 1999 to October 2003 Mr. Praill
was Director of Finance at Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mr.
Praill completed his articling at Price Waterhouse (now
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) and obtained his Chartered Professional
Accountant designation in 1996. Mr. Praill obtained his Certified
Public Accountant (Illinois) designation in 2001. Mr. Praill
received a Financial Management Diploma (Honors), from British
Columbia Institute of Technology in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science
from Simon Fraser University in 1989.
Saiid Zarrabian has served as our
director since July 7, 2017 and as our Head of Strategic
Partnership since November 8, 2021. He also served as our Chief
Execute Officer from November 3, 2017 to November 8, 2021, as our
President from January 1, 2018 to November 8, 2021. From 2014 to
2015 he operated a private personal business. Since October 2016,
Mr. Zarrabian has served as an advisor to Redline Capital Partners,
S.A., a Luxembourg based investment firm. From 2012 to 2014 he
served as Chairman and member of the board of directors of La Jolla
Pharmaceutical Company during which time the company transitioned
from an OTC listed company to a Nasdaq listed company. From 2012 to
2013 he served as President of the Protein Production Division of
Intrexon Corporation, a synthetic biology company. He has also
previously served as CEO and member of the board of directors of
Cyntellect, Inc., a stem cell processing and visualization
Instrumentation company until its sale in 2012, as President and
COO of Senomyx, Inc., a company focused on discovery and
commercialization of new flavor ingredients, and as COO of
Pharmacopeia, Inc., a former publicly-traded provider of
combinatorial chemistry discovery services and compounds, where he
also served as President & COO of its MSI Division. In
addition, Mr. Zarrabian has served on numerous private and public
company boards, including at Immune Therapeutics, Inc., Exemplar
Pharma, LLC, Ambit Biosciences Corporation, eMolecules, Inc., and
Penwest Pharmaceuticals CO. His other experience includes COO at
Molecular Simulations, COO of Symbolics, Inc., and as R&D
Director at Computervision, Inc.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Board has formed a Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving management
compensation, including salaries, bonuses, and equity compensation.
We seek to provide competitive compensation arrangements that
attract and retain key talent necessary to achieve our business
objectives. At our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders,
stockholders voted, on an advisory, non-binding basis, to approve
the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as
disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2021 annual meeting. Our
stockholders also voted at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders,
on an advisory, non-binding basis, that such votes on named
executive officer compensation should be held every three years.
The next advisory, non-binding vote to approve named executive
officer compensation is expected to occur in connection with the
2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table presents information regarding the total
compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each person serving
as our Chief Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended June
30, 2021, the two most highly-compensated executive officers (other
than the Chief Executive Officer) who were serving as executive
officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, and up to two
additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided
but for the fact that such individuals were not serving as an
executive officer as of June 30, 2021 for services rendered in all
capacities to us for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and June
30, 2020. These individuals are our named executive officers for
2021.
16
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Period
|
|
Salary
(US$)
|
|
|
Bonus
Awards
(US$)
|
|
|
Equity
Awards
(US$)
|
|
|
Total
(US$)
|
|
Saiid Zarrabian, former Chief Executive Officer(1)
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2021
|
|
|
520,000
|
|
|
|
180,830
|
|
|
|
4,270,860
|
|
|
|
4,971,690
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2020
|
|
|
470,000
|
|
|
|
352,500
|
|
|
|
231,976
|
|
|
|
1,054,476
|
|
Scott Praill, CPA, Chief Financial Officer(2)
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2021
|
|
290,000
|
|
|
|
79,808
|
|
|
|
954,150
|
|
|
|
1,323,958
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2020
|
|
|
240,000
|
|
|
|
126,000
|
|
|
|
54,929
|
|
|
|
420,929
|
|
John Liatos, former Senior V.P., Business Development(3)
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2021
|
|
340,000
|
|
|
|
105,725
|
|
|
|
796,986
|
|
|
|
1,242,711
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
June 30, 2020
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
(1)
|
On
July 7, 2017, Mr. Zarrabian was elected to the board of directors.
On November 3, 2017, he was appointed interim chief executive
officer and on January 1, 2018 he was also appointed interim
president. On May 21, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement
with Mr. Zarrabian pursuant to which Mr. Zarrabian was appointed as
our permanent president and chief executive officer. Under the
agreement, as amended, Mr. Zarrabian will receive an annual base
salary of $470,000 (which may be adjusted on an annual basis in the
discretion of the Board) and will be eligible to receive a fiscal
year target bonus of up to 50% of base salary (which may be
adjusted by the board of directors to up to 75% of base salary
based on overachievement of bonus targets or other performance
criteria). In September 2020, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors approved an additional bonus in the amount of
$70,500 for performance during fiscal 2020, which amount is
included in the $352,500. Any bonus earned for a fiscal year will
be payable in cash, but the board of directors may pay up to 50% of
the bonus, as well as any bonus in excess of 50% of base salary, in
the form of stock options granted under the Plan (or any successor
plan). The employment agreement may be terminated by us with or
without cause (as defined therein). In the event we terminate the
employment agreement without cause, we will be required to pay Mr.
Zarrabian continued payment of his base salary for 12 months, a
prorated bonus for the year of termination based on performance
through the date of termination, an additional six months of
vesting credit for any outstanding options, and continued health
coverage during the severance period. In the event that an
involuntary termination occurs during a period beginning sixty days
before a definitive corporate transaction agreement is entered into
that would result in a change in control (as defined therein), or
within twelve months following a change in control, the severance
period will increase to eighteen months’ severance, Mr. Zarrabian
will receive 100% of his target bonus, and his options will be
fully vested.
|
On September 15, 2020 Mr. Zarrabian was granted 2,715,004
stock options that are exercisable at $1.70 per share until
September 15, 2030. On November 11, 2020, 279,675 stock options
previously granted to Mr. Zarrabian at $0.61 per share had their
vesting accelerated such that the 279,675 stock options all vested
on November 11, 2020. Mr. Zarrabian’s bonus for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2021 was $180,830.
On November 8, 2021, the Board appointed Mr. Hoffman to succeed Mr.
Zarrabian as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
As of November 8, 2021, Mr. Zarrabian transitioned into the role of
Head of Strategic Partnerships.
