To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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By order of the board of directors,
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/s/ Jeffrey Riley
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Chairman of the Board
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Ann Arbor, Michigan
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January , 2012
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Q:
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Why am I receiving these materials?
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A:
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The board of directors is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with a special meeting of stockholders which is scheduled to take place on February 15, 2012. As a stockholder of record as of December 19, 2011, you are invited to attend the special meeting and to vote on the business described in this proxy statement.
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Q:
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What information is contained in these materials?
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A:
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The information included in this proxy statement relates to a proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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Q:
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What item of business will be voted on at the special meeting?
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A:
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Only one item of business is scheduled to be voted on at the special meeting, a proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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Q:
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Why is the board of directors proposing and recommending the name of the Company be changed?
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A:
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On November 21, 2011 the Company announced its entry into the emerging field of synthetic biology which involves the development of synthetic-DNA based medicines for the treatment of human diseases. Under industry nomenclature, such products are not generally referred to as “pharmaceuticals” per se, but are instead generally referred to as “biologics”. Accordingly, the board of directors believes that the corporate name “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.” will better portray and convey the Company’s shift in focus and new mission.
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Q:
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How does the board of directors recommend that I vote?
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A:
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The board of directors recommends that you vote your shares FOR the proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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Q:
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What shares can I vote?
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A:
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You may vote or cause to be voted all shares owned by you as of the close of business on December 19, 2011, the record date. These shares include: (1) shares held directly in your name as a stockholder of record; and (2) shares held for you, as the beneficial owner, through a broker or other nominee, such as a bank.
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Q:
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What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
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A:
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Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
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If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the board of directors or to vote in person at the meeting. The board of directors has enclosed a proxy card for you to use to grant a voting proxy to the board of directors.
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If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee together with a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or nominee how to vote and are also invited to attend the special meeting. Since you are not the stockholder of record, however, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain from the broker or nominee that holds your shares a valid proxy from them giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker or nominee should have enclosed or provided voting instructions for you to use in directing the broker or nominee how to vote your shares. If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not give instructions to the record holder on how to vote, the record holder will be entitled to vote your shares in its discretion on certain matters considered routine, such as an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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Q:
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May I attend the special meeting?
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A:
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You are entitled to attend the special meeting only if you were a stockholder of the Company as of the close of business on December 19, 2011, or you hold a valid proxy for the special meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you are not a record holder but hold shares beneficially through a broker or nominee (that is, in “street name”), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to December 19, 2011, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your broker or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, you may not be admitted to the special meeting. The special meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time). Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m., and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.
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Q:
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How can I vote my shares in person at the special meeting?
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A:
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You may vote by ballot in person at the special meeting any shares that you hold as the stockholder of record. You may only vote in person shares held in street name if you obtain from the broker or nominee that holds your shares a valid proxy giving you the right to vote the shares.
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Q:
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How can I vote my shares without attending the special meeting?
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A:
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Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may, without attending the meeting, direct how your shares are to be voted. If you are a stockholder of record, you may cause your shares to be voted as you instruct by granting a proxy to our board of directors. If you hold shares in street name, you may cause your shares to be voted as you instruct by submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. Each record holder of our common stock may appoint a proxy by completing, signing, and dating a proxy card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope. Each stockholder who holds shares in street name may vote by mail by completing, signing, and dating a voting instruction card provided by the broker or nominee and following the other instructions of your broker or nominee.
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Q:
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Can I change my vote?
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A:
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You may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the special meeting. For shares held directly in your name, you may accomplish this by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) or by attending the special meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request. For shares you hold beneficially, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker or nominee or, if you have obtained a valid proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the meeting and voting in person. You may also change your vote by sending a written notice of revocation to Jeffrey Riley, Chairman, Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 3985 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108.
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Q:
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Can I revoke my proxy?
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A:
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You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the meeting. To revoke your proxy, notify our corporate secretary in writing, or deliver to our corporate secretary a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by appearing at the meeting in person and voting your shares. Attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
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Q:
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Who can help answer my questions?
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A:
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If you have any questions about the special meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy, or you need additional copies of this proxy statement or voting materials, you should contact Lara M. Guzman, Vice President of Administration, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer, Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 3985 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, (734) 332-7800.
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Q:
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How are votes counted?
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A:
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With respect to the proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”, you may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN. On this proposal, if you vote ABSTAIN, it has the same effect as a vote AGAINST.
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If you provide specific instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you sign your proxy card or voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors, namely FOR the proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.”
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Q:
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What is a quorum and why is it necessary?
