SCHEDULE 14A
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 Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
Neoprobe Corporation
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule -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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Neoprobe Corporation Vox 614-793-7500
425 Metro Place North Fax 614-793-7520
Suite 300 www.neoprobe.com
Dublin, Ohio 43017-1367
[LOGO]
2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 15, 2004
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2004 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Neoprobe Corporation which will be held at 8:30 a.m., Eastern
Daylight Time, on July 27, 2004, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 5100 Upper Metro
Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017 (phone: 614.790.9000). The matters on the meeting
agenda are described in the Notice of 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
proxy statement which accompany this letter.
We hope you will be able to attend the meeting, but whatever your plans,
we ask that you please complete, execute, and date the enclosed proxy card and
return it in the envelope provided so that your shares will be represented at
the meeting.
Very truly yours,
/s/ David C. Bupp
David C. Bupp
Chief Executive Officer and President
NEOPROBE CORPORATION
425 METRO PLACE NORTH, SUITE 300
DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
NOTICE OF 2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
NEOPROBE CORPORATION:
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Neoprobe Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 5100
Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017 (phone: 614.790.9000), on July 27, 2004,
at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors, to serve for a term of three years or
until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
2. To increase the authorized number of shares of the Company from
80,000,000 to 105,000,000, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of
common stock, $.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $.001 par value.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 1, 2004, as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. A list of
stockholders will be available for examination by any stockholder at the Annual
Meeting and for a period of 10 days before the Annual Meeting at the executive
offices of the Company.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE,
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
VOTING YOUR PROXY ONLINE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ David C. Bupp
David C. Bupp
Chief Executive Officer and President
Dublin, Ohio
June 15, 2004
NEOPROBE CORPORATION
2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JULY 27, 2004
PROXY STATEMENT
DATED JUNE 15, 2004
GENERAL INFORMATION
Solicitation. This proxy statement is furnished to the stockholders of
Neoprobe Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies to be voted at
the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 27, 2004,
and any adjournment thereof. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy
card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about June 15, 2004.
Company Address. The mailing address of our principal executive offices is
425 Metro Place North, Suite 300, Dublin, Ohio 43017.
Voting Rights. Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1,
2004, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of that
date, there were 58,087,957 shares of common stock of the Company, par value
$.001 per share, outstanding. Each holder of common stock of record on June 1,
2004, is entitled to one vote per share held with respect to all matters which
may be brought before the Annual Meeting.
Authorization. The shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be
voted as directed if the proxy is properly completed, signed, and received by
us. If no directions are made to the contrary, your proxy will be voted FOR each
of the proposals set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The
proxy will also be voted at the discretion of the persons acting under the proxy
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
and any adjournment thereof.
Revocation. Any stockholder returning the accompanying proxy has the power
to revoke it at any time before its exercise by giving notice of revocation to
the Company, by duly executing and delivering to the Company a proxy card
bearing a later date, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Tabulation. Under Section 216 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
(DGCL) and our by-laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of
the outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares represented by
signed proxies that are returned to the Company will be counted toward the
quorum in all matters even though they are marked as "Abstain," "Against" or
"Withhold Authority" on one or more or all matters or they are not marked at all
(see General Information-Authorization). Broker/dealers, who hold their
customers' shares in street name, may, under the applicable rules of the
exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations of which such broker/dealers
are members, sign and submit proxies for such shares and may vote such shares on
routine matters, which, under such rules, typically include the election of
directors, but broker/dealers may not vote such shares on other matters without
specific instructions from the customer who owns such shares. Proxies signed and
submitted by broker/dealers that have not been voted on certain matters as
described in the previous sentence are referred to as broker non-votes. Such
proxies count toward the establishment of a quorum. The proposal to increase the
authorized number of shares of common stock of the Company to 100,000,000 is
considered a routine matter and broker/dealers who hold their customers' shares
in street name may, under the applicable rules of the exchanges and other
self-regulatory organizations of which such broker/dealers are members, sign and
submit proxies for such shares and may vote such shares on this matter.
1
Under Section 216 of the DGCL and our by-laws, the election of the
director nominees requires the favorable vote of a plurality of all votes cast
by the holders of our common stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Proxies that are marked "Withhold Authority" and broker non-votes will not be
counted toward a nominee's achievement of a plurality and, thus, will have no
effect. Under Section 242 of the DGCL and our by-laws, the amendment to our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of our outstanding common stock. For
purposes of determining the number of shares of our common stock voting on the
amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, abstentions will be
counted and will have the effect of a negative vote; broker non-votes will be
counted and thus will have the effect of a negative vote.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
We presently have eight directors on our Board of Directors, comprised of
three directors in two classes and two directors in an additional class, with
terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. At
the Annual Meeting, the nominees to the Board of Directors receiving the highest
number of votes will be elected as directors to terms of three years expiring in
2007.
Reuven Avital, David C. Bupp and Julius R. Krevans, M.D. are currently
directors of the Company and are being nominated by our Board of Directors for
re-election as directors, to serve for terms of three years.
It is intended that, unless otherwise directed, the shares represented by
the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the election of Messrs. Avital and Bupp,
and Dr. Krevans. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will not stand
for election or serve as a director. In the event that a nominee fails to stand
for election, the proxies will be voted for the election of another person
designated by the persons named in the proxy. See General
Information-Tabulation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS NOMINATED THE FOLLOWING PERSONS TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS
OF THE COMPANY UNTIL THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING:
REUVEN AVITAL, age 52, has served as a director of our Company since January
2002. Mr. Avital is a partner and general manager of Ma'Aragim Enterprises Ltd.,
an investment company in Israel, through which he is a member of the board of
Neoprobe as well as a number of privately-held Israeli companies, three of them
in the medical device field. Mr. Avital was a board member of Cardiosonix, Ltd.
from April 2001 through December 31, 2001, when we acquired the company.
Previously, Mr. Avital served in the Israeli government in a variety of middle
and senior management positions. He is also chairman or board member in several
not-for-profit organizations, mainly involved in education for the
under-privileged and international peace-building. Mr. Avital has B.A. degrees
in The History of the Middle East and International Relations from the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, and a M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard University.
DAVID C. BUPP, age 54, has served as President and a director of our Company
since August 1992 and as Chief Executive Officer since February 1998. From
August 1992 to May 1993, Mr. Bupp served as our Treasurer. In addition to the
foregoing positions, from December 1991 to August 1992, he was Acting President,
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, and from
December 1989 to December 1991, he was Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer. From 1982 to December 1989, Mr. Bupp was Senior Vice
President, Regional Manager for AmeriTrust Company National Association, a
nationally chartered bank holding company, where he was in charge of commercial
banking operations throughout Central Ohio. Mr. Bupp has a B.A. degree in
Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University. Mr. Bupp completed a course of study at
Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.
