UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
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¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
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ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
April 29, 2013
Dear Arena Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), at our offices located at 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. I look forward to meeting with as many of our stockholders as possible.
At the Annual Meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the Notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statement, and report on Arenas business. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
If you would like directions to our offices, please visit our website at www.arenapharm.com, where you will find directions and a map locator under contact us. For further information about the Annual Meeting, please call 858.453.7200 and ask for Investor Relations.
On behalf of our employees and Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in Arena.
Sincerely, |
Jack Lief Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To be held on June 10, 2013
ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
6154 Nancy Ridge Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
April 29, 2013
To the Stockholders of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), at our offices located at 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121, for the following purposes, which are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice:
1. | To elect the nine nominees for director named herein to our Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; |
2. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying this notice; |
3. | To approve the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan; |
4. | To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; and |
5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commissions notice and access rules. On or about April 29, 2013, we mailed certain of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Internet Notice, containing instructions on how to access our 2013 proxy statement and annual report and vote online. In addition, on or about April 29, 2013, we sent a printed copy of our proxy materials to our stockholders of record as of April 12, 2013. Our proxy statement and annual report are available on the home page of our website at www.arenapharm.com.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2013, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to submit your proxy on the Internet or, if applicable, complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card at your earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum at the meeting. Promptly submitting your vote will save us the expense and extra work of additional solicitation. If you received a printed copy of these materials by mail, you may return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope, which does not require postage if mailed in the United States. You may also vote by telephone or the Internet pursuant to the instructions that accompanied your proxy card or were included in the Internet Notice. Sending in your proxy card or voting by telephone or the Internet will not prevent you from voting at the Annual Meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy may be cancelled at your option. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a bank, broker or other agent and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
By Order of our Board of Directors
Steven W. Spector
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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In this proxy statement, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Arena, we, us and our refer to Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., unless the context otherwise provides. Arena Pharmaceuticals®, Arena® and our corporate logo are registered service marks of Arena. BELVIQ® is a registered trademark of Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH.
BELVIQ is the trade name for lorcaserin hydrochloride in the United States. While BELVIQ (lorcaserin HCI) may in the future be marketed outside of the United States as BELVIQ or under a different trade name, we use BELVIQ in this proxy statement to refer to the finished drug product for lorcaserin hydrochloride or, depending on the context, lorcaserin hydrochloride or other solid state forms of lorcaserin.
ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
6154 Nancy Ridge Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting
to Be Held on June 10, 2013
We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commissions notice and access rules. On or about April 29, 2013, we mailed certain of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Internet Notice, containing instructions on how to access our 2013 proxy statement and annual report and vote online. In addition, on or about April 29, 2013, we sent a printed copy of our proxy materials to our stockholders of record as of April 12, 2013. Our proxy statement and annual report are available on the home page of our website at www.arenapharm.com.
Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting
Questions and Answers About the Proxy Materials and Voting
Q: | Why am I receiving these materials? |
A: | We have provided you these proxy materials because our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or 2013 Annual Meeting, which is to be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement. You are invited to attend our 2013 Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. |
If you have received a printed copy of these materials by mail, you may complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the telephone or on the Internet. If you did not receive a printed copy of these materials by mail and are accessing them on the Internet, you may submit your proxy on the Internet or over the telephone, as described below.
Q: | Why did I receive a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials? |
A: | In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, we make our proxy materials available to our stockholders on the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending certain of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or Internet Notice. If you received the Internet Notice, such notice will instruct you how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Internet Notice also instructs you how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, including a proxy card, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Internet Notice. |
Q: | How can I attend our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | Our 2013 Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at our offices located at 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. Directions to our 2013 Annual Meeting may be found at www.arenapharm.com, where you will find directions and a map locator under contact us. For further information about our 2013 Annual Meeting, please call 858.453.7200 and ask for Investor Relations. Information on how to vote in person at our 2013 Annual Meeting is described below. |
Q: | Who can vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | Each person who owns or has the right to vote shares of our common stock as of the Record Date has the right to vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 217,756,823 shares of our common stock outstanding, and each of such shares is entitled to one vote. |
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name.
If on the Record Date your shares of common stock were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote by proxy or vote in person at our 2013 Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend our 2013 Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy over the telephone or on the Internet as instructed below or to complete, sign, date and return a proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Bank, Broker or Other Agent.
If on the Record Date your shares of common stock were held in an account by a bank, broker or other agent, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and these proxy materials or the Internet Notice are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at our 2013 Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank, broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend our 2013 Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at our 2013 Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other agent.
Q: | What is a proxy? |
A: | If you return a signed and dated proxy card or vote by Internet or telephone, you will be appointing Jack Lief, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven W. Spector, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, as your representatives at our 2013 Annual Meeting and authorizing them, or each of them, to vote your shares at the meeting as indicated by you. This way, you can vote your shares whether or not you attend the meeting. |
Q: | What am I voting on? |
A: | We are asking you to vote on the following proposals: |
1. | Election of the nine nominees for director named herein to our Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; |
2. | Advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with rules of the SEC; |
3. | Approval of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan; |
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4. | Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; and |
5. | Such other proposals as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Q: | What if another matter is properly brought before our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at our 2013 Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before our 2013 Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment. |
Q: | What if I return a proxy card or otherwise vote but do not make specific choices? |
A: | If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card or vote by the Internet or telephone, your shares will be voted as you instruct, or in the best judgment of Mr. Lief or Mr. Spector if a new proposal comes up for a vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting. |
If you return a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise vote without marking voting selections, your shares will be voted as follows: FOR the nine named nominees as directors; FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers; FOR the approval of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan; FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; and according to the best judgment of Mr. Lief or Mr. Spector if a proposal that is not on the proxy card comes up for a vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
Q: | How do I vote? |
A: | Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. |
BY MAIL: If you have received a printed copy of these materials by mail, you may complete, sign and date your proxy card and mail it in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope, which does not require postage if mailed in the United States.
BY TELEPHONE: Please follow the vote by telephone instructions that are on your proxy card. If you vote by telephone, you do not have to mail in your proxy card. Your vote must be received before 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on June 9, 2013, to be counted.
BY INTERNET: Please follow the vote by Internet instructions that are on your proxy card. If you vote by Internet, you do not have to mail in your proxy card. Your vote must be received before 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on June 9, 2013, to be counted.
IN PERSON: We will pass out written ballots to anyone who wants to vote in person at our 2013 Annual Meeting. However, if you hold your shares in street name, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other agent to vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
A: | Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Bank, Broker or Other Agent. |
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other agent, you should have received the Internet Notice (or a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials) from that organization rather than from us. Simply follow the instructions you received from
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that organization to vote on the Internet or, if you received a proxy card by mail, complete, sign and return the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. Please contact that organization if you did not receive the Internet Notice or such materials, as applicable.
To vote in person at our 2013 Annual Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other agent. Follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other agent included with the Internet Notice or these proxy materials, or contact such agent to obtain a proxy form.
Internet proxy voting may be provided to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.
Q: | What does it mean if I receive more than one Internet Notice or proxy card? |
A: | It likely means that you hold our shares in multiple accounts at the transfer agent or with brokers or other custodians of your shares. Please follow the voting instructions included in each Internet Notice and proxy card you receive to ensure that all of your shares are voted. |
Q: | Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy? |
A: | Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. |
If you are a stockholder of record, you can revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close at our 2013 Annual Meeting by: (i) voting by telephone or the Internet before 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on June 9, 2013 (your latest telephone or Internet vote is counted), (ii) signing a proxy card with a later date and returning it before the polls close at our 2013 Annual Meeting, (iii) returning a written notice before the polls close at our 2013 Annual Meeting that you are revoking your proxy, or (iv) voting at the meeting. Please note, however, that simply attending our 2013 Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
A: | Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Bank, Broker or Other Agent. |
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other agent, you should follow their instructions on how to change your vote. Please contact your bank, broker or other agent if you did not receive such instructions.
Q: | How many shares must be present to hold our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | To hold our 2013 Annual Meeting and conduct business, the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock as of the Record Date must be present, either in person or represented by proxy, at our 2013 Annual Meeting. This is called a quorum. |
A stockholders shares are counted towards a quorum if the stockholder either:
| is present and votes in person at the meeting, or |
| has properly submitted a proxy (including voting by telephone or the Internet). |
Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for the purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
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Q: | What are broker non-votes? |
A: | Broker non-votes occur when a broker who holds shares for a stockholder in street name submits a proxy for those shares but does not vote. In general, this occurs when the broker has not received voting instructions from the stockholder, and the broker lacks discretionary voting authority under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, or otherwise to vote the shares for a particular proposal. The bank, broker or other agent can register your shares as being present at a meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will not be able to vote on those items for which specific authorization is required under the rules of the NYSE. |
Q: | When do brokers have discretionary voting authority to vote my shares without my instruction? |
A: | If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a bank, broker or other agent, such entity has discretionary voting authority, under the rules of the NYSE, to vote your shares on certain routine matters for which it does not receive voting instructions from you by the 10th day before the meeting. For example, such entity has discretionary voting authority with regard to the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP (Proposal 4). |
The election of directors (Proposal 1), the say-on-pay vote (Proposal 2), and the vote on our 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Proposal 3) are not considered routine.
When a proposal is not a routine matter and the entity holding the shares has not received voting instructions from the beneficial holder of the shares with respect to that proposal, the entity cannot vote the shares on that proposal. Accordingly, it is important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.
Q: | How many votes must the nominees receive to be elected as directors? |
A: | Directors are elected by a plurality of votes of common stock present, either in person or represented by proxy, at our 2013 Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. This means that the nine nominees receiving the highest number of votes FOR election will be elected. Only votes FOR or WITHHELD will affect the outcome. |
Q: | How many votes must be received to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules? |
A: | A majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal must vote FOR approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome. |
Q: | How many votes must be received to approve the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan? |
A: | A majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal must vote FOR approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome. |
Q: | How many votes must be received to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Arenas independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013? |
A: | A majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal must vote FOR ratification. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome. |
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Q: | How are votes counted? |
A: | Votes will be counted by the inspector or inspectors of election appointed for our 2013 Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for the proposal to elect directors, votes FOR, WITHHOLD, and broker non-votes; and, with respect to other proposals, votes FOR, AGAINST, ABSTAIN, and broker non-votes. Abstention and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the voting on any of the proposals described in this proxy statement. |
Our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will tabulate and certify the voting results.
Q: | Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | We are paying for the distribution and solicitation of the proxies. As a part of this process, we reimburse brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians for reasonable fees and expenses in forwarding proxy materials to our stockholders. Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by other mailings, telephone calls, personal solicitation, or use of the Internet by our directors, officers, other employees or, if we choose to engage one, an independent proxy solicitation firm. No additional compensation will be paid to our directors, officers or other employees for such services, and in the event we engage such a proxy solicitation firm, the fees paid by us would not likely exceed $20,000. |
Q: | How can I find out the results of the voting at our 2013 Annual Meeting? |
A: | Preliminary voting results will be announced at our 2013 Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a current report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after our 2013 Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after our 2013 Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8-K to publish the final results. |
Q: | How can I obtain the companys corporate governance information? |
A: | Our website is www.arenapharm.com and we have included various corporate governance materials under the Investors tab. Included in such information are the charters of our Board of Directors standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Also included under that tab are our Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Policy on Filing, Receipt and Treatment of Complaints. |
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Election of Directors (Proposal 1)
The persons named in the below table are nominees for director at our 2013 Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Our Bylaws provide that the authorized number of directors shall be determined by a resolution of our Board of Directors.
All of the nominees for director at our 2013 Annual Meeting were elected at our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and were recommended by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for election to our Board of Directors at our 2013 Annual Meeting. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes of common stock present, either in person or represented by proxy, at the annual meeting and entitled to vote. Unless otherwise instructed to withhold a vote for a particular nominee or all of the nominees, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the nominees named below. In the event that any of these nominees is unavailable to serve as a director at the time of our 2013 Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any substitute nominee who shall be designated by our Board of Directors, unless our Board reduces the number of directors. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable to serve.
Following is information, as of March 31, 2013, regarding the nominees for director at our 2013 Annual Meeting. Such information includes biographical and other information about the nominees, including information concerning the particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Board of Directors and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to conclude that the nominees should serve as our directors.
Name |
Positions and Offices Held | Year First Elected or Appointed Director |
Age | |||||||
Jack Lief |
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | 1997 | 67 | |||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Director | 2000 | 49 | |||||||
Donald D. Belcher |
Director | 2003 | 74 | |||||||
Scott H. Bice |
Director | 2003 | 70 | |||||||
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. |
Director | 2004 | 74 | |||||||
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. |
Director | 2004 | 59 | |||||||
Phillip M. Schneider |
Director | 2007 | 56 | |||||||
Christine A. White, M.D. |
Director | 2006 | 61 | |||||||
Randall E. Woods |
Director | 2007 | 61 |
Business Experience of Nominees
Jack Lief is a co-founder of Arena and has served as a director and our President and Chief Executive Officer since April 1997. Mr. Lief has also served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since October 2007. Mr. Lief served as an advisor and consultant to numerous biopharmaceutical organizations from 1995 to April 1997; as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Secretary of Cephalon, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1989 to 1994; as Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning for Alpha Therapeutic Corporation, a manufacturer of biological products, from 1983 to 1989; and in various positions at Abbott Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company, from 1972 to 1983, most recently as the head of International Marketing Research. Mr. Lief serves as the Chairman of the board of directors of Mast Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Lief is also an Executive Board Member of BIOCOM, a life science association representing more than 550 member companies in Southern California, and was the Chair of the board of directors of BIOCOM from March 2005 to March 2006. Mr. Lief holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.S. in Psychology (Experimental and Neurobiology) from Lehigh University.
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We believe that Mr. Liefs role as a co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of our company, combined with his extensive leadership, strategic planning, business, financial, and international pharmaceutical industry expertise, provides our Board of Directors with critical knowledge and in-depth insight into our strategic planning and operations and give him the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D., is a co-founder of Arena and has served as a director since April 2000 and as our Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer since February 2012. Dr. Behan served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer from June 2004 to February 2012, and as our Vice President, Research from April 1997 to June 2004. Dr. Behan directed various research programs at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1993 to 1997, and was engaged in research at the Salk Institute from 1990 to 1993. Dr. Behan holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Leeds University, England, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Reading University, England.
We believe that Dr. Behans extensive scientific expertise, his role as a co-founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of our company, and his leadership and scientific experience at other scientific and biopharmaceutical entities give him a deep understanding of pharmaceutical research and development and the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Donald D. Belcher has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2003. Mr. Belcher served as Chairman of the board of directors of Banta Corporation, a printing and supply-chain management company, from 1995 to 2004, Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2002 and President from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Belcher holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
We believe that Mr. Belchers extensive leadership, business and financial expertise, including his background as a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of a large, publicly held company, and his experience in marketing, global operations, international business, and strategic planning give him the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Scott H. Bice has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2003. Mr. Bice has been the Robert C. Packard Professor at the University of Southern California Law School since 2000, where he served as Dean from 1980 to 2000. Mr. Bice has experience on several corporate boards, including Imagine Films, from 1992 to 1994; Western and Residence Mutual Insurance Companies, from 1996 to 2003; and Jenny Craig, from 1996 to 2002. Mr. Bice holds a B.S. in finance and a J.D. from the University of Southern California.
We believe that Mr. Bices extensive legal, corporate governance, and business ethics expertise, his background as a professor and former Dean of a leading law school, and his service on other boards, including for a company involved in developing and commercializing a weight-loss program, give him an important perspective to contribute and the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D., has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2004. Dr. Hixson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sequenom, Inc., a genomics company, since September 2009, and as Chairman of its board of directors since 2003. Dr. Hixson served as Chief Executive Officer of BrainCells Inc., a neurogenesis-based drug discovery and development company, from 2004 to 2005; as Chief Executive Officer of Elitra Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1998 to 2003; and in various management positions with Amgen Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1985 to 1991, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer. Within the past five years, Dr. Hixson also served as a member of the board of directors of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a cancer drug discovery and development company, and Discovery Partners International Inc., a drug discovery services company that was acquired by Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Hixson holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Physical Biochemistry from Purdue University.
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We believe that Dr. Hixsons extensive leadership, business and scientific expertise, including his background in the development and commercialization of biopharmaceuticals in the United States and internationally, his senior management experience, including as President and Chief Operating Officer of a pioneering company in the biopharmaceutical industry, and his service on other boards give him the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D., has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2004. Dr. Nova is a co-founder of Genoptix, Inc., a medical laboratory diagnostics company, and has served as its President since 2000. Dr. Nova also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Genoptix and as a member of its board of directors from 2000 until Novartis AG acquired Genoptix in February 2011. Dr. Nova was a co-founder of Nanogen, Inc., a provider of molecular diagnostic tests, and she served as its Chief Operating Officer and President from 1994 to 2000. Dr. Nova served as Chief Operating Officer of Selective Genetics, a targeted therapy, biotechnology company, from 1992 to 1994, and in various director-level positions with Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a drug discovery and development company, from 1988 to 1992, most recently as Executive Director of New Leads Discovery. Dr. Nova has also held various research and management positions with Hybritech, Inc., a former subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company, a pharmaceutical company. Dr. Nova also serves on the board of directors of Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company targeting allergy, respiratory and pediatric medicine market segments. Within the past five years, Dr. Nova also served as a member of the board of directors of Cypress Biosciences, Inc., a company focused on developing drugs for functional somatic syndromes. Dr. Nova was the Chair of the board of directors of BIOCOM from March 2001 to March 2002. Dr. Nova holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside.
We believe that Dr. Novas extensive leadership, business and scientific expertise, including her background of founding, financing, developing and operating companies in the healthcare industry, including her background as the President and Chief Executive Officer of a publicly held company in the healthcare industry, her experience in successfully developing, launching and commercializing medical products, and her service on other boards give her the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Phillip M. Schneider has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Mr. Schneider held various positions with IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, from 1987 to 2002, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his association with IDEC, Mr. Schneider held various management positions at Syntex Pharmaceuticals Corporation and was previously with KPMG LLP. Within the past five years, Mr. Schneider also served as a member of the board of directors of Gen-Probe Incorporated, a medical diagnostics company, Micromet, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, and CancerVax Corporation, a biotechnology company that merged with Micromet AG to become Micromet, Inc. Mr. Schneider holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.
We believe that Mr. Schneiders extensive leadership, business, financial and accounting expertise, including his background as the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly held biopharmaceutical company during the successful development, launch and commercialization of its first product, his experience at a large financial and accounting firm, and his service on other boards in our industry give him an important financial and accounting perspective and the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Christine A. White, M.D., has served as a member of our Board of Directors since August 2006. Dr. White served in various senior positions with Biogen Idec Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1996 to 2005, most recently as Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs; as the Director of Clinical Oncology Research at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego from 1994 to 1996; and on the clinical staff and in various positions in the Department of Medicine at Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla and Encinitas, California, from 1984 to
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1994, most recently as Chairman, Department of Medicine. Dr. White serves as a member of the board of directors of MEI Pharma, Inc., an oncology company focused on the clinical development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics. Within the past five years, Dr. White also served as a member of the board of directors of Genoptix, Inc., a medical laboratory diagnostics company, Pharmacyclics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing products to treat cancer and other diseases, and Monogram Biosciences, Inc., a life sciences company. Dr. White holds a B.A. in Biology and an M.D. from the University of Chicago and is Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
We believe that Dr. Whites extensive medical, scientific and business expertise, including her background in the clinical practice of medicine, basic science and clinical research, clinical development and regulatory affairs, her experience with the successful development, launch and commercialization of medicinal products, her senior management experience at a publicly held company in our industry, and her service on other boards give her a deep understanding of pharmaceutical development and commercialization and the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
Randall E. Woods has served as a member of our Board of Directors since December 2007. Mr. Woods has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sophiris Bio Inc., a urology company, since August 2012, and as a member of its board of directors since October 2012. Mr. Woods served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Sequel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from September 2007 to June 2011; as the President and Chief Executive Officer of NovaCardia, Inc., a pharmaceutical company that was acquired by Merck & Co., Inc., from April 2004 to September 2007; as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Corvas International, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1996 to 2003; in various senior positions at Boehringer Mannheims US pharmaceutical operations, from 1993 to 1996, most recently as President; and before then served more than 20 years at Eli Lilly & Company in sales and marketing positions. Mr. Woods is the chairman emeritus of the advisory board of the University of California, San Diegos Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center. Mr. Woods is also an Executive Board Member of BIOCOM, and was the Chair of the board of directors of BIOCOM for 2009. Mr. Woods holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Ball State University and an M.B.A. from Western Michigan University.