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A:
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Conducting business at the meeting requires a quorum. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of our shares of common stock outstanding on December 19, 2011 is necessary to constitute a quorum. Abstentions are treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Broker non-votes (which result when your shares are held in “street name” and you do not tell the nominee how to vote your shares) are relevant in determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting
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Q:
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What is the voting requirement to approve the proposal?
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A:
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The proposal to approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to “Synthetic Biologics, Inc.” requires the affirmative FOR vote of a majority of those shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on that proposal at the special meeting. Accordingly, abstentions on this proposal will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
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Q:
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What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
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A:
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You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date, and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.
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Q:
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Where can I find the voting results of the special meeting?
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A:
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We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the special meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K which will be filed within four days of the meeting.
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Q:
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What happens if additional matters are presented at the special meeting?
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A:
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Other than the one item of business described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the special meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Mr. Jeffrey Riley, our Chairman, and James S. Kuo, M.D., M.B.A., our President and Chief Executive Officer, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting.
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Q:
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How many shares are outstanding and how many votes is each share entitled?
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A:
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Each share of our common stock that is issued and outstanding as of the close of business on December 19, 2011, the record date, is entitled to be voted on all items being voted on at the special meeting, with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter. On the record date, 31,374,002 shares of common stock were issued and 31,292,520 shares of common stock were outstanding.
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Q:
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Who will count the votes?
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A:
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One or more inspectors of election will tabulate the votes.
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Q:
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Is my vote confidential?
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A:
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Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed, either within the Company or to anyone else, except (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; or (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
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Q:
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Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the special meeting?
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A:
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The board of directors is making this solicitation on behalf of the Company, which will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials. Certain of our directors, officers, and employees, without any additional compensation, may also solicit your vote in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication. On request, we will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders
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Q:
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May I propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders?
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A:
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You may submit proposals for consideration at future stockholder meetings. In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for our annual meeting next year, however, the written proposal must be received by us by February 20, 2012. Those proposals also will need to be received by us a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials for that meeting and must comply with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials.
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Name and Address of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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Shares Owned (2)
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Percentage of
Shares (3)
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Accredited Venture Capital, LLC (4)
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7,086,380
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22.65
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%
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Intrexon Corporation (5)
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3,123,558
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9.98
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%
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Empery Asset Management, LP (6)
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2,142,858
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6.70
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%
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Steve H. Kanzer (7)
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7,766,017
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24.58
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%
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Jeffrey J. Kraws (8)
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287,105
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*
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%
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James S. Kuo (9)
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354,499
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1.12 |
%
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Jeffrey Wolf (9)
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83,332
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*
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Jeffrey Riley (10)
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83,333
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*
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All officers and directors as a group (4 persons)
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8,574,286
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26.46
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%
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(1)
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The address for each beneficial owner except Empery Asset Management, LP is 3985 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108.
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(2)
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Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, to the knowledge of the Company, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, the number of shares of our common stock deemed outstanding includes shares issuable pursuant to options held by the respective person or group that are currently exercisable or may be exercised within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
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(3)
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As of December 19, 2011, we had 31,292,520 shares of common stock outstanding.
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(4)
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Consists of 7,086,380 shares of common stock issued to Accredited Venture Capital, LLC. Pharmainvestors, LLC is the managing member of Accredited Venture Capital, LLC, and Mr. Kanzer is the managing member of Pharmainvestors, LLC. As such, Mr. Kanzer may be considered to have control over the voting and disposition of the shares registered in the name of Accredited Venture Capital, LLC, and therefore, such shares are also included in the shares listed as held by Mr. Kanzer. Mr. Kanzer disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.
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(5)
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Does not include additional shares that have not yet been earned but may in the future be earned under the terms of agreements with Intrexon Corporation.
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(6)
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Consists of 1,428,572 shares of common stock and 714,286 warrants to purchase common stock currently exercisable issued to Empery Asset Management, LP. The address for Empery Asset Management, LP is 120 Broadway, Suite 1019, New York, New York 10271.
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(7)
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Includes 7,086,380 shares of common stock issued to Accredited Venture Capital, LLC and 304,391 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Kanzer that are exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.
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(8)
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Includes 287,105 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Kraws that are exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.
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(9)
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Includes 349,999 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Dr. Kuo that are exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.Does not include an additional 100,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Dr. Kuo that are not exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.
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(10)
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Includes 83,332 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Wolf that are exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.
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(11)
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Includes 83,333 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Riley that are exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011. Does not include an additional 75,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Riley that are not exercisable within the 60-day period following December 19, 2011.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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o
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o
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o
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Dated:
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Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)
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Title
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