JULIUS R. KREVANS, M.D., age 80, has served as a director of our Company since
May 1994 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of our Company since February
1999. Dr. Krevans served as Chancellor of the University of California, San
Francisco from July 1982 until May 1993. Prior to his appointment as Chancellor,
Dr. Krevans
2
served as a Professor of Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine at the
University of California, San Francisco from 1971 to 1982. Dr. Krevans is a
member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, and led its
committee for the National Research Agenda on Aging until 1991. Dr. Krevans also
serves on the Board of Directors and the compensation committee of the Board of
Directors of Calypte Biomedical Corporation (Calypte), a publicly held
corporation. Dr. Krevans has a B.S. degree and a M.D. degree, both from New York
University.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING:
CARL J. ASCHINGER, JR., age 65, has served as a director of our Company since
June 2004. Mr. Aschinger is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Columbus
Show Case Co., a privately-held company that manufactures showcases for the
retail industry. Mr. Aschinger also serves on the Board of Directors and as
Chairman of the Audit Committee of Wilson-Bohannon, a privately-held company
that manufactures padlocks. Mr. Aschinger is a former director of Liqui-Box
Corporation and Huntington National Bank as well as other privately-held
ventures and has served on boards or advisory committees of several
not-for-profit organizations.
NANCY E. KATZ, age 45, has served as a director of our Company since January
2001. Ms. Katz currently is an independent health care business consultant. Ms.
Katz served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Calypte until
June 2003. Ms. Katz joined Calypte in October 1999 as President, Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Calypte, Ms. Katz served
as President of Zila Pharm Inc. From 1997 to 1998, Ms. Katz served as Vice
President of Sales & Marketing of LifeScan (the diabetes testing division of
Johnson & Johnson) and Vice President of U.S. Marketing, directing LifeScan's
marketing and customer call center departments from 1995 to 1997. During her
seven-year career at Schering-Plough Healthcare Products from 1987 to 1994, she
held numerous positions including Senior Director & General Manager, Marketing
Director for Footcare New Products, and Product Director of OTC New Products.
Ms. Katz also held various product management positions at American Home
Products from 1981 to 1987. Ms. Katz received her B.A. in Business
Administration from the University of South Florida.
FRED B. MILLER, age 65, has served as a director of our Company since January
2002. Mr. Miller serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Miller is the
President and Chief Operating Officer of Seicon, Limited, a privately held
company that specializes in developing, applying and licensing technology to
reduce seismic and mechanically induced vibration. Mr. Miller also serves on the
boards of two other privately-held companies. Until his retirement in 1995, Mr.
Miller had been with Price Waterhouse LLP since 1962. Mr. Miller is a Certified
Public Accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA), a past member of the Council of the AICPA and a member and
past president of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also has
served on the boards or advisory committees of several universities and
not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Miller has a B.S. degree in Accounting from
the Ohio State University.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING:
KIRBY I. BLAND, M.D., age 62, has served as a director of our Company since May
2004. Dr. Bland currently serves as Professor and Chairman and Fay Fletcher
Kerner Professor and Chairman Department of Surgery of the University of Alabama
at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine since 1999 and 2002, respectively, Deputy
Director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center since 2000 and Senior Scientist,
Division of Human Gene Therapy, UAB School of Medicine since 2001. Prior to his
appointments at UAB, Dr. Bland was J. Murry Breadsley Professor and Chairman,
Professor of Medical Science, Department of Surgery and Director, Brown
University Integrated Program in Surgery at Brown University School of Medicine
from 1993 to 1999. Prior to his appointments at Brown University, Dr. Bland was
Professor and Associate Chairman, Department of Surgery, University of Florida
College of Medicine from 1983 to 1993 and Associate Director of Clinical
Research at the University of Florida Cancer Center from 1991 to 1993. Dr. Bland
held a number of medical staff positions at the University of Louisville, School
of Medicine from 1977 to 1983 and at M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute
from 1976 to 1977. Dr. Bland is a member of the Board of Governors of the
American College of Surgeons (ACS), a member of the ACS' Advisory Committee,
Oncology Group (ACOSOG), a member of the ACS' American Joint Committee on Cancer
Task Force and serves as Chairman of the ACS' Breast Disease Site Committee,
COC. Dr. Bland is a past President of the Society of Surgical Oncology. Dr.
Bland received his B.S. in Chemistry/Biology from Auburn University and a M.D.
degree from the University of Alabama, Medical College of Alabama.
3
J. FRANK WHITLEY, JR., age 62, has served as a director of our Company since May
1994. Mr. Whitley was Director of Mergers, Acquisitions and Licensing at The Dow
Chemical Company (Dow), a multinational chemical company, from June 1993 until
his retirement in June 1997. After joining Dow in 1965, Mr. Whitley served in a
variety of marketing, financial, and business management functions. Mr. Whitley
has a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Lamar State College of Technology.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
Our Board of Directors held a total of twelve meetings in fiscal 2003 and
each of the directors attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board of Directors and committees (if any) on which he or she
served.
INDEPENDENCE
Our Board has adopted the definition of "independence" as described under
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley") Section 301, Rule 10A-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Nasdaq Rules 4200
and 4350. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Aschinger, Avital,
Miller and Whitley, Drs. Bland and Krevans, and Ms. Katz meet the independence
requirements.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
We did not pay directors for participation in board or committee meetings
in 2003. We reimbursed non-employee directors for travel expenses for meetings
attended during fiscal 2003. In addition, each non-employee director received
20,000 options to purchase common stock as a part of our annual stock incentive
grants. Options granted to purchase common stock vest on an annual basis over a
three-year period and have an exercise price equal to not less than the closing
market price of common stock at the date of grant.
Directors who are also officers or employees of our Company do not receive
any compensation for their services as directors.
COMMITTEES
We have a standing Audit Committee and a standing Compensation Committee.
We do not have a standing committee whose functions include nominating
directors. Nominations for directors are considered by the entire Board. Our
directors take a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and oversee
the management of our Company. Board candidates are considered based on various
criteria, such as their broad based business and professional skills and
experiences, a global business and social perspective, concern for long term
interests of stockholders, and personal integrity and judgment. In addition,
directors must have available time to devote to Board activities and to enhance
their knowledge of the industry.
Accordingly, we seek to attract and retain highly qualified directors who
have sufficient time to attend to their substantial duties and responsibilities
to our Company. Recent developments in corporate governance and financial
reporting have resulted in an increased demand for such highly qualified and
productive public company directors.
4
Our Board will consider the recommendations of stockholders
regarding potential director candidates. In order for stockholder
recommendations regarding possible director candidates to be considered by our
Board:
- such recommendations must be provided to the Board c/o Brent L.
Larson, Neoprobe Corporation, 425 Metro Place North, Suite 300,
Dublin, Ohio 43017, in writing at least 120 days prior to the date
of the next scheduled annual meeting;
- the nominating shareholder must meet the eligibility requirements to
submit a valid stockholder proposal under Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
- the stockholder must describe the qualifications, attributes, skills
or other qualities of the recommended director candidate; and
- the stockholder must follow the procedures set forth in Article III,
Section 2 of our By-Laws.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors selects our independent
public accountants with whom the Audit Committee reviews the scope of audit and
non-audit assignments and related fees, the accounting principles that we use in
financial reporting, internal financial auditing procedures and the adequacy of
our internal control procedures. The members of our Audit Committee are: Fred B.
Miller (Chairman), Reuven Avital, Nancy E. Katz, Julius R. Krevans, M.D., and J.