(2)
|
On
February 9, 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with
Scott Praill, our Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to the
employment agreement, Mr. Praill will continue to serve as our
chief financial officer for an indefinite period until termination
of the employment agreement in accordance with its terms. We will
pay Mr. Praill an annual base salary of $200,000 (which may be
adjusted on an annual basis in the discretion of the board of
directors) and Mr. Praill will also be eligible to participate in
any bonus plan and long-term incentive plan established for our
senior executives. The employment agreement may be terminated by us
with or without cause (as defined therein). In the event we
terminate the employment agreement without cause, we will be
required to pay Mr. Praill, any accrued and unpaid base salary,
plus an amount equal to 12 months of Mr. Praill’s base salary plus
one additional month’s base salary for each completed year of
service, up to 18 months’ base salary.
|
On September 15, 2020 he was granted 606,557 stock options that are
exercisable at $1.70 per share until September 15, 2030. Mr.
Praill’s bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 was
$79,808.
(3)
|
On
March 1, 2018, Adgero entered into an amended and restated
employment agreement with John Liatos which is for an indefinite
term. Under the terms of Mr. Liatos’s amended and restated
employment agreement, Mr. Liatos receives an annual
|
17
|
base salary of
$320,000 (which may be adjusted on an annual basis in the
discretion of the board of directors). In addition, Mr. Liatos is
eligible to receive an annual bonus, which is targeted at up to 35%
of his base salary. Mr. Liatos is also eligible to receive, from
time to time, equity awards. The employment agreement provides for
accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards granted to Mr.
Liatos upon certain terminations of employment following a change
in control (as defined therein). If the employment agreement is
terminated without cause (as defined in therein) or Mr. Liatos
terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in therein),
severance is payable including: (i) continued payments of eight
months of his annual base salary, paid in installments in
accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices; (ii)
reimbursement of healthcare continuation payments under
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) for a
period of eight months; and (iii) an additional six months of
service vesting credit for each of his stock options outstanding at
the time of his termination, and all of his vested options will
remain exercisable for up to a twelve-month period measured from
his termination date (or earlier expiration of the options term).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Liatos’s post-employment
healthcare coverage payments as described herein will cease at such
time as Mr. Liatos becomes otherwise eligible to obtain alternative
healthcare coverage from a new employer if such event occurs prior
to the expiration of his receipt of such benefit. Mr. Liatos’s
severance benefits will be subject to reduction to the extent doing
so would put him in a better after-tax position after taking into
account any excise tax he may incur under Section 4999 of the Code
in connection with any change in control of us or his subsequent
termination of employment. Mr. Liatos is also subject to
non-compete and non-solicitation provisions, which will apply
during the term of his employment and for a period of twelve months
following termination of his employment. Upon the closing of the
merger with Adgero, Mr. Liatos’ employment contract was continued
by the Company.
|
On September 15, 2020 Mr. Liatos was granted 506,647 stock options
that are exercisable at $1.70 per share until September 15, 2030.
Mr. Liatos’ performance bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2021 was $49,725 and he also received a retention bonus of
$56,000.
On October 25, 2021, Mr. Liatos stepped down from his role as the
Company’s Senior Vice President, Business Development.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth outstanding equity awards to our
named executive officers as of June 30, 2021.
|
Option awards
|
|
|
Stock awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
un-exercisable
|
|
|
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
exercise
price
(US$)
|
|
|
Option
expiration
date
|
|
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Number of
unearned
shares, units
or other rights
that have
not vested
(#)
|
|
|
Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
($)
|
|
Saiid Zarrabian
|
|
3,600
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
21.10
|
|
|
July 7, 2027
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8.70
|
|
|
November 3, 2027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,647
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9.825
|
|
|
May 21, 2028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
457,650(1)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
September 5, 2029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
678,744(2)
|
|
|
|
2,036,260
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
September 15, 2030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Praill
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
20.50
|
|
|
February 1, 2022
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
8,750
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
42.00
|
|
|
August 15, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,740
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
49.50
|
|
|
February 17, 2027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,612(4)
|
|
|
|
1,388
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.099
|
|
|
November 8, 2028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,211(3)
|
|
|
|
45,155
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
September 5, 2029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,632(2)
|
|
|
|
454,925
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
September 15, 2030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Liatos
|
|
126,657(2)
|
|
|
|
379,990
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
September 15, 2030
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
18
____________
(1)
|
On November 11, 2020, the Board of Directors approved the
accelerated vesting of 279,675 stock options such that all
remaining stock options issued at $0.61 per share fully vested on
November 11, 2020.
|
(2)
|
Stock options vest as to 1/6th on March 15, 2021 with the remaining
shares vesting in equal monthly installments over a period of 30
months commencing on April 15, 2021.
|
(3)
|
Stock options vest as to 1/6th on March 5, 2020 with the remaining
shares vesting in equal monthly installments over a period of 30
months commencing on April 5, 2020.
|
(4)
|
Stock options vest as to 1/6th on May 8, 2019 with the remaining
shares vesting in equal monthly installments over a period of 30
months commencing on June 8, 2019.
|
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Director compensation is intended to provide an appropriate level
of remuneration considering the responsibilities, time requirements
and accountability of the directors of our Board.
The following table sets forth director compensation for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2021 (excluding compensation to our executive
officers set forth in the summary compensation table above) paid by
us.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(1)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Robert E. Hoffman
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
175,457
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
270,457
|
|
Robert J, Toth, Jr.
|
|
|
61,500
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
175,457
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
236,957
|
|
Laura Johnson
|
|
|
48,563
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
175,457
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
224,020
|
|
Keith Murphy(3)
|
|
|
48,167
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
175,457
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
223,624
|
|
Tamara A. Seymour(4)
|
|
|
8,181
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
81,636
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
89,817
|
|
Lynda Cranston(5)
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
Napoleone Ferrara, MD(5)
|
|
|
6,125
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,125
|
|
(1)
|
For our fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, our directors were paid a
$40,000 annual retainer, an additional annual retainer for chairing
a committee, a retainer for being a member of a committee, and the
chairman of the board was paid an additional annual retainer of
$35,000.
|
|
|
(2)
|
On September 15, 2020, independent directors were granted 120,000
stock options exercisable at $1.70 per share until September 15,
2030. The options vest pro rata over one year from the date of
grant.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Mr. Murphy resigned from the Board on February 4, 2022. As a
result, he forfeited any unvested stock options as of February
4,
|
(4)
|
Ms. Seymour was appointed to the Board on April 29, 2021 and was
elected to the Board at our annual meeting of stockholders held
June 25, 2021. On April 29, 2021, Ms. Seymour was granted 75,000
stock options exercisable at $1.37 per share until April 29, 2031.