We believe that Mr. Woods extensive leadership, business and financial expertise, including his background of founding, financing and developing companies in our industry, and his senior management experience, including as Chief Executive Officer and President of multiple biopharmaceutical companies, his background in sales, marketing and pharmaceutical operations, and his service on other boards give him the qualifications, attributes and skills to serve as one of our directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which requires that a majority of a listed companys board of directors qualify as independent under the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The board of directors must affirmatively make this determination. In addition, under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, it is our policy that at least two-thirds of the members of our Board of Directors be independent directors.
Our Board of Directors consults with its legal advisors to ensure that its independence determinations, including with respect to directors, director nominees and members of its committees, comply with all applicable securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of independent, including but not limited to those set forth in pertinent listing standards of NASDAQ, as in effect from time to time. Consistent with these considerations, our Board of Directors has reviewed relevant transactions and relationships between each non-employee director and Arena, other non-employee directors, our senior management and our independent auditors and has affirmatively determined that all of our non-employee directors are independent directors under the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.
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Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors who have been deemed independent directors by our Board of Directors will inform the Chairman and lead independent director in writing if he or she believes there has been a change in his or her status as an independent director. The lead independent director, in turn, will advise the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of such potential change of status so that the committee, with the aid of the Chairman, can determine whether the director continues to qualify as an independent director and whether to recommend to the full Board of Directors to ask for the resignation of such director.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines for the conduct and operation of our Board. The guidelines cover such topics as board composition and selection, the boards role, director orientation and education, director compensation, board meetings, board committees, board access to management and use of outside advisors, succession planning, and the evaluation of the board and our Chief Executive Officer.
Board Leadership Structure; Lead Independent Director
Our Board of Directors believes that there is no single, generally accepted approach to providing board leadership and that, given the dynamic and competitive environment in which we operate, the appropriate board leadership structure may vary as circumstances change. As such, our Board of Directors periodically reviews its leadership structure to confirm that it is an appropriate structure for our company at such time.
In considering its leadership structure, our Board of Directors has taken into account that it consists of a substantial majority of independent directors who are highly qualified and experienced, its standing committees (Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee) are comprised entirely of independent directors and that, as described below, it has a lead independent director with a clear mandate and authority. In addition, a number of Board and committee processes and procedures, including regular executive sessions of independent directors, conference calls with our Chief Executive Officer outside of Board and committee meetings, and annual evaluations of our executive officers performance, including against pre-established goals, provide substantial independent oversight over our management. Our Board of Directors believes that these factors provide an appropriate balance between the authority of those who oversee our company and those who manage it on a day-to-day basis.
As set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board of Directors currently combines the role of chairman of the board with the role of chief executive officer. We also have a lead independent director with defined corporate governance responsibilities. Our Board of Directors believes that this structure provides an efficient and effective leadership model for our company at this time, and that combining the chairman and chief executive officer roles fosters accountability, effective decision-making and alignment on corporate strategy. However, as set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, by the end of 2014, we expect to either separate the positions of chairman and chief executive officer or eliminate or not fill the position of chairman and instead have only a lead independent director.
The performance of the Chairman is evaluated each year by our Board of Directors. If, in the judgment of our Board of Directors, the Chairman is not sufficiently active or successful in providing meaningful leadership for the Board, he or she will be replaced. Once our current Chairman, Mr. Lief, no longer serves in that capacity, the position of chairman, if any, will be held by an independent director appointed by a majority of the independent directors and with a maximum tenure of six years. If there is no chairman after Mr. Lief ceases to serve in that capacity, these policies will apply to the lead independent director.
Our Board of Directors lead independent director is elected by our independent directors to serve for a minimum of one year or until replaced by the independent directors. It is generally expected that the lead independent director will serve for more than a year, and Dr. White has been our lead independent director since
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November 2008. As detailed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the lead independent directors responsibilities and authority include the following:
| With the Chairman, establish the schedule and agenda for Board meetings and approve information to be sent to our Board; |
| Serve as chair of Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman, including during executive sessions of the independent directors; |
| Preside over any portion of Board meetings at which the performance of our Board is presented or discussed; |
| Establish the agenda for meetings of the independent directors and preside over such meetings; |
| Coordinate with the committee chairs, as needed, regarding meeting agendas, informational requirements and other matters; |
| Serve as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors; |
| Be available for communications with our stockholders, as appropriate and in accordance with our policy on stockholder communications with our Board; and |
| Perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Chairman or our Board. |
Boards Role in Risk Oversight
Our management has the primary responsibility for identifying and managing our business risks, including by overseeing and implementing our enterprise risk management program. Our Board of Directors actively oversees potential risks and our risk management activities, including by discussing with management our risks and the management of such risks at meetings of the Board and its committees. Our Board of Directors also makes use of the independent understanding and knowledge of many of such risks possessed by our directors. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews our corporate strategy in light of the evolving nature of such risks and makes adjustments to that strategy when appropriate. Our Board of Directors also regularly considers risks facing us when it approves the annual plan and budget and throughout the year as it monitors developments and reviews our financial and other periodic reports.
Our Board of Directors has also delegated risk oversight to each of its standing committees within their areas of responsibility. The Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in its risk oversight function with regard to, among other things, our internal control over financial reporting, periodic filings with the SEC, investment policy, procedures relating to the receipt and treatment of complaints, and policies and procedures designed to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations. The Compensation Committee assists our Board of Directors in its risk oversight function with regard to, among other things, assessing risk created by current and proposed compensation policies and practices for all of our employees. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee assists our Board of Directors in its risk oversight function with regard to, among other things, our management succession plans and related procedures, the agendas for our Boards strategy sessions, and our compliance-related policies and practices that are not within the purview of the Audit Committee or are referred to the committee by our Board.
We have assessed our compensation policies and practices on a company-wide basis to determine if such programs or practices create undesirable or unintentional risks of a material nature. Based on such assessment, we concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company.
Annual Performance Evaluations; Assessment of Charters; Director Education
Our Board of Directors, as well as each of its standing committees, conducts an annual self-evaluation, which includes a review of its performance and, in the case of each of the committees, an assessment of the
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adequacy and appropriateness of its charter. Our Board of Directors also reviews each of our directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for overseeing this evaluation process, evaluating all standing committees and their charters and recommending to our Board of Directors any changes to our Board and the authority, charters, compositions and chairs of such committees.
Each director is expected to maintain the necessary level of expertise to perform his or her responsibilities as a director. At least twice per year, our Board of Directors devotes at least one hour during regularly scheduled board meetings to director training on recent developments in legal standards related to corporate governance, disclosure obligations or industry specific issues. In addition, we may, from time to time and depending on the circumstances, pay for all or a portion of outside continuing education programs to assist the directors in maintaining such level of expertise. It is our Board of Directors policy for us to reimburse each director for attending one of such continuing education programs per year (and, when possible, for such cost to be shared if the director is a member of more than one board of directors).
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors and employees (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller), and we have posted the text of the policy on our website (www.arenapharm.com) under Investors Corporate Governance. To facilitate compliance with this policy, we periodically conduct a program of awareness, training and review. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics complies with the applicable NASDAQ listing standards and SEC rules and regulations, and includes procedures for (i) the filing, receipt and treatment of complaints regarding suspected improper conduct by our employees, directors, collaborators, vendors and others associated with us and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding any matter covered by the policy. In addition, we intend to promptly disclose on our website in the future (i) the date and nature of any amendment (other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments) to the policy that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, and (ii) the nature of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the policy that is granted to one of these specified individuals that relates to one or more of the elements of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, the name of such person who is granted the waiver and the date of the waiver.
Non-employee Director Meetings
Our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. These executive sessions occur in conjunction with regularly scheduled meetings of our Board of Directors and its standing committees and otherwise as needed.
Our Board of Directors held six meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of our Board on which such director served, in each case during the periods in which he or she served. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, the directors participate in telephone interactions, including telephone calls among the independent directors and Mr. Lief, and other communications with each other and certain of our officers, as well as with our independent auditors and external advisors, such as legal counsel, consultants and investment bankers.
As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our directors are encouraged to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. All of our directors attended our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, independent directors serving on our Board of Directors as of December 29, 2011, are not to serve more than a total of 16 years. Independent directors who are elected to our Board of Directors after December 29, 2011, are not to serve more than a total of 10 years; provided, however, that if our Board determines, in anticipation of the 10-year term limit of an independent director elected after December 29, 2011, that such new director should continue to serve on our Board, then the 16-year term limit shall apply.
Our Board of Directors does not believe it should further limit the number of terms for which an individual may serve as a director. Directors who have served on our Board of Directors for an extended period of time are able to provide continuity and valuable insight into our company, our operations and prospects based on their experience with, and understanding of, our history, policies and objectives. Our Board of Directors believes that, as an alternative to further limiting the number of terms, it can ensure that our Board continues to evolve and adopt new ideas and viewpoints through the director nomination process, through periodic rotation of committee assignments and through the above term limits.
The standing committees of our Board of Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. All of the standing committees of our Board of Directors are comprised entirely of independent directors under the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The members and chairs of the standing committees are appointed by our Board of Directors and may change in the future. Our Board of Directors has no set policy for rotation of committee members or chairs, but it annually reviews committee composition and chair positions, seeking the appropriate blend of continuity and fresh perspectives on the committees.
Pursuant to their charters, each of the committees is authorized to access, at our expense, such internal and external resources as the particular committee deems necessary or appropriate to fulfill its defined responsibilities. Each committee has sole authority to approve fees, costs and other terms of engagement of such outside resources.
Below is a chart showing the composition of the standing committees of our Board of Directors as of March 31, 2013.
Member | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee | |||
Donald D. Belcher |
||||||
Scott H. Bice |
||||||
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. |
||||||
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. |
||||||
Phillip M. Schneider |
||||||
Christine A. White, M.D. |
||||||
Randall E. Woods |
= Committee member |
= Committee chair |
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committees responsibilities include:
(i) | selecting and evaluating the performance of our independent auditors; |
(ii) | reviewing the scope of the audit to be conducted by our independent auditors, as well as the results of their audit, and approving audit and non-audit services to be provided by them; |
(iii) | reviewing and assessing our financial reporting activities and disclosure, including our financial results press releases and periodic reports, and the accounting standards and principles followed; |
(iv) | reviewing the scope, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; |
(v) | reviewing managements assessment of our compliance with our disclosure controls and procedures; |
(vi) | reviewing our public disclosure policies and procedures; |
(vii) | reviewing our guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and management, our tax strategy and our investment policy; |
(viii) | reviewing and approving related-party transactions; |
(ix) | overseeing our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Policy on Filing, Receipt and Treatment of Complaints; and |
(x) | reviewing threatened or pending litigation matters and investigating matters brought to the committees attention that are within the scope of its duties. |
Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the Audit Committee members meets the independence and experience requirements included in the applicable NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Our Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Schneider, the Chair of the Audit Committee, is an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K.
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our website at www.arenapharm.com. The Audit Committee held six meetings in 2012. The Audit Committees report is set forth below under Audit Committee Report.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committees responsibilities include:
(i) | reviewing, modifying and approving our overall compensation strategy and policies; |
(ii) | assessing risk created by current and proposed compensation policies and practices for all of our employees; |
(iii) | reviewing and approving performance goals relevant to the compensation of our executive officers; |
(iv) | evaluating and recommending to our Board of Directors compensation plans and programs for us, as well as modifying or terminating existing plans and programs; |
(v) | reviewing and approving compensation and benefits for our non-employee directors and executive officers, and making recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding these matters; |
(vi) | authorizing and approving equity grants under our equity compensation plans; and |
(vii) | overseeing preparation and review of the committees report and the compensation discussion and analysis included in our proxy statement. |
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Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on our website at www.arenapharm.com. Dr. Nova is the Chair of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee held five meetings in 2012. The Compensation Committees report is set forth below under Compensation Committee Report.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees responsibilities include:
(i) | recommending guidelines to our Board of Directors for our corporate governance; |
(ii) | overseeing director orientation and continuing education; |
(iii) | establishing criteria for membership on our Board of Directors; |
(iv) | identifying, evaluating, reviewing and recommending to our Board of Directors qualified director candidates; |
(v) | reviewing and assessing the performance of our Board of Directors and its standing committees; |
(vi) | reviewing and approving a management succession plan and related procedures; |
(vii) | making recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding the appointment of officers; |
(viii) | establishing the process for receiving and considering stockholder proposals and suggestions for director nominations; |
(ix) | making recommendations regarding the agenda for our Board of Directors strategy discussions; and |
(x) | overseeing compliance related policies and practices that are not within the purview of the Audit Committee or are referred by our Board of Directors. |
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses many sources to identify potential director candidates, including the network of contacts among our directors, officers and other employees, and may engage outside consultants and recruiters in this process. As set forth below under Stockholder Director Recommendations, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by our stockholders.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including being able to understand basic financial statements. In considering candidates for director, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all relevant factors, which may include, among others, the candidates experience and accomplishments, the relevance of such experience to our business, the availability of the candidate to devote sufficient time and attention to our company, the candidates reputation for integrity and ethics and the candidates ability to exercise sound business judgment. Director candidates are reviewed in the context of the then current composition of our Board of Directors, our requirements and the interests of our stockholders. In conducting this assessment, our Board of Directors considers skills, diversity, age, and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of our Board of Directors and our company, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability. Our Board of Directors believes that its membership should reflect diversity in a broad sense that includes such things as differences of viewpoint, background, professional experience, expertise, education, skills, specialized knowledge, and other individual qualities and attributes. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, when determining whether such directors should be nominated for reelection, our Board of Directors reviews such directors overall service to us during their term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any relationships and transactions that might impair such directors independence. In the case of new director candidates, our Board of Directors also determines whether the nominee is independent for NASDAQ purposes. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee retains the right to modify these qualifications from time to time.
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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommended the nominations of each of the directors nominated for election at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is available on our website at www.arenapharm.com. Mr. Belcher is the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings in 2012.
Stockholder Director Recommendations
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by our stockholders. A candidate must be highly qualified and be willing and expressly interested in serving on our Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum qualifications set forth above, based on whether or not the candidate was recommended by a stockholder. To be considered by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, a stockholder recommendation for director candidates for an annual meeting of stockholders must be received by the committee by December 31 of the year before such annual meeting. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a candidate for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees consideration should forward the candidates name and information about the candidates qualifications to Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. Submissions must include a representation that the nominating stockholder is a beneficial or record owner of our stock. Any such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. This procedure does not affect the deadline for submitting other stockholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement, nor does it apply to questions a stockholder may wish to ask at an annual meeting. Additional information regarding submitting stockholder proposals is set forth in our Bylaws. Stockholders may request a copy of the bylaw provisions relating to stockholder proposals from our Corporate Secretary.
Stockholder Communications with our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has a formal process by which stockholders may communicate with our Board or any of our directors or officers. Stockholders who wish to communicate with our Board of Directors or any of our directors or officers may do so by sending written communications addressed to such person or persons in care of Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. All such communications will be compiled by our Corporate Secretary and submitted to the addressees on a periodic basis. If our Board of Directors modifies this process, we will post the revised process on our website.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Messrs. Belcher, Bice and Woods and Drs. Nova and White served on the Compensation Committee for at least part of 2012, and the committee currently consists of Drs. Nova and White and Mr. Woods. No director serving on the Compensation Committee during any part of 2012 was, at any time during or before such fiscal year, one of our employees. None of our executive officers served during any part of 2012 as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that had one or more of its executive officers serving as members of our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Except for the compensation arrangements between us and our executive officers and directors described below under Compensation Discussion and Analysis, since January 1, 2012, we have not been a party to any transactions involving more than $120,000 and in which any director, nominee for director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common stock or any immediate family member of the foregoing has a direct or indirect material interest, nor are any such transactions currently proposed.
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The Audit Committees charter requires that it reviews and approves any related-party transactions. In considering related-party transactions, the Audit Committee considers the relevant available facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, (i) the risks, costs and benefits to us, (ii) the impact on a directors independence in the event the related party is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated, (iii) the terms of the transaction, (iv) the availability of other sources for comparable services or products, and (v) the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval. In determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related-party transaction, the Audit Committee evaluates whether, in light of known circumstances, the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our stockholders.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Proposal 2)
At our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders indicated their preference that we solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay vote, every year. Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy that is consistent with that preference. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.
The compensation of our named executive officers subject to the vote is disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement. As discussed in those disclosures, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are focused on pay-for-performance principles, aligned with our stockholders interests and consistent with current market practices. Compensation of our named executive officers is intended to enhance stockholder value by attracting, motivating and retaining qualified individuals to perform at the highest of professional levels and to contribute to our growth and success.
We urge stockholders to read the below Compensation Discussion and Analysis, as well as the related compensation tables and narrative that follow such section, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives. Our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee believe that our compensation policies and practices are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in helping us achieve our strategic goals.
Accordingly, our Board of Directors is asking the stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote FOR the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.
Because the vote is advisory, it is not binding on us or our Board of Directors. Nevertheless, the views expressed by our stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us and our Board of Directors and, accordingly, our Board and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.
Advisory approval of this proposal requires a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal voting FOR approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
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Approval of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Proposal 3)
Background. Stockholders are being asked to approve the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2013 LTIP. Our Board of Directors approved the 2013 LTIP at its February 22, 2013, meeting, subject to approval from stockholders at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
Awards Are an Important Part of Our Compensation Philosophy. Our Board of Directors considers having stock available for grant to be a significant contributor to our long-term success by assisting us in attracting and retaining employees, directors, consultants and advisors who are expected to contribute to our success and achieve long-term objectives that we believe will benefit our stockholders.
In June 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approved our first drug, BELVIQ® (lorcaserin HCl), which we believe marked the beginning of a significant transition of our company from primarily a research and development company to a company with a commercial product. We expect that the FDA approval, as well as the US commercialization of BELVIQ, the potential regulatory approval and commercialization of BELVIQ in additional territories around the world, and the advancement of our other programs, will bring uncertainty during this transition, and uncertainty brings risk that we will not be able to attract, retain and motivate personnel to execute on our long-term business plan. Our pay philosophy helps to mitigate this risk by using equity as an important component of our employees compensation. Along with incentivizing employees to increase stockholder value, vesting conditions, which generally occur over four years, have retentive value. As such, we believe that having stock available for grant is critical to our continuing development and success by helping to keep our employees focused on executing on our long-term business plan. We do not view the number of shares remaining available for grant under our current long-term incentive plan (the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2012 LTIP) as sufficient to allow us to execute on our long-term business plan, and an aggregate share reserve of 30 million shares under the 2013 LTIP was chosen to have shares available for grant for several years as we transition to a commercial-stage entity.