Frank Whitley, Jr., each of whom is an independent director. The Board of
Directors has determined that Fred B. Miller meets the requirements of an "audit
committee financial expert" as set forth in Section 401(e) of Regulation S-B
promulgated by the SEC. The Audit Committee held six meetings in fiscal 2003.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee establishes the compensation of all our
employees and consultants, administers and interprets our 2002 Stock Incentive
Plan, Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, Restricted Stock Purchase Plan and
the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, and takes any action that is permitted to be
taken by a committee of the Board of Directors under the terms of such plans,
including the granting of options. The members of the Compensation Committee are
Nancy E. Katz and Julius R. Krevans, M.D., each of whom is an independent
director. The Compensation Committee held two meetings in fiscal 2003.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In addition to Mr. Bupp, the following individuals are executive officers
of our Company and serve in the position(s) indicated below:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Carl M. Bosch 47 Vice President, Research and Development
Rodger A. Brown 53 Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and
Quality Assurance
Brent L. Larson 41 Vice President, Finance; Chief Financial
Officer; Treasurer and Secretary
Richard N. Linder, Jr. 52 Vice President, Sales and Marketing
CARL M. BOSCH has served as Vice President, Research and Development of our
Company since March 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Bosch served as our Director,
Instrument Development from May 1998 to March 2000. Before joining our Company,
Mr. Bosch was employed by GE Medical Systems from 1994 to 1998 where he served
as Manager, Nuclear Programs. From 1977 to 1994, Mr. Bosch was employed by GE
Aerospace in several engineering and management functions. Mr. Bosch has a B.S.
degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University and a M.S. degree in
Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
5
RODGER A. BROWN has served as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality
Assurance of our Company since November 2000. From July 1998 through November
2000, Mr. Brown served as our Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality
Assurance. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Brown served as Director of
Operations for Biocore Medical Technologies, Inc. from April 1997 to April 1998.
From 1981 through 1996, Mr. Brown served as Director, Regulatory Affairs/Quality
Assurance for E for M Corporation, a subsidiary of Marquette Electronics, Inc.
BRENT L. LARSON has served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of our Company since February 1999. Prior to that, he served as our Vice
President, Finance from July 1998 to January 1999 and as Controller from July
1996 to June 1998. Before joining our Company, Mr. Larson was employed by Price
Waterhouse LLP. Mr. Larson has a B.B.A. degree in accounting from Iowa State
University of Science and Technology and is a Certified Public Accountant.
RICHARD N. LINDER, JR. has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of our
Company since November 2003. Before joining our Company, Mr. Linder was employed
by XLTEK, Ltd. where he served as Vice President of Sales, Worldwide. From 1999
to 2002, Mr. Linder was employed by Digirad Corporation as Eastern Region Sales
Director. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Linder was employed by Chiron Diagnostics/Bayer
Diagnostics in various marketing and sales management functions. Mr. Linder was
also employed by i-Stat Corporation from 1991 to 1997 as South Central Regional
Sales Director and held various sales positions with other medical device
companies from 1978 to 1991. Mr. Linder has a B.S. degree in Education with
endorsements in Biology and Chemistry from Memphis State University.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth, as of May 15, 2004, certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by: (i)
each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of our
outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each director or nominee for director
of our Company, (iii) each of the Named Executives (see "Executive Compensation
- Summary Compensation Table"), and (iv) our directors and executive officers as
a group.
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(*) OF CLASS(**)
------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Carl J. Aschinger, Jr. 0 (l)
Reuven Avital 2,808,457(a) 4.8%
Carl M. Bosch 255,286(b) (l)
Kirby I. Bland 0 (l)
Rodger A. Brown 171,168(c) (l)
David C. Bupp 1,710,018(d) 2.8%
Nancy E. Katz 53,334(e) (l)
Julius R. Krevans 197,001(f) (l)
Brent L. Larson 348,324(g) (l)
Fred B. Miller 24,334(h) (l)
J. Frank Whitley, Jr. 114,334(i) (l)
All directors and officers as a group 5,682,256(j) 9.3%
(11 persons)
Dan Purjes, et al. 3,913,044(k) 6.6%
Dan Manor (m) (m)
6
(*) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission which generally attribute beneficial
ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power
and/or investment power with respect to those securities. Unless otherwise
indicated, voting and investment power are exercised solely by the person
named above or shared with members of such person's household.
(**) Percent of class is calculated on the basis of the number of shares
outstanding on May 15, 2004, plus the number of shares the person has the
right to acquire within 60 days of May 15, 2004.
(a) This amount consists of 2,785,123 shares of our common stock owned by N.
Assia Trusteeship Ltd, Trustee for Ma'Aragim Enterprises Ltd., an
investment fund under the management and control of Mr. Avital, and 23,334
shares issuable upon exercise of options which are exercisable within 60
days but does not include 61,666 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are not exercisable within 60 days. Of the shares held by N. Assia
Trusteeship Ltd., 2,286,712 were acquired by Ma'Aragim in exchange for
surrendering its shares in Cardiosonix Ltd. on December 31, 2001, in
connection with our acquisition of Cardiosonix, and 498,411 were acquired
by Ma'Aragim based on the satisfaction of certain developmental milestones
on December 30, 2002, associated with our acquisition of Cardiosonix.
(b) This amount includes 176,668 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days and 38,618 shares in Mr. Bosch's
account in the 401(k) Plan, but does not include 133,332 shares issuable
upon exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60 days. Mr.
Bosch is one of three trustees of the 401(k) Plan and may, as such, share
investment power over common stock held in such plan. The 401(k) Plan
holds an aggregate total of 274,648 shares of common stock. Mr. Bosch
disclaims any beneficial ownership of shares held by the 401(k) Plan that
are not allocated to his personal account.
(c) This amount includes 171,168 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days, but does not include 133,332 shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60
days.
(d) This amount includes 586,668 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days, 750,000 warrants which are
exercisable within 60 days, and 56,850 shares in Mr. Bupp's account in the
401(k) Plan, but it does not include 423,332 shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are not exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Bupp is one of
three trustees of the 401(k) Plan and may, as such, share investment power
over common stock held in such plan. The 401(k) Plan holds an aggregate
total of 274,648 shares of common stock. Mr. Bupp disclaims any beneficial
ownership of shares held by the 401(k) Plan that are not allocated to his
personal account.
(e) This amount includes 53,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are exercisable within 60 days, but does not include 61,666 shares
issuable upon the exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60
days.
(f) This amount includes 195,001 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days, but does not include 104,999 shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60
days.
(g) This amount includes 233,868 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days and 38,956 shares in Mr. Larson's
account in the 401(k) Plan, but it does not include 133,332 shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60
days. Mr. Larson is one of three trustees of the 401(k) Plan and may, as
such, share investment power over common stock held in such plan. The
401(k) Plan holds an aggregate total of 274,648 shares of common stock.
Mr. Larson disclaims any beneficial ownership of shares held by the 401(k)
Plan that are not allocated to his personal account.
(h) This amount includes 23,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are exercisable within 60 days and 1,000 shares held by Mr. Miller's wife
for which he disclaims beneficial ownership, but does not include 101,666
shares issuable upon the exercise of options which are not exercisable
within 60 days.
(i) This amount includes 113,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days, but does not include 61,666 shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not exercisable within 60
days.
(j) This amount includes 1,576,709 shares issuable upon exercise of options
which are exercisable within 60 days and 134,424 shares held in the 401(k)
Plan, but it does not include 1,214,991 shares issuable upon the exercise
of options which are not exercisable within 60 days. Certain executive
officers of our Company are the trustees of the 401(k) Plan and may, as
such, share investment power over common stock held in such plan. Each
trustee disclaims any beneficial ownership of shares held by the 401(k)
Plan that are not allocated to his personal account. The 401(k) Plan holds
an aggregate total of 274,648 shares of common stock.
(k) This amount consists of 434,783 shares owned by MFW Associates, 217,391
warrants held by MFW associates which are exercisable within 60 days,
869,565 shares owned collectively by Dan & Edna Purjes, 434,783 warrants
held collectively by Dan & Edna Purjes which are exercisable within 60
days, 217,391 shares owned by Y Securities Management, Ltd., 108,696
warrants held by Y Securities Management, Ltd. which are exercisable
within 60 days, 217,391 shares owned by the Purjes Foundation, 108,696
warrants held by the Purjes Foundation which are exercisable within 60
days, 869,565 shares owned by Dan Purjes IRA and 434,783 warrants held by
Dan Purjes IRA which are exercisable within 60 days (collectively, Dan
Purjes, et al.). This amount is based on information provided to us in
connection with the purchase of these securities in a private placement
and subsequent filing of a registration statement and represents the best
information available to us at the time of this filing.
(l) Less than one percent.
(m) Mr. Manor is no longer affiliated with our Company. As a consequence, we
are unable to determine his beneficial ownership of shares or the
percentage of outstanding shares held.
7
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the annual
and long-term compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other four
highest paid executive officers having annual compensation in excess of $100,000
during the last fiscal year (the Named Executives) for the last three fiscal
years.
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION AWARDS
-----------------------
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK UNDERLYING
---------------------------- AWARDS OPTIONS ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS ($) (#) COMPENSATION
--------------------------- ---- ------ ----- --- --- ------------
Carl M. Bosch 2003 $ 135,125 $ - - 70,000 $ 6,573(a)
Vice President, 2002 129,375 - - 50,000 3,093(a)
Research and Development 2001 129,375 25,250 - 45,000 3,081(a)
Rodger A. Brown 2003 $ 125,316 $ - - 70,000 $ -
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs/ 2002 105,417 - - 50,000 -
Quality Assurance 2001 99,875 19,000 - 45,000 -
David C. Bupp 2003 $ 222,167 $ 32,500 - 170,000 $ 31,090(b)
President and 2002 297,083 - - 180,000 5,738(b)
Chief Executive Officer 2001 310,000 46,500 - 180,000 5,161(b)
Brent L. Larson 2003 $ 135,125 $ - - 70,000 $ 11,733(c)
Vice President, Finance and 2002 129,375 - - 50,000 2,993(c)
Chief Financial Officer 2001 131,250 20,250 - 60,000 3,400(c)
Dan Manor 2003 $ 145,000 $ - - 40,000 $ 15,443(e)
President and Chief Executive 2002 145,000 - - 50,000 14,248(e)
Officer, Cardiosonix Ltd.(d) 2001 - - - - -
-----------------
(a) Amounts represent solely matching contribution under the Neoprobe
Corporation 401(k) Plan (the Plan), except for 2003, which includes $3,870
related to the vesting of restricted stock. Eligible employees may make
voluntary contributions and we may, but are not obligated to, make
matching contributions based on 40 percent of the employee's contribution,
up to five percent of the employee's salary. Employee contributions are
invested in mutual funds administered by an independent plan
administrator. Company contributions, if any, are made in the form of
shares of common stock. The Plan is intended to qualify under section 401
of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides that employee and company
contributions and income earned on contributions are not taxable to the
employee until withdrawn from the Plan, and that we may deduct our
contributions when made.
(b) Amounts represent matching contribution under the Plan, except for 2003,
which includes $27,090 related to the vesting of restricted stock and
social luncheon club dues.
(c) Amounts represent solely matching contribution under the Plan, except for
2003, which includes $9,030 related to the vesting of restricted stock.
(d) Mr. Manor began his employment with our company on January 1, 2002, in
connection with our acquisition of Cardiosonix Ltd. (formerly Biosonix
Ltd.) and ended his employment on December 31, 2003.
(e) Amounts represent reimbursements for a company car leased for Mr. Manor's
use.
8
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table presents certain information concerning stock options
granted to the Named Executives under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan during the
2003 fiscal year.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
PERCENT OF
TOTAL
OPTIONS
NUMBER OF GRANTED
SECURITIES TO EMPLOYEES EXERCISE
UNDERLYING OPTIONS IN PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED (SHARES) FISCAL YEAR PER SHARE DATE(d)
---- --------------- ----------- --------- -------
Carl M. Bosch 40,000(a) 3.9% $ 0.14(b) 1/15/13
30,000(a) 2.9% $ 0.13(c) 2/15/13
Rodger A. Brown 40,000(a) 3.9% $ 0.14(b) 1/15/13
30,000(a) 2.9% $ 0.13(c) 2/15/13
David C. Bupp 100,000(a) 9.7% $ 0.14(b) 1/15/13
70,000(a) 6.8% $ 0.13(c) 2/15/13
Brent L. Larson 40,000(a) 3.9% $ 0.14(b) 1/15/13
30,000(a) 2.9% $ 0.13(c) 2/15/13
Dan Manor 40,000(a) 3.9% $ 0.14(b) 1/15/13
(a) Vests as to one-third of these shares on each of the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant.
(b) The per share weighted average fair value of these stock options during
2003 was $0.12 on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model with the following assumptions: an expected life of 4 years, an
average risk-free interest rate of 2.7%, volatility of 146% and no
expected dividend rate.
(c) The per share weighted average fair value of these stock options during
2003 was $0.11 on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model with the following assumptions: an expected life of 4 years, an
average risk-free interest rate of 2.5%, volatility of 146% and no
expected dividend rate.
(d) The options terminate on the earlier of the expiration date, nine months
after death or disability, 90 days after termination of employment without
cause or by resignation or immediately upon termination of employment for
cause.
9
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION NUMBERS AND VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number
and value of unexercised options held by the Named Executives at the end of the
last fiscal year (December 31, 2003). There were no stock options exercised by
the Named Executives during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END: AT FISCAL YEAR-END:
NAME EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(1)
---- ------------------------- ----------------------------
Carl M. Bosch 121,667 / 118,333 $0 / $12,200
Rodger A. Brown 116,167 / 118,333 $0 / $12,200
David C. Bupp 410,000 / 450,000 $0 / $12,200
Brent L. Larson 173,867 / 123,333 $0 / $29,600
Dan Manor 16,667 / 33,333 $0 / $ 6,800
(1) Represents the total gain which would be realized if all in-the-money
options held at year end were exercised, determined by multiplying the
number of shares underlying the options by the difference between the per
share option exercise price and the per share fair market value at year
end of $0.31. An option is in-the-money if the fair market value of the
underlying shares exceeds the exercise price of the option.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth additional information as of December 31,
2003, concerning shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise
of options and other rights under our existing equity compensation plans and
arrangements, divided between plans approved by our stockholders and plans or
arrangements not submitted to our stockholders for approval. The information
includes the number of shares covered by, and the weighted average exercise
price of, outstanding options and other rights and the number of shares
remaining available for future grants excluding the shares to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and other rights.
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
REMAINING
NUMBER OF AVAILABLE FOR
SECURITIES TO BE ISSUANCE UNDER
ISSUED UPON EQUITY
EXERCISE OF WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMPENSATION
OUTSTANDING EXERCISE PRICE OF PLANS (EXCLUDING
OPTIONS, WARRANTS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, SECURITIES REFLECTED
AND RIGHTS WARRANTS AND RIGHTS IN COLUMN (a))
----------------- -------------------- --------------------
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders 2,931,308 $ 0.56 2,830,283
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders - - -
--------- ------- ---------
Total 2,931,308 $ 0.56 2,830,283
========= ======= =========
10
EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
COMPENSATION OF MR. BUPP
Employment Agreement. David C. Bupp is employed under a thirty-six month
employment agreement effective January 1, 2004. The employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $271,250.
The Board of Directors will, on an annual basis, review the performance of
our company and of Mr. Bupp and will pay a bonus to Mr. Bupp as it deems
appropriate, in its discretion. Such review and bonus will be consistent with
any bonus plan adopted by the Compensation Committee that covers the executive
officers of our company generally. Mr. Bupp was paid a bonus of $32,500 relating
to fiscal year 2003.
If a change in control occurs with respect to our company and the
employment of Mr. Bupp is concurrently or subsequently terminated:
- by our company without cause (cause is defined as any willful breach of a
material duty by Mr. Bupp in the course of his employment or willful and
continued neglect of his duty as an employee);
- the term of Mr. Bupp's employment agreement expires; or
- Mr. Bupp resigns because his authority, responsibilities or compensation
have materially diminished, a material change occurs in his working
conditions or we breach the agreement;
then, Mr. Bupp will be paid a severance payment of $650,000 (less amounts
paid as Mr. Bupp's salary and benefits that continue for the remaining term of
the agreement if his employment is terminated without cause). If any such
termination occurs after the substantial completion of the liquidation of our
assets, the severance payment shall be increased by $81,250.
For purposes of Mr. Bupp's employment agreement, a change in control
includes:
- the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person (other than our
company or an employee benefit plan established by the Board of Directors)
of beneficial ownership of 15 percent or more of our securities with
voting power in the next meeting of holders of voting securities to elect
the directors;
- a majority of the directors elected at any meeting of the holders of our
voting securities are persons who were not nominated by our then current
Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof;
- our stockholders approve a merger or consolidation of our company with
another person, other than a merger or consolidation in which the holders
of our voting securities outstanding immediately before such merger or
consolidation continue to hold voting securities in the surviving or
resulting corporation (in the same relative proportions to each other as
existed before such event) comprising eighty percent (80%) or more of the
voting power for all purposes of the surviving or resulting corporation;
or
- our stockholders approve a transfer of substantially all of our assets to
another person other than a transfer to a transferee, eighty percent (80%)
or more of the voting power of which is owned or controlled by us or by
the holders of our voting securities outstanding immediately before such
transfer in the same relative proportions to each other as existed before
such event.
Mr. Bupp will be paid a severance amount of $406,250 if his employment is
terminated at the end of his employment agreement or without cause and his
benefits will continue for the longer of twenty-four months or the full term of
the agreement.
Restricted Stock Agreements. Mr. Bupp holds 100,000, 35,000, 45,000 and
30,000 shares of our common stock that was originally granted as restricted
stock grants on March 22, 2000, April 30, 1999, May 20, 1998 and June 1, 1996,
respectively, pursuant to restricted stock purchase agreements of the same
dates. The original grants
11
did not allow Mr. Bupp to transfer or sell any of the restricted shares unless
and until they vested and contained certain change of control provisions.
However, in connection with the February 1, 2003 amendment to Mr. Bupp's
previous employment agreement, we vested Mr. Bupp's interest in the shares. We
recognized $27,090 in compensation expense related to the vesting of the
restricted stock in 2003 which occurred as a result of the execution of a
February 1, 2003 amendment to Mr. Bupp's previous employment agreement.
COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER NAMED EXECUTIVES
Carl M. Bosch
Employment Agreement. Carl Bosch is employed under a twelve-month
employment agreement effective January 1, 2004. The employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $135,000, we have agreed to review Mr.
Bosch's salary by July 1, 2004.
The Compensation Committee will, on an annual basis, review the
performance of our company and of Mr. Bosch and we will pay a bonus to Mr. Bosch
as we deem appropriate, in our discretion. Such review and bonus will be
consistent with any bonus plan adopted by the Compensation Committee that covers
the executive officers of our company generally. No bonus was paid to Mr. Bosch
relating to fiscal year 2003. Mr. Bosch was paid $26,000 in salary during 2003
that was deferred under the terms of his previous employment agreement.
If a change in control occurs with respect to our company and the
employment of Mr. Bosch is concurrently or subsequently terminated:
- without cause (cause is defined as any willful breach of a material duty
by Bosch in the course of his employment or willful and continued neglect
of his duty as an employee);
- the term of Mr. Bosch's employment agreement expires; or
- Mr. Bosch resigns because his authority, responsibilities or compensation
have materially diminished, a material change occurs in his working
conditions or we breach the agreement;
then, Mr. Bosch will be paid a severance payment of $270,000 and will
continue his benefits for the longer of twelve months or the remaining term of
his employment agreement.
For purposes of Mr. Bosch's employment agreement, a change in control
includes:
- the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by a person (other than our
company or an employee benefit plan established by the Board of Directors)
of beneficial ownership of 30 percent or more of our securities with
voting power in the next meeting of holders of voting securities to elect
the directors;
- a majority of the directors elected at any meeting of the holders of our
voting securities are persons who were not nominated by our then current
Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof;
- our stockholders approve a merger or consolidation of our company with
another person, other than a merger or consolidation in which the holders
of our voting securities outstanding immediately before such merger or
consolidation continue to hold voting securities in the surviving or
resulting corporation (in the same relative proportions to each other as
existed before such event) comprising eighty percent (80%) or more of the
voting power for all purposes of the surviving or resulting corporation;
or
- our stockholders approve a transfer of substantially all of the assets of
our company to another person other than a transfer to a transferee,
eighty percent (80%) or more of the voting power of which is owned or
controlled by us or by the holders of our voting securities outstanding
immediately before such transfer in the same relative proportions to each
other as existed before such event.
Mr. Bosch will be paid a severance amount of $135,000 if his employment is
terminated at the end of his employment agreement or without cause, and his
benefits will be continued for up to twelve months.
12
Restricted Stock Agreement. Mr. Bosch also holds 30,000 shares of our
common stock that were originally granted to him as restricted stock on March
22, 2000, pursuant to a restricted stock purchase agreement with our company as
of the same date. Under the original terms of the underlying restricted stock
purchase agreement, Mr. Bosch could not transfer or sell any of the restricted
shares unless and until they vest. However, in connection with the execution of
his previous employment agreement that was effective from February 1, 2003
through December 31, 2003 and Mr. Bosch's waiver of amounts previously deferred
under an August 1, 2002 amendment to another previous employment agreement, we
vested Mr. Bosch's interest in the shares. We recognized $3,870 in compensation
expense related to the vesting of the restricted stock in 2003 concurrent with
the execution of Mr. Bosch's previous employment agreement.
Rodger A. Brown
Employment Agreement. Rodger Brown is employed under a twelve-month
employment agreement effective January 1, 2004. The employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $115,000, and we have agreed to review Mr.
Brown's salary by July 1, 2004. Mr. Brown was paid $32,733 in salary during 2003
that was deferred under the terms of his previous employment agreements.
The terms of Mr. Brown's employment agreement are substantially identical
to Mr. Bosch's employment agreement except that Mr. Brown would be paid $172,500
if terminated due to a change of control and $115,000 if terminated at the end
of his employment or without cause.
The Compensation Committee will, on an annual basis, review the
performance of our company and of Mr. Brown and we will pay a bonus to Mr. Brown
as we deem appropriate, in our discretion. Such review and bonus will be
consistent with any bonus plan adopted by the Compensation Committee that covers
the executive officers of our company generally. No bonus was paid to Mr. Brown
relating to fiscal year 2003.
Brent L. Larson
Employment Agreement. Brent Larson is employed under a twelve-month
employment agreement effective January 1, 2004. The employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $135,000 and we have agreed to review Mr.
Larson's salary by July 1, 2004. Mr. Larson was paid $26,000 in salary during
2003 that was deferred under the terms of his previous employment agreement.
The terms of Mr. Larson's employment agreement are substantially identical
to Mr. Bosch's employment agreement. The Compensation Committee will, on an
annual basis, review the performance of our company and of Mr. Larson and we
will pay a bonus to Mr. Larson as we deem appropriate, in our discretion. Such
review and bonus will be consistent with any bonus plan adopted by the
Compensation Committee that covers the executive officers of our company
generally. No bonus was paid to Mr. Larson relating to fiscal year 2003.
Restricted Stock Agreement(s). Mr. Larson also holds 40,000, 20,000 and
10,000 shares of our common stock that were originally granted to him as
restricted stock granted to him at a price of $0.001 per share on March 22,
2000, April 30, 1999 and October 23, 1998, respectively, pursuant to restricted
stock purchase agreements of the same dates. The terms of Mr. Larson's
restricted stock purchase agreement are identical to those contained in Mr.
Bosch's restricted stock purchase agreement discussed above regarding vesting,
forfeiture and rights of ownership. However, in connection with the execution of
his previous employment agreement that was effective from February 1, 2003
through December 31, 2003 and Mr. Larson's waiver of amounts previously deferred
under an August 1, 2002 amendment to another previous employment agreement, we
vested Mr. Larson's interest in the shares. We recognized $9,030 in compensation
expense related to the vesting of the restricted stock in 2003 concurrent with
the execution of Mr. Larson's previous employment agreement.
Dan Manor
Dan Manor was employed by our subsidiary, Cardiosonix Ltd., as its
President under a two-year employment agreement effective January 1, 2002. The
employment agreement provided for a monthly basic salary of $12,083 and
automatically renewed for one-year increments unless written notice was given
ninety days prior to the end of the then term of the agreement. Dr. Manor will
also receive one third of 1% of the Net Revenues (as
13
defined in Dr. Manor's employment agreement) from Cardiosonix products for up to
five years from the effective date of the agreement. Cardiosonix also provided
Dr. Manor with an automobile allowance, and provided certain statutory benefits
under the laws of the State of Israel. Neoprobe and Dr. Manor agreed in
September 2003 not to renew his employment agreement following the expiration of
its initial term on December 31, 2003; however, the royalty provisions of his
agreement survive the end of his employment with Cardiosonix and continue
through December 31, 2006.
AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes us to issue up to
75,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of our
preferred stock, $.001 par value.
Our Board of Directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number
of shares of our common stock from 75,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares.
Under the amendment, Section 4.1 of Article FOUR of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation would read:
4.1 AUTHORIZED SHARES. The total number of shares of capital stock which
the Corporation has authority to issue is 105,000,000 shares, consisting
of:
(a) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the
Common Stock); and
(b) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the
Preferred Stock).
As of June 1, 2004, of the 75,000,000 shares of common stock presently
authorized, 58,087,957 shares were issued and outstanding, 3,849,470 shares were
reserved for issuance under our stock option plans or related to outstanding
warrants and convertible securities, and 13,062,573 shares were not reserved for
any specific use and were available for future issuances. If our stockholders
approve the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase our
authorized shares, we will have 38,062,573 shares of common stock that are not
reserved for any specific use and are available for future issuances.
Our Board of Directors believes that the 13,062,573 shares of common stock
that are not reserved and which are available for issuance do not provide us
with sufficient flexibility to act in a timely manner in meeting future stock
needs. We anticipate that we may in the future need to issue additional shares
in connection with one or more of the following:
- acquisitions;
- strategic investments;
- corporate transactions, such as stock splits or stock dividends;
- financing transactions, such as public offerings of common stock or
convertible securities;
- incentive and employee benefit plans; and
- otherwise for corporate purposes that have not yet been identified.
In order to provide our Board of Directors with certainty and flexibility
to undertake such transactions to support our future business growth, the Board
believes it is in the best interests of our Company at this time to increase the
number of authorized shares of our common stock. No such transactions are
currently under consideration by the Board.
If this proposal is adopted, the additional authorized shares of common
stock may be issued upon the approval of our Board of Directors at such times,
in such amounts, and upon such terms as our Board of Directors may determine,
without further approval of the stockholders, unless such approval is expressly
required by applicable law, regulatory agencies, or any exchange or quotation
service on which our common stock may then be listed. For example, such
stockholder approval may be required pursuant to Section 203 of the DGCL for the
14
issuance of shares of common stock in connection with a business combination
with an interested stockholder (See the discussion under "Possible Anti-Takeover
Effects of the Proposal" at page 16 of this proxy statement). In addition, in
the future should our common stock be listed on a national securities exchange
or the Nasdaq Stock Market (rather than the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board
where it currently trades), then the approval of our stockholders would be
required in certain additional situations, including: (i) in connection with the
acquisition of certain stock or assets, including another business, from a
director, officer or substantial shareholder, or from an entity in which one of
such persons is a substantial stockholder, or from an entity in which one of
such persons has a substantial direct or indirect interest, and the stock
issuable in such transaction could result in an increase in the number of shares
or voting power of the outstanding shares of 5% or more, (ii) in a transaction
or a series of transactions (except for a public offering of common stock for
cash) that would result in an increase in the number of shares or voting power
of the outstanding shares by 20% or more, (iii) where the issuance of common
stock would result in a change of control of our Company, or (iv) in connection
with a stock option or purchase plan under which stock may be acquired by
officers or directors. The ability of our Board of Directors to issue shares
from the additional authorized shares will allow the Board, except under the
limited circumstances discussed in this paragraph, to perform the functions for
which they are currently empowered under our Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and by-laws in executing certain transactions, such as
acquisitions, investments, or other transactions, pursuant to which such
additional authorized shares could be issued without further stockholder
approval of the specific transaction.
Our stockholders do not have preemptive rights with respect to future
issuances of additional shares of common stock, which means that current
stockholders do not have a prior right to purchase any new issue of common stock
of our Company in order to maintain their proportionate ownership interest. As a
result, the issuance of a significant amount of additional authorized common
stock (other than as the result of a stock split or other pro rata distribution
to stockholders) would result in a significant dilution of the beneficial
ownership interests and/or voting power of each company stockholder who does not
purchase additional shares to maintain his or her pro rata interest. As
additional shares are issued, the shares owned by our existing stockholders will
represent a smaller percentage ownership interest in our Company. For instance,
a stockholder who currently owns 100,000 shares of our common stock has 0.17% of
our total outstanding shares of common stock. If, however, the proposal is
approved and all 25,000,000 of the additional shares of common stock are issued,
the stockholder's 100,000 shares then would represent approximately 0.12% of our
total outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, the issuance of
additional shares of our common stock could result in a decrease in the trading
price of our common stock, depending on the price at which such shares are
issued.
If this proposal is not adopted, management believes we will be severely
limited in our ability to raise capital. As is discussed more fully in the Risk
Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 2003, we believe we will need to raise additional capital in order to
complete the development and commercialization of our blood flow product line.
If we are unsuccessful in gaining approval for this increase in our authorized
shares, and other funding sources are not available to us, we will likely have
to make significant modifications to our blood flow commercialization plan
and/or severely curtail our operations.
15
POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSAL
Our Board of Directors does not intend or view the proposed increase in
the number of authorized shares of our common stock as an anti-takeover measure,
but rather, as a means of providing greater flexibility to the Board as
indicated above. Nevertheless, the proposed increase in the our authorized
shares could enable the Board to issue additional shares to render more
difficult or discourage an attempt by another person or entity to obtain control
of our Company, even if the holders of our common stock deem such acquisition of
control of our Company to be in their best interests. The issuance of additional
shares of common stock in a public or private sale, merger or similar
transaction would increase the number of outstanding shares and thereby could
dilute the proportionate interest of a party attempting to gain control of our
Company. As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board of Directors and our
management are not aware of any attempt or plan to takeover or acquire our
Company or our common stock, and the proposal to increase the authorized shares
of our common stock was not prompted by any specific takeover or acquisition
effort or threat. Other than the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock, our Board of
Directors does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other
proposals or amendments to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation that could
be construed to affect the ability of third parties to take over or change the
control of our Company.
Our Certificate of Incorporation permits our Board of Directors to issue
up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock on terms established by our Board from
time to time. The Board, within the limitations and restrictions contained in
the Certificate of Incorporation and without further action by our stockholders,
has the authority to issue the preferred stock from time to time in one or more
series and to fix the number of shares and the relative rights, conversion
rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidation preferences
and any other preferences, special rights and qualifications of any such series.
Any issuance of preferred stock with voting rights could, under certain
circumstances, have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of
our Company by increasing the number of outstanding shares entitled to vote and
increasing the number of votes required to approve a change in control of our
Company. As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board of Directors has
created one series of preferred stock. 500,000 shares of preferred stock have
been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and reserved
for issuance under our stockholder rights plan.
In July 1995 our Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan. The
stockholder rights plan provides each stockholder of record one right for each
ordinary share of common stock of our Company. The rights are represented by the
Company's ordinary common stock certificates, and are not traded separately from
ordinary common stock and are not exercisable. The rights will become
exercisable only if, unless approved by the Board of Directors, a person
acquires or announces a tender offer that would result in ownership of 15% or
more of our common stock, at which time, each right would enable the holder to
buy shares of our Company's common stock at a discount to the then market price.
We may redeem the rights at any time before they become exercisable for $0.01
per right. The stockholder rights plan expires on August 28, 2005. The
stockholder rights plan may have the effect of deterring third parties from
making takeover bids for control of our Company, or may be used to hinder or
delay a takeover bid. This would decrease the chance that our stockholders would
realize a premium over market price for their shares of common stock as a result
of the takeover bid.
We are also governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, which provides that certain "business combinations" between a Delaware
corporation whose stock is generally traded or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders, such as our Company, and an "interested stockholder," which is
generally defined as a stockholder who beneficially owns 15% or more of a
Delaware corporation's voting stock, are prohibited for a three-year period
following the date that such stockholder became an "interested stockholder,"
unless certain exceptions apply. The term "business combination" is defined
generally to include, among other transactions, mergers, tender offers and
transactions which increase an "interested stockholder's" percentage ownership
of stock in a Delaware corporation.
Our by-laws establish advance notice procedures for the nomination of
candidates for election as directors by stockholders, as well as for other
stockholder proposals to be considered at annual meetings. Generally, we must
receive a notice of intent to nominate a director or raise any other matter at a
stockholder meeting not less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the
mailing of our proxy statement for the previous year's annual meeting. The
notice must contain required information concerning the person to be nominated
or the matters to be brought before the meeting and concerning the stockholder
submitting the proposal.
16
We are incorporated in Delaware, and as such are subject to Section 203 of
the DGCL, which provides that a corporation may not engage in any "business
combination" with an "interested stockholder" during the three years after he or
she becomes an interested stockholder unless:
- the corporation's board of directors approved in advance either the
business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
- the interested stockholder owned at least 85 percent of the
corporation's voting stock at the time the transaction commenced; or
- the business combination is approved by the corporation's board of
directors and the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or
other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the
determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a
corporation's outstanding voting securities. Section 203 of the DGCL makes it
more difficult for an interested stockholder to implement various business
combinations with our Company for a three-year period, although our stockholders
may vote to exclude it from the law's restrictions.
VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our
outstanding common stock is required to adopt this proposal. It will become
effective upon the filing of an Amended Certificate of Incorporation with the
Secretary of State of Delaware, which we intend to make on July 28, 2004, the
day after the completion of the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF
THE AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to our
directors, officers and all employees. The code of conduct and ethics will be
posted on our website at www.neoprobe.com by the date of the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, or shortly thereafter. Until that time, the code of conduct and
ethics may be obtained free of charge by writing to Neoprobe Corporation, Attn:
Chief Financial Officer, 425 Metro Place North, Suite 300, Dublin, Ohio 43017.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On April 2, 2003, we completed a secured note financing in the aggregate
amount of $500,000, which included the participation of our President and CEO,
David C. Bupp. Under the terms of Mr. Bupp's bridge loan financing agreement
with our Company, Mr. Bupp advanced us $250,000 in exchange for a note, bearing
interest at 8.5%, payable monthly, and due on June 30, 2004. In consideration
for the loan, we issued Mr. Bupp 375,000 warrants to purchase our common stock
at an exercise price of $0.13 per share, expiring in April 2008. On March 8,
2004, the due date of the note to Mr. Bupp was extended from June 20, 2004 to
June 30, 2005. In exchange for extending the due date of the note, we issued Mr.
Bupp an additional 375,000 warrants to purchase our common stock at an exercise
price of $0.50 per share, expiring in March 2009.
17
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee consults with our Chief Financial Officer and other
key members of our management and with our independent auditors with regard to
the plan of audit; reviews, in consultation with the independent auditors, their
report of audit, or proposed report of audit and the accompanying management
letter, if any; and consults with our Chief Financial Officer and other key
members of our management and with our independent auditors with regard to the
adequacy of the internal accounting controls. The Board of Directors has
previously adopted a written Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter, which
was adopted on April 30, 2004, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selected KPMG LLP
as our independent accountants for purposes of auditing our financial statements
for 2003. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the
independent auditors our audited financial statements; discussed with the
independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Codification of
Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61; received the written disclosures and
the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1; and discussed with the independent accountants their
independence from our Company.
Based on the reviews and discussions with management and KPMG LLP, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board that our audited consolidated financial
statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors evaluated the independence of each member of the
Audit Committee. As part of its evaluation, the Board of Directors determined,
in the exercise of its business judgment, that Messrs. Avital, Miller and
Whitley, Ms. Katz and Dr. Krevans are independent under Rule 4350(d) of the
Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Standards and are financially literate each in
his/her own capacity.
Based upon its work and the information received in the inquiries outlined
above, the Audit Committee is satisfied that its responsibilities under the
charter for the period ended December 31, 2003, were met and that our financial
reporting and audit processes are functioning effectively.
Submitted by the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors:
Reuven Avital
Nancy E. Katz
Julius R. Krevans, M.D.
Fred B. Miller
J. Frank Whitley, Jr.
18
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934 requires our officers and
directors, and greater than 10% stockholders, to file reports of ownership and
changes in ownership of our securities with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Copies of the reports are required by SEC regulation to be furnished
to us. Based on our review of these reports and written representations from
reporting persons, we believe that all reporting persons complied with all
filing requirements during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, except for
one late Form 4 filing for each of Messrs. Linder and Manor.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG LLP was engaged as the Company's principal accountant on December 7,
1998, and has audited the Company's financial statements for each of the six
fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2003. A representative of KPMG LLP
is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an
opportunity to make a statement if he so desires and is expected to be available
to respond to appropriate questions of stockholders.
FEES OF THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL 2003
AUDIT FEES. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered
by KPMG LLP, for the audits of our annual consolidated financial statements for
the 2003 fiscal year and the reviews of the financial statements included in the
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal year were $128,900
(including direct engagement expenses). The aggregate fees billed for
professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audits of our annual
consolidated financial statements for the 2002 fiscal year and the reviews of
the financial statements included in the our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB
for the fiscal year were $110,730 (including direct engagement expenses).
AUDIT-RELATED FEES. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for
audit-related services rendered for our Company for the 2003 fiscal year were
$11,500. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for audit-related services
rendered for our Company and its subsidiaries for the 2002 fiscal year were
$15,500. Audit-related fees generally include fees in support of our filing of
registration statements with the SEC and similar matters.
TAX FEES. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for tax-related services
rendered for us for the 2003 fiscal year were $6,525. The aggregate fees billed
by KPMG LLP for tax-related services rendered for us and our subsidiaries for
the 2002 fiscal year were $8,500. The tax-related services were all in the
nature of tax compliance and tax planning.
ALL OTHER FEES. The aggregate fees billed for services rendered to us by
KPMG LLP, other than the audit services, audit-related services, and tax
services, were $0 for the 2003 fiscal year and $0 for the 2002 fiscal year.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY. The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all
auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms
thereof) to be performed for us by its independent auditor or other registered
public accounting firm, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit
services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.
19
COST OF SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
We will pay the cost of this solicitation. We may request persons holding
shares in their names for others to forward soliciting materials to their
principals to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies, and we will
reimburse such persons for their expenses in so doing.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
A stockholder proposal intended for inclusion in the proxy statement and
form of proxy for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
in 2005 must be received by the Company before March 29, 2005, at its executive
offices, Attention: Brent Larson. Any stockholder proposal submitted outside the
processes of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for
presentation at our 2005 Annual Meeting will be considered untimely for purposes
of Rule 14a-4 and 14a-5 if notice thereof is received by us after March 29,
2005.
A stockholder who wishes to nominate a candidate for election to the Board
of Directors must follow the procedures set forth in Article III, Section 2 of
our By-Laws. A copy of these procedures is available upon request from the
Company at 425 Metro Place North, Suite 300, Dublin, Ohio 43017-1367, Attention:
Brent Larson. In order for a stockholder to nominate a candidate for the Board
of Directors election at the 2005 Annual Meeting, notice of the nomination must
be delivered to the Company's executive offices, Attention: Brent Larson, before
March 29, 2005.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has no knowledge
that others will present, any other business at the Annual Meeting. If, however,
any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is intended
that the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares represented
thereby in accordance with their best judgment.
20
Appendix A
NEOPROBE CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
As amended on April 30, 2004
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of
Directors of Neoprobe Corporation (the "Company") is to oversee the accounting
and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of
the Company.
RESPONSIBILITIES
In its capacity as a committee of the Board, the Committee will be
directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight
of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged, including
resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding
financial reporting, for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or
performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and each such
registered public accounting firm must report directly to the Committee.
The Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permitted
non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for
the Company by its independent auditor or other registered public accounting
firm, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in
Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.
The Committee is also appointed by the Board to assist the Board in, among
other things:
1. monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the Company;
2. requiring that the independent auditor submits on a periodic basis,
but at least annually, to the Committee a formal written statement
delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company,
consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1, and
actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditor with
respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact
the objectivity and independence of the auditor and for taking, or
recommending that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the
independence of the auditor;
3. establishing procedures for:
a. the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints by the
listed issuer regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls, or auditing matters, and
b. the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the
listed issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters;
4. making such reports as are required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC");
5. reviewing and approving related party transactions; and
6. reviewing and assessing the adequacy of this charter, at least
annually.
A-1
COMPOSITION
The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three Directors, each of
whom must:
1. meet the criteria for independence set forth in Section 10A(m)(3) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Rule 10A-3(b)(1)
promulgated thereunder;
2. not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements
of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company at any time during
the past three years; and
3. be able to read and understand financial statements, including a
company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall
serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Committee members may
be replaced by the Board. If a Committee Chair is not designated or present, the
members of the Committee may designate a Chair by a majority vote of the
Committee membership. At least one member of the Audit Committee must have past
employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional
certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background
which results in the individual's financial sophistication, including being or
having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior
officer with financial oversight responsibilities. In addition, at least one
member must be a financial expert as defined by Regulation S-K, Item 401(h)(2).
The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting
of one or more members of the Committee when appropriate, including the
authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services,
provided that decisions of such subcommittees to grant pre-approvals shall be
presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
MEETINGS
The Committee shall meet four times per year or more frequently as
circumstances require. The Committee may require any officer or employee of the
Company or the Company's inside or outside counsel