SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement. [ ] Confidential, for use of the
Commission only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).
[X] Definitive proxy statement.
[ ] Definitive additional materials.
[ ] Soliciting material under Rule 14a-12.
Celsion Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate
value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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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.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
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(3) Filing party:
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(4) Date filed:
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CELSION CORPORATION
10220-I OLD COLUMBIA ROAD
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-1705
---------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2003
---------------------------
To Our Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting (together with any
adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof, the "Meeting") of the
stockholders of Celsion Corporation (the "Company") will be held at ten o'clock
AM local time on Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at the Company's offices, located
at 10220-I Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046-1705 for the following
purposes:
(1) To elect one Class II Director, to serve for a term of three
years;
(2) To ratify the selection of Stegman & Company as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2003; and
(3) To consider any other matters that may properly come before the
Meeting.
The close of business on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 has been fixed as
the record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close
of business on January 8, 2003 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
Meeting. In the event there are not sufficient votes to constitute a quorum or
to approve or ratify any of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Meeting,
the Meeting may be adjourned or postponed in order to permit further
solicitation of proxies by the Company.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person.
However, whether or not you expect to attend, please complete, sign, date and
return the enclosed Proxy as promptly as possible in the envelope provided for
that purpose. Returning your Proxy will ensure your representation and help to
ensure the presence of a quorum at the Meeting. You may attend the Meeting and
vote your shares in person even if you send in your Proxy, since your proxy is
revocable as set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John Mon
----------------------------------
John Mon
Secretary
January 10, 2003
Columbia, Maryland
WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED AND POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE.
CELSION CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
--------------
SOLICITATION OF PROXY, REVOCABILITY AND VOTING
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is being furnished in connection with the
solicitation, by the Board of Directors of Celsion Corporation (the "Company" or
"Celsion"), of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(together with any adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof, the
"Meeting") to be held at ten o'clock AM local time on Tuesday, February 18,
2003, at the Company's offices at 10220-I Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland
21046-1705 for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of the Meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on Wednesday,
January 8, 2003, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting. As of such date, there were 97,622,556 shares of common stock of the
Company issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one
vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders at the Meeting. If you were a
stockholder as of the record date, you are entitled to vote at the Meeting, and
your presence in person at the Meeting is desired and encouraged. IF YOU CANNOT
BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REQUESTS THAT YOU COMPLETE,
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF
A QUORUM AT THE MEETING. A pre-addressed and postage-paid return envelope is
enclosed for your convenience.
The Company's offices are located at 10220-I Old Columbia Road,
Columbia, Maryland 21046-1705, and its telephone number is (410) 290-5390 or
(800) 262-0394 (toll free). This Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy and the
Company's Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K are
first being sent to the stockholders on or about January 17, 2003.
Election of the Director will be by plurality vote. The presence in
person or by proxy of a majority of all outstanding shares of common stock will
constitute a quorum. In the event that the number of shares represented at the
Meeting in person or by proxy is less than a quorum, the persons named in the
accompanying Proxy will vote FOR an adjournment of the Meeting.
Stockholder votes will be tabulated by Automated Data Processing, Inc.
Shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy but not voted will
nevertheless be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (shares which a broker or nominee has indicated
it does not have discretionary authority to vote) on a particular matter will be
treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum, but will be disregarded for purposes of
determining the decision of the stockholders with respect to such matter.
PROXIES
If the enclosed Proxy is properly dated, signed and returned, choices
are specified therein and the Proxy is not revoked, the shares represented
thereby will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions
indicated on the Proxy. If no choice is specified as to a matter, the Proxy will
be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Any stockholder giving a proxy prior to the Meeting may revoke it
either by attending the Meeting and voting his or her shares in person or by
delivering to the Company, not later than the commencement of the Meeting, a
letter or other suitable instrument of revocation or a later dated proxy, duly
executed by the stockholder.
SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the entire cost of preparing, assembling,
printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy and the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any additional material which
may be furnished to stockholders. Copies of the solicitation materials will be
furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians to forward to
beneficial owners of stock held in the names of such nominees. The solicitation
of proxies will be by mail and direct communication with certain stockholders or
their representatives by officers, Directors and employees of the Company, who
will receive no additional compensation therefor.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
PRE-ADDRESSED AND POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
2
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company
regarding the beneficial ownership of its common stock as of January 8, 2003 by:
- each person or group known by the Company to own beneficially more than
5% of its outstanding common stock;
- each of its Directors and each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table appearing under the heading "Executive
Compensation"; and
- its Directors and executive officers, as a group.
Celsion has determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise indicated, the
persons included in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect
to all shares shown to be beneficially owned thereby. Shares of common stock
subject to options that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable
within 60 days of January 8, 2003 are treated as outstanding and beneficially
owned by the holder of such options. However, these shares are not treated as
outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other
person.
NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES PERCENT OF
BENEFICIALLY COMMON SHARES
NAME AND ADDRESS* OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(1) OUTSTANDING(2)
------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- -----------------
Augustine Y. Cheung(3) 6,353,843 6.45
John Mon(4) 1,219,955 1.24
Max E. Link(5) 707,186 **
Gary W. Pace 0 **
Claude Tihon(6) 270,997 **
Kris Venkat(7) 360,959 **
Anthony P. Deasey(8) 1,023,334 1.04
Daniel S. Reale(9) 341,667 **
Directors and Executive Officers,
as a group (8 individuals) 10,277,941 10.45
-----------
* The address of each of the persons named is c/o Celsion Corporation,
10220-I Old Columbia Road, Columbia, MD 21046-1705.
** Less than 1%.
(1) Except as noted above, this share ownership information does not give
effect to outstanding options and warrants, shares reserved for issuance
under the Company's stock option plans, or shares of preferred stock
which are convertible into shares of common stock. Outstanding options,
warrants and shares of preferred stock do not carry voting rights.
(2) Based on 97,622,556 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 8,
2003.
(3) Excludes 1,000,000 shares of common stock owned through the Augustine Y.
Cheung and Fee-Wah Cheung 2001 Family Trust, as to which Mr. and Mrs.