The options vest as to 1/3 on April 29, 2022 with the remainder
vesting in equal tranches over the next eight quarters beginning
July 29, 2022.
|
(5)
|
Ms. Cranston and Dr. Ferrara resigned from the Board on August 19,
2020. As a result, they forfeited any unvested stock options as of
August 19, 2020.
|
19
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE*
The undersigned members of the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. submit this report in
connection with the Audit Committee’s review of the financial
reports for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 as follows:
|
1.
|
The
Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the
audited financial statements for the Company for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2021.
|
|
2.
|
The
Audit Committee has discussed with representatives of Marcum LLP,
the independent public accounting firm, the matters which are
required to be discussed with them under the provisions of Auditing
Standard No. 61, as amended (Communications
with Audit Committees).
|
|
3.
|
The
Audit Committee has discussed with Marcum LLP, the independent
public accounting firm, the auditors’ independence from management
and the Company has received the written disclosures and the letter
from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
|
In addition, the Audit Committee considered whether the provision
of non-audit services by Marcum LLP, is compatible with maintaining
its independence. In reliance on the reviews and discussions
referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors (and the Board of Directors has approved) that the
audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 for filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc.
Robert E. Hoffman
Robert J. Toth, Jr.
Laura Johnson
*
|
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee is not to be deemed
“soliciting material” or deemed to be “filed” with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (irrespective of any general incorporation
language in any document filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission) or subject to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we
specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
20
___________________________
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED
THEREUNDER FROM 175,000,000 TO 275,000,000
____________________
Our Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company
and our stockholders to amend our Articles of Incorporation to
increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. Upon
consultation with our management, our Board unanimously approved,
and unanimously recommends for stockholder approval, the proposal
to adopt a Certificate of Amendment to our Articles of
Incorporation, or the Certificate of Amendment, to increase the
number of authorized shares of common stock from 175,000,000 shares
to 275,000,000 shares, each share of common stock having a par
value of $0.001. The form of the text of the amendment (which would
be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on its then prescribed
form of Certificate of Amendment) is set forth as Appendix A to this proxy
statement (subject to any changes required by applicable law). As
of the Record Date, there were (i) [●] shares of common stock
outstanding, (ii) approximately [●] shares of common stock
reserved for future issuance upon conversion of the outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock, (iii) approximately
[●] shares of
common stock reserved for future issuance of dividends under the
Series C Preferred Stock, (iv) [●] shares of common stock
reserved for future issuance upon exercise of warrants currently
outstanding, (v) [●] shares of common stock
reserved for future issuance upon exercise of options currently
outstanding under the Del Mar Pharmaceuticals (BC) Ltd. 2013
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, and (vi) assuming that
Proposal 3 is approved, [●] shares of common stock
reserved for future grants under the 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive
Plan. The additional shares of common stock to be authorized by
adoption of the amendment would have rights identical to the
currently outstanding shares of common stock. Adoption of the
amendment would not affect the rights of the holders of currently
outstanding common stock, except, to the extent the additional
authorized shares are issued, for effects incidental to increasing
the number of shares of common stock outstanding, such as dilution
of earnings per share and voting rights of current holders of
common stock. If the amendment is adopted, it will become effective
upon the filing of a certificate of amendment to the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State
of Nevada.
The description of the Certificate of Amendment should be read in
conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the text of the proposed Certificate of Amendment attached to this
proxy statement as Appendix A.
Purpose of the Proposal
The approval of the Certificate of Amendment is important for our
ongoing business. Our Board believes it would be prudent and
advisable to have the additional shares available to provide
additional flexibility regarding the potential use of shares of
common stock for business and financial purposes in the future.
Having an increased number of authorized but unissued shares of
common stock would allow us to take prompt action with respect to
corporate opportunities that develop, without the delay and expense
of convening a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
approving an increase in our authorized shares. The additional
shares could be used for various purposes without further
stockholder approval. These purposes may include: (i) raising
capital, if we have an appropriate opportunity, through offerings
of common stock or securities that are convertible into common
stock; (ii) expanding our business through potential strategic
transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, licensing
transactions and other business combinations or acquisitions of new
product candidates or products; (iii) establishing strategic
relationships with other companies; (iv) exchanges of common stock
or securities that are convertible into common stock for other
outstanding securities; (v) providing equity incentives pursuant to
the Plan, or another plan we may adopt in the future, to attract
and retain employees, officers or directors; and (vi) other general
corporate purposes. We intend to use the additional shares of
common stock that will be available to undertake any such issuances
described above. As is the case with the shares of common stock
which are currently authorized but unissued, if the Certificate of
Amendment is adopted by the stockholders, the Board will only have
authority to issue the additional shares of common stock from time
to time without further action on the part of stockholders to the
extent not prohibited by applicable law or by the rules of any
stock exchange or market on which the Company’s securities may then
be listed or authorized for
21
quotation. Because it is anticipated that our directors and
executive officers will be granted additional equity awards under
the Plan, or another plan we adopt in the future, they may be
deemed to have an indirect interest in the Certificate of
Amendment, because absent the Certificate of Amendment, we may not
have sufficient authorized shares to grant such awards.
The increase in authorized shares of our common stock will not have
any immediate effect on the rights of existing stockholders.
However, because our stockholders do not have any preemptive
rights, future issuance of shares of common stock or securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock could
have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, book value per
share, and the voting rights of stockholders and could have a
negative effect on the price of our common stock.