Current and Prior Plans. Our current long-term incentive plan is the 2012 LTIP. When we adopted our 2012 LTIP, our 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, Amended and Restated 1998 Equity Compensation Plan, Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Compensation Plan, and 2002 Equity Compensation Plan were terminated (together with the 2012 LTIP, the Prior Plans). Subject to and upon approval of the 2013 LTIP by stockholders at our 2013 Annual Meeting, our 2012 LTIP will also be terminated. However, notwithstanding such termination of the Prior Plans, all outstanding awards under the Prior Plans will continue to be governed under the terms of the Prior Plans.
We Manage Our Award Use Carefully and Our Dilution is Reasonable. We seek to balance the need to attract and retain talented employees, as well as directors, consultants and advisors, in a highly competitive business with efforts to monitor our award burn rate each year. Our gross burn rate for the last three years is included in the below table, and we project that our gross burn rate for 2013 will be approximately 2.06%, which is the equivalent of approximately 4.5 million shares. Assuming that our expected gross burn rate for 2013 continues going forward, we estimate that the remaining shares under the 2012 LTIP would last for approximately two years after the end of 2013, as compared to approximately five years with respect to the shares under the 2013 LTIP. However, we do not as a matter of course make public forecasts as to our total shares outstanding and utilization of equity awards due to the unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates. In particular, forecasts include assumptions regarding changes in the number and level of our employees, the type of equity awards we make, our potential growth and activities, changes in the granting of awards, the financial impact of grants and other factors, such as industry performance and general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions, as well as factors specific to our business, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.
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The following tables provide certain additional information regarding our annual award burn rate and shares authorized and outstanding and available for grant under our Prior Plans:
Annual Award Burn Rate
Fiscal Year |
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |||||||||
Stock options granted |
1,791,337 | 3,549,062 | 5,813,400 | |||||||||
Full value awards granted |
0 | 0 | 165,000 | |||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |
109,573,177 | 139,170,725 | 196,523,708 | |||||||||
Gross burn rate (1) |
1.63% | 2.55% | 3.06% |
(1) | The gross burn rate is calculated as follows: (a) shares subject to options and other equity incentives granted in the fiscal year, divided by (b) weighted-average common shares outstanding for the fiscal year. |
Shares Outstanding and Available for Grant
As of December 31, 2012 |
||||
Total shares subject to outstanding stock options |
13,841,860 | |||
Total shares subject to outstanding full value awards |
165,000 | |||
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options |
$ | 4.44 | ||
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options (years) |
7.11 | |||
Total shares available for grant under the 2012 LTIP |
14,603,951 | |||
Total shares available for grant under the Prior Plans other than the 2012 LTIP |
0 |
In addition, the number of shares of common stock outstanding on the Record Date was 217,756,823.
If the 2013 LTIP is approved by stockholders, there will be 30 million shares of our common stock, or approximately 13.8% of our outstanding shares, available for issuance under the plan as of December 31, 2012, which amount will be (a) decreased for grants made after December 31, 2012, under the Prior Plans and (b) increased by the number of shares subject to any awards under the Prior Plans that, after December 31, 2012, are forfeited, expire or settled for cash and as otherwise provided in the 2013 LTIP.
Why You Should Vote for this Proposal 3. We believe that we will be at a competitive disadvantage in our efforts to attract and retain employees, directors, consultants and advisors if we do not have the flexibility to issue competitive levels of awards, and we are requesting in this Proposal 3 for stockholders to approve the adoption of the 2013 LTIP.
To approve the 2013 LTIP, a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal must vote FOR approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome.
The following summary describes the principal features of the 2013 LTIP, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2013 LTIP. A copy of the 2013 LTIP is filed as Appendix A to the proxy statement for our 2013 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC.
Summary of the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Purpose. The purpose of the 2013 LTIP is to assist us in attracting and retaining employees, directors, consultants and advisors who are expected to contribute to our success and achieve long-term objectives that will benefit our stockholders through the additional incentives inherent in the awards under the 2013 LTIP.
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Shares Available for Awards. Up to 30 million shares of common stock will be available for awards under the 2013 LTIP, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events, including mergers and stock splits. This amount consists of approximately 15,396,049 shares of common stock, plus the 14,603,951 unallocated shares remaining in the 2012 LTIP on December 31, 2012. Stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Prior Plans after December 31, 2012, or under the 2013 LTIP reduce the available number of shares by 1 share for every share issued while awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Prior Plans after December 31, 2012, or under the 2013 LTIP reduce the available number of shares by 1.25 shares for every share issued.
In addition, shares that, after December 31, 2012, are released from awards granted under the Prior Plans or the 2013 LTIP because the awards expire, are forfeited or are settled for cash will increase the number of shares available under the 2013 LTIP by 1 share for each share released from a stock option or stock appreciation right and by 1.25 shares for each share released from a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award. Each share we withhold to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right under the Prior Plans or the 2013 LTIP will increase the share reserve by 1.25 shares.
The following shares shall not be added to the number of shares available under the 2013 LTIP: (a) shares tendered by the participant or withheld by us in payment of the purchase price of an option granted under the 2013 LTIP or the Prior Plans, or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2013 LTIP or the Prior Plans, (b) shares subject to a stock appreciation right granted under the 2013 LTIP or the Prior Plans that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the stock appreciation right on exercise thereof, and (c) shares reacquired by us on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options granted under the 2013 LTIP or the Prior Plans.
Shares issued under awards granted in assumption of or in substitution for awards previously granted by a company acquired by us or with which we or any subsidiary combines, will not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the 2013 LTIP. Shares issued under the 2013 LTIP may consist of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.
Eligibility; Awards to be Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups. Options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance awards may be granted under the 2013 LTIP. Options may be either incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, or nonstatutory stock options. Awards may be granted under the 2013 LTIP to any employee, non-employee member of our Board of Directors, consultant or advisor who provides us service, except for incentive stock options, which may be granted only to our employees or employees of our subsidiaries.
As of April 12, 2013, approximately 295 employees and seven non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the 2013 LTIP. These employees include (i) our six executive officers, and (ii) approximately 83 employees at our Swiss subsidiary, Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, selects the individual or individuals to whom awards under the 2013 LTIP may be granted, determines the type or types of awards to be granted, the time or times at which such awards shall be granted, and the number of shares subject to each such grant (or the dollar value of certain performance awards). For this reason, it is not possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by any particular individual or individuals in the future.
Certain Limits on Shares Subject to Awards. The 2013 LTIP provides that, subject to adjustment as provided in the plan, no participant may be granted (a) options or stock appreciation rights during any 12-month period with respect to more than 3,000,000 shares of common stock or (b) more than 1,000,000 shares for each 12 months in the vesting period or performance period with respect to restricted stock, performance awards and/or restricted stock unit awards that are denominated in shares of common stock and are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m). Shares subject to a cancelled award continue to count against the applicable limit. In addition, the maximum dollar value that may be granted to any participant
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for each 12 months in a performance period with respect to performance-based awards that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in cash is $5,000,000. The dollar value of a cancelled award will continue to count against the $5,000,000 limit.
The aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2013 LTIP pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options is 30 million shares, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events, including mergers and stock splits.
Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee, which shall consist of at least two directors, both of whom must qualify as non-employee directors under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, outside directors under Section 162(m) of the Code and independent directors for purposes of the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market to the extent required by such rules. The Compensation Committee has the authority to select the participants who will receive awards under the 2013 LTIP, to determine the type and terms of the awards, and to interpret and administer the 2013 LTIP. The Compensation Committee may delegate the right to make grants and otherwise take action on the Compensation Committees behalf under the 2013 LTIP to a committee of one or more directors and, to the extent permitted by law and NASDAQ Stock Market rules and regulation, to an executive officer or a committee of executive officers the right to grant awards to employees who are not our executive officers (subject to the limitation on the total number of shares that may be subject to such awards as specified by the Compensation Committee).
Terms and Conditions of Options. Options granted under the 2013 LTIP may be incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, or a combination thereof, and are subject to the following terms and conditions:
Exercise Price. The exercise price of options granted under the 2013 LTIP is determined by the Compensation Committee at the time the options are granted. The exercise price of an option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date such option is granted, except in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition; provided, however, that in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all of our classes of stock, the option price per share will be no less than 110% of the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair market value of the common stock is generally determined with reference to the closing price for the common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date the option is granted (or if there was no reported closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which the closing price was reported). On April 12, 2013, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $8.22 per share.
Exercise of Option. The Compensation Committee determines when options become exercisable. The 2013 LTIP permits payment to be made by cash, check, other shares of our common stock, any other form of consideration approved by the Compensation Committee (including withholding of shares of common stock that would otherwise be issued on exercise of options) and permitted by applicable law, or any combination thereof.
Term of Option. Options granted under the 2013 LTIP expire no later than seven years from the date of grant, except in the event of the optionees death or disability; provided, however, that the term of the option will not exceed five years from the date the option is granted in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all of our classes of stock.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant stock appreciation rights in conjunction with an option or other award granted under the 2013 LTIP, and to grant stock appreciation rights separately. The grant price of a stock appreciation right may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date such stock appreciation right is granted, except in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition (or a stock appreciation right granted in exchange for or in tandem with, but subsequent to, an option). The Compensation Committee determines when stock appreciation rights become exercisable. The term of a stock appreciation right may be no more than seven years from the date of grant.
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Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the holder will have the right to receive the excess of the fair market value of the shares or, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, such lesser amount, on the date of exercise over the grant price. Payment may be made in cash, shares of our common stock or other property, or any combination of the same, as the Compensation Committee may determine. Shares issued upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right are valued at their fair market value as of the date of exercise.
Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards may be issued to participants either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the 2013 LTIP, and are also available as a form of payment for performance awards and other earned cash-based incentive compensation. The Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including the number of shares granted (subject to the limit on shares subject to awards set forth above), and any conditions for vesting that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on continued provision of services, but may include a performance-based component. Cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any restricted stock award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall be (a) accumulated, (b) subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the restricted stock awards with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and (c) paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Awards of restricted stock units having a value equal to an identical number of shares may be granted either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the 2013 LTIP, and are also available as a form of payment for other awards granted under the 2013 LTIP and other earned cash-based incentive compensation. Restricted stock units may be paid in cash, shares of common stock or other property, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee determines the other terms and conditions of restricted stock units. Cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any restricted stock unit award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (a) not be paid at all, or (b) be accumulated, be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the restricted stock units with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and be paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
Performance Awards. Performance awards provide participants with the opportunity to receive cash, shares of common stock or other property, or any combination thereof, based on performance and other vesting conditions. Performance awards may be granted from time to time as determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Subject to the share limit and maximum dollar value set forth above, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine (a) the number of shares of common stock under, or the dollar value of, a performance award, and (b) the conditions that must be satisfied for grant or for vesting, which typically will be based principally or solely on achievement of performance goals. The minimum performance period under a performance award is 12 months. Cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any award of performance shares that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (i) not be paid at all, or (ii) be accumulated, be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the performance shares with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and be paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
If this Proposal 3 is approved by the stockholders, compensation attributable to performance awards under the 2013 LTIP will qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, provided that: (a) the compensation is granted by a compensation committee comprised solely of outside directors, (b) the compensation is paid only upon the achievement of an objective performance goal established in writing by the Compensation Committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, and (c) the Compensation Committee certifies in writing prior to the payment of the compensation that the performance goal has been satisfied.
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Code Section 162(m) Performance Awards. The 2013 LTIP is designed to permit us to issue awards that qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m) of the Code, by making performance goals meeting the requirements of Section 162(m) applicable to a participant with respect to an award. At the Compensation Committees discretion, performance goals shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following:
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Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to our performance or the performance of one or more of our affiliates, divisions, business segments or business units, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies. At the time a performance award is granted, the Compensation Committee may also exclude charges related to an event or occurrence which the Compensation Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (a) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, (b) an event either not directly related to our operations or not within the reasonable control of our management, or (c) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles.
Dividends; Dividend Equivalents. Awards other than options and stock appreciation rights may, if so determined by the Compensation Committee, provide that the participant will be entitled to receive cash, or stock or other property dividends, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends declared with respect to shares of common stock covered by an award. The Compensation Committee may provide that such amounts shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of common stock or otherwise, and that they are subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividend equivalents credited in connection with an award that vests based on the achievement of performance goals shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the award with respect to which such dividend equivalents have been credited.
Termination of Service. The Compensation Committee will determine and set forth in each award agreement whether an award will continue to be exercisable, continue to vest or be earned and the terms of such exercise, vesting or earning, on and after the date that a participant terminates employment or service with us, whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. With regard to options and stock appreciation rights, if the sale of any common stock received on exercise of an option or a stock appreciation right following the termination of the participants employment by or services to us (other than for cause) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of the shares would violate (a) the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the Securities Act, (b) our insider trading policy, or (c) a lock-up agreement undertaken in connection with our issuance of securities, then the option or stock appreciation right will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of 90 days (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the participants employment by or services to us during which the exercise of the option or stock appreciation right would not be in violation of any of such registration requirement, insider trading policy or lock-up agreement, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the option or stock appreciation right as set forth in the applicable award agreement.
Reduced Time Commitment. In the event a participants regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for us and any affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the
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participant is one of our employees and the employee has a change in status from a full-time employee to a part-time employee) after the date of grant of any award to the participant, the Compensation Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (a) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (b) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such award. In the event of any such reduction, the participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the award that is so reduced.
No Repricing. The 2013 LTIP prohibits option and stock appreciation right repricings (other than to reflect stock splits, spin-offs or other corporate events described under Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization below) unless stockholder approval is obtained. For purposes of the 2013 LTIP, a repricing means a reduction in the exercise price of an option or the grant price of a stock appreciation right, the cancellation of an option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or another award (except for awards granted in assumption of or in substitution for awards previously granted by a company acquired by us or with which we combine) under the 2013 LTIP if the exercise price of the cancelled option or grant price of the cancelled stock appreciation right is greater than the fair market value of the common stock, or any other action with respect to an option or stock appreciation right that may be treated as a repricing under the NASDAQ Stock Market rules.
Nontransferability of Awards. Except as provided in the next sentence, an award granted under the 2013 LTIP is not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised during the participants lifetime only by the participant or the participants guardian or legal representative. The Compensation Committee may provide in an award agreement that a participant may transfer an award (other than an incentive stock option) to a family member (whether by gift or a domestic relations order for no consideration) under such terms and conditions determined by the Compensation Committee.
Clawback Policy. All awards granted under the 2013 LTIP will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy we adopt, including any clawback policy we adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, our Board of Directors may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an award agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate.
Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in our corporate structure affecting our common stock or the value thereof, appropriate adjustments shall be made, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in the number and class of shares of stock subject to the 2013 LTIP, the number and class of shares of awards outstanding under the 2013 LTIP, the limits on the number of awards that any person may receive and the exercise price of any outstanding option or stock appreciation right.
Change in Control. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, determine that, upon our change in control (as defined in the 2013 LTIP or otherwise defined in the agreement evidencing an award), options and stock appreciation rights outstanding as of the date of the change in control shall be cancelled and terminated without payment therefor if the fair market value of one share of our common stock as of the date of the change in control is less than the per share option exercise price or stock appreciation right grant price.
To the extent provided in an award agreement, in the event of a change in control in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award (or in which we are the ultimate parent corporation and continue the award), if a participants employment with such successor company (or us) or a subsidiary thereof terminates within the period following such change in control set forth in the award agreement (or prior if applicable) under the circumstances set forth in the award agreement, each award held by such participant at the time of such termination of employment will
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be fully vested, and options and stock appreciation rights may be exercised during the period following such termination set forth in the award agreement. If the successor company does not assume or substitute for such outstanding awards held by participants at the time of the change in control, then unless otherwise provided in the award agreement, the awards will become fully vested immediately prior to the change in control and will terminate immediately after the change in control.
The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may also determine that, upon the occurrence of a change in control, each option and stock appreciation right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the participant, and/or that each participant shall receive, with respect to each share of common stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such share immediately prior to the occurrence of such change in control over the exercise price per share of such option and/or stock appreciation right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property, or in a combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, will determine.
Effective Date. The 2013 LTIP will be effective upon its approval by stockholders at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
Amendment and Termination of the 2013 LTIP. Our Board of Directors may alter, amend, suspend or terminate the 2013 LTIP, from time to time as it deems advisable, subject to any requirement of applicable law or the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market for stockholder approval. However, our Board of Directors may not amend the 2013 LTIP without stockholder approval to increase the number of shares available for awards under the 2013 LTIP, expand the types of awards available under the 2013 LTIP, materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the 2013 LTIP, permit the grant of options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise or grant price of less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant (except for substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition), increase the maximum term of the plan or of any options and stock appreciation rights, increase the limits on shares subject to awards or the dollar value payable with respect to performance awards, or take any action with respect to an option or stock appreciation right that may be treated as a repricing under the NASDAQ Stock Market rules (including a reduction in the exercise price of an option or stock appreciation right or the exchange of an option or stock appreciation right for cash or another award if the option or grant price is greater than the fair market value of the common stock). No such action by our Board of Directors may alter or impair any award previously granted under the 2013 LTIP without the written consent of the participant. The 2013 LTIP will expire on the 10th anniversary of its effective date, except with respect to awards then outstanding, and no further awards may be granted thereafter.
US Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax considerations of awards under the 2013 LTIP. However, it does not purport to be complete and does not describe the state, local or foreign tax considerations or the consequences for any particular individual.
Incentive Stock Options. An optionee who is granted an incentive stock option does not recognize taxable income at the time the option is granted or upon its exercise, although the exercise may subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax. Upon an optionees sale of the shares (assuming that the sale occurs more than two years after grant of the option and more than one year after exercise of the option), any gain will be taxed to the optionee as long-term capital gain. If the optionee disposes of the shares prior to the expiration of the above holding periods, then the optionee will recognize ordinary income in an amount generally measured as the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares at the exercise date or the sale price of the shares, whichever is lower, over the exercise price. Any gain or loss recognized on such sale of the shares in excess of the amount treated as ordinary income will be characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. An optionee does not recognize any taxable income at the time a nonstatutory stock option is granted. Upon exercise, the optionee recognizes taxable ordinary income measured by the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date over the exercise price.
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Upon a disposition of such shares by the optionee, any difference between the amount recognized on the sale and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date is treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No income will be recognized by a recipient in connection with the grant of a stock appreciation right. When the stock appreciation right is exercised, the recipient will recognize ordinary income in the year of exercise in an amount equal to the sum of the amount of any cash received and the fair market value of any common stock or other property received upon the exercise.
Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award or a performance award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days of his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock.
The recipients basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from stock awards will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized either when the stock is received or when the stock becomes vested.
Restricted Stock Units
Generally, the recipient of a stock unit structured to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of our common stock received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the shares of our common stock. To conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the shares of our common stock subject to a stock unit award may generally only be delivered upon one of the following events: a fixed calendar date (or dates), separation from service, death, disability or a change in control. If delivery occurs on another date, unless the stock units otherwise comply with or qualify for an exception to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, in addition to the tax treatment described above, the recipient will owe an additional 20% federal tax and interest on any taxes owed.
The recipients basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired from stock units will be the amount paid for such shares plus any ordinary income recognized when the stock is delivered.
Company Tax Deduction. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2013 LTIP (subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting obligation) in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income (for example, on the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option). Section 162(m) of the Code may limit the deductibility of compensation paid to the chief executive officer and to each of the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer. Under Section 162(m), the annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000. However, we can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 if the conditions of Section 162(m) are met with respect to awards.
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Certain kinds of compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, are disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation. In accordance with Treasury Regulations issued under Section 162(m) of the Code, compensation attributable to stock options and stock appreciation rights will qualify as performance-based compensation if such awards are approved by a compensation committee comprised solely of outside directors and the plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which such awards may be granted during a specified period, the per-employee limitation is approved by the stockholders, and the exercise or strike price of the award is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.
Compensation attributable to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance awards will qualify as performance-based compensation, provided that: (a) the compensation is approved by a compensation committee comprised solely of outside directors, (b) the compensation is paid only upon the achievement of an objective performance goal established in writing by the Compensation Committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, (c) the Compensation Committee certifies in writing prior to the payment of the compensation that the performance goal has been satisfied, and (d) prior to the payment of the compensation, stockholders have approved the material terms of the award (including the class of employees eligible for such award, the business criteria on which the performance goal is based, and the maximum amount, or formula used to calculate the amount, payable upon attainment of the performance goal).
The 2013 LTIP has been designed to permit the Compensation Committee to grant certain awards that qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thereby permitting us to receive a full federal income tax deduction in connection with such awards.
The amounts allocable under the 2013 LTIP to our executive officers and employees are not determinable because the 2013 LTIP does not provide for set benefits or amounts with respect to awards granted under the 2013 LTIP, and we have not approved any awards that are conditioned on stockholder approval of this Proposal 3. However, our Board of Directors current policy includes initial and annual stock awards that automatically are granted to our non-employee directors. Our Board of Directors current policy with respect to automatic stock awards granted to non-employee directors is described below under Director Compensation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE 2013 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes our compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2012:
Plan category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders* |
14,006,860 | $ | 4.39 | 15,838,970 | ** | |||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
0 | 0 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total* |
14,006,860 | $ | 4.39 | 15,838,970 | ** | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Includes 13,841,860 stock options with a per share weighted-average exercise price of $4.44, and 165,000 restricted stock units with no exercise price. |
** | Includes 1,235,019 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended. This total does not include the additional 15,396,049 shares requested for the 2013 LTIP as part of this Proposal 3. |
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In 2003, we set up a deferred compensation plan for our executive officers, whereby they may elect to defer their shares of restricted stock. At December 31, 2012, a total of 79,169 shares of restricted stock were in the plan. All of the shares contributed to this plan were previously granted to such officers under an equity compensation plan approved by our stockholders.
Compensation and Other Information
Concerning Executive Officers, Directors and Certain Stockholders
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 28, 2013, by:
| Each person, group or entity who is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our common stock; |
| Each director and nominee for director; |
| Our Named Executive Officers (as defined below in Compensation Discussion and Analysis); and |
| All directors and executive officers as a group. |
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the address for the beneficial owners listed in this table is in care of Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. This table is based on information supplied by executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D, 13G and other filings made with the SEC on or before March 28, 2013. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 217,668,698 shares of common stock outstanding on March 28, 2013, as adjusted as required by the rules promulgated by the SEC. This table includes shares issuable pursuant to stock options and other rights to purchase shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Total |
||||||
Wellington Management Company, LLP (1) |
18,251,636 | 8.39 | % | |||||
BlackRock, Inc. (2) |
12,859,067 | 5.91 | % | |||||
The Vanguard Group (3) |
12,722,703 | 5.84 | % | |||||
Jack Lief (4) |
1,807,670 | * | ||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. (5) |
1,069,448 | * | ||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. (6) |
578,945 | * | ||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. (7) |
458,750 | * | ||||||
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. (8) |
381,147 | * | ||||||
Donald D. Belcher (9) |
351,753 | * | ||||||
Christine A. White, M.D. (10) |
271,721 | * | ||||||
Phillip M. Schneider (11) |
227,277 | * | ||||||
Randall E. Woods (12) |
218,277 | * | ||||||
Scott H. Bice (13) |
211,580 | * | ||||||
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. (14) |
185,000 | * | ||||||
Craig M. Audet (15) |
83,750 | * | ||||||
Robert E. Hoffman (16) |
75,820 | * | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons) (17) |
5,921,138 | 2.66 | % |
* | Less than one percent |
(1) | Wellington Management Company, LLP, had shared voting power with respect to 12,326,506 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 18,251,636 shares. The principal business office of Wellington Management Company, LLP, is 280 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. |
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(2) | The principal business office of BlackRock, Inc., is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022. |
(3) | The Vanguard Group had sole voting power with respect to 307,442 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 298,042 shares. The principal business office of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. |
(4) | Includes 1,320,413 shares issuable to Mr. Lief upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(5) | Includes 646,448 shares issuable to Dr. Behan upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(6) | Includes 538,335 shares issuable to Mr. Spector upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(7) | Includes 458,750 shares issuable to Dr. Shanahan upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(8) | Includes 301,763 shares issuable to Dr. Hixson upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(9) | Includes 301,753 shares issuable to Mr. Belcher upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(10) | Includes 251,721 shares issuable to Dr. White upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(11) | Includes 217,277 shares issuable to Mr. Schneider upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(12) | Includes 217,277 shares issuable to Mr. Woods upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(13) | Includes 206,680 shares issuable to Mr. Bice upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(14) | Includes 185,000 shares issuable to Dr. Nova upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(15) | Includes 83,750 shares issuable to Mr. Audet upon the exercise of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(16) | Includes 71,250 shares that were issuable to Mr. Hoffman upon the exercise of stock options that were exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
(17) | Includes 4,800,417 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held by our directors and executive officers that are exercisable within 60 days of March 28, 2013. |
Our executive officers are appointed by our Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of our Board. The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 2013, regarding our executive officers.
Name |
Age | Position | ||||
Jack Lief |
67 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Craig M. Audet |
49 | Senior Vice President, Operations and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs | ||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
49 | Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer | ||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
47 | Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
64 | Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer | ||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
48 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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See Election of Directors (Proposal 1) for biographical information regarding Mr. Lief and Dr. Behan, who are also directors nominated for reelection at our 2013 Annual Meeting.
Craig M. Audet has served as our Senior Vice President, Operations and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs since June 2012. Mr. Audet served as our Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs from June 2011 to June 2012 and as our Vice President, Regulatory Affairs from April to June 2011. Mr. Audet has over 25 years of experience leading global pharmaceutical and medical device registration and marketing support activities, and extensive experience with clinical trials, registrations, labeling development, product defense, business development and promotion and advertising activities. From December 2003 to August 2010, Mr. Audet served in various positions, and most recently as Vice President, US Regulatory Affairs, for Sanofi-Aventis, US, a pharmaceutical company, where he built and lead a department of 40 regulatory professionals. Mr. Audet served in various positions, and most recently as Senior Director, Global Therapeutic Area Leader, for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group, Pfizer, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from March 1998 to December 2003. Mr. Audet also served as Adjunct Associate Professor in the Graduate Program in Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs at Temple University School of Pharmacy from 2002 to 2011. Mr. Audet holds a BS in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Boston College.
Robert E. Hoffman has served as our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer since June 2012. Mr. Hoffman served as our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer from August 2011 to June 2012 and previously from December 2005 to March 2011; our Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer from June 2004 to December 2005; our Vice President, Finance from April 2000 to June 2004; and as our Controller from August 1997 to April 2000. From March 2011 to August 2011, Mr. Hoffman served as Chief Financial Officer for Polaris Group, a biopharmaceutical drug company. Mr. Hoffman serves as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Small Business Advisory Committee and the steering committee of the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers. Mr. Hoffman is also a member and a former director and President of the San Diego Chapter of Financial Executives International. 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.
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D., has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer since June 2010. Dr. Shanahan served as our Vice President and Chief Medical Officer from March 2004 to June 2010. Dr. Shanahan served as Chief Medical Officer for Tanox, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 2000 to March 2004; in various positions at Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, from 1994 to 2000, most recently as Vice President, Drug Development; as Director, Clinical Research for Pfizer Central Research, a pharmaceutical company, from 1989 to 1994; and in various positions at Searle Research & Development, a pharmaceutical company subsequently acquired by Pfizer, from 1986 to 1989, most recently as Director, Clinical Research. Dr. Shanahan holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco and a J.D. from Loyola University, Chicago.
Steven W. Spector, J.D., has served as our Executive Vice President and General Counsel since February 2012. Mr. Spector served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel from June 2004 to February 2012, and as our Vice President and General Counsel from October 2001 to June 2004. Mr. Spector has also served as our Secretary since November 2001. Mr. Spector is a member of the board of directors and a former President of the Association of Corporate Counsel, San Diego. Prior to joining Arena, Mr. Spector was a partner with the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where he worked from 1991 to October 2001. Mr. Spector was our outside corporate counsel from 1998 to October 2001. Mr. Spector holds a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section provides an overview and analysis of our compensation program and policies, decisions we have made under such program and policies, and our rationale for such decisions with respect to the following individuals, whom we refer to as our Named Executive Officers: Messrs. Lief, Hoffman and Spector, and
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Drs. Behan and Shanahan. Later in this proxy statement, you will find a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in 2012 to these individuals. The below discussion is intended to help you understand the detailed information provided in those tables and to put that information into context with our overall compensation program for our Named Executive Officers.
Our compensation program is intended to align our Named Executive Officers interests with those of our stockholders by incentivizing and rewarding performance. Our Named Executive Officers total compensation is comprised of different components, including base salary, cash incentives and stock-based compensation. Consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee links the compensation of our Named Executive Officers to performance by emphasizing equity compensation opportunities and cash incentives rather than base salary. Also consistent with this philosophy, the total compensation received by our Named Executive Officers will vary from year to year and among our Named Executive Officers based on corporate and individual performance, including as measured against annual goals that are pre-established by the Compensation Committee.
In June 2012, the FDA approved our first drug, BELVIQ. This was a monumental accomplishment in our history. Before this approval, we did not know whether or when BELVIQ would be approved, and nearly all of the Compensation Committees decisions regarding our 2012 executive compensation program were initially oriented around focusing our efforts on the approval of BELVIQ. Prior to the FDAs approval of BELVIQ, the Compensation Committee also took into account the risk that executive officers might decide to leave our company to pursue other opportunities due to our financial condition, the regulatory uncertainty surrounding BELVIQ, and our stock price, which, in the beginning of 2012, was lower than the exercise price of any vested stock options held by our Named Executive Officers.
Accordingly, in early 2012, the Compensation Committee granted our Named Executive Officers stock options to purchase more shares of our common stock than were granted in previous years and increased the potential cash incentives under our Annual Incentive Plan to further focus our Named Executive Officers on achieving our key corporate goals for the year, which predominately related to BELVIQ. The Compensation Committee did not increase the base salaries for any of our Named Executive Officers for 2012 based on our financial condition at that time.
During 2012, we achieved 100% of the performance goals for the year that had been pre-established by the Compensation Committee, including our highest priority (and highest weighted) goal, which was obtaining FDA approval for BELVIQ. We believe the FDA approval of BELVIQ was the primary driver of our per share stock price increasing over 380% from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012. In 2012, we also achieved other goals the Compensation Committee (and our Board of Directors) believed were important for potentially creating longer-term stockholder value, including filing and advancing our Marketing Authorization Application for BELVIQ in the European Union, entering into additional collaborations for BELVIQ and another of our drug programs, managing our financial resources, and advancing other research and development programs.
At the end of 2012, in recognition of our performance, and based on the level of achievement of the pre-established goals, the quality of such achievement, and the relative weighting of the goals, the Compensation Committee approved cash awards for each of our Named Executive Officers under our Annual Incentive Plan equal to 150% of the targeted award amount, which is the maximum payable under the plan. The Compensation Committee also reviewed the entire compensation program for our Named Executive Officers in recognition of our achievements in 2012 and in light of the expected long-term significance of the FDA approval of BELVIQ. As a result of this review, the Compensation Committee made several changes to our compensation program, including an increase (beginning in January 2013) in base salaries for our Named Executive Officers for the first time since January 2009; increases in the cash incentive opportunity for our Named Executive Officers under our Annual Incentive Plan for 2013; and changes to the mix and timing of equity compensation provided to our Name Executive Officers to further emphasize performance-based compensation. The committees changes to
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the mix and timing of equity compensation included granting our Named Executive Officers an additional option award and a restricted stock unit, or RSU, award at the end of 2012, and, in early 2013, a performance stock unit, or PSU, award, which vests, if at all, in a number of years depending on our stock performance versus an industry index.
The compensation program for our Named Executive Officers includes other aspects that the Compensation Committee views as consistent with good corporate governance, including having a clawback policy to seek repayment of incentive-based compensation in the event we experience certain accounting restatements, having stock ownership guidelines to promote executive stock ownership, prohibiting speculative and short-term trading, including double-trigger mechanisms in change-in-control arrangements, and not providing for gross-ups.
At our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 90% of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal voted in support of the compensation paid to our named executive officers for 2011. While this vote was only advisory and not binding, the Compensation Committee considered the results of the vote in the context of our overall compensation philosophy, as well as our compensation policies and decisions. The Compensation Committee believes that this 2012 stockholder vote endorsed our compensation philosophy and the decisions we made for 2011. After reflecting on this vote, the Compensation Committee decided that no changes to 2012 compensation decisions were necessary based on the results of such vote. The Compensation Committee believes that its decisions for 2012 compensation and since the end of 2012, including to further emphasize performance-based cash and equity compensation, are consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy and further aligns the interests of our executive officers and our stockholders.
Compensation Philosophy, Objectives and Development
Our overall compensation philosophy and objective is to maintain a compensation program for our Named Executive Officers that helps us attract, motivate and retain qualified individuals to perform at the highest of professional levels and to contribute to our growth and success, which we believe will result in enhancing stockholder value. The compensation program for our Named Executive Officers is designed to provide them with compensation opportunities that are tied to our overall corporate performance, as well as their individual performance. Each of their compensation packages includes three key elements: (a) base salary; (b) performance-based cash incentives; and (c) stock-based compensation. Our Named Executive Officers are also entitled to health and welfare benefits, and, as described below, they may be entitled to receive additional benefits upon termination of their employment.
The main principles of our compensation strategy include the following:
| Compensation decisions are driven by a pay-for-performance philosophy; |
| Compensation should reflect corporate and individual performance; and |
| Higher compensation can be earned through an individuals and the companys extraordinary performance. |
The Compensation Committee may consult with compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors in designing our compensation program, including in evaluating the competitiveness of individual compensation packages and in relation to our performance goals. In such evaluation, the Compensation Committee periodically reviews and analyzes executive officer compensation provided by other companies in our industry.
Program Development and Role of Compensation Committee, Compensation Consultants and Management
As part of the process for setting the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, our Chief Executive Officer provides the Compensation Committee with his performance assessments of the company and these individuals. He also recommends to the Compensation Committee base salaries, cash incentive opportunities, cash incentive awards and stock-based compensation for our Named Executive Officers other than himself. The
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Compensation Committee can accept, reject or modify such recommendations in its discretion. The Compensation Committee also considers the recommendations and views of its independent compensation consultant, peer company data, and factors such as the past, current and expected contributions of each Named Executive Officer, our corporate performance, global economic conditions, the mix of compensation that would be most appropriate for each Named Executive Officer and such officers particular responsibilities, experience, level of accountability and decision authority.
While the Compensation Committee meets regularly in executive session, various members of management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, attend committee meetings, and they and other employees as well as outside advisors or consultants may be invited by the Compensation Committee to make presentations, provide financial or other background information or advice or otherwise participate in the meetings. Our General Counsel also serves as the Secretary for Compensation Committee meetings, but is not present for executive session discussions. Our Chief Executive Officer is not present during any deliberations or determinations of the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation.
The Compensation Committee has retained Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., or FWC, as its compensation consultant from time to time since 2003. FWC reports directly to the Compensation Committee and takes its direction from the Chair of the Compensation Committee, working with management on select issues under the Compensation Committees oversight. The Compensation Committee has continued to choose FWC as a compensation consultant because of its national reputation as a leading compensation consultant, the Committees familiarity with FWC through past consulting engagements, FWCs familiarity with our company and compensation policies and practices and FWCs knowledge of our industry.
In late 2011, the Compensation Committee engaged FWC to review our executive compensation program in general and to make recommendations regarding the use of equity compensation for executive officers and other employees, individual officer compensation decisions, and retention of executive officers.
Following the approval of BELVIQ in June 2012, and in anticipation of our transition from a purely research and development stage company, the Compensation Committee again engaged FWC to help conduct an overall review of our executive officer compensation program. The Compensation Committee also retained FWC to review and make recommendations regarding our equity compensation plans, non-employee director compensation, compensation risk assessment, and legislative and regulatory changes and corporate governance trends affecting compensation.
Peer Groups Used in Program Development
In late 2011, FWC provided the Compensation Committee with data regarding a peer group consisting of the below companies in our industry, which we refer to as the Pre-Approval Peer Group. FWC recommended the use of data from the Pre-Approval Peer Group because it consisted of drug development companies with market capitalization similar to ours. At that time, these companies had market capitalizations of between $74 million and $598 million, with a median market capitalization of $250 million. Our market capitalization at such time was $231 million.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Cytokinetics, Incorporated | ||
Depomed, Inc. |
Exelixis, Inc. | Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | ||
Micromet, Inc. |
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals | NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Pain Therapeutics, Inc. |
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. |
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
Following the approval of BELVIQ, the Compensation Committee changed our peer group in 2012 to reflect such approval and the resulting increase in our market capitalization as well as to include two potential
35
competitors. (We refer to this peer group as the Post-Approval Peer Group.) At that time, these companies had market capitalizations of between $316 million and $3.4 billion, with a median market capitalization of $1.1 billion. Our market capitalization at such time was $1.9 billion.
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. |
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
ImmunoGen, Inc. |
Incyte Corporation | Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Nektar Therapeutics | Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. |
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
Seattle Genetics, Inc. |
Theravance, Inc. | VIVUS, Inc. |
In compiling and assessing the comparative data from the peer companies, the Compensation Committee and FWC considered the following: Mr. Lief served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at all relevant times; Dr. Shanahan was a Senior Vice President at all relevant times; Dr. Behan and Mr. Spector were Senior Vice Presidents until they were promoted to Executive Vice Presidents in February 2012; and Mr. Hoffman was a Vice President until he was promoted to Senior Vice President in June 2012. In each case, the promotions reflected the Compensation Committees view of the executive officers past and expected continuing contributions, roles and responsibilities. At the time each benchmarking study was performed, our Named Executive Officers were benchmarked against positions with similar titles, roles and relative corporate importance at the peer group companies.
Compensation Consultant Conflicts of Interest Analysis
The Compensation Committee has determined that the work of FWC and the individual compensation advisors employed by FWC does not create any conflict of interest. In making that determination, the Compensation Committee took into consideration the following factors: (a) the provision of other services to Arena by FWC; (b) the amount of fees Arena paid FWC as a percentage of FWCs total revenue; (c) FWCs policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (d) any business or personal relationship of FWC or the individual compensation advisors employed by the firm with an Arena executive officer; (e) any business or personal relationship of the individual compensation advisors with any member of the Compensation Committee; and (f) any Arena stock owned by FWC or the individual compensation advisors employed FWC.
Elements of Our Compensation Program
1. Base Salary
The purpose of base salary is to provide fixed compensation to attract and retain an employee with the qualifications desired for the particular position. The base salary for any particular Named Executive Officer depends on various factors, such as the individuals responsibilities and position (for example, whether the individual is an executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president), the individuals past performance and expected future contribution, the individuals overall mix of base salary, performance-based cash incentives and stock-based compensation, the individuals experience and background, our corporate performance and the individuals historical base salary.
The Compensation Committee did not change the base salaries of any of our Named Executive Officers for 2012. In late 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that it would not be appropriate to change base salaries for our Named Executive Officers in advance of the FDAs Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, target date in June 2012 for the FDAs decision on the approval of our first drug, BELVIQ. While the Compensation Committee believed that increasing base salaries would not be appropriate based on our then financial condition, the committee believed that reducing base salaries would also not be appropriate because it could destabilize management at a time when it was important to have management focused on achieving our key corporate goals, and, in particular, those related to supporting the approval of BELVIQ. The committees rationale was that compensation should emphasize incentives because the FDAs opinion about BELVIQ was not
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yet known, and the possible approval of BELVIQ was viewed as potentially the largest single event in our history. Instead of changing base salary, the committee placed more emphasis on cash incentives and stock-based compensation to more closely link executive compensation to corporate performance, including as measured against pre-established corporate goals (primarily, but not exclusively, BELVIQ approval), and their view of individual performance. The committee did not rely on the salary data from the Pre-Approval Peer Group in their determination not to change base salaries for 2012.
For 2013, the Compensation Committee determined to increase the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers. The new salaries for our Named Executive Officers are as follows effective January 1, 2013: Mr. Lief, $725,000; Dr. Behan, $420,000; Mr. Hoffman, $360,000; Dr. Shanahan, $375,000; and Mr. Spector, $395,000.
2. Performance-based Cash Incentives
In early 2012, the Compensation Committee approved our Annual Incentive Plan for potential cash incentive awards for 2012, and all of our Named Executive Officers participated in the plan. Under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2012, each participant was assigned an incentive target that was expressed as a percentage of annual base salary, and the participants actual incentive award would be based on the level of achievement of pre-established goals, the quality of such achievement, the participants role in goal achievement and the weighting of the goals. All participants potential incentive awards were based on the same corporate goals, which we believed would align the interests of our executive officers with one another and with our stockholders. The corporate goals were intended to reflect a mix of short-term (less than one year) and long-term (one year or more) performance objectives, and the relative weighting of the goals was intended to reflect our corporate priorities. The corporate goals were approved by the Compensation Committee after taking into account the views and recommendations of our Board of Directors (which includes our Chief Executive Officer).
The maximum potential incentive award under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2012 was increased, as compared to the similar plan for 2011, from 125% to 150% of the targeted award amount for extraordinary goal achievement in 2012, which the Compensation Committee believed would provide further incentive to achieve the performance goals. In addition, the Compensation Committee determined to not establish individual goals for the participants for 2012 under the Annual Incentive Plan to further focus participants on the regulatory advancement of BELVIQ as well as our other corporate goals for the year.
Mr. Liefs incentive target under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2012 was expressed as 55% of his annual base salary, and the other Name Executive Officers had incentive targets expressed as 40% of their annual base salaries, which were the same percentages in the plan for all Named Executive Officers for 2011. In determining such incentive targets, the Compensation Committee considered FWCs view that such target percentages were competitive (based on the consultants knowledge of other companies programs, including data from the Pre-Approval Peer Group) and the Compensation Committees overall view that it should not make significant changes to compensation close in time to the expected binary event of the potential FDA approval of BELVIQ.
Our 2012 corporate goals and the weighting and achievement of such goals are described as follows:
Corporate Goals |
Weighting | Achievement | ||||||
FDA approval of BELVIQ |
35 | % | 35 | % | ||||
File for lorcaserin approval in European Union |
10 | % | 10 | % | ||||
Respond to 120-day questions from the European Union |
10 | % | 10 | % | ||||
Establish new collaborations or similar arrangements |
10 | % | 10 | % | ||||
End 2012 with a cash balance consistent with our plan and budget |
10 | % | 10 | % | ||||
Manage expenditures consistent with our plan and budget |
5 | % | 5 | % | ||||
Additional development progress |
15 | % | 15 | % | ||||
Advancement of research progress |
5 | % | 5 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
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In determining that 100% of our 2012 corporate goals was achieved, the Compensation Committee considered the following:
Corporate Goals |
Achievement | |
FDA approval of BELVIQ |
The FDA approval of our first drug, BELVIQ, including the quality of the label that resulted in us achieving a $20 million milestone under our expanded marketing and supply agreement with Eisai Inc. | |
File for lorcaserin approval in European Union |
Our filing of a Marketing Authorization Application for BELVIQ in the European Union | |
Respond to 120-day questions from the European Union |
Our response to the 120-day questions with respect the Marketing Authorization Application for BELVIQ in the European Union | |
Establish new collaborations or similar arrangements |
Our entry into an expanded marketing and supply agreement for BELVIQ with Eisai Inc. for most of North and South America, a marketing and supply agreement for BELVIQ with Ildong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Ildong, for South Korea, and a co-development and license agreement with Ildong for temanogrel (our internally discovered inverse agonist of the serotonin 2A receptor intended for the treatment of thrombotic diseases) | |
End 2012 with a cash balance consistent with our plan and budget |
Our ending 2012 with a cash balance greater than the plan and budget approved by our Board of Directors | |
Manage expenditures consistent with our plan and budget |
Our favorable management of expenditures in line with the plan and budget approved by our Board of Directors | |
Additional development progress |
Our progress in our development programs, including our initiation of a multiple-dose Phase 1 clinical trial of APD811 (our internally discovered, orally available agonist of the prostacyclin receptor intended for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension), our filing of an investigational new drug, or IND, application with the FDA for APD334 (our internally discovered, orally available agonist of the S1P1 receptor intended for the treatment of conditions related to autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis) and our advancement of APD371 (our internally discovered, orally available agonist of the cannabinoid receptor 2 intended for the treatment of pain) | |
Advancement of research progress |
Our research progress on earlier-stage programs in our pipeline, which the Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors believe is strategically important to our long-term plan of identifying and advancing multiple drug candidates |
To illustrate the historical level of difficulty of goal achievement, and put into perspective the achievement of 100% of our 2012 corporate goals, the level of our achievement of corporate goals for 2011 and 2010 was 60% and 70%, respectively.
In determining cash incentive awards for 2012, the Compensation Committee sought to reward what it viewed as extraordinary performance in terms of both the quantity and quality of goal achievement, and, in particular, achieving the FDA approval of BELVIQ. In recognition of our exceptional performance, and based on the level of achievement of the pre-established goals, the quality of such achievement, and the relative weighting of the goals, the Compensation Committee approved awards for each of our Named Executive Officers under the Annual Incentive Plan equal to 150% of the targeted award amount, which was the maximum payable under the plan. With the exception of such awards, we had not paid above 100% of target during the last five years. This upward adjustment reflected the landmark achievement associated with the FDAs approval of BELVIQ.
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The below Grants of Plan-Based Awards table shows the target and maximum incentives that could have been earned under the Annual Incentive Plan, and the awards earned are included in the below Summary Compensation Table.
For 2013, consistent with the Compensation Committees philosophy of emphasizing compensation that is performance based, the committee modified the Annual Incentive Plan for 2013 by increasing the incentive targets for our Chief Executive Officer and our other Named Executive Officers from 55% to 65% and from 40% to 50%, respectively, of each of such officers base salary.
3. Stock-based Compensation
We believe that equity grants provide our Named Executive Officers with the opportunity to share in increases, if any, in the value of our common stock and encourage their ownership in our company. We believe that equity grants reinforce a long-term interest in our corporate performance and directly motivate our Named Executive Officers to maximize long-term stockholder value. The equity grants also utilize vesting and, in the case of stock options, exercisability periods that encourage our Named Executive Officers to continue working for us. For example, stock options are valuable only if the stock price increases after grant, which the Compensation Committee views as being aligned with our stage of development.
The Compensation Committee determines the size and type of equity awards after evaluating various factors applicable at the time of each such grant in their totality, which may include, among other things: each Named Executive Officers role and responsibilities and the Compensation Committees view of the officers individual performance; our outstanding shares at the time of grant; the number of equity awards granted to such individuals in prior years; retentive value of awards; our corporate performance; the value of equity grants; comparative data provided by its compensation consultant; and total stockholder return.
The exercise prices of our stock options are set at the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or if there is no closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which a closing price was reported).
All grants to executive officers require the approval of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may delegate authority to grant options to a committee of one or more members of our Board of Directors or one or more of our executive officers or a committee of our executive officers. The Compensation Committee has delegated to our Chief Executive Officer the authority to grant up to an aggregate of 250,000 stock options to non-executive employees and consultants each quarter. It is the Compensation Committees policy for our Chief Executive officer to report to it any such stock option grants at its next regularly scheduled committee meeting following such grants.
Pre-FDA Approval of BELVIQ
In early 2012, the Compensation Committee granted our Named Executive Officers stock options for more shares (an aggregate of 2,235,000 shares) than in previous years. In determining the grants, the committee took into consideration the uncertainty of whether or when the FDA would approve BELVIQ. The committee believed these larger grants would help foster the long-term perspective necessary for continued success, increase the importance of equity awards to our Named Executive Officers, help motivate our Named Executive Officers to achieve our corporate goals, and increase retention by providing higher potential compensation should the individual remain during the entire four-year vesting period. The committee also considered data (as adjusted to reflect differences in capitalization) from the Pre-Approval Peer Group, which indicated that a median aggregate grant to all of our Named Executive Officers, as a group, would be options for approximately 2,175,000 shares. Although the Compensation Committee did not target a particular percentile for individual awards, the individual awards to our Named Executive Officers, with the exception of Mr. Lief, were higher than the median grants reflected in the Pre-Approval Peer Group for the respective positions. Mr. Liefs award was for fewer shares than the median for his position, consistent with the committees view of the prior years market performance of our common stock and in consideration of his cash compensation and total compensation.
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The following table sets forth the number of shares underlying stock options granted to our Named Executive Officers in March 2012:
Named Executive Officer |
Shares Subject to Stock Options Granted March 2012 |
|||
Jack Lief |
750,000 | |||
Robert E. Hoffman |
285,000 | |||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
500,000 | |||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
200,000 | |||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
500,000 |
These stock options vest 25% per year over four years from the date of grant, and, once vested, are exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant.
Following FDA Approval of BELVIQ
In recent years, the Compensation Committee granted stock options as the principal form of equity compensation for our Named Executive Officers (and other employees). Such options were typically granted in the first quarter of the year.
Following the FDA approval of BELVIQ, the Compensation Committee determined to change the mix and timing of equity awards to our Named Executive Officers, primarily to further link the compensation of our Named Executive Officers to performance. Instead of granting only stock options as the form of equity compensation for our Named Executive Officers, the committee determined it would also grant time-based RSUs and PSUs, which are time and performance based. The committee also determined that our Named Executive Officers would be eligible to receive equity awards near the end of each year depending on our corporate and their individual performance for that particular year.
In December 2012, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs and stock options to our Named Executive Officers in recognition of the extraordinary performance in 2012. Such equity grants vest 25% per year over four years from the date of grant, and the stock options have a potential term of 7 years (which is shorter than the 10-year term of previous stock option grants and is viewed by the committee as providing a sufficient exercise period for a commercial-stage company). The committee valued each RSU as equivalent to stock options to purchase three shares of stock. Taking into account this valuation, the aggregate RSUs and stock options granted in December 2012 to our Named Executive Officers, as a group, was equivalent to an aggregate of approximately 930,000 shares. The committee considered data (as adjusted to reflect differences in capitalization) from the Post-Approval Peer Group that indicated this aggregate grant was approximately half of the median aggregate grant of approximately 1,850,000 shares provided to comparable executive officers as a group. Although the committee did not target a particular percentile for individual awards, the individual awards to our Named Executive Officers, with the exception of Mr. Lief, were near, but lower than, half of the median grants reflected in the Post-Approval Peer Group for the respective positions. Mr. Liefs grant was near, but higher than, half of the median grant for his position, consistent with the committees view of his role in our performance.
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The below table sets forth the number of shares underlying stock options and the RSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers in December 2012.
Equity Granted in December 2012 | ||||||||
Named Executive Officer |
Shares Subject to Stock Options |
Shares Subject to Restricted Stock Units |
||||||
Jack Lief |
180,000 | 60,000 | ||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
50,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
100,000 | 30,000 | ||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
50,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
100,000 | 30,000 |
In March 2013, the Compensation Committee granted our Named Executive Officers total stockholder return, or TSR, performance stock units, or TSR PSUs. The TSR PSUs may be earned based on the TSR of our stock relative to the TSR over a three-year period beginning March 1, 2013, relative to the other companies in the NASDAQ Biotech Index as of March 1, 2013. These TSR PSU grants are intended to be approximately half of the equity grants to our Named Executive Officers in 2013. The committee intends to consider granting another equity award later in 2013 to each of our Named Executive Officers once more is known about 2013 performance. The purpose of the TSR performance requirement and in splitting 2013 grants into two grants is to further tie executive compensation to our corporate performance.
The following table sets forth the TSR PSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers in March 2013, which are not included in the below Summary Compensation Table because they are not part of the 2012 compensation program:
Named Executive Officer |
Target Number of Shares Under TSR PSUs Granted in March 2013 (1) |
|||
Jack Lief |
240,000 | |||
Robert E. Hoffman |
80,000 | |||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
150,000 | |||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
80,000 | |||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
150,000 |
(1) | Represents a target number of shares. The actual number of shares that may vest under the TSR PSUs may increase or decrease based on actual performance. |
The Compensation Committee believes this new mix and timing of equity awards will help retain and motivate our Named Executive Officers, as well as further align them with our stockholders. Stock options retain and motivate executive officers to build stockholder value over the life of the stock option since stock options deliver value only if our stock price appreciates after grant; time-vested RSUs retain and provide alignment with stockholders interest during the vesting term and for so long as the executive officer holds the underlying shares; and the TSR PSUs help retain and reward executive officers for longer-term performance as compared to a broader index of similar drug development investments. The amount, mix and timing of equity awards going forward will continue to be in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and depend on various factors, such as our corporate performance for the year, the total other compensation awarded to our executive officers for that year, compensation paid to comparable executive officers at other companies and other factors described in this section.
4. Other Benefits and Post-Termination Compensation
All of our Named Executive Officers, as well as our other regular, full-time US employees, are eligible for a variety of health and welfare benefits. We believe that competitive health and welfare benefits help ensure that we have a productive and focused workforce.
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Paid Time Off
Our regular, full-time US employees can accrue Paid Time Off, or PTO, during the year. In 2012, the Compensation Committee changed our PTO policy to provide that that the maximum amount of PTO any employee may accrue is 240 hours. Any employee with more than 240 hours of PTO at the time of such change received a cash payout, and the payouts with respect to our Named Executive Officers are set forth in the below Summary Compensation Table.
401(k) Plan and Company Match
Our US employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan beginning on their hire date. Employees may make pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) contributions of up to 50% of gross cash compensation into the plan, up to the annual limit under the Code. Subject to limits under the Code, we match 100% of each of the employees contributions, up to a maximum match of 6% of the employees gross cash compensation. This match vests over a five-year period from the individuals date of hire.
Life and Disability Coverage
We provide all regular, full-time US employees with a life insurance policy equal to four times the employees annual base salary, up to a maximum coverage of $500,000. Such employees are also covered by short- and long-term disability plans that coordinate with the California State Disability plan.
Perquisites and Other Benefits
We did not provide any of our Named Executive Officers or other senior members of management with perquisites in 2012 that exceeded $10,000 in the aggregate for any person, and do not expect to do so in 2013.
Post-Termination Compensation
Termination Protection Agreements and Severance Benefit Plan. We have entered into Termination Protection Agreements, as amended, and have an Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Plan, as amended, that may require us to provide compensation and benefits to certain of our executive officers. The agreements and the plan are summarized below, and more details regarding such agreements and plan, including potential payouts, are provided below under Potential Post-Employment Payments Table.
We entered into Termination Protection Agreements because we determined that it was appropriate to provide certain of our executive officers severance compensation in the event of a double trigger in which there is a change in control and the executive officers employment is terminated under certain circumstances. These agreements are intended to promote the ability of certain of our executive officers to keep focused on corporate interests and to act in the best interests of our stockholders even though their employment could be terminated as a result of the change in control. As a condition to receiving benefits under the Termination Protection Agreements, the applicable executive officer must execute a waiver and release of claims in our favor. Messrs. Lief and Spector and Dr. Behan are parties to the Termination Protection Agreements.
We also maintain a Severance Benefit Plan for our Named Executive Officers. Separation benefits are payable if the Named Executive Officers employment is terminated under certain circumstances and are intended to keep them focused on corporate interests while employed and to ease the consequences to an executive officer of a termination of employment. The advantages to us also include our receipt of a waiver and release of claims, which the separated executive officer must provide to us as a condition to receiving benefits. Any payments payable under the Severance Benefit Plan are reduced by severance benefits payable by us under the Termination Protection Agreements or any other agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement. All of our Named Executive Officers are participants under the Severance Benefit Plan.
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In February 2012, the Compensation Committee amended the Severance Benefit Plan to extend the potential severance period for two of our key executive officers, Dr. Behan and Mr. Spector, from 12 to 18 months in light of the uncertainty with respect to whether or when the FDA would approve BELVIQ, the desire to enhance the retention aspects of their overall compensation and in connection with each of them being promoted to Executive Vice President.
Retirement Provisions in Equity Grants. From August 15, 2009, to December 12, 2012, our form of stock option grants to employees (including our Named Executive Officers) provided that, upon the retirement of the participant, unless the option had earlier terminated, the option would continue in effect (and continue vesting) until the earlier of (a) two years after the participants retirement (or, if later, the fifth anniversary of the date of the option grant) or (b) the expiration of the options term. Mr. Lief is our only Named Executive Officer currently eligible for such retirement benefit. The Compensation Committee eliminated this retirement provision from the grant form beginning on December 13, 2012.
On December 13, 2012, the Compensation Committee approved new forms for the grant of stock options as well as RSUs to our employees. Such forms do not include a retirement provision, with the exception that each of such forms for Mr. Lief provides that his award will vest pro rata for the year he ceases to provide us with continuous service.
Under the grant forms, a participant must meet the following requirements to be eligible for retirement at the time of his or her termination from service: (a) the participant is then at least age 60 and (b) the participant has provided us with at least 10 years of continuous service.
We intend that all incentive payments be deductible for tax purposes unless it would undermine our ability to meet our primary compensation objectives. We also take into account the tax effects of various forms of compensation and the potential for excise taxes to be imposed on our executive officers. There are various provisions of the Code, which we consider in determining compensation, including the following:
Section 162(m). We consider the potential impact of Section 162(m) of the Code, which denies a Federal income tax deduction for any individual compensation exceeding $1,000,000 in any taxable year for the chief executive officer and the three highest compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer. This limitation does not, however, apply to compensation that is performance-based under a plan that is approved by the stockholders and that meets other requirements. Based on these requirements, we attempt to limit the impact Section 162(m) will have on our ability to deduct compensation, but in appropriate circumstances we will pay compensation that is not deductible under Section 162(m) if necessary and in the best interests of our stockholders.
Sections 280G and 4999. Any payment or benefit provided under our Termination Protection Agreements or our Severance Benefit Plan in connection with a change-in-control transaction may be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code. These payments also may not be eligible for a company tax deduction pursuant to Section 280G of the Code. If any of these payments or benefits are subject to the excise tax, they may be reduced to provide the individual with the best after-tax result. Specifically, the individual will receive either a reduced amount so that the excise tax is not triggered, or the individual will receive the full amount of the payments and benefits and then be liable for any excise tax.
Additional Executive Compensation Practices, Policies and Procedures
Clawback Policy. We maintain a clawback policy that applies to current and former executive officers. Under the policy, following an accounting restatement that is required to be prepared due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws, we will seek repayment from
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any current or former executive officer of any incentive-based compensation that was: (i) based on the erroneous data; (ii) paid during the three-year period preceding the date on which the accounting restatement is required to be prepared; and (iii) in excess of what would have been paid under the accounting restatement. In addition, in the event that legislation is enacted or the SEC adopts rules or promulgates regulations defining the circumstances under which we are entitled to seek repayment from a current or former executive officer, such legislation, rules or regulations shall apply.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. In early 2013, the Compensation Committee established ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers. Within five years after the 2013 Annual Meeting (or, with respect to any individual becoming an executive officer after such meeting, within five years after the date such individual became an executive officer), each Named Executive Officer will hold ownership or equivalent with an aggregate value equal to the amount (or, in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, three times the amount) of the executive officers annual base salary.
Prohibition of Speculative or Short-term Trading. We prohibit our Named Executive Officers (and other employees) and non-employee directors from engaging in short sales, transactions in put or call options, hedging transactions, margin accounts, pledges, or other inherently speculative transactions with respect to our securities at any time.
The material in this report is not soliciting material, is furnished to, but not deemed filed with, the SEC and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, other than our Annual Report on Form 10-K (where it shall be deemed to be furnished), whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
The Compensation Committee, comprised of independent directors, reviewed and discussed the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis with our management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and included into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D.
Christine A. White, M.D.
Randall E. Woods
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Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
The following table summarizes the total compensation of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) (1) |
Stock Awards ($) (2) |
Option Awards ($) (3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (4) |
All Other Compensation ($) (5) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Jack Lief |
2012 | $ | 690,000 | $ | 532,200 | $ | 2,116,650 | $ | 569,250 | $81,485 (6) | $ | 3,989,585 | ||||||||||||||||
President, Chief Executive |
2011 | 690,000 | 0 | 321,570 | 227,700 | 15,315 | 1,254,585 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Officer and Chairman of the Board |
2010 | 690,000 | 0 | 298,301 | 190,000 | 15,150 | 1,193,451 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
2012 | 327,000 | 133,050 | 692,179 | 196,200 | 15,636 | 1,364,065 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President, Finance |
2011 | 180,898 (7) | 0 | 226,680 | 27,005 | 54,314 (7) | 488,897 | |||||||||||||||||||||
and Chief Financial Officer |
2010 | 327,000 | 0 | 133,952 | 94,176 | 15,150 | 570,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
2012 | 400,000 | 266,100 | 1,289,200 | 240,000 | 15,636 | 2,210,936 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, Chief |
2011 | 400,000 | 0 | 321,570 | 114,000 | 15,315 | 850,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Scientific Officer and Director |
2010 | 400,000 | 0 | 206,080 | 121,600 | 15,150 | 742,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
2012 | 357,000 | 133,050 | 576,630 | 214,200 | 69,701 (8) | 1,350,581 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President and Chief |
2011 | 357,000 | 0 | 214,380 | 98,532 | 15,315 | 685,227 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medical Officer |
2010 | 357,000 | 0 | 133,952 | 92,820 | 15,150 | 598,922 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
2012 | 375,000 | 266,100 | 1,289,200 | 225,000 | 86,399 (9) | 2,241,699 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, General |
2011 | 375,000 | 0 | 321,570 | 114,000 | 15,315 | 825,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Counsel and Secretary |
2010 | 375,000 | 0 | 206,080 | 114,000 | 15,150 | 710,230 |
(1) | In accordance with SEC rules, the compensation described in this table does not include various health and welfare or other benefits received by our Named Executive Officers that are available generally to all of our regular, full-time employees, except as described in footnote 5 in this table. This table also does not include any perquisites and other personal benefits received by our Named Executive Officers that, in the aggregate, were less than $10,000 for any officer. Amounts earned but deferred at the election of our Named Executive Officer pursuant to our 401(k) plan are included in the salary column. |
(2) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718, Stock Compensation, formerly SFAS 123R, calculated based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant of December 13, 2012. |
(3) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted in accordance with ASC Topic 718. For the relevant assumptions used in determining these amounts, refer to Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013. |
(4) | Represents cash awards earned pursuant to our annual incentive plans for 2012, 2011 and 2010, as further described below in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis. |
(5) | Includes matching contributions to our 401(k) plan made on behalf of our Named Executive Officers and group-term life insurance premiums paid by us for our Named Executive Officers. |
(6) | In addition to the items noted in footnote 5 above, all other compensation includes $65,849 of unused PTO paid to Mr. Lief in the form of additional salary in 2012. |
(7) | Mr. Hoffman resigned in March 2011 and rejoined us in August 2011 with the same annual base salary of $327,000 that was in effect prior to his departure. In addition to items noted in footnote 5 above, all other compensation reflects that in 2011 we paid Mr. Hoffman $37,049 for accrued PTO upon his resignation and $1,950 for consulting fees after his resignation. |
(8) | In addition to the items noted in footnote 5 above, all other compensation includes $54,065 of unused PTO paid to Dr. Shanahan in the form of additional salary in 2012. |
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(9) | In addition to the items noted in footnote 5 above, all other compensation includes $70,763 of unused PTO paid to Mr. Spector in the form of additional salary in 2012. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
The following table provides information on estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plans and stock awards and options granted to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) |
All Other (#) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/sh) (3) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (4) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Approval Date (2) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jack Lief |
| | $ | 379,500 | $ | 569,250 | | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||||||
3/19/12 (5) | 1/23/12 | | | | 750,000 | 1.81 | 1,019,550 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | | 180,000 | 8.87 | 1,097,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | 60,000 | | | 532,200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
| | 130,800 | 196,200 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3/19/12 (5) | 1/23/12 | | | | 285,000 | 1.81 | 387,429 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | | 50,000 | 8.87 | 304,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | 15,000 | | | 133,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
| | 160,000 | 240,000 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3/19/12 (5) | 1/23/12 | | | | 500,000 | 1.81 | 679,700 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | | 100,000 | 8.87 | 609,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | 30,000 | | | 266,100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
| | 142,800 | 214,200 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3/19/12 (5) | 1/23/12 | | | | 200,000 | 1.81 | 271,880 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | | 50,000 | 8.87 | 304,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | 15,000 | | | 133,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
| | 150,000 | 225,000 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3/19/12 (5) | 1/23/12 | | | | 500,000 | 1.81 | 679,700 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | | 100,000 | 8.87 | 609,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
12/13/12 (6) | 12/13/12 | | | 30,000 | | | 266,100 |
(1) | Our Annual Incentive Plan was our only non-equity incentive plan for 2012. The amounts shown in the target column reflect a percentage of each Named Executive Officers 2012 annual base salary as specified under the Annual Incentive Plan. The amounts shown in the maximum column are 150% of the respective target amounts. These amounts are based on each Named Executive Officers 2012 annual base salary. There is no minimum amount payable for a certain level of performance. |
(2) | Prior to December 2012, the policy of the Compensation Committee was to generally approve stock option grants to continuing employees, including our Named Executive Officers, in advance of the grant date. In December 2012, the Compensation Committee revised its policy and approved and granted stock options and RSUs on the same date. |
(3) | In all cases, the exercise price of the option awards was equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. |
(4) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards and stock options granted in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the relevant assumptions used in determining these amounts, refer to Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013. |
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(5) | All awards granted on March 19, 2012, were granted under our 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2009 LTIP. |
(6) | All awards granted on December 13, 2012, were granted under our 2012 LTIP. |
All stock options granted to our Named Executive Officers vest 25% per year over four years from the date of grant. Stock options granted prior to December 13, 2012, are exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant; stock options granted on or after December 13, 2012, are exercisable for up to 7 years from the date of grant. All such stock options are incentive stock options to the extent permissible under the Code. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for additional information.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
The following table provides information on all stock options and unvested restricted stock unit awards held by our Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2012.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable (1) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) (2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (3) |
||||||||||||||||||
Jack Lief |
100,000 | | $ | 6.00 | 1/18/14 | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
124,350 | | 6.16 | 1/17/15 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
89,000 | | 16.80 | 1/20/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
21,000 | | 10.52 | 7/28/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
180,000 | | 13.50 | 2/26/17 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
180,000 | | 6.99 | 3/3/18 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
135,000 | 45,000 | 4.01 | 3/17/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
72,376 | 72,374 | 3.25 | 3/17/20 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
75,000 | 225,000 | 1.49 | 3/15/21 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 750,000 | 1.81 | 3/19/22 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 180,000 | 8.87 | 12/13/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 60,000 | 541,200 | |||||||||||||||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
| 150,000 | 1.48 | 9/15/21 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| 285,000 | 1.81 | 3/19/22 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50,000 | 8.87 | 12/13/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 15,000 | 135,300 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
33,332 | | 6.00 | 1/18/14 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
33,116 | | 6.16 | 1/17/15 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | | 16.80 | 1/20/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | | 10.52 | 7/28/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | | 13.50 | 2/26/17 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | | 6.99 | 3/3/18 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
45,000 | 15,000 | 4.01 | 3/17/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
50,000 | 50,000 | 3.25 | 3/17/20 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
75,000 | 225,000 | 1.49 | 3/15/21 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 500,000 | 1.81 | 3/19/22 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 100,000 | 8.87 | 12/13/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 30,000 | 270,600 | |||||||||||||||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
60,000 | | 6.30 | 4/18/14 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
45,000 | | 6.16 | 1/17/15 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
25,000 | | 16.80 | 1/20/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
45,000 | | 13.50 | 2/26/17 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
45,000 | | 6.99 | 3/3/18 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 10,000 | 4.01 | 3/17/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
32,500 | 32,500 | 3.25 | 3/17/20 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
50,000 | 150,000 | 1.49 | 3/15/21 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 200,000 | 1.81 | 3/19/22 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 50,000 | 8.87 | 12/13/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 15,000 | 135,300 | |||||||||||||||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
33,334 | | 6.00 | 1/18/14 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
45,000 | | 6.16 | 1/17/15 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
40,000 | | 16.80 | 1/20/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | | 10.52 | 7/28/16 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | | 13.50 | 2/26/17 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
60,000 | | 6.99 | 3/3/18 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
1 | 15,000 | 4.01 | 3/17/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
20,000 | 50,000 | 3.25 | 3/17/20 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
30,000 | 225,000 | 1.49 | 3/15/21 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 500,000 | 1.81 | 3/19/22 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| 100,000 | 8.87 | 12/13/19 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 30,000 | 270,600 |
(1) | Generally stock options vest 25% per year over four years from the date of grant. Stock options granted prior to December 13, 2012, are exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant; stock options granted |
48
on or after December 13, 2012, are exercisable for up to 7 years from the date of grant. The options granted on March 19, 2012, were granted under our 2009 LTIP. The options granted on December 13, 2012, were granted under our 2012 LTIP. |
(2) | The outstanding restricted stock unit awards vest 25% per year over four years from the date of grant, and were granted under our 2012 LTIP. |
(3) | Computed by multiplying the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2012, of $9.02 by the number of outstanding restricted stock unit awards set forth in this table. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
The following table provides information on stock option exercises and stock awards vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) |
||||||||||||
Jack Lief |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
50,000 | $ | 340,959 | | | |||||||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
| | | | ||||||||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
136,665 | 915,242 | | |
(1) | Computed by multiplying the number of options exercised by the difference between the market price of our common stock at exercise and the exercise price of the stock options. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
In 2003, we established a deferred compensation plan for our executive officers, whereby they may elect to defer the shares of restricted stock we have awarded them. Shares deferred in the plan become restricted stock units. This deferral opportunity was established in part to encourage the participants to continue to hold rights to own common stock in the future that may otherwise be sold to satisfy the participants tax withholding or other financial obligations upon vesting, and for the purpose of rewarding and incentivizing the participants. Participants can choose to receive distributions under the plan as a lump sum distribution or in installments. A participants election to defer restricted stock under the plan is irrevocable, but the participant may modify their election to provide for a later distribution date, add additional shares under the plan or to provide for a different form of distribution. In addition, the plan allows for hardship withdrawals, early withdrawals with a penalty, and withdrawals by beneficiaries following the death of a participant. Also, unless in connection with a change in control, no distributions are permitted under the plan to a participant in any taxable year to the extent such distribution would result in the participant receiving an amount of compensation that cannot be deducted by us pursuant to the limitations imposed on the deduction of certain compensation payments under Section 162(m) of the Code. At December 31, 2012, 79,169 shares of restricted stock were held in the deferred compensation plan,
49
and the following table provides information about the activity in the deferred compensation plan for our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2012.
Name |
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY ($) (1) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) (2) |
|||||||||
Jack Lief |
| | | |||||||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
| | | |||||||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
$ | 566,058 | | $ | 714,104 | |||||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
| | | |||||||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
| | |
(1) | Any earnings in the last fiscal year represent a change in the closing market price of our common stock. Neither we nor any of our Named Executive Officers made additional contributions to the deferred compensation plan in 2012. Accordingly, the amounts included in this column are not included in the above Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | Aggregate balance at last fiscal year-end was computed by multiplying the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2012, of $9.02 by the number of shares issuable under the deferred compensation plan. |
Potential Post-Employment Payments Table as of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
As described below, Messrs. Lief and Spector and Dr. Behan are each a party to a Termination Protection Agreement, dated December 20, 2002, as amended, and all of our Named Executive Officers are participants under the Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Plan, as amended, that we originally established in 2006. Any payments payable under the Severance Benefit Plan are reduced by severance benefits payable by us under the Termination Protection Agreements or any other agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement. The severance and other benefits payable in connection with a change in control are due only in the event of a double trigger in which there is a change in control and the executive officers employment is terminated under certain circumstances. In addition, certain equity grants to our Named Executive Officers include additional vesting and time to exercise in connection with retirement.
Termination Protection Agreements
Messrs. Lief and Spector and Dr. Behan are each a party to a Termination Protection Agreement. Under the Termination Protection Agreements, if the participating executive officer is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason (as defined in the agreement) within two years following a change of control or if the executive officer is terminated within one year prior to a change in control in anticipation of the change in control, we are required to provide such executive officer (i) a payment equal to the executive officers annual compensation, (ii) continuation of health insurance coverage until the second anniversary of the executive officers termination, (iii) accelerated vesting of all outstanding unvested stock options and restricted shares, with any stock options remaining exercisable until as late as the first anniversary of the executive officers termination, and (iv) continuation of our indemnification obligations until at least the sixth anniversary of the executive officers termination. The cash severance benefits are equal to (i) the executive officers annual rate of base salary in effect on the date of the change in control or the termination date, whichever is higher, and (ii) any bonus paid or payable to the executive officer for the year preceding the change in control or the termination date, whichever is higher. Following our receipt of an effective waiver and release of claims, we are required to pay the cash benefits in a lump sum within five business days after the earlier of (i) the first business day that is six months following the executive officers termination or (ii) following the executive officers termination, the executive officers death.
50
Severance Benefit Plan
The Severance Benefit Plan provides Messrs. Lief, Hoffman and Spector and Drs. Behan and Shanahan severance benefits upon involuntary termination without cause or voluntary termination with good reason (as defined in the plan). In contrast to the Termination Protection Agreements, the Severance Benefit Plan applies to qualifying terminations regardless of whether there has been a change in control. The benefits under the Severance Benefit Plan include cash severance benefits, continuation of health insurance coverage for the severance period, acceleration of stock options and awards that would otherwise have vested through the end of the severance period, and continued stock option exercisability until the later of (i) the original post-termination exercise period provided in the applicable stock option agreement or (ii) the number of months equal to the severance period (but not beyond the original contractual life of the option). The cash severance benefits are equal to the number of months in the executive officers severance period multiplied by the executive officers monthly base salary in effect immediately prior to the termination plus one-twelfth of the greater of (i) the average of the three annual bonuses we paid to the executive officer prior to his termination and (ii) the last annual bonus paid to the executive officer prior to termination. Following our receipt of an effective waiver and release of claims and return of company property, we are required to pay the cash benefits in a lump sum within five business days after the earlier of (i) the first business day that is six months following the executive officers termination or (ii) following the executive officers termination, the executive officers death.
At December 31, 2012, which is the assumed date of the triggering event for the following table, the severance period was 18 months for Messrs. Lief and Spector and Dr. Behan and 12 months for Mr. Hoffman and Dr. Shanahan.
Retirement Provisions in Equity Grants
From August 15, 2009, to December 12, 2012, our form of stock option grants provided that, upon the retirement of the participant, unless the option had earlier terminated, the option would continue in effect (and continue vesting) until the earlier of (a) two years after the participants retirement (or, if later, the fifth anniversary of the date of the option grant) or (b) the expiration of the options term. Mr. Lief is our only Named Executive Officer that is currently eligible for such retirement benefit. The Compensation Committee eliminated this retirement provision from the grant form beginning on December 13, 2012.
On December 13, 2012, the Compensation Committee approved new forms for the grant of stock options as well as RSUs to our employees. Such forms do not include a retirement provision, with the exception that each of such forms for Mr. Lief provides that his award will vest pro rata for the year he ceases to provide us with continuous service. None of the stock options or RSUs granted to Mr. Lief on December 13, 2012, would have vested as of December 31, 2012, under such provisions, regardless of whether he retired on or before such date.
Under the grant forms, a participant must meet the following requirements to be eligible for retirement at the time of his or her termination from service: (a) the participant is then at least age 60 and (b) the participant has provided us with at least 10 years of continuous service.
51
Potential Payable Upon Termination or Resignation for Good Reason
In accordance with SEC rules, the below table provides information on the amounts payable upon termination of our Named Executive Officers assuming the triggering event (which would be the participants separations) took place on December 31, 2012. Information on certain tax implications of post-termination payments is included above under Tax Considerations.
Potential Payable
Upon Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason |
||||||||
Name and Benefit |
Without a Change of Control (1) |
With a Change of Control (1) |
||||||
Jack Lief |
||||||||
Salary |
$ | 1,035,000 | $ | 1,035,000 | ||||
Bonus |
853,875 | 853,875 | ||||||
Benefit continuation |
32,643 | 43,524 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of RSUs (2) |
135,300 | 541,200 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of stock options (3) |
4,483,048 | 7,771,798 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
6,539,866 | 10,245,397 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Robert E. Hoffman |
||||||||
Salary |
327,000 | 327,000 | ||||||
Bonus |
196,200 | 196,200 | ||||||
Benefit continuation |
28,893 | 28,893 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of RSUs (2) |
33,825 | 33,825 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of stock options (3) |
892,588 | 892,588 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
1,478,506 | 1,478,506 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
||||||||
Salary |
600,000 | 600,000 | ||||||
Bonus |
360,000 | 360,000 | ||||||
Benefit continuation |
43,340 | 57,786 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of RSUs (2) |
67,650 | 270,600 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of stock options (3) |
3,299,400 | 5,677,900 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
4,370,390 | 6,966,286 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
William R. Shanahan, Jr., M.D., J.D. |
||||||||
Salary |
357,000 | 357,000 | ||||||
Bonus |
214,200 | 214,200 | ||||||
Benefit continuation |
24,393 | 24,393 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of RSUs (2) |
33,825 | 33,825 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of stock options (3) |
882,738 | 882,738 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
1,512,156 | 1,512,156 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Steven W. Spector, J.D. |
||||||||
Salary |
562,500 | 562,500 | ||||||
Bonus |
337,500 | 337,500 | ||||||
Benefit continuation |
43,340 | 57,786 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of RSUs (2) |
67,650 | 270,600 | ||||||
Accelerated vesting of stock options (3) |
3,299,400 | 5,677,900 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
4,310,390 | 6,906,286 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | For purposes of this table, change of control means a change of control that triggers payments under the Termination Protection Agreement. |
(2) | Computed based on the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2012, of $9.02. |
52
(3) | Computed by multiplying the difference between the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2012 of $9.02 and the exercise price of each stock option vested as a result of the termination by the number of accelerated stock options. |
2012 Compensation
Following is a summary of our non-employee director compensation program for 2012:
Equity
Directors were granted 48,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock. The options were granted effective on the date of our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and vest in equal monthly installments over one year from the date of grant. The options are 10-year options with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Fair market value on the grant date means the per share closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the grant date or, if there was no reported closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which the closing price was reported.
Except in the case of a directors death or disability, unvested stock options terminate when the director ceases to be a director. Unless earlier terminated or expired, vested stock options terminate three years after the director ceases to be a director (or, if applicable, an employee) for any reason other than the directors death or disability. In the event of a directors death or disability, the directors stock options become fully vested and, unless earlier terminated or expired, terminate three years after the date of the directors death or disability, as applicable.
Cash
| Annual retainer: $7,500 per quarter, subject to continuing service as a director. |
| Additional annual retainer for lead independent director: An additional $5,000 per quarter, subject to continuing service as lead independent director. |
| Meeting attendance fees: |
| General: $1,000 |
| Exceptions: |
| Audit Chair Meeting Attendance Fee: $3,000 |
| Other Chair Meeting Attendance Fee: $2,000 |
2013 Compensation
In early 2013, the Compensation Committee approved a new compensation program for our non-employee directors, effective January 1, 2013. Following is a summary of the new program:
Equity
| Continuing directors and new directors elected at our annual stockholders meeting: A number of RSUs determined by dividing $165,000 by the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. The RSUs are granted effective on the date of our annual stockholders meeting, and vest in equal monthly installments over one year from the date of grant, subject to vesting conditions set forth below. |
| New directors appointed or elected other than at our annual stockholders meeting: A prorated number of RSUs determined by (a) dividing $165,000 by the fair market value of our common stock on the |
53
applicable grant date for the new director and (b) multiplying that number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months following the applicable grant date until the one-year anniversary of our most recent preceding annual stockholders meeting, or Prior Meeting, and the denominator of which is 12. The RSUs are granted to such new director effective on the Prior Meeting monthly anniversary date that coincides with or first follows the date of the new directors appointment or election, and vest in equal monthly installments beginning on the grant date and ending on the one-year anniversary of the Prior Meeting, subject to vesting conditions set forth below. |
RSU Vesting Conditions. Except in the event of a directors separation from our service due to death or disability, (a) vesting of the RSUs is subject to the directors provision of continued service to us through the applicable vesting date, and (b) unvested RSUs terminate upon the directors separation from our service for any reason. In the event of a directors separation from our service due to death or disability, or a change in control of Arena that occurs upon or prior to a separation from our service, all of the directors RSUs become fully vested.
Issuance of Shares. Each RSU covers one share of our common stock, subject to capitalization adjustments in certain circumstances in accordance with the applicable long-term incentive plan. The issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the vested RSUs will be mandatorily delayed until the earliest of the following dates: (a) the three-year anniversary of the grant date; (b) the directors separation from our service (for any reason); or (c) a change in control of Arena. It is intended that the issuance of shares in settlement of the RSUs will be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Cash
| Annual retainer: $10,000 per quarter, paid in advance, subject to continuing service as a director. New directors will receive a prorated amount of the quarterly payment for the quarter within which they are appointed or elected. |
| Additional annual retainer for lead independent director: An additional $5,000 per quarter, paid in advance, subject to continuing service as lead independent director. New lead independent directors will receive a prorated amount of the quarterly payment for the quarter within which they are appointed to such position. |
| Meeting attendance fees: |
| General: $1,000 |
| Exceptions: |
| Audit Chair Meeting Attendance Fee: $3,500 |
| Audit Member Attendance Fee: $2,000 |
| Other Chair Meeting Attendance Fee: $2,500 |
General
Our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee may also authorize additional fees for significant work in informal meetings or for other service to us in the recipients capacity as a director or committee member. Each non-employee director is also entitled to reimbursement for all of such directors reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with performing Board business.
54
Director Compensation Table for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
As described more fully above, the following table summarizes the compensation for our non-employee directors serving during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (1) |
Option Awards ($) (2) |
Total ($) | |||||||||
Donald D. Belcher (3) |
$ | 45,000 | $ | 291,139 | $ | 336,139 | ||||||
Scott H. Bice (4) |
45,000 | 291,139 | 336,139 | |||||||||
Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. (5) |
42,000 | 291,139 | 333,139 | |||||||||
Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. (6) |
46,000 | 291,139 | 337,139 | |||||||||
Phillip M. Schneider (7) |
56,000 | 291,139 | 347,139 | |||||||||
Christine A. White, M.D. (8) |
67,000 | 291,139 | 358,139 | |||||||||
Randall E. Woods (9) |
41,000 | 291,139 | 332,139 |
(1) | For each director, includes cash retainer and all meeting attendance and other fees earned or paid in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. |
(2) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the relevant assumptions used in determining these amounts, refer to Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013. |
(3) | Mr. Belcher had a total of 305,753 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(4) | Mr. Bice had a total of 210,680 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(5) | Dr. Hixson had a total of 305,763 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(6) | Dr. Nova had a total of 189,000 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(7) | Mr. Schneider had a total of 221,277 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(8) | Dr. White had a total of 255,721 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
(9) | Mr. Woods had a total of 221,277 options outstanding at December 31, 2012. |
All stock options granted to non-employee directors in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, were granted under our 2012 LTIP, and are 10-year options with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant, vesting in equal monthly installments over one year.
See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for additional information regarding our grant timing, dating and pricing policies and the discussion above under Director Compensation regarding the 2012 compensation for our non-employee directors.
In early 2013, the Compensation Committee established ownership guidelines for non-employee directors. Within five years after the 2013 Annual Meeting (or, with respect to any director joining our Board of Directors after such meeting, within five years after the date such director joins our Board), each director will hold ownership or equivalent with an aggregate value equal to five times the amount of the annual cash retainer for directors.
55
The material in this report required by Item 407(d)(3) of Regulation S-K is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
Our management has the primary responsibility for our financial reporting process, accounting principles and internal controls as well as the preparation of our financial statements. The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of our Board of Directors.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, or KPMG, as our independent auditors for the 2012 fiscal year. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors the overall scope and specific plans for their audit. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors and with management our audited consolidated financial statements and the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee met with the independent auditors, without management present, to discuss the results of the independent auditors audit, the independent auditors evaluations of our internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality of our financial reporting. The meetings were also designed to facilitate any desired private communication between the Audit Committee and the independent auditors.
The Audit Committee monitored the independence and performance of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vo1. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditors communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC. The Audit Committee has also appointed KPMG as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
The foregoing report is provided by the following directors, who constitute the Audit Committee:
Scott H. Bice
Phillip M. Schneider
Christine A. White, M.D.
56
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table presents aggregate fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011, for professional services rendered by KPMG:
Fiscal Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Audit Fees (1) |
$ | 442,000 | $ | 303,960 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees |
126,074 | (2) | 26,257 | (3) | ||||
Tax Fees |
215,152 | (4) | 71,600 | (5) | ||||
All Other Fees (6) |
0 | 0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 783,226 | $ | 401,817 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Consisted of fees paid for professional services for the integrated audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports. |
(2) | Fees were related to comfort letter procedures in connection with public offering, services provided in conjunction with the statutory audit for our Swiss subsidiary, Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH, or Arena GmbH, and our subscription to an online accounting research service. |
(3) | Fees were related to review of a registration statement on Form S-3, services provided in conjunction with the statutory audit for Arena GmbH and our subscription to an online accounting research service. |
(4) | Fees were primarily related to services in connection with international tax matters, tax preparation services, services related to Section 382 studies for net operating loss utilization and consultations regarding our transactions with entities affiliated with Deerfield Capital, L.P. |
(5) | Fees were primarily related to tax preparation services, services related to Section 382 studies for net operating loss utilization and consultations regarding our transactions with entities affiliated with Deerfield Capital, L.P. |
(6) | There were no fees billed in either of the years ended December 31, 2012, or 2011, for products or services provided by KPMG other than those disclosed in this table. |
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors. The policy requires pre-approval of all services rendered by our independent auditors either as part of the Audit Committees approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent auditors or on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee has authorized its Chair to pre-approve individual expenditures of audit and non-audit services. Any pre-approval decision must be reported to the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. All audit, audit-related and tax fees for 2012 and 2011 described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Ratification of Independent Auditors (Proposal 4)
The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. Our Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of KPMG to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.
Stockholders are requested in this Proposal 4 to ratify the appointment of KPMG. To ratify the appointment of KPMG, a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote on the proposal must vote FOR ratification. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome.
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In the event that the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of our independent auditors, but may decide not to change its selection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may appoint different independent auditors at any time if it determines that such a change would be in the stockholders best interest.
Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at our 2013 Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP TO SERVE AS OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, our executive officers, our 10% or greater stockholders, and certain other persons to file reports of ownership of our equity securities and changes in such ownership with the SEC and NASDAQ and to furnish us with copies of such reports.
To our knowledge, based on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors, our executive officers, our 10% or greater stockholders and other persons required to file reports were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, except that one report, covering one transaction, was filed late by Jennifer K. Bielasz. Ms. Bielasz is no longer required to file ownership reports under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
Stockholder Proposals for the 2014 Annual Meeting
To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for next years annual meeting, stockholder proposals must be in writing, addressed to our Corporate Secretary, and be received at our executive offices at 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121, no later than the close of business on December 30, 2013. In addition, notice of any stockholder proposal to be presented at next years annual meeting of stockholders must be received at our executive offices no later than February 18, 2014, and no earlier than January 29, 2014. The above dates in this section may change under circumstances set forth in our Bylaws or if we amend the relevant provisions in our Bylaws. If we amend our Bylaws, we will file the amended Bylaws with the SEC. Stockholders may request a copy of the bylaw provisions relating to stockholder proposals from our Corporate Secretary at the same address.
Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and any other applicable requirements.
Our annual report for the 2012 fiscal year (as well as this proxy statement) is available on the home page of our website at www.arenapharm.com for all stockholders entitled to notice of and vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting. We are also mailing to certain stockholders a copy of such annual report concurrently with this proxy statement. The annual report is not incorporated into this proxy statement and is not considered proxy solicitation material.
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WE WILL MAIL STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND LIST OF EXHIBITS. WE WILL FURNISH STOCKHOLDERS A COPY OF ANY EXHIBIT TO SUCH REPORT UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND PAYMENT OF OUR REASONABLE EXPENSES IN FURNISHING SUCH EXHIBIT. REQUESTS SHOULD BE SENT TO INVESTOR RELATIONS, ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., 6154 NANCY RIDGE DRIVE, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121. OUR SEC FILINGS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.ARENAPHARM.COM.
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially results in a reduced usage of natural resources and cost savings for companies.
A number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be householding our proxy materials. A single proxy statement and one annual report or Internet Notice will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. Any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents or Internet Notice was delivered and who wishes to receive a separate copy of the documents or Internet Notice can request a copy of such documents or notice by sending a written request to Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121, or contact our Corporate Secretary at 858.453.7200. Also, if, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report or Internet Notice in the future, please notify your broker or direct your written request to Corporate Secretary, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121, or contact our Corporate Secretary at 858.453.7200. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement or Internet Notice at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker.
Our Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at our 2013 Annual Meeting. If other matters are properly brought before our 2013 Annual Meeting, however, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Dated: April 29, 2013
By Order of our Board of Directors |
Steven W. Spector Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2013 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company), a Delaware corporation, hereby establishes and adopts the following 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan).
1. | PURPOSE OF THE PLAN |
The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company and its Affiliates in attracting and retaining employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates who are expected to contribute to the Companys success and achieve long-term objectives that will benefit the stockholders of the Company through the additional incentives inherent in the Awards hereunder.
2. | DEFINITIONS |
2.1. Affiliate shall mean, at the time of determination, any parent or subsidiary of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. The Board or the Committee shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which parent or subsidiary status is determined within the foregoing definition.
2.2. Award shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
2.3. Award Agreement shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted hereunder, including through an electronic medium.
2.4. Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5. Cause shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or another agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or a plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliate in which the Participant participates, a determination by the Committee that the Participant has breached his or her employment or service contract with the Company, or has been engaged in disloyalty to the Company, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment or service, or has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Company to persons not entitled to receive such information, or has breached any written noncompetition or nonsolicitation agreement between the Participant and the Company or has engaged in such other behavior detrimental to the interests of the Company as the Committee determines in its sole discretion. Any determination of cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant shall have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
2.6. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.7. Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof formed by the Compensation Committee to act as the Committee hereunder. The Committee shall consist of no fewer than two Directors, each of whom is (i) a Non-Employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, (ii) an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and (iii) an independent director for purpose of the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded) to the extent required by such rules.
2.8. Consultant shall mean any consultant or advisor who is a natural person and who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Companys securities in a capital-raising transaction and (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Companys securities.
2.9. Covered Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or its Affiliates who is a covered employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
2.10. Director shall mean a non-employee member of the Board.
2.11. Dividend Equivalents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.
2.12. Employee shall mean any employee of the Company or any Affiliate and any prospective employee conditioned upon, and effective not earlier than, such person becoming an employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
2.13. Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.14. Fair Market Value shall mean, with respect to Shares as of any date, (i) the per Share closing price of the Shares as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on that date (or if there was no reported closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which the closing price was reported), (ii) if the Shares are not then listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, the closing price on such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed (or if there was no reported closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which the closing price was reported); or (iii) if the Shares are not listed on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value of Shares shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion using appropriate criteria. The Fair Market Value of any property other than Shares shall mean the market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.
2.15. Incentive Stock Option shall mean an Option which when granted is intended to be, and qualifies as, as an incentive stock option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.
2.16. Limitations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.5.
2.17. Option shall mean any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at such price or prices and during such period or periods as the Committee shall determine.
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2.18. Participant shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.
2.19. Payee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
2.20. Performance Award shall mean any Award of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Article 9.
2.21. Performance Cash shall mean any cash incentives granted pursuant to Article 9 payable to the Participant upon the achievement of such performance goals as the Committee shall establish.
2.22. Performance Period shall mean that period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.
2.23. Performance Share shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish.
2.24. Performance Unit shall mean any grant pursuant to Section 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than Shares (or cash), which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish.
2.25. Permitted Assignee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.
2.26. Prior Plans shall mean, collectively, the Companys Amended and Restated 1998 Equity Compensation Plan, Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Compensation Plan, 2002 Equity Compensation Plan, 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Awards granted under the Prior Plans continue to be governed under the terms of those Prior Plans.
2.27. Restricted Stock shall mean any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including any restriction on the right to vote such Share and the right to receive any dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
2.28. Restricted Stock Award shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
2.29. Restricted Stock Unit Award shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
2.30. Restricted Stock Unit means an Award that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of cash, Shares or such other property as the Committee shall determine, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
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2.31. Shares shall mean the shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Company.
2.32. Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.
2.33. Substitute Awards shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.
2.34. Vesting Period shall mean the period of time specified by the Committee during which vesting restrictions for an Award are applicable.
3. | SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN |
3.1 | Number of Shares. |
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, a total of 30 million Shares shall be authorized for Awards granted under the Plan, as increased if applicable under this Section, less one (1) Share for every one (1) Share that was subject to an option or stock appreciation right granted after December 31, 2012, under the Prior Plans and 1.25 Shares for every one (1) Share that was subject to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right granted after December 31, 2012, under the Prior Plans. Any Shares that are subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share granted, and any Shares that are subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as 1.25 Shares for every one (1) Share granted. After the effective date of the Plan (as provided in Section 13.13), no awards may be granted under any Prior Plan.
(b) If (i) any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), or (ii) after December 31, 2012, any Shares subject to an award under the Prior Plans are forfeited, or an award under the Prior Plans expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to such Award or award under the Prior Plans shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for Awards under the Plan, in accordance with Section 3.1(d) below. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under paragraph (a) of this Section: (i) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase price of an Option, or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof, and (iii) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options or options granted under the Prior Plans.
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(c) Shares issued under Substitute Awards that qualify for an exemption from the applicable stockholder-approval requirements under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or its successor shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan and shall not be subject to the applicable Limitations authorized for grant to a Participant under Section 10.5, nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award again be available for Awards under the Plan to the extent of any forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement as provided in paragraph (b) above.
(d) Any Shares that again become available for grant pursuant to this Section shall be added back as (i) one (1) Share if such Shares were subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan or options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Prior Plans, and (ii) as 1.25 Shares if such Shares were subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan or awards other than options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Prior Plans.
3.2. Character of Shares. Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.
4. | ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION |
4.1. Eligibility. Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be selected as a Participant.
4.2. Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full power and authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to: (i) select the Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to be granted to each Participant hereunder; (iii) determine the number of Shares (or dollar value) to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; (iv) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including the power to amend outstanding Awards); (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award made under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under or in connection with the Plan, including any Award Agreement; (ix) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect; (x) establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (xi) determine whether any Award, other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, will have Dividend Equivalents; and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.
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(b) Decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons or entities, including the Company, any Participant, and any Affiliate. A majority of the members of the Committee may determine its actions, including fixing the time and place of its meetings.
(c) To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 162(m) of the Code, or the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded), the Committee may delegate to: (i) a committee of one or more members of the Board the authority to take action on behalf of the Committee under the Plan including the right to grant, cancel, suspend or amend Awards and (ii) one or more executive officers within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act or a committee of executive officers the right to grant Awards to Employees who are not executive officers of the Company (provided that the Committee resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of Shares that may be subject to the Awards granted by such person or persons) and the authority to take action on behalf of the Committee pursuant to the Plan to cancel or suspend Awards to Employees who are not directors or executive officers of the Company.
(d) The Board in its discretion may ratify and approve actions taken by the Committee. In addition, to the extent not inconsistent with applicable law or the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, the Board may take any action under the Plan that the Committee is authorized to take. In the event the Board takes such action references to the Committee hereunder shall be understood to refer to the Board.
5. | OPTIONS |
5.1. Grant of Options. Options may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Any Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Article and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable.
5.2. Award Agreements. All Options granted pursuant to this Article shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. The terms of Options need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Granting an Option pursuant to the Plan shall impose no obligation on the recipient to exercise such Option. Any individual who is granted an Option pursuant to this Article may hold more than one Option granted pursuant to the Plan at the same time.
5.3. Option Price. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the option price per each Share purchasable under any Option granted pursuant to this Article shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of such Option; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the option price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant. Other than pursuant to Section 12.2, the Committee shall not without the approval of the Companys stockholders (a) lower the option price per Share of an Option after it is granted, (b) cancel an Option when the option price per
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Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of one Share in exchange for cash or another Award (other than in connection with a Change in Control as defined in Section 11.3 or Substitute Awards), and (c) take any other action with respect to an Option that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded).
5.4. Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of seven (7) years from the date the Option is granted, except in the event of death or disability; provided, however, that the term of the Option shall not exceed five (5) years from the date the Option is granted in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
5.5. Exercise of Options.
(a) Vested Options granted under the Plan may be exercised by the Participant or by a Permitted Assignee thereof (or by the Participants executors, administrators, guardian or legal representative, as may be provided in an Award Agreement) as to all or part of the Shares covered thereby, by the giving of notice of exercise to the Company or its designated agent, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. The notice of exercise shall be in such form, made in such manner, and shall comply with such other requirements consistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, full payment of such purchase price shall be made at the time of exercise and shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents (including certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (ii) by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation), valued at their then Fair Market Value, (iii) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of other consideration (including, where permitted by law and the Committee, other Awards) having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total purchase price, (iv) with the consent of the Committee, by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option, (v) through any other method specified in an Award Agreement (including same-day sales through a broker), or (vi) any combination of any of the foregoing. In no event may any Option granted hereunder be exercised for a fraction of a Share. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Award Agreement may provide that if on the last day of the term of an Option the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the option price per Share, the Participant has not exercised the Option and the Option has not expired, the Option shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day with payment made by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. In such event, the Company shall deliver to the Participant the number of Shares for which the Option was deemed exercised, less the number of Shares required to be withheld for the payment of the total purchase price and required withholding taxes; provided, however, any fractional Share shall be settled in cash.
(d) No Option granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any
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Shares until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the event of the Employees death or disability, (ii) upon a corporate transaction in which such Option is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Employees retirement (as such term may be defined in the Employees Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Companys then current employment policies and guidelines), any such vested Options may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
5.6. Form of Settlement. In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide in the form of Award Agreement that the Shares to be issued upon an Options exercise shall be in the form of Restricted Stock or other similar securities.
5.7. Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may grant Options intended to qualify as incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code, to any employee of the Company or any Affiliate, subject to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary and solely for the purposes of determining whether Shares are available for the grant of incentive stock options under the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options granted under the Plan shall be 30 million Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2.
5.8. Extension of Termination Date. Unless otherwise provided in a Participants Award Agreement and in the sole determination of the Committee, if the sale of any Common Stock received on exercise of an Option following the termination of the Participants employment by or services to the Company (other than for Cause) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Shares would violate (i) the registration requirements under the Securities Act, (ii) the Companys insider trading policy, or (iii) a lock-up agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of a total period of 90 days (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the Participants employment by or services to the Company during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of any of such registration requirement, insider trading policy or lock-up agreement, and (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
6. | STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
6.1. Grant and Exercise. The Committee may provide Stock Appreciation Rights (a) in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, (b) in conjunction with all or part of any Award (other than an Option) granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Award, or (c) without regard to any Option or other Award, in each case upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.
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6.2. Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, including the following:
(a) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall have the right to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or such amount less than such Fair Market Value as the Committee shall so determine at any time during a specified period before the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right.
(b) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether payment shall be made in cash, in whole Shares or other property, or any combination thereof.
(c) The terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(d) The Committee may impose such other conditions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right, as it shall deem appropriate. A Stock Appreciation Right shall have (i) a grant price per Share of not less than the Fair Market Value of one Share (x) on the date of grant or (y) if applicable, on the date of grant of an Option with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in exchange for or in tandem with, but subsequent to, the Option (subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right granted in exchange for or in conjunction with, but subsequent to, an Option), except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided in Section 12.2, and (ii) a term not greater than seven (7) years. In addition to the foregoing, but subject to Section 12.2, the Committee shall not without the approval of the Companys stockholders (x) lower the grant price per Share of any Stock Appreciation Right after it is granted, (y) cancel any Stock Appreciation Right when the grant price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for cash or another Award (other than in connection with a Change in Control as defined in Section 11.3 or Substitute Awards), and (z) take any other action with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded).
(e) In no event may any Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder be exercised for a fraction of a Share. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.
(f) An Award Agreement may provide that if on the last day of the term of a Stock Appreciation Right the Fair Market Value of one Share exceeds the grant price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant has not exercised the Stock Appreciation Right or the tandem Option (if applicable), and neither the Stock Appreciation Right nor the Option has expired, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such day. In such event, the Company shall make payment to the Participant in accordance with this Section, reduced by the number of Shares (or cash) required for withholding taxes; any fractional Share shall be settled in cash.
(g) No Stock Appreciation Right granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, shall be first exercisable for any Shares until at least six months following the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) in the event of the Employees death or disability, (ii) upon a
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corporate transaction in which such Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Employees retirement (as such term may be defined in the Employees Award Agreement or in another applicable agreement or in accordance with the Companys then current employment policies and guidelines), any such vested Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
(h) Extension of Termination Date. Unless otherwise provided in a Participants Award Agreement and in the sole determination of the Committee, if the sale of any Common Stock received on exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right following the termination of the Participants employment by or services to the Company (other than for Cause) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Shares would violate (i) the registration requirements under the Securities Act, (ii) the Companys insider trading policy, or (iii) a lock-up agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, then the Stock Appreciation Right will terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of a total period of 90 days (that need not be consecutive) after the termination of the Participants employment by or services to the Company during which the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right would not be in violation of any of such registration requirement, insider trading policy or lock-up agreement, and (b) the expiration of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
7. | RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
7.1. Grants. Awards of Restricted Stock may be issued hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (a Restricted Stock Award), and such Restricted Stock Awards may also be available as a form of payment of Performance Awards and other earned cash-based incentive compensation. A Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to vesting restrictions imposed by the Committee covering a period of time specified by the Committee. The Committee has absolute discretion to determine whether any consideration (other than services) is to be received by the Company or any Affiliate as a condition precedent to the issuance of Restricted Stock.
7.2. Award Agreements. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The terms of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
7.3. Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, beginning on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award and subject to execution of the Award Agreement, the Participant shall become a stockholder of the Company with respect to all Shares subject to the Award Agreement and shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote such Shares and the right to receive distributions made with respect to such Shares; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement any Shares or any other property distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise
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with respect to any Restricted Stock Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall be (i) accumulated, (ii) subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and (iii) paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
8. | RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS |
8.1. Grants. Other Awards of units having a value equal to an identical number of Shares (Restricted Stock Unit Awards) may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment of other Awards granted under the Plan and other earned cash-based incentive compensation.
8.2. Award Agreements. The terms of Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in a written Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be subject to vesting restrictions imposed by the Committee covering a period of time specified by the Committee. The terms of such Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (i) not be paid at all, or (ii) be accumulated, be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and be paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
8.3. Payment. Except as provided in Article 10 or as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
9. | PERFORMANCE AWARDS |
9.1. Grants. Performance Awards in the form of Performance Cash, Performance Shares or Performance Units, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, may be granted hereunder to Participants, for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The performance goals to be achieved for each Performance Period shall be conclusively determined by the Committee and may be based upon the criteria set forth in Section 10.2.
9.2. Award Agreements. The terms of any Performance Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan, including whether such Awards shall have Dividend Equivalents. The terms of Performance Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Award of Performance Shares that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall
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either (i) not be paid at all, or (ii) be accumulated, be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Performance Shares with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and be paid at the time, and to the extent, such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
9.3. Terms and Conditions. The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award; provided, however, that a Performance Period shall not be less than 12 months. The amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee.
9.4. Payment. Except as provided in Article 11 or as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
10. | CODE SECTION 162(m) PROVISIONS |
10.1. Covered Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Committee determines at the time a Restricted Stock Award, a Performance Award or an Restricted Stock Unit Award is granted to a Participant who is, or is likely to be, as of the end of the tax year in which the Company would claim a tax deduction in connection with such Award, a Covered Employee, then the Committee may provide that this Article 10 is applicable to such Award.
10.2. Performance Criteria. If the Committee determines that a Restricted Stock Award, a Performance Award or an Restricted Stock Unit Award is intended to be subject to this Article 10, the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance goals established by the Committee, which shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following: net sales; revenue; revenue or product revenue growth; operating income or loss (before or after taxes); pre- or after-tax income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); net earnings or loss; earnings or loss per share; net income or loss (before or after taxes); return on equity; total stockholder return; return on assets or net assets; attainment of strategic and operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Shares or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; market share; gross profits; earnings or losses (including earnings or losses before taxes, earnings or losses before interest and taxes, earnings or losses before interest, taxes and depreciation or earnings or losses before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); economic value-added models (or equivalent metrics); comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs; cash flow or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels; operating margin; gross margin; year-end cash; cash margin; debt reduction; stockholders equity; market share; achievement of drug development milestones; regulatory achievements including approval of a drug candidate; progress of internal
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research or clinical programs; progress of partnered programs; implementation or completion of projects and processes; partner satisfaction; budget management; clinical achievements; completing phases of a clinical study (including the treatment phase) or announcing or presenting preliminary or final data from clinical studies, in each case, whether on particular timelines or generally; timely completion of clinical trials; submission of INDs and NDAs and other regulatory achievements; partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; research progress, including the development of programs; financing; investor relations, analysts and communication; manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with commercial entities with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Companys products (including with group purchasing organizations, distributors and other vendors); supply chain achievements (including establishing relationships with manufacturers or suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other component materials and manufacturers of the Companys products); co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Companys equity or debt securities); sales or licenses of the Companys assets, including its intellectual property (whether in a particular jurisdiction or territory or globally or through partnering transactions); implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, commercialization, products or projects, production volume levels, acquisitions and divestitures; factoring transactions; and recruiting and maintaining personnel. Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to the Companys performance or the performance of an Affiliate, division, business segment or business unit of the Company, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies. The Committee may also exclude charges related to an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (a) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, (b) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Companys management, or (c) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Such performance goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations thereunder.
10.3. Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than Article 11), with respect to any Restricted Stock, Performance Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award that is subject to this Section 10, the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the amount payable pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance goals, except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant or as otherwise determined by the Committee in special circumstances.
10.4. Restrictions. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Article as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
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10.5. Limitations on Grants to Individual Participants. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, no Participant may be granted (i) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any 12-month period with respect to more than 3,000,000 Shares or (ii) more than 1,000,000 Shares for each 12 months in the vesting period or Performance Period with respect to Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Awards and/or Restricted Stock Unit Awards that are denominated in Shares and are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) (collectively, the Limitations). In addition to the foregoing, the maximum dollar value that may be granted to any Participant for each 12 months in a Performance Period with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) and are denominated in cash is $5,000,000. If an Award is cancelled, the cancelled Award shall continue to be counted toward the applicable Limitations (or, in the case of a performance award denominated in cash, to be counted toward the dollar amount in the preceding sentence).
11. | CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS |
11.1. Impact on Certain Awards. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that in the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in Section 11.3) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control shall be cancelled and terminated without payment therefor if the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the date of the Change in Control is less than the Option per Share option price or Stock Appreciation Right per Share grant price.
11.2. Assumption or Substitution of Certain Awards.
(a) To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and continues the Award), if a Participants employment with such successor company (or the Company) or a subsidiary thereof terminates within the time period following such Change in Control set forth in the Award Agreement (or prior thereto if applicable) and under the circumstances specified in the Award Agreement: (i) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment will immediately vest, become fully exercisable, and may thereafter be exercised for the period of time set forth in the Award Agreement, (ii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock shall lapse and the Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, and (iii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to any Restricted Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant. For the purposes of this Section, an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration
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chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company substantially equal in fair market value to the per Share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, to the extent that the successor company does not assume or substitute for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Award (or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and does not continue the Award), then immediately prior to the Change in Control: (i) those Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable, (ii) restrictions, limitations and conditions on Restricted Stock not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse and the Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested, (iii) the restrictions limitations and conditions applicable to any Restricted Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant, (iv) all Performance Awards not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall be considered to be earned and payable in full, and any deferral or other restriction shall lapse and such Performance Awards shall be immediately settled or distributed, and (v) all Awards not assumed or substituted for (or continued) shall terminate immediately after the Change in Control.
(c) The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per Share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.
11.3. Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Change in Control means the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(i) During any twenty-four (24) month period, individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Directors) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on
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the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;
(ii) Any person (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the Company Voting Securities); provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (ii) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control by virtue of any of the following acquisitions: (A) by the Company or any Affiliate, (B) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, (C) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (D) pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction, as defined in paragraph (iii), or (E) by any person of Voting Securities from the Company, if a majority of the Incumbent Board approves in advance the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of Company Voting Securities by such person;
(iii) The consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates that requires the approval of the Companys stockholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a Business Combination), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (A) more than 60% of the total voting power of (x) the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (the Surviving Corporation), or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the Parent Corporation), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination, (B) no person (other than any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Boards approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination (any Business Combination which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed to be a Non-Qualifying Transaction); or
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(iv) The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur.
12. | GENERALLY APPLICABLE PROVISIONS |
12.1. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement for stockholder approval imposed by applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded); provided that the Board may not amend the Plan in any manner that would result in noncompliance with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act; and further provided that the Board may not, without the approval of the Companys stockholders to the extent required by such applicable law, amend the Plan to (a) increase the number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards under the Plan (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 12.2); (b) expand the types of awards available under the Plan; (c) materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan; (d) amend any provision of Section 5.3 or the last sentence of Section 6.2(d); or (e) increase the maximum permissible term of the Plan or of any Option specified by Section 5.4 or the maximum permissible term of a Stock Appreciation Right specified by Section 6.2(d). The Board may not without the approval of the Companys stockholders cancel an Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or take any action with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that may be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are traded), including a reduction of the exercise price of an Option or the grant price of a Stock Appreciation Right or the exchange of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right for cash or another Award when the option price or grant price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of one Share. In addition, no amendments to, or termination of, the Plan shall in any way impair the rights of a Participant under any Award previously granted without such Participants consent.
12.2. Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares or the value thereof, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the Plan and to Awards as the Committee deems equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the accounting and tax consequences, including such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered under the Plan, the Limitations, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options and, in the aggregate or to any one Participant, in the number, class, kind and
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option or exercise price of securities subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan (including, if the Committee deems appropriate, the substitution of similar options to purchase the shares of, or other awards denominated in the shares of, another company) as the Committee may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.
12.3. Transferability of Awards. Except as provided below, no Award and no Shares subject to Awards described in Article 8 that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative. To the extent and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, a Participant may assign or transfer an Award (each transferee thereof, a Permitted Assignee) to a family member as such term is defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (whether by gift or a domestic relations order for no consideration); provided that such Permitted Assignee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations; and provided further that such Participant shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Company shall cooperate with any Permitted Assignee and the Companys transfer agent in effectuating any transfer permitted under this Section.
12.4. Termination of Employment. The Committee shall determine and set forth in each Award Agreement whether any Awards granted in such Award Agreement will continue to be exercisable, continue to vest or be earned and the terms of such exercise, vesting or earning, on and after the date that a Participant ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate (including as a Director), whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. The date of termination of a Participants employment or services will be determined by the Committee, which determination will be final.
12.5. Deferral; Dividend Equivalents. The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award (including any deferred Award) other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, stock or other property dividends, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on Shares (Dividend Equivalents) with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. The Committee may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested and may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents are subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalents credited in connection with an Award that vests based on the achievement of performance goals shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Award with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents have been credited.
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13. | MISCELLANEOUS |
13.1. Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to make all payments or distributions pursuant to the Plan to a Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof) (any such person, a Payee) net of any applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be paid or withheld as a result of (a) the grant of any Award, (b) the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (c) the delivery of Shares or cash, (d) the lapse of any restrictions in connection with any Award or (e) any other event occurring pursuant to the Plan. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the right to withhold from wages or other amounts otherwise payable to such Payee such withholding taxes as may be required by law, or to otherwise require the Payee to pay such withholding taxes. If the Payee shall fail to make such tax payments as are required, the Company or its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Payee or to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations. The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value), or by directing the Company to retain Shares (up to the Participants minimum required tax withholding rate or such other rate that will not cause an adverse accounting consequence or cost) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award.
13.2. Right of Discharge Reserved; Claims to Awards. Nothing in the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Employee, Director or Consultant the right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Affiliate or affect any right that the Company or any Affiliate may have to terminate the employment or service of (or to demote or to exclude from future Awards under the Plan) any such Employee, Director or Consultant at any time for any reason. Except as specifically provided by the Committee, the Company shall not be liable for the loss of existing or potential profit from an Award granted in the event of termination of an employment or other relationship. No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan. In addition, in the event a Participants regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Compensation Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced.
13.3. Prospective Recipient. The prospective recipient of any Award under the Plan shall not, with respect to such Award, be deemed to have become a Participant, or to have any rights with respect to such Award, until and unless such recipient shall have executed an agreement or other instrument evidencing the Award and delivered a copy thereof to the Company, and otherwise complied with the then applicable terms and conditions.
13.4. Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the terms of Substitute Awards may vary from the terms set forth in the Plan to the extent the Committee deems appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the awards in substitution for which they are granted.
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13.5. Cancellation of Award.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Award Agreement may provide that the Award shall be canceled if the Participant, without the consent of the Company, while employed by, or providing services to, the Company or any Affiliate or after termination of such employment or services, establishes a relationship with a competitor of the Company or any Affiliate or engages in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the interest of the Company or any Affiliate (including conduct contributing to any financial restatements or financial irregularities), as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that if within the time period specified in the Agreement the Participant establishes a relationship with a competitor or engages in an activity referred to in the preceding sentence, the Participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of the Award and must repay such gain to the Company. In addition, all Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company adopts, including any clawback policy the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Companys securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate.
(b) In the event the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company on account of a termination for Cause by the Company, any Award held by the Participant shall terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if the Committee determines that the Participant has engaged in conduct that constitutes Cause at any time while the Participant is employed by, or providing services to, the Company or after the Participants termination of employment or services, any Awards held by the Participant shall immediately terminate. In the event a Participants employment or services is terminated for Cause, in addition to the immediate termination of all Awards, the Participant shall automatically forfeit all shares underlying any exercised portion of an Option for which the Company has not yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of the option price paid by the Participant for such shares.
13.6. Stop Transfer Orders. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
13.7. Nature of Payments. All Awards made pursuant to the Plan are in consideration of services performed or to be performed for the Company or any Affiliate, division or business unit of the Company. Any income or gain realized pursuant to Awards under the Plan constitutes a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account, to the extent permissible under applicable law, as compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Affiliate except as may be determined by the Committee or by the Board or board of directors of the applicable Affiliate.
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13.8. Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
13.9. Severability. The provisions of the Plan shall be deemed severable. If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of a change in a law or regulation, such provision shall (a) be deemed limited to the extent that such court of competent jurisdiction deems it lawful, valid and/or enforceable and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect, and (b) not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect. If the making of any payment or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent any other payment or benefit from being made or provided under the Plan, and if the making of any payment in full or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan in full would be unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, then such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent such payment or benefit from being made or provided in part, to the extent that it would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, and the maximum payment or benefit that would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable shall be made or provided under the Plan.
13.10. Construction. As used in the Plan, the words include and including, and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
13.11. Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver the Shares or payments in lieu of or with respect to Awards hereunder; provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.
13.12. Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken thereunder, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws, and construed accordingly.
13.13. Effective Date of Plan; Termination of Plan. The Plan shall be effective on the date of the approval of the Plan by the holders of the shares entitled to vote at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Plan shall be null and void and of no effect if the foregoing condition is not fulfilled and in such event each Award shall, notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the Plan, be null and void and of no effect. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the tenth anniversary of
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the effective date of the Plan, on which date the Plan will expire except as to Awards then outstanding under the Plan. Such outstanding Awards shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.
13.14. Foreign Employees and Consultants. Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Employees employed or providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Companys obligation with respect to tax equalization for Employees or Consultants on assignments outside their home country.
13.15. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Plan is intended to comply and shall be administered in a manner that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award shall be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, except as otherwise determined by the Committee. Any provision of this Plan that would cause the grant of an Award or the payment, settlement or deferral thereof to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code.
13.16. Captions. The captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein.
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q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
A | Proposals | The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 through 4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. | Election of Directors: | For | Withhold | For | Withhold | For | Withhold | + | ||||||||||||||||||
01 - Jack Lief |
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02 - Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D. |
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03 - Donald D. Belcher |
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04 - Scott H. Bice |
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05 - Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Ph.D. |
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06 - Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. |
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07 - Phillip M. Schneider |
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08 - Christine A. White, M.D. |
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09 - Randall E. Woods |
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For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||||||||||
2. | To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | 3. To approve the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
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4. |
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. |
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B | Non-Voting Items | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change of Address Please print new address below. |
Meeting Attendance |
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Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. |
C | Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Below | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title. |
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. | Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. | Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. | ||||||||
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q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
Proxy Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121
The undersigned stockholder of ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated April 29, 2013, and the Annual Report to Stockholders, and hereby appoints Jack Lief and Steven W. Spector, the President and the Secretary, respectively, of the Company, or each of them, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with all powers of substitution, to represent and vote, as set forth on the reverse side, the shares of Common Stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on April 12, 2013, at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, which is being held at the offices of the Company at 6154 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121, on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and at any adjournments or postponements of such meeting, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present at such meeting or at any such postponement or adjournment, and, in their discretion, to vote such shares upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 THROUGH 4 AND BY THE PROXYHOLDERS AT THEIR DISCRETION UPON ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.
(Items to be voted appear on reverse side.)