Cheung have no voting or dispositive power and, therefore, do not have
beneficial ownership. Includes 816,667 shares of common stock underlying
currently exercisable options.
(4) Includes 871,667 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(5) Includes 250,000 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
3
(6) Includes 161,000 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(7) Includes 300,000 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(8) Includes 871,667 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(9) Includes 341,667 shares of common stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
requires the Company's officers and Directors and persons who own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Officers, Directors, and greater than 10% stockholders
are required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on a
review of the copies of such reports and certain representations which may have
been furnished to the Company during or with respect to the Company's fiscal
year ended September 30, 2002, the Company believes that, during such fiscal
year, all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were met by the Company's
officers and Directors. The Company has no stockholders who hold 10% or more of
its common stock, the only class of its registered equity securities.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that the
number of Directors that constitutes the whole Board of Directors is to be fixed
by, or in the manner provided in, the Company's Bylaws. The Certificate of
Incorporation also provides that the Board of Directors is to be divided into
three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The Bylaws of the
Company provide that the Board of Directors is to consist of between three and
nine Directors, with the exact number to be fixed by action of the Board. The
Board has fixed the current number of directors at six.
Dr. Gary W. Pace was appointed by the Board of Directors to fill the
remainder of the term of Dr. LaSalle Leffall, the Class II Director who resigned
in September 2002. Dr. Pace's term expires in 2003 and he has been nominated to
stand for election to a full three-year term at the Meeting. The terms of the
Class I Directors (Mr. John Mon and Dr. Claude Tihon) and the Class III
Directors (Drs. Augustine Y. Cheung, Max E. Link and Kris Venkat) will expire
with the election and qualification of Directors at the annual meetings of
stockholders in 2005 and 2004, respectively. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, the Directors elected to succeed those whose terms are expiring
succeed to the same class as the Directors they replace and such new Directors
are elected for a term to expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders
after their election and when their successors are duly elected and qualified. A
Director of any class who is elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an
increase in the number of Directors would hold office for the remaining term of
the class to which he or she is elected and a Director who is elected to fill a
vacancy arising in any other manner would hold office for the remaining term of
his or her predecessor.
The Board of Directors has nominated Dr. Gary W. Pace to stand for
election to the Board of Directors as the Class II Director, with a term
expiring at the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. The proxies named in the
Proxy provided with this Proxy Statement intend to vote for the election of Dr.
Pace unless otherwise instructed. If a stockholder does not wish his or her
shares to be voted for Dr. Pace, the stockholder must identify the exception in
the appropriate space provided on the Proxy, in which event the shares will not
be voted for him. In the event that Dr. Pace becomes unavailable, which is not
expected, the designated proxies will vote in their discretion for a substitute
nominee, or the Board may reduce the number of Directors.
RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE NOMINEE LISTED ABOVE.
4
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is certain information regarding the Company's current
Directors and the nominee, as well as the Company's non-Director executive
officers.
NAME AGE POSITION(s)
------------------------------- -------- ------------------------------------------
Max E. Link................. 62 Chairman
Augustine Y. Cheung........ 55 President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Scientific Officer and Director
John Mon................... 50 Vice President-New Business Development,
Secretary, General Manager and Director
Claude Tihon............... 58 Director
Kris Venkat................ 56 Director
Gary W. Pace............... 55 Director
Anthony P. Deasey.......... 53 Executive Vice President-Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Daniel S. Reale............ 48 Executive Vice President and President - BPH
Division
Each executive officer is elected by, and serves at the pleasure of,
the Board of Directors.
Following is the biographical summary for the nominee proposed for
election as the Class II Director of the Company at the Meeting and for each of
the continuing Class I and Class III Directors and each non-Director executive
officer.
CLASS II DIRECTOR NOMINEE (TERM EXPIRES IN 2006)
DR. GARY W. PACE. Dr. Pace is currently Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of QrxPharma Pty Ltd., a development stage biopharmaceutical company and
a Visiting Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He also
serves as a director of ResMed (NYSE:RMD), Transition Therapeutics Inc.
(CDNX:TTH), Protiveris Inc., and CTour A/S. From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Pace was
President and Chief Executive Officer of RTP Pharma, and, from 2000 to 2002, Dr.
Pace was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waratah Pharmaceuticals Inc., a
spin-off company from RTP Pharma. From 1993 to 1994, he was the founding
President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcend Therapeutics Inc. (formerly
Free Radical Sciences Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company. From 1989 to 1993, he
was Senior Vice President of Clintec International, Inc., a Baxter/Nestle joint
venture and manufacturer of clinical nutritional products. Dr. Pace holds a
B.Sc. with honors from the University of New South Wales and a Ph.D. from MIT.
CLASS I DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRE IN 2005)
JOHN MON. Mr. Mon has been employed by the Company since 1986, and has
served as the Company's Vice President--New Business Development since 2000,
Treasurer and General Manager of the Company since 1989, and Secretary and a
Director since 1997. During the first two years of his employment with the
Company, Mr. Mon was responsible for the Company's filings with the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), which resulted in obtaining pre-marketing
approval for the Company's Microfocus 1000 treatment system. From 1983 to 1986,
he was an economist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, in charge of
forecasting business sales, inventory and prices for all business sectors in the
estimation of Gross National Product (GNP). Mr. Mon holds a B.S. degree from the
University of Maryland. Mr. Mon is the brother-in-law of Dr. Augustine Y.
Cheung, a Director and executive officer of the Company.
DR. CLAUDE TIHON. Dr. Tihon has served as a Director of the Company
since 1999. Since 1995, he has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
ContiCare Medical, Inc., a medical device company engaged in developing
urological products to manage women's stress incontinence and men's prostate
obstruction. From 1987 to 1995, Dr. Tihon served in numerous positions with
Pfizer Inc., culminating in his appointment as Vice President of Research and
Technology Assessment and Manager of the Endourology Strategic Business Unit of
5
American Medical Systems, Inc., a Pfizer Inc. subsidiary. From 1983 to 1987, Dr.
Tihon served as Director of Cellular Diagnostics Development of Miles
Scientific, a division of Miles Laboratories. From 1979 to 1983, Dr. Tihon
served as Senior Research Scientist and Assistant Director of Clinical Cancer
Research of Bristol Laboratories, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Dr. Tihon holds a Ph.D. in Pathology from Columbia University.
CLASS III DIRECTORS (TERMS EXPIRE IN 2004)
DR. AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG. Dr. Cheung has been President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since October 2001 and has served as a Director
and Chief Scientific Officer since 1982. Dr. Cheung was the founder of the
Company and previously served as President from 1982 to 1986 and Chief Executive
Officer from 1982 to 1996. From 1982 to 1985, Dr. Cheung also was a Research
Associate Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science at George Washington University and, from 1975 to 1981, he was a
Research Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at the Institute for
Physical Science and Technology and the Department of Radiation Therapy at the
University of Maryland. Dr. Cheung holds a Ph.D. and a Masters degree from the
University of Maryland. Dr. Cheung is the brother-in-law of John Mon, a Director
and executive officer of the Company.
DR. MAX E. LINK. Dr. Link has served as a Director of the Company since
1997 and has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2001. Dr.
Link currently provides consulting and advisory services to a number of
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. From 1993 to 1994, Dr. Link served
as Chief Executive Officer of Corange, Ltd., a life science company that was
subsequently acquired by Hoffman-LaRoche. From 1971 to 1993, Dr. Link served in
numerous positions with Sandoz Pharma AG, culminating in his appointment as
Chairman of their Board of Directors in 1992. Besides his position as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Centerpulse Ltd., Dr. Link serves on the Boards
of Directors of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSI), Alexion
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALXN), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTIC),
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: AKC), Protein Design Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq:
PDLI), Discovery Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:DSCO), Columbia Laboratories, Inc.
(AMEX: COB) and Cytrx Corporation (Nasdaq:CYTR). Dr. Link holds a Ph.D. in
Economics from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).
DR. KRIS VENKAT. Dr. Venkat has been a Director of Celsion since May
2001. Since 2000, he has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
of Sundari Enterprises, Inc. He has also been Chairman of the Board of Provid
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (since 2001), Morphochem, Inc. (since 2000), and Automated
Cell, Inc. (since 2000), as well as two companies based in Germany, Accentua AG
(since 2001) and Juelich Enzyme Products, GmbH (since 1996). Dr. Venkat is a
Director of Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq:SQNM), Genomics USA, Inc., and Strand Genomics
Private Limited, and Vice Chairman of Transvivo, Inc. Dr. Venkat is also a
Senior Investment Adviser to TVM Techno Venture Management, Germany. From 1992
to 2000, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Phyton, Inc. and, from 1993 to 2000, as Chairman of the Board and Managing
Director of its wholly owned German subsidiary, Phyton, GmbH. From 1990 to 1991,
Dr. Venkat was President and Chief Executive Officer of Genmap, Inc. Dr. Venkat
is a Visiting Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Rutgers
University. He has held visiting faculty positions at Yale University, Dartmouth
College, Anna University in India and University College, Galway in Ireland.
From 1986 to 1998, Dr. Venkat served as an advisor to the government of India on
biotechnology development. Dr. Venkat holds a Ph.D. and a Masters degree in
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University.
NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
ANTHONY P. DEASEY. Mr. Deasey is currently Executive Vice President -
Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Deasey joined the
Company as Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer on
November 27, 2000 and became Executive Vice President - Finance in February
2002. Prior to joining Celsion, he was Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief
Financial officer of World Kitchen (formerly Corning Consumer Products). He also
has served as Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer of Rollerblade
Inc. and Church & Dwight Co. (NYSE: CHD). Mr. Deasey is a Chartered Accountant
who gained his early experience in the international operations of Chesebrough
Ponds and Price Waterhouse.
DANIEL S. REALE. Mr. Reale has served as the Company's Executive Vice
President and President - BPH Division since April 2001. he formerly was
Executive Vice President of Intracel's International Operations and also worked
for Coral Therapeutics, Chartwell Home Therapies and Protocare. Mr. Reale has
experience as a medical industry executive and has spent his career working with
entrepreneurial and start-up ventures. Mr. Reale previously helped to establish
three bio-medical start-up companies (Coral Therapeutics, Chartwell Home
Therapies and Protocare).
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
For the year ended September 30, 2002, each of the members of the Board
of Directors who was not also an officer of the Company received compensation in
the form of shares of the Company's common stock with a value equal to $20,000
for his service as a Director. Dr. Max Link received additional compensation in
the form of shares of the Company's common stock with a value equal to $25,000
for his service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The shares were
valued at $0.40 per share.
During fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, the Company granted to
each of Dr. Max Link, Dr. Kris Venkat and Dr. Claude Tihon options to purchase
50,000 shares of its common stock at $0.69 per share, which vested at intervals
until January 14, 2003. In addition, Dr. Kris Venkat received an option to
purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at $0.92 per share, which vested on May
18, 2002 and Dr. Max Link received an option to purchase 200,000 shares of
common stock at $0.55 per share, which vested at intervals until October 4,
2002.
6
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors presently maintains an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee's
principal responsibilities are to select annually a firm of independent auditors
to review the annual audit of the Company's financial statements, to assess the
independence of the Company's independent auditors and to meet with the
independent auditors from time to time in order to review the Company's general
policies and procedures with respect to audits, accounting and financial
controls. The principal responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to
establish compensation policies for the executive officers of the Company and to
administer the Company's incentive plans. The Nominating Committee, which was
formed subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2002, is responsible for identifying
and recruiting new members of the Board of Directors when vacancies arise.
The Nominating Committee also considers stockholders' suggestions for
nominees for director (other than self-nominations). Suggestions should be
submitted to the Secretary of the Company, Celsion Corporation, 10220-I Old
Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046-1705. Suggestions received by the
Secretary before August 31, 2003 will be considered by the Nominating Committee
for nomination and election at the next succeeding meeting of stockholders.
Drs. Link, Pace, and Tihon serve on the Audit Committee. Drs. Link,
Tihon and Venkat comprise the Compensation Committee. Drs. Link, Tihon and
Venkat are the members of the Nominating Committee.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, there were a total of
four meetings of the Board of Directors. During the fiscal year ended September
30, 2002, the Audit Committee met five times and the Compensation Committee met
six times. The Nominating Committee was formed subsequent to the end of fiscal
year 2002, therefore there were no Nominating Committee meetings during fiscal
year ended September 30, 2002. All Directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board and of all committees of which they were members.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute
soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by
reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference
therein.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the
Board on June 1, 2000, a copy of which is included as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement. Additional copies of the Audit Committee charter are available upon
written request to the Company. All members of the Audit Committee meet the
independence standards established by the American Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility
to oversee management's implementation of the Company's financial reporting
process. In discharging its oversight role, the Audit Committee reviewed and
discussed the audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002 with the Company's
management and independent auditor. Management is responsible for the financial
statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls.
The independent auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on the
conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
The Audit Committee met privately with the independent auditor and
discussed issues deemed significant by the auditor, including those required by
Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61 and No. 90 (Communications with Audit
Committees), as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the
independent auditor its independence from the Company and its management,
including the matters in the written disclosures required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees),
and considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the auditor was
compatible with maintaining the auditor's independence.
7
In reliance on the reviews and discussions outlined above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2002, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members of the Audit Committee
Max E. Link
Claude Tihon
Gary W. Pace
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY
The following table sets forth the aggregate cash compensation paid,
during each year in the three-year period ended September 30, 2002, to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of its other executive officers
whose annual salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS
NAME AND PRINCIPAL FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED STOCK
POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) COMPENSATION ($) AWARDS ($) STOCK OPTIONS (#)
-------- ----- ----------- --------- ------------------ ---------- -----------------
Augustine Y. Cheung...........2002 $265,085 $11,328 $5,400 --- 1,350,000 (3)
President and 2001 $252,000 $20,000 $5,400 --- ---
Chief Executive 2000 $220,000 --- $3,600 --- 1,000,000 (4)
Officer
Anthony P. Deasey.............2002 $212,413 --- $5,400 --- 1,150,000 (5)
Executive Vice 2001 $171,784 --- --- --- 1,280,000 (6)
President - Finance and 2000 --- --- $4,500 --- ---
Administration and Chief
Financial Officer (1)
John Mon......................2002 $131,501 $30,122 --- --- 500,000 (7)
Vice President - New 2001 $114,885 $20,000 --- --- 150,000 (8)
Business
Development and 2000 $93,068 --- --- --- 300,000 (8)
Secretary
Daniel S. Reale...............2002 $256,935 $36,500 $5,400 --- 1,000,000 (9)
Executive Vice President 2001 $119,328 --- $2,700 --- 900,000 (10)
and President - BPH 2000 --- --- --- --- ---
Division(2)
(1) Mr. Deasey joined the Company in November 2000.
(2) Mr. Reale joined the Company in April 2001.
(3) Consists of new grants to purchase 500,000 shares and grants to purchase
850,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
1,000,000 shares.
(4) These options were cancelled and partially replaced with new options in May
2002.
(5) Consists of new grants to purchase 350,000 shares and grants to purchase
800,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
900,000 shares.
(6) 900,000 of these options were cancelled and partially replaced with new
options in May 2002.
(7) Consists of new grants to purchase 100,000 shares and grants to purchase
400,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
450,000 shares.
(8) These options were cancelled and partially replaced with new options in May
2002.
(9) Consists of new grants to purchase 200,000 shares and grants to purchase
800,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
900,000 shares.
(10) These options were cancelled and partially replaced with new options in May
2002.
8
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2002
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock options
granted to each of the Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2002. The Company
has not granted any stock appreciation rights.
Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Price Appreciation for Option
Term
Number of -------------------------------
Securities Percent of Total Exercise
Underlying Options/SARs Granted to Price Expiration
Name Options Granted Employees in Fiscal Year ($/Share) Date 5% ($) 10%($)
---- ------------------------ --------- ---- ------ ------
Augustine Y. Cheung 800,000 27% (1) $0.64 May 14, 2012 $321,994 $815,996
400,000 $0.76 May 14, 2012 $191,184 $484,498
150,000 $0.67 May 14, 2012 $63,204 $160,171
Anthony P. Deasey 665,000 23% (1) $0.64 May 14, 2012 $267,658 $678,297
335,000 $0.76 May 14, 2012 $160,117 $405,767
150,000 $0.67 May 14, 2012 $63,204 $160,171
John Mon 185,000 10% (1) $0.64 May 14, 2012 $74,461 $188,699
165,000 $0.76 May 14, 2012 $78,863 $199,855
150,000 $0.92 May 14, 2012 $86,787 $219,936
Daniel S. Reale 665,000 20% (1) $0.64 May 14, 2012 $267,658 $678,297
335,000 $0.76 May 14, 2012 $160,117 $405,767
(1) Includes the options issued to replace the options that were granted
pursuant to the employment agreements but cancelled in May 2002.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES IN FISCAL YEAR 2002
The following table summarizes, for each of the Named Executive
Officers, the number of stock options held at September 30, 2002 and the
aggregate dollar value of in-the-money unexercised options. The value of
unexercised, in-the-money options at September 30, 2002 is the difference
between (a) the exercise price and (b) the fair market value of the underlying
stock on September 30, 2002, which was $0.40 per share, based on the closing
price of the Company's common stock on that date. The options described have not
been and may never be exercised, and actual gains, if any, on exercise would
depend on the value of the common stock on the actual date of exercise.
Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Shares Value Options at In-the-Money Options at
Acquired on Realized September 30, 2002 September 30, 2002
------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name Exercise ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
----------------------- --------------- ----------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- --------------
Augustine Y. Cheung.... -- -- 816,667 933,333 $60,000 --
Anthony P. Deasey...... -- -- 751,667 778,333 -- --
John Mon............... -- -- 811,667 288,333 $90,000 --
Daniel S. Reale........ -- -- 221,667 778,333 -- --
9
TEN-YEAR OPTION/SAR REPRICINGS
On March 25, 2002, in order to provide meaningful continuing
stock-based incentives for members of management, and in recognition of the
decline in the market price of the Company's common stock, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors approved the cancellation of options to
purchase a total of 3,250,000 shares of common stock held by the Named Executive
Officers and the issuance of new options to purchase a total of 2,850,000
shares. The cancellation of options and issuance of new options to the Named
Executive Officers was part of a larger repricing plan. Overall, the Company
cancelled options to purchase a total of 3,625,000 shares of common stock held
by the Named Executive Officers and other members of management and issued new
options to purchase a total of 3,150,000 shares, resulting in a net decrease of
options to purchase a total of 475,000 shares. The cancelled options had been
issued to members of management pursuant to their respective employment
contracts at exercise prices in excess of the current market price of the
Company's Common Stock. These options consisted of options vested at the time of
cancellation, as well as options with vesting dates through April 2003, and with
expiration dates through April 2011. The new options consist of currently vested
compensatory options, bonus options, one-third of which are currently vested and
the remainder of which vest on March 31, 2003 and 2004, and performance-based
awards that vest, if at all, upon achievement, by the Company, of certain
specified milestones, all of which expire in May 2012. All of the new options
were issued pursuant to the Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan, at exercise prices
at or in excess of the market price for the Common Stock on the date of grant.
The Company accounted for the repriced options using variable accounting under
FASB Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock
Compensation--An Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25. Consequently, during each
reporting period the Company will record compensation expense relating to the
vested portion of the repriced options to the extent that the fair market value
of the Company's Common Stock exceeds the exercise price of such options.
The following table sets forth the option cancellations and awards for
the Company's executive officers:
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
Name Date Number of Market Exercise New Length of
Securities Price of Price at Exercise Original
Underlying Stock at Time of Price ($) Option Term
Options/SARs Time of Repricing Remaining at
Repriced or Repricing ($) Date of
Amended (#) or Repricing or
Amendment Amendment
($) (years)
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
Augustine Y. Cheung, March 25, 800,000 (1)(3) $0.64 $0.80 -$1.60 $0.64 8.67
President, Chief 2002 50,000 (2)(3) $0.76 8.67
Executive Officer,
and Chief Scientific
Officer
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
Anthony P. Deasey, March 25 665,000 (1)(4) $0.64 $1.44-$2.01 $0.64 8.67
Executive Vice 2002 135,000 (2)(4) $0.76 8.67
President - Finance and
Administration,
Chief Financial
Officer
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
John Mon, Vice March 25, 185,000 (1)(5) $0.64 $0.92-$3.55 $0.64 8.20
President - New 2002 65,000 (2)(5) $0.76 8.20
Business Development 150,000 (6) $0.92 4.09
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
Daniel S. Reale, March 25, 665,000 (1)(7) $0.64 $1.03-$1.52 $0.64 9.04
Executive Vice 2002 135,000 (2)(7) $0.76 9.04
President and
President - BPH Division
----------------------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------------
10
(1) Consists of bonus options, one third of which are currently vested, one
third of which vest on March 31, 2003 and one third of which vest on March
31, 2004. All such options expire in May 2012.
(2) Consists of milestone options that expire in May 2012.
(3) Options to purchase an aggregate of 850,000 shares were issued to Dr.
Cheung replace options to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of
common stock with exercise prices ranging from $0.80 to $1.60 per share.
(4) Options to purchase an aggregate of 800,000 shares were issued to Mr.
Deasey replace options to purchase an aggregate of 900,000 shares of common
stock with exercise prices ranging from $1.44 to $2.01 per share.
(5) Options to purchase an aggregate of 400,000 shares were issued to Mr. Mon
replace options to purchase an aggregate of 450,000 shares of common stock
with exercise prices ranging from $0.92 to $3.55 per share.
(6) Consists of currently vested options, all of which expire in May 2012.
(7) Options to purchase an aggregate of 800,000 shares were issued to Mr. Reale
replace options to purchase an aggregate of 900,000 shares of common stock
with exercise prices ranging from $1.03 to $1.52 per share.
11
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company is party to employment agreements with four of its senior
executive officers. Certain material terms of each agreement are described in
the sections under the executives' respective names. In addition, all of the
employment agreements contain certain common provisions. First, they provide for
a severance payment of 2.99 times the executive's base salary in the event that
there is a "change of control" of the Company and (i) the executive's employment
is terminated without cause or (ii) there is a material adverse change, without
the executive's consent, in his working conditions or status and he terminates
his employment by notice to the Company. Second, they provide that the
executive's base salary will increase on an annual basis based on the greatest
of 105% of the base salary for the prior year, the annual Consumer Price Index
(CPI) Adjustment or the sum offered by the Company's Board of Directors after
taking into account corporate and individual performance, the Company's
prospects and general business conditions. Third, they provide that all unvested
options under the agreements vest and become immediately exercisable upon the
occurrence of a "change of control" of the Company. A "change of control" is
defined as a merger, asset sale, tender offer or other substantial change in
voting control, or the election of a new majority of the Board of Directors or
of three or more Directors whose election is opposed by a majority of the Board.
Fourth, they provide that, upon death, disability or termination of employment
of the executive, such executive and/or his heirs and legal representatives have
the option to exercise all stock options vested at the time of death, disability
or termination of employment, for a one-year period thereafter, or until the
expiration of the stated term of such option, whichever period is shorter. Any
stock option not exercisable upon death or disability or the effective date of
termination of employment would be forfeited. Finally, the agreements provide
for CPI adjustments, restrictive covenants and confidentiality and other
protections of the type generally included in employment agreements for members
of senior management.
AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG
Under its agreement with the placement agent that conducted the
Company's private placement consummated on January 31, 2000, Celsion was
required to enter into a three-year employment agreement with Augustine Y.
Cheung, the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific
Officer, in order to encourage continuity of management.
The executive employment agreement between the Company and Dr. Cheung,
effective January 1, 2000, provides for an annual salary of $240,000 per year,
renewable annually. In addition, the agreement granted Dr. Cheung a bonus option
(not subject to performance conditions) to purchase up to 300,000 shares of
common stock, at an exercise price of $1.20, which is equal to the average
closing price of the Company's common stock during the Company's fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 1999. These options became fully vested on October 1, 2002.
Dr. Cheung's employment agreement also granted him performance-based
options to purchase up to a maximum of 700,000 shares of common stock, at
exercise prices ranging from $0.80 to $1.60 per share, upon achievement of five
specified corporate milestones, and subject to restrictions comparable to those
imposed on annual bonus compensation shares. Those performance objectives
included obtaining final FDA approval for Company products, consummating
alliances with strategic marketing and distribution partners, and attaining
annual pre-tax earnings of at least $1,000,000 for the Company.
In May 2002, the Company and Dr. Cheung amended his employment
agreement and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to
purchase common stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment
agreement. In exchange, the Company granted Dr. Cheung (1) a bonus option to
purchase 800,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share,
which vests at intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based
option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.76
per share, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during
his employment.
ANTHONY P. DEASEY
In November 2000, Celsion entered into a three-year employment
agreement with Anthony P. Deasey, currently the Executive Vice President -
Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Deasey's agreement
provides for an annual salary of $200,000. The agreement also provided for
performance-based incentive options to purchase up to 400,000 shares of common
stock, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during his
employment, at exercise prices ranging from $1.4375 to $2.0125. In addition, the
agreement granted Mr. Deasey a bonus option (not subject to performance
conditions) for the purchase of 500,000 shares of common stock at a purchase
price of $1.4375 per share, which vested at intervals until November 27, 2002.
12
In May 2002, the Company and Mr. Deasey amended his employment
agreement and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to
purchase common stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment
agreement. In exchange, the Company granted Mr. Deasey (1) a bonus option to
purchase 665,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share,
which vests at intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based
option to purchase 135,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.76
per share, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during
his employment.
JOHN MON
In June 2000, Celsion entered into a three-year employment agreement
with John Mon, a Director and Vice President - New Business Development,
Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Company. Mr. Mon's agreement
provides for an annual salary of $100,000, renewable annually. Mr. Mon's
agreement also provided for performance-based incentive options to purchase up
to 250,000 shares of common stock, exercisable only if certain corporate
milestones are reached during his employment, on terms similar to those
governing the incentive options provided to Dr. Cheung. In addition, the
agreement granted Mr. Mon a bonus option (not subject to performance conditions)
for the purchase of 50,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.75 per share.
In May 2002, the Company and Mr. Mon amended his employment agreement
and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to purchase
common stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment agreement. In
exchange, the Company granted Mr. Mon (1) a bonus option to purchase 185,000
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share, which vests at
intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based option to purchase
65,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.76 per share,
exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during his
employment.
DANIEL S. REALE
In April 2001, Celsion entered into a three-year employment agreement
with Daniel S. Reale, currently Executive Vice President and President - BPH
Division. Mr. Reale's agreement provides for an annual salary of $200,000. The
agreement also provided for performance-based incentive options to purchase up
to 400,000 shares of common stock, exercisable only if certain corporate
milestones were reached during his employment, at exercise prices ranging from
$1.12 to $1.52. In addition, the agreement granted Mr. Reale a bonus option (not
subject to performance conditions) for the purchase of 500,000 shares of common
stock at a purchase price of $1.03 per share, subject to vesting at intervals
until April 9, 2003.
In May 2002, the Company and Mr. Reale amended his employment agreement
and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to purchase
common stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment agreement. In
exchange, the Company granted Mr. Reale (1) a bonus option to purchase 665,000
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share, which vests at
intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based option to purchase
135,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.76 per share,
exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during his
employment.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute
soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by
reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates this Report or the performance
graph by reference therein.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and
administering the compensation policies applicable to the Company's officers and
key personnel, for recommending compensation arrangements to the Board of
Directors and for evaluating the performance of senior management.
The Compensation Committee and the Board have adopted the following
executive compensation approaches:
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company attempts to design executive compensation to achieve two
principal objectives. First, the program is intended to be fully competitive so
that the Company may attract, motivate and retain talented executives. Second,
the program is intended to create an alignment of interests between the
Company's executives and stockholders such that a significant portion of each
executive's compensation varies with business performance.
The Committee's philosophy is to pay competitive annual salaries,
coupled with an incentive system which, through stock compensation, provides
more than competitive total compensation for superior performance reflected in
increases in the Company's stock price. Based on assessments by the Board and
the Committee, the Committee believes that the Company's compensation program
for its senior executive officers has the following characteristics that serve
to align executive interests with long-term stockholder interests:
- Emphasizes "at risk" pay such as options and grants of restricted stock;
- Emphasizes long-term compensation through options and restricted stock
awards; and
- Rewards financial results and promotion of Company objectives rather
than individual performance against individual objectives.
ANNUAL SALARIES
Salary ranges and increases for executives are established annually
based on competitive data. Within those ranges, individual salaries vary based
upon the individual's work experience, performance, level of responsibility,
impact on the business, tenure and potential for advancement within the
organization. Annual salaries for newly hired executives will be determined at
the time of hire, taking into account the above factors other than tenure.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
The grant of restricted stock or options to key employees encourages
equity ownership and closely aligns management interests with the interests of
stockholders. The amount and nature of any option or restricted stock award is
determined by the Committee on a case by case basis, depending upon the
individual's perceived future benefit to the Company and the perceived need to
provide additional incentive to align performance with the objectives of the
stockholders.
Members of the Compensation Committee
Max E. Link
Claude Tihon
Kris Venkat
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Until the resignation of Spencer J. Volk as a Director of the Company
on October 4, 2001, Mr. Volk, together with Dr. Max E. Link and Dr. Claude Tihon
constituted the Compensation Committee. Mr. Volk has been replaced as a member
of the Compensation Committee by Dr. Kris Venkat.
No interlocking relationships exist between the members of the
Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors and the members of any other
company's board of directors or compensation committee. Prior to his resignation
on October 4, 2001, Mr. Volk, who had served as President and Chief Executive
Officer, was party to an employment agreement with the Company. Mr. Volk
previously had made loans and advances to the Company, which were repaid through
conversion into common stock. New employment agreements with Dr. Cheung and Mr.
Volk, entered into in January 2000 and amended in March 2001 and, in the case of
Dr. Cheung, May 2002, were reviewed by the Compensation Committee and approved
by the full Board, with neither Dr. Cheung nor Mr. Volk participating in the
deliberations concerning his agreement. The Compensation Committee believes that
the compensation arrangements for Dr. Cheung serve and, while in effect the
compensation arrangements with Mr. Volk served, to align their respective
interests with those of the stockholders.
14
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In August 2001, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement with Dr.
Kris Venkat, one of its Directors, pursuant to which Dr. Venkat is to provide at
least 60 days of consulting services per year to the Company for an initial term
of two years. Such consulting services are in addition to Dr. Venkat's services
as a Director and include providing (i) strategic business and tactical advice
to the Company regarding its development, management and personnel, (ii)
assistance with the Company's heat-activated liposome business, (iii) assistance
with developing a financial strategy and securing additional capital and/or
financing, and (iv) identifying potential investors that meet the Company's
objectives.
As compensation for his consulting services, the Company is obligated
to pay Dr. Venkat a fee of $60,000 per year during the term of the agreement.
Upon prior approval by the Company, he will be paid an additional $1,000 per day
for any time expended beyond 60 days. In addition to the fees, the agreement
provides for performance-based incentive options to purchase up to 400,000
shares of common stock, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are
reached during the term of Dr. Venkat's consulting arrangement with the Company.
The exercise price of such options ranges from $0.85 to $1.36 per share. The
agreement also grants Dr. Venkat an option, not subject to performance
conditions, for the purchase of 300,000 shares of common stock at a price of
$0.68 per share, which became fully vested on August 1, 2002.
All of Dr Venkat's unvested options (other than the performance-based
options) would immediately vest and become exercisable if the Company terminates
the agreement for any reason other than his breach of the agreement or his
substantial failure to perform his duties under the agreement due to disability
or his death. All of his unvested options (including the performance-based
options) would also immediately vest upon a change of control of the Company.
For purposes of Dr. Venkat's agreement, a change of control is defined as the
change in beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding common stock of
the Company, the change in a majority of the members of the Board, with none of
the new members being approved by at least 75% of the members of the Board as of
August 2000, the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, a
transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's liposome business to a
person that is not a subsidiary of the Company, or the Company's entry into a
joint venture with regard to the liposome business in which the Company does not
retain voting control.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The information provided in the performance graph below does not
constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or
incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except
to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such information by
reference therein.
The rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
require inclusion in this Proxy Statement of a line graph comparing the
cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's common stock with the
cumulative total return of (1) a broad equity market index that includes
companies whose equity securities are traded on the same exchange as the
Company's stock and (2) a published industry or line-of-business index.
Since May 31, 2000, the Company's common stock has been listed on the
American Stock Exchange (the "Amex"). Prior to that time it had traded on the
Electronic Bulletin Board operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. In light of
this change, the performance graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on
the Company's common stock, assuming an investment of $100 on September 30, 1997
and reinvestment of any dividends or other distributions, to cumulative returns,
on a comparable basis, for the Amex Major Market Index and the Amex Healthcare
Index.
The Board of Directors recognizes that the market price of shares is
influenced by many factors, only one of which is Company performance. The stock
performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price
performance.
15
[OBJECT OMITTED - SEE ANALYSIS BELOW]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return Analysis
9/30/97 9/30/98 9/30/99 9/30/00 9/30/01 9/30/02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celsion Corporation $ 100.00 $ 30.12 $ 82.82 $ 232.29 $ 48.55 $ 38.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amex Healthcare Index $ 100.00 $ 78.96 $ 86.22 $ 190.85 $ 125.67 $ 61.22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amex Major Market Index $ 100.00 $ 105.75 $ 132.76 $ 127.50 $ 115.31 $ 102.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: CTA Public Relations www.ctapr.com (303) 665-4200. Data from BRIDGE Information Systems, Inc.
-------------
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee has appointed, and the Board of Directors has
ratified the appointment of, Stegman & Company ("Stegman") as the independent
public accountants of the Company to audit its financial statements for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, and requests stockholder ratification of
such selection. Stegman served as the Company's independent accountants for the
2002 fiscal year, and has advised the Company that neither Stegman nor any of
its members has, or has had in the past three years, any financial interest in
the Company or any relation to the Company other than as auditors and
accountants.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Stegman as the Company's
independent public accountants is not mandated by the Company's Bylaws or other
applicable legal requirements. However, the Board is submitting the selection of
Stegman to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate
practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection of Stegman, the Audit
Committee and the Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even
if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board, in their
discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting
firm at any time during the year upon a determination that such a change would
be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Stegman
for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and for reviews of
the quarterly financial statements included in the Company's Forms 10-Q during
the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 were $38,750.
16
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
There were no fees billed to the Company for financial information
systems design and implementation services by Stegman for the Company's fiscal
year ended September 30, 2002 because no such services were rendered by Stegman
for the Company.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees billed by Stegman for services to the Company, other
than the audit and review services described above for the Company's fiscal year
ended September 30, 2002, were $6,075, which includes the preparation of the
Company's federal and state tax returns.
AUDIT COMMITTEE DETERMINATION
Because the services other than audit services rendered by Stegman were
not material in nature or amount of fees, the Audit Committee believes that the
provision of these services is compatible with maintenance of Stegman's
independence from the Company.
SERVICES BY EMPLOYEES OF STEGMAN & COMPANY
No part of Stegman's engagement to audit the Company's financial
statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 was attributable to work
performed by persons other than Stegman's full-time permanent employees.
Representatives of Stegman are expected to be present at the Meeting,
will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and are
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL
TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2003.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2003 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may submit proposals appropriate for stockholder action at
the Company's annual meeting to be held in 2004, consistent with the regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Company's Bylaws. For
proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 2004
annual meeting, stockholder proposals must be received by the Company no later
than September 13, 2003. Such proposals should be directed to Celsion
Corporation, 10220-I Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland, 21046-1705,
Attention: Mr. John Mon, Secretary.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Directors of the Company are not aware of any business to be acted
upon at the Meeting, other than described herein. It is not anticipated that
other matters will be brought before the Meeting. If, however, other matters are
duly brought before the Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof,
the persons appointed as proxies will have discretion to vote or act thereon
according to their best judgment.
17
COMPANY REPORTS
The Company's Annual Report on Securities Exchange Commission Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, which contains audited financial
statements for that fiscal year is being sent to stockholders along with this
Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Additional copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (but excluding exhibits), may be
obtained without charge, upon written request directed to the Corporate
Secretary, Celsion Corporation, 10220-I Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland
21046-1705.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John Mon
-------------------------------------
John Mon
Secretary
January 10, 2003
18
APPENDIX A
CHARTER
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
CELSION CORPORATION
The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Celsion Corporation (the
"Corporation") has determined that the Audit Committee of the Board shall assist
the Board in fulfilling certain of the Board's oversight responsibilities. The
Board hereby adopts this charter to establish the governing principles of the
Audit Committee.
I. ROLE OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The role of the Audit Committee is to act on behalf of the Board in
fulfilling the following responsibilities of the Board:
A. To oversee all material aspects of the Corporation's reporting,
control and audit functions, except those that are specifically
related to the responsibilities of another committee of the Board;
B. To monitor the independence and performance of the Corporation's
independent accountants; and
C. To provide a means for open communication among the Corporation's
independent accountants, financial and senior management, the
internal audit department and the Board.
II. COMPOSITION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
A. The Board shall designate the members of the Audit Committee at
the Board's annual organizational meeting and the members shall
serve until the next such meeting or until their successors are
designated by the Board.
B. The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members but no
more than six members who are free of any relationship that, in
the opinion of the Board, would interfere with their exercise of
independent judgment as committee members. Committee members shall
have basic understanding of finance and accounting and shall be
able to read and understand financial statements. One member of
the Committee shall have accounting or related financial
management experience. In addition, the members of the Audit
Committee shall meet the requirements of the rules of the
principal market or transaction reporting system on which the
Corporation's securities are traded or quoted (i.e., New York
Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market).
III. MEETINGS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more
frequently as circumstances may require. The Chair of the Audit Committee shall
be responsible for meeting with the independent accountants at their request to
discuss the interim financial statements.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee shall have the responsibility with respect to:
A. The Corporation's Risks and Control Environment:
- To discuss with the Corporation's management, independent
accountants and internal audit department the integrity of the
Corporation's financial reporting processes and controls,
particularly the controls in areas representing significant
financial and business risks;
- To review and update periodically a code of ethical conduct
and review the Corporation's procedures to enforce compliance
with the code; and
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- To investigate any matter brought to its attention within the
scope of its duties.
B. The Corporation's Independent Accountants:
- To evaluate annually the effectiveness and objectivity of the
Corporation's independent accountants and recommend to the
Board the engagement or replacement of the independent
accountants;
- To ensure that the Audit Committee receives annually from the
Corporation's independent accountants a formal written report
describing completely the relationships between the
independent accountants and the Corporation that the
independent accountants are required to provide to the Audit
Committee, to actively engage in a dialogue with the
independent accountants about any relationships between the
independent accountants and the Corporation or any services
that the independent accountants provide or propose to provide
that may impact upon the objectivity and independence of the
independent accountants and to take, or recommend that the
Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of
the independent accountants;
- To have a relationship with the independent accountants
because of the ultimate responsibility of the independent
accountants to the Board and the Audit Committee, as
representatives of the shareholders; and
- To approve the fees and other compensation paid to the
independent accountants.
C. The Corporation's Financial Reporting Process:
- To oversee the Corporation's selection of and major changes to
its accounting policies;
- To meet with the Corporation's independent accountants and
financial management both to discuss the proposed scope of the
audit and to discuss the conclusions of the audit, including
any items that the independent accountants are required by
auditing standards to discuss with the Audit Committee, such
as, any significant changes to the Company's accounting
policies, the integrity of the Corporation's financial
reporting process and any proposed changes or improvements in
financial, accounting or auditing practices;
- To discuss with the Corporation's financial management and
independent accountants the Corporation's annual results and,
when appropriate, the interim results before they are made
public;
- To review and discuss with the Corporation's financial
management and independent accountants the Corporation's
audited financial statements and, when appropriate, the
Corporation's interim financial statements, before they are
made public; and
- To issue for public disclosure by the Corporation the report
required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
D. The Corporation's Internal Audit Process:
- To review, assess and approve the charter for the internal
audit department;
- To review and approve the annual internal audit plan of, and
any special projects to be undertaken by, the internal audit
department;
- To discuss with the internal audit department any changes to,
and the implementation of, the internal audit plan and any
special projects and discuss with the internal audit
department the results of the internal audits and any special
projects; and
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- To oversee the activities, organizational structure and
qualifications of the internal audit department.
E. Other Matters
- To review and update periodically this charter of the Audit
Committee;
- To review reports and any financial information submitted by
the Corporation to a government body or the public;
- To report to the Board the matters discussed at each meeting
of the Audit Committee;
- To keep an open line of communication with the financial and
senior management, the internal audit department, the
independent accountants and the Board; and
- To retain, at the Corporation's expense, special legal,
accounting or other consultants or experts it deems necessary
in the performance of its duties.
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PROXY CARD
IN CONNECTION WITH 2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
CELSION CORPORATION
10220-I OLD COLUMBIA ROAD
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-1705
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY APPOINTS AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG AND JOHN MON, AND
EITHER OF THEM, AS PROXIES WITH FULL POWERS OF SUBSTITUTION AND RESUBSTITUTION,
TO VOTE ALL SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF CELSION CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY")
WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF THE COMPANY TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2003 AND AT ANY RESCHEDULING,
ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF (THE "MEETING"), UPON THE ITEMS DESCRIBED IN
THE PROXY STATEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF THE
ANNUAL MEETING AND THE PROXY STATEMENT.
A. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (PROPOSAL NO. 1)
[ ] FOR the nominee listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for
the nominee listed below
Nominee: Gary W. Pace
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for the nominee, either strike
through the nominee's name listed above or check the appropriate box set forth
above.
B. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2003 (PROPOSAL NO. 2)
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
C. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO
INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "IN
FAVOR" OF PROPOSALS NO. 1 AND NO. 2 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS
AS TO OTHER MATTERS.
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS HEREON.
_____________________________ _______________________________________
Date Signature of Owner
_______________________________________
Additional Signature of Joint Owner (if any)
If stock is jointly held, each joint owner should sign. When signing as
attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer
or partner, please give full title.
TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, JUST
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY--NO BOXES NEED BE CHECKED.