Disadvantages to an increase in the number of authorized shares of
common stock may include:
|
•
|
Stockholders
may experience further dilution of their ownership.
|
|
•
|
Stockholders
will not have any preemptive or similar rights to subscribe for or
purchase any additional shares of common stock that may be issued
in the future, and therefore, future issuances of common stock,
depending on the circumstances, will have a dilutive effect on the
earnings per share, voting power and other interests of our
existing stockholders.
|
|
•
|
The
additional shares of common stock for which authorization is sought
in this proposal would be part of the existing class of common
stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and
privileges as the shares of common stock presently
outstanding.
|
|
•
|
The
issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common stock could be
used to deter a potential takeover of us that may otherwise be
beneficial to stockholders by diluting the shares held by a
potential suitor or issuing shares to a stockholder that will vote
in accordance with the Board’s desires. A takeover may be
beneficial to independent stockholders because, among other
reasons, a potential suitor may offer such stockholders a premium
for their shares of stock compared to the then-existing market
price. We do not have any plans or proposals to adopt provisions or
enter into agreements that may have material anti-takeover
consequences.
|
We have no specific plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or
agreement, either oral or written, regarding the issuance of common
stock subsequent to this proposed increase in the number of
authorized shares at this time, and we have not allocated any
specific portion of the proposed increase in the authorized number
of shares to any particular purpose. However, we have in the past
conducted certain public and private offerings of common stock and
warrants, and we will continue to require additional capital in the
near future to fund our operations. As a result, it is foreseeable
that we will seek to issue such additional shares of common stock
in connection with any such capital raising activities, or any of
the other activities described above. The Board does not intend to
issue any common stock or securities convertible into common stock
except on terms that the Board deems to be in the best interests of
us and our stockholders. We are therefore requesting our
stockholders approve this proposal to amend our Articles of
Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock
from 175,000,000 shares to 275,000,000 shares.
Approval Required
The approval of this Proposal 2 will require the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the voting power of the issued and
outstanding shares of our shares of common stock and Series C
Preferred Stock that are entitled to vote, voting together as a
single class. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes, if
any, will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AUTHORIZED THEREUNDER FROM 175,000,000 TO 275,000,000.
22
___________________________
PROPOSAL 3
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR
ISSUANCE THEREUNDER FROM 13,000,000 TO 22,000,000
___________________________
General
The general purpose of our 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, or
the Plan, is to provide a means whereby eligible employees,
officers, non-employee directors and other individual service
providers may develop a sense of proprietorship and personal
involvement in our development and financial success, and to
encourage them to devote their best efforts to us, thereby
advancing our interests and the interests of stockholders.
Our Board believes that the granting of stock options, restricted
stock awards, unrestricted stock awards and similar kinds of
equity-based compensation promotes continuity of management and
increases incentive and personal interest in the welfare of our
Company by those who are primarily responsible for shaping and
carrying out our long-range plans and securing our growth and
financial success. On April 13, 2022, our Board approved an
amendment increasing the number of shares available for issuance
under the Plan from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000 (less the number of
shares of 119,550 subject to outstanding options granted under the
DelMar Pharmaceuticals (BC) Ltd. 2013 Amended and Restated Stock
Option Plan (which we refer to as the Legacy Plan)), and directed
that the amendment be submitted to the stockholders for approval at
the Annual Meeting. A copy of the amendment is attached as
Appendix B.
If the Company’s stockholders do not approve the increase in the
number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, the Company
will continue to operate the Plan under its current provisions, but
will be limited in its ability to make future grants and incentives
under the Plan to our management, employees and board members.
Description of the Existing Plan
The following description of the material terms of the Plan is
intended to be a summary only. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by the full text of the Plan, which is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed February 14, 2018.
Administration.
The Plan is
administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board, or the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee recommends
approval by the Board the persons to whom options to purchase
shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights (SARs),
restricted stock units, restricted or unrestricted shares of our
common stock, performance shares, performance units, other
cash-based awards and other stock-based awards may be granted. The
Compensation Committee may also recommend, for approval by the
Board, rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan and
amendments or modifications of outstanding awards (except that
out-of-the-money options and SARs cannot be repriced without
stockholder approval). The Compensation Committee may delegate
authority to the chief executive officer and/or other executive
officers to grant options and other awards to employees (other than
themselves), subject to applicable law and the Plan. No options,
stock purchase rights or awards may be made under the Plan on or
after July 7, 2027, but the Plan will continue thereafter while
previously granted options, SARs or other awards remain
outstanding.
Eligibility. Persons eligible to receive
options, SARs or other awards under the Plan are all employees,
officers, directors, consultants, advisors or other individual
service providers of our Company and our subsidiaries, or any
person who is determined by the Compensation Committee to be a
prospective employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or
other individual service provider of the Company or any subsidiary.
As of April 22, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries had a total
of four employees, including no officers and one executive officer
(who are not included in the number of officers), three
non-employee directors, and approximately 20 consultants, other
advisors, and individual service providers. As of April 22, 2022,
no person is eligible to participate as a result of a determination
by
23
the
Compensation Committee that that person is a prospective employee,
officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service
provider of the Company or any subsidiary. As awards under the Plan
are within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the
Company cannot determine how many individuals in each of the
categories described above will receive awards.
Shares Subject to the Plan.
Prior to the
proposed increase, an aggregate of 13,000,000 shares of our common
stock are reserved for issuance under the Plan (excluding reduction
for the number of shares of 119,550 subject to outstanding options
granted under the Legacy Plan), of which approximately 3,086,548
shares remain available for issuance as of the date of this proxy
statement.
“Incentive stock options”, or ISOs, that are intended to meet the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code may be granted under the
Plan with respect to all of the 13,000,000 shares of common stock
authorized for issuance under the Plan. If this Proposal 4 is
approved by stockholders, all of the 22,000,000 shares (excluding
reduction for the number of shares of 119,550 subject to
outstanding options granted under the Legacy Plan) of common stock
authorized for issuance under the Plan may be granted as ISOs. If
any option or SAR granted under the Plan terminates without having
been exercised in full or if any award is forfeited, or if shares
of common stock are withheld to cover withholding taxes on options
or other awards or applied to the payment of the exercise price of
an option or purchase price of an award, the number of shares of
common stock as to which such option or award was forfeited,
withheld or paid, will be available for future grants under the
Plan. No person may receive awards in any calendar year relating to
more than 8% of our fully diluted shares of common stock on the
date of grant (excluding the number of shares of common stock
issued under the Plan and/or the Legacy Plan or subject to
outstanding awards granted under the Plan or Legacy Plan).
The number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan and the
foregoing share limitations are subject to customary adjustments
for stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
Terms and Conditions of Options. Options granted under the
Plan may be either ISOs or “nonstatutory stock options” that do not
meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Board, upon
recommendation of the Compensation Committee, will determine the
exercise price of options granted under the Plan. The exercise
price of stock options may not be less than the fair market value
per share of our common stock on the date of grant (or 110% of fair
market value in the case of ISOs granted to a ten-percent
stockholder).
If on the date of grant the common stock is listed on a stock
exchange or is quoted on the automated quotation system of Nasdaq,
the fair market value will generally be the closing sale price on
the date of grant (or the last trading day before the date of grant
if no trades occurred on the date of grant). If no such prices are
available, the fair market value will be determined in good faith
by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Compensation
Committee based on the reasonable application of a reasonable
valuation method. On April [●], 2022, the closing sale price of a
share of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was
$[●].
No option may be exercisable for more than ten years (five years in
the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent stockholder) from the
date of grant. Options granted under the Plan will be exercisable
at such time or times as the Board of Directors, based on
recommendations of the Compensation Committee, prescribes at the
time of grant. No employee may receive ISOs that first become
exercisable in any calendar year in an amount exceeding $100,000.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, permit a holder
of an option to exercise the option before it has otherwise become
exercisable, in which case the shares of our common stock issued to
the recipient will continue to be subject to the vesting
requirements that applied to the option before exercise.
Generally, the option price may be paid (a) in cash or by certified
check, bank draft or money order, (b) through delivery of shares of
our common stock having a fair market value equal to the purchase
price, or (c) a combination of these methods. The Committee is also
authorized to establish a cashless exercise program and to permit
the exercise price (or tax withholding obligations) to be satisfied
by reducing from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise a
number of shares having a fair market value equal to the exercise
price.
No option may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during a recipient’s lifetime an
option may be exercised only by the recipient. However, the
Compensation Committee may permit the holder of an option, SAR or
other award to transfer the option, right or other award to
immediate family
24
members or a family trust for estate planning purposes. The
Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which a holder
of a stock option may exercise the option following termination of
service with us.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
The Board of
Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, may
grant SARs, independent of or in connection with an option. The
Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, will determine the other terms applicable to SARs. The
exercise price per share of a SAR will not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of
grant, as determined by the Board of Directors upon recommendation
of the Compensation Committee. The maximum term of any SAR granted
under the Plan is ten years from the date of grant. Generally, each
SAR will entitle a participant upon exercise to an amount equal
to:
|
•
|
the
excess of the fair market value on the exercise date of one share
of our common stock over the exercise price,
multiplied by
|
|
•
|
the
number of shares of common stock covered by the SAR.
|
Payment may be made in shares of our common stock, in cash, or
partly in common stock and partly in cash, all as determined by the
Compensation Committee.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Board of Directors,
upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, may award
restricted common stock and/or restricted stock units under the
Plan. Restricted stock awards consist of shares of stock that are
transferred to a participant subject to restrictions that may
result in forfeiture if specified conditions are not satisfied.
Restricted stock units confer the right to receive shares of our
common stock, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at a
future date upon or following the attainment of certain conditions
specified by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the
Compensation Committee. The restrictions and conditions applicable
to each award of restricted stock or restricted stock units may
include performance-based conditions. Dividends with respect to
restricted stock may be paid to the holder of the shares as and
when dividends are paid to stockholders or at the time that the
restricted stock vests, as determined by the Board of Directors
upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Dividend
equivalent amounts may be paid with respect to restricted stock
units either when cash dividends are paid to stockholders or when
the units vest. Unless the Board of Directors, upon recommendation
of the Compensation Committee, determines otherwise, holders of
restricted stock will have the right to vote the shares.
Performance Shares and Performance Units. The Board of Directors,
upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, may award
performance shares and/or performance units under the Plan.
Performance shares and performance units are awards, denominated in
either shares or U.S. dollars, which are earned during a specified
performance period subject to the attainment of performance
criteria, as established by the Board of Directors upon
recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The Board of
Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, will
determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each award
of performance shares and performance units.
Other Stock-Based and Cash-Based Awards. The Board of Directors,
upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, may award other
types of equity-based or cash-based awards under the Plan,
including the grant or offer for sale of shares of our common stock
that do not have vesting requirements and the right to receive one
or more cash payments subject to satisfaction of such conditions as
the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, may impose.
Effect of Certain Corporate Transactions. The Compensation Committee
may, at the time of the grant of an award provide for the effect of
a change in control (as defined in the Plan) on any award,
including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for
exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii)
eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an
award, or (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for
an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and
without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also
take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the
occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding
options and SARs to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in
part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable,
in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or SAR in exchange for a
substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock,
restricted stock units,
25
performance
shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the
capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any
restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance share or
performance unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration
with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted
share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f)
cancel any option or SAR in exchange for cash and/or other
substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on
the date of the change in control, and cancel any option or
SAR without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of
our common stock on the date of the change in control; or (g) make
such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding
awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or
appropriate.
Amendment, Termination.
Our Board may
at any time amend the Plan for the purpose of satisfying the
requirements of the Code, or other applicable law or regulation or
for any other legal purpose, provided that, without the consent of
our stockholders, the Board may not (a) increase the number of
shares of common stock available under the Plan, (b) change the
group of individuals eligible to receive options, SARs and/or other
awards, or (c) extend the term of the Plan.
New Plan Benefits
Grants of awards under the Plan are subject to the discretion of
the plan administrator. No determination has been made as to which
of the individuals eligible to participate in the Plan will receive
awards under the Plan in the future and, therefore, the future
benefits to be allocated to any individual or to various groups of
eligible participants are not presently determinable. However,
please refer to the section entitled “Executive Compensation”, which provides
information on the grants made in the last fiscal year, and the
section entitled “Executive
Compensation-Director Compensation”, which provides a
description of grants made to our non-employee directors in the
last fiscal year.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal federal income tax
consequences of option and other grants under the Plan. Optionees
and recipients of other rights and awards granted under the Plan
are advised to consult their personal tax advisors before
exercising an option or SAR or disposing of any stock received
pursuant to the exercise of an option or SAR or following vesting
of a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit or upon grant
of an unrestricted stock award. In addition, the following summary
is based upon an analysis of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”) as currently in effect, existing laws,
judicial decisions, administrative rulings, regulations and
proposed regulations, all of which are subject to change and does
not address state, local or other tax laws.
Treatment of Options
The Code treats incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock
options differently. However, as to both types of options, no
income will be recognized to the optionee at the time of the grant
of the options under the Plan, nor will our Company be entitled to
a tax deduction at that time.
Generally, upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option (including
an option intended to be an incentive stock option but which has
not continued to so qualify at the time of exercise), an optionee
will recognize ordinary income tax on the excess of the fair market
value of the stock on the exercise date over the option price. Our
Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in an amount equal to
the ordinary income recognized by the optionee in the fiscal year
which includes the end of the optionee’s taxable year. We will be
required to satisfy applicable withholding requirements in order to
be entitled to a tax deduction. In general, if an optionee, in
exercising a nonstatutory stock option, tenders shares of our
common stock in partial or full payment of the option price, no
gain or loss will be recognized on the tender. However, if the
tendered shares were previously acquired upon the exercise of an
incentive stock option and the tender is within two years from the
date of grant or one year after the date of exercise of the
incentive stock option, the tender will be a disqualifying
disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of the incentive
stock option.
26
For incentive stock options, there is no taxable income to an
optionee at the time of exercise. However, the excess of the fair
market value of the stock on the date of exercise over the exercise
price will be taken into account in determining whether the
“alternative minimum tax” will apply for the year of exercise. If
the shares acquired upon exercise are held until at least two years
from the date of grant and more than one year from the date of
exercise, any gain or loss upon the sale of such shares, if held as
capital assets, will be long-term capital gain or loss (measured by
the difference between the sales price of the stock and the
exercise price). Under current federal income tax law, a long-term
capital gain will be taxed at a rate which is less than the maximum
rate of tax on ordinary income. If the two-year and one year
holding period requirements are not met (a “disqualifying
disposition”), an optionee will recognize ordinary income in the
year of disposition in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the
fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise minus the
exercise price or (ii) the amount realized on disposition minus the
exercise price. The remainder of the gain will be treated as
long-term capital gain, depending upon whether the stock has been
held for more than a year. If an optionee makes a disqualifying
disposition, our Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal
to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the
optionee.
In general, if an optionee, in exercising an incentive stock
option, tenders shares of common stock in partial or full payment
of the option price, no gain or loss will be recognized on the
tender. However, if the tendered shares were previously acquired
upon the exercise of another incentive stock option and the tender
is within two years from the date of grant or one year after the
date of exercise of the other option, the tender will be a
disqualifying disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of
the other option.
As noted above, the exercise of an incentive stock option could
subject an optionee to the alternative minimum tax. The application
of the alternative minimum tax to any particular optionee depends
upon the particular facts and circumstances which exist with
respect to the optionee in the year of exercise. However, as a
general rule, the amount by which the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of exercise of an option exceeds the
exercise price of the option will constitute an item of
“adjustment” for purposes of determining the alternative minimum
taxable income on which the alternative tax may be imposed. As
such, this item will enter into the tax base on which the
alternative minimum tax is computed, and may therefore cause the
alternative minimum tax to become applicable in any given year.
Treatment of Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, the recipient of a SAR will not recognize any income
upon grant of the SAR, nor will our Company be entitled to a
deduction at that time. Upon exercise of a SAR, the holder will
recognize ordinary income, and our Company generally will be
entitled to a corresponding deduction equal to the fair market
value of our common stock at that time.
Treatment of Stock Awards
Generally, absent an election to be taxed currently under Section
83(b) of the Code (a “Section 83(b) Election”), there will be no
federal income tax consequences to either the recipient or our
Company upon the grant of a restricted stock award. At the
expiration of the restriction period and the satisfaction of any
other restrictions applicable to the restricted shares, the
recipient will recognize ordinary income and our Company generally
will be entitled to a corresponding deduction equal to the fair
market value of the common stock at that time. If a Section 83(b)
Election is made within 30 days after the date the restricted stock
award is granted, the recipient will recognize an amount of
ordinary income at the time of the receipt of the restricted
shares, and our Company generally will be entitled to a
corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value (determined
without regard to applicable restrictions) of the shares at such
time, less any amount paid by the recipient for the shares. If a
Section 83(b) Election is made, no additional income will be
recognized by the recipient upon the lapse of restrictions on the
shares (and prior to the sale of such shares), but, if the shares
are subsequently forfeited, the recipient may not deduct the income
that was recognized pursuant to the Section 83(b) Election at the
time of the receipt of the shares.
The recipient of an unrestricted stock award will recognize
ordinary income, and our Company generally will be entitled to a
corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value of our
common stock that is the subject of the award when the award is
made.
27
The recipient of a restricted stock unit will recognize ordinary
income as and when the units vest and shares of our common stock
are issued. The amount of the income will be equal to the fair
market value of the shares of our common stock issued at that time,
and our Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. The
recipient of a restricted stock unit will not be permitted to make
a Section 83(b) Election with respect to such award.
The federal income tax consequences of performance share awards,
performance unit awards, other cash-based awards and other
stock-based awards will depend on the terms and conditions of those
awards but, in general, participants will be required to recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash and the fair market
value of any fully vested shares of our common stock paid,
determined at the time of such payment, in connection with such
awards.
Section 409A. If an award is subject to
Section 409A of the Code, but does not comply with the requirements
of Section 409A of the Code, the taxable events as described above
could apply earlier than described, and could result in the
imposition of additional taxes and penalties. Participants are
urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the
applicability of Section 409A of the Code to their
awards.
Potential Limitation on Company Deductions
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction for
compensation in excess of $1 million paid in a taxable year by a
publicly held corporation to its chief executive officer and
certain other “covered employees”. The Board and the Compensation
Committee intend to consider the potential impact of Section 162(m)
on grants made under the Plan, but reserve the right to approve
grants of options and other awards for an executive officer that
exceeds the deduction limit of Section 162(m).
Tax Withholding
As and when appropriate, we shall have the right to require each
optionee purchasing shares of common stock and each grantee
receiving an award of shares of common stock under the Plan to pay
any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be
withheld.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation
Plans
The following table sets forth the aggregate information of our
equity compensation plans in effect as of June 30, 2021:
Plan
|
|
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options and
rights
|
|
|
Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options and
rights
|
|
|
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
first column)
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
|
|
6,256,584
|
|
|
$
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
6,413,891
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders - Del Mar (BC) 2013 Amended and Restated
Stock Option Plan
|
|
|
135,775
|
|
|
$
|
30.88
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
6,392,359
|
|
|
$
|
2.27
|
|
|
|
6,413,891
|
|
28
(1)
|
As approved by our stockholders at the annual meeting of
stockholders held on April 11, 2018, on July 7, 2017, as amended on
February 1, 2018, the Board approved the adoption of the Plan. The
Board also approved a form of Performance Stock Unit Award
Agreement to be used in connection with grants of performance stock
units (“PSUs”) under the Plan. Under the Plan, as amended by our
Board, and our stockholders at our annual meeting of stockholders
held on June 25, 2021, 13,000,000 shares of our common stock are
reserved for issuance, less the number of shares of our common
stock issued under the Legacy Plan or that are subject to grants of
stock options made, or that may be made, under the Legacy Plan.
A total of 135,775 shares of our common stock, net of forfeitures,
have been issued under the Legacy Plan and/or are subject to
outstanding stock options granted under the Legacy Plan, and a
total of 6,256,584 shares of our common stock have been issued
under the Plan and/or are subject to outstanding stock options
granted under the Plan leaving a potential 6,413,891 shares, net of
exercises, of our common stock available for issuance under the
Plan if all such options under the Legacy Plan were exercised and
no new grants are made under the Legacy Plan. The maximum number of
shares of our common stock with respect to which any one
participant may be granted awards during any calendar year is 8% of
our fully diluted shares of common stock on the date of grant
(excluding the number of shares of our common stock issued under
the Plan and/or the Legacy Plan or subject to outstanding awards
granted under the Plan and/or the Legacy Plan). No award will be
granted under the Plan on or after July 7, 2027, but awards granted
prior to that date may extend beyond that date.
|
Approval Required
The approval of this Proposal 3 will require the affirmative vote
of a majority of the voting power of all of the votes cast. As a
result, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not affect
the outcome of the vote of Proposal 3.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE INCREASE IN THE
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE
COMPANY’S 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
29
___________________________
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFICATION OF ACCOUNTANTS
___________________________
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee of the Board, or the Audit Committee, has
appointed Marcum LLP, or Marcum, as our independent registered
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. We are
not required to seek stockholder approval for the appointment of
our independent registered public accounting firm, however, the
Audit Committee and the full Board believe it is sound corporate
practice to seek such approval. If the appointment is not ratified,
the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder
rejection and will re-consider the appointment. Even if the
selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may
direct the appointment of a different independent registered public
accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that
such change would be in the best interests of us and our
stockholders.
Attendance at Annual Meeting
Representatives of Marcum will be present at the Annual Meeting,
will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do
so and be available to respond to appropriate questions from
stockholders submitted in writing in accordance with the Annual
Meeting procedures.
Fees Billed to the Company in fiscal years 2021 and 2020
Upon approval of the Board and the Audit Committee of the Board, on
September 30, 2019 Marcum was appointed to serve as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2020.
The following is a summary of fees paid by us for professional
services rendered by Marcum for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021
and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
|
|
Year Ended
June 30,
2021
|
|
Year Ended
June 30,
2020
|
Audit fees
|
|
$
|
200,599
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
Audit related fees
|
|
$
|
27,077
|
|
$
|
30,950
|
Tax fees
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
All other fees
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
Total fees
|
|
$
|
227,676
|
|
$
|
160,950
|
Audit fees. Audit fees
represent fees for professional services performed by Marcum for
the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our
quarterly financial statements, as well as services that are
normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings or engagements.
Audit-related fees. Audit-related fees represent fees for
assurance and related services performed by Marcum that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our
financial statements.
Tax Fees. Marcum has
not performed any tax compliance services for us during the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2021 or 2020.
All other fees. Marcum
has not have received any other fees from us for the fiscal years
ended June 30, 2021 or 2020.
30
In accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, our
Audit Committee charter and pre-approval policies established by
the Audit Committee require that the Audit Committee review in
advance and pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit fees for
services provided to us by our independent registered public
accounting firm. The services performed by Marcum, and the fees to
be paid to Marcum, in 2021 and 2020 were approved by the Audit
Committee.
Previous Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
On July 31, 2019, we received notification from Ernst & Young
LLP (“E&Y”), our former independent registered public
accounting firm, that, as a result of the relocation of our
headquarters from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to San Diego,
California, E&Y declined to stand for re-appointment as our
independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the
audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the
year ended June 30, 2020. The decision not to stand for
re-appointment was not the result of any disagreements between the
Company and E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedures. Accordingly, on September 30, 2019 E&Y resigned as
our independent registered public accounting firm.
Upon approval of our Board and the Audit Committee, Marcum was
engaged, effective September 30, 2019, to serve as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2020.
E&Y’s report on Kintara’s consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 contained a
paragraph stating that there was substantial doubt about our
ability to continue as a going concern. E&Y’s reports on our
consolidated financial statements for each of the fiscal years
ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018 did not contain an adverse
opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and neither such report was
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principle.
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018, and
the subsequent period through September 30, 2019, (i) there were no
disagreements with E&Y on any matter of accounting principles
or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedures, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction
of E&Y, would have caused E&Y to make reference thereto in
its reports on the financial statements for such years, and (ii)
there were no reportable events as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v)
of Item 304 of Regulation S-K, except as described below.
During the audit for the year ended June 30, 2019, a material
weakness in the design and operating effectiveness of our internal
controls over financial reporting was identified relating to
inadequate segregation of duties over authorization, review and
recording of transactions, as well as the financial reporting of
such transactions. During the audit for the year ended June 30,
2018, a material weakness in internal control over financial
reporting was identified relating to inadequate segregation of
duties over authorization, review and recording of transactions, as
well as the financial reporting of such transactions.
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018, and
the subsequent interim period through September 30, 2019, neither
we nor any person on its behalf had consulted Marcum with respect
to either (i) the application of accounting principles to a
specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of
audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial
statements, and neither a written report was provided to us nor
oral advice was provided that Marcum concluded was an important
factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the
accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any
matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in
Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions
to Item 304 of Regulation S-K), or a reportable event (as defined
in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
We have provided E&Y with a copy of the above
disclosures.
31
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee, or a designated member of the Audit Committee,
shall preapprove all auditing services and permitted non-audit
services (including the fees and terms) to be performed for Kintara
by our registered independent public accountants, subject to the de
minimis exceptions for non-audit services that are approved by the
Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit, provided that:
(1) the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes
no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by
Kintara to its registered independent public accountant during the
fiscal year in which the services are provided; (2) such services
were not recognized by Kintara at the time of the engagement to be
non-audit services; and (3) such services are promptly brought to
the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the
completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more
members of the Audit Committee who are members of the Board to whom
authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit
Committee. Of the services set forth in the table above, all were
preapproved by the Audit Committee.
Approval Required
The approval of this Proposal 4 will require the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the
votes cast. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any,
will not affect the outcome of the vote of this Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S independent registered accounting
firm FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022.
32
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be
participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements.
This means that only one copy of this proxy statement may have been
sent to multiple stockholders in the same household. We will
promptly deliver a separate copy of this proxy statement to any
stockholder upon written or oral request to: Kintara Therapeutics,
Inc., 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92121,
Attn.: Secretary, or at (604) 629-5989. Any stockholder who wants
to receive a separate copy of this proxy statement, or of the
Company’s proxy statements or annual reports in the future, or any
stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to
receive only one copy per household, should contact the
stockholder’s bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or the
stockholder may contact us at the address and phone number
above.
Information About Stockholder Proposals
In order to include information with respect to a stockholder
proposal in our proxy statement and related form of proxy for a
stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required
by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. Proposals
that stockholders wish to include in our proxy statement and form
of proxy for presentation at our 2023 annual meeting of
stockholders must be received by us by February 2, 2023 at: Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc., 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd Suite 150 San Diego,
CA 92121, Attn.: Secretary. The SEC rules contain standards as to
whether stockholder proposals are required to be included in our
proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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By:
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/s/ Scott Praill
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Scott Praill
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Secretary
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San Diego, California
April [●], 2022
To assure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting,
please either a) vote over the Internet following the instructions
provided in this proxy statement or b) complete, sign, date and
promptly return the proxy card to Kintara.
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If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your
shares, please call:
Alliance Advisors LLC
200 Broadacres Drive,
3rd
Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
855-600-2576
33
Appendix A
Kintara Therapeutics, Inc.
Form of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
Article SECOND of the Articles of Incorporation of Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc. is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:
NUMBER OF SHARES WITH PAR VALUE:
275,000,000 COMMON - $0.001 PAR VALUE
5,000,000 PREFERRED - $0.001 PAR VALUE
A-1
Appendix B
AMENDMENT TO THE
KINTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Dated: April 13, 2022
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (the
“Company”) heretofore established the Kintara Therapeutics, Inc.
2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to amend the Plan to
increase the maximum number of shares of common stock of the
Corporation available for grants of “Awards” (as defined under the
Plan) thereunder from 13,000,000 to 22,000,000 (not counting shares
of common stock that have previously been issued pursuant to the
Plan or that are the subject of outstanding Awards under the Plan),
all of which are to be available as grants as Incentive Stock
Options; and
WHEREAS, Section 17.2 of the Plan authorizes the Board of Directors
to amend the Plan, subject to stockholder approval to the extent
that such approval is required by applicable law;
NOW, THEREFORE, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders,
effective the date hereof, the Plan is hereby amended as
follows:
Section 4.1(a) of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety, to
read as follows:
“(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3 and any other
applicable provisions hereof, the maximum aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock which may be issued under all Awards granted
to Participants under the Plan shall be 22,000,000 shares;
provided, however, that such number shall be reduced by the number
of shares of Common Stock issued under the Legacy Plan and/or
subject to outstanding grants of options under the Legacy Plan
(that is, which have not been forfeited or that have expired
without having been exercised). All 22,000,000 of such shares
initially available pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) may, but need
not, be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options.”
[Signature Page Follows]
B-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as
evidence of its adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company
on the date set forth above.
Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc.
By: /s/ Robert E.
Hoffman
Name: Robert E. Hoffman
Title: President and
Chief
Executive
Officer
B-2

PROXY KINTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 21, 2022 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN
SIGNED AND DATED The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints
Robert E. Hoffman and Scott Praill, and each of them, as proxies
with full power of substitution, to represent and vote all of the
shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) in such manner as they, or any
of them, may determine on any matters which may properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof and to vote
on the matters set forth on the reverse side as directed by the
undersigned. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually on June 21,
2022, at 12:00 p.m., and at any and all adjournments thereof. The
undersigned hereby revokes any proxies previously given. In order
to attend the virtual meeting, you must pre-register at
www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022. This Proxy is solicited by the
Board of Directors of Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. This Proxy, when
properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy
will be voted “FOR” the election of the four nominees for director,
and “FOR” Proposals 2, 3, and 4. (Continued, and to be marked,
dated and signed, on the other side) PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED
LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. Important Notice Regarding
the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held June 21, 2022 The Proxy Statement and our
2021 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at:
www.viewproxy.com/kintara/2022

Please mark your votes like this THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” THE LISTED NOMINEES, AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2, 3, and 4.
2. TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE THEREUNDER FROM 175,000,000 TO
275,000,000; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 3. TO APPROVE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE KINTARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE THEREUNDER FROM 13,000,000 TO 22,000,000;
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 4. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUM LLP AS
THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022; AND FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN To
transact other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment or postponement thereof. 1. TO ELECT FOUR DIRECTORS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO HOLD OFFICE FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR
UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED; Nominees: 01 Robert E. Hoffman
02 Robert J. Toth, Jr. 03 Laura Johnson 04 Tamara A. Seymour FOR
ALL WITHHOLD ALL FOR ALL EXCEPT Instructions: To withhold authority
to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. Date:
Signature Signature (if held jointly) Note: Please sign exactly as
your name or names appear on this card. Joint owners should each
sign personally. If signing as a fiduciary or attorney, please give
your exact title. CONTROL NUMBER PLEASE DETACH ALONG PERFORATED
LINE AND MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. As a stockholder of Kintara
Therapeutics, Inc. you have the option of voting your shares
electronically through the Internet or by telephone, eliminating
the need to return the proxy card. Your electronic vote authorizes
the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you
marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted
electronically over the Internet or by telephone must be received
by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on June 20, 2022. CONTROL
NUMBER PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS Please have your 11-digit control
number ready when voting by Internet or Telephone MAIL Vote Your
Shares by Mail: Mark, sign, and date your proxy card, then detach
it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. INTERNET
Vote Your Shares on the Internet: Go
to www.FCRVote.com/KTRA Have your proxy card available
when you access the above website. Follow the prompts to vote your
shares. TELEPHONE Vote Your Shares by Phone: Call 1 (866) 402-3905
Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your Shares. Have your proxy
card available when you call. Follow the voting instructions to
vote your shares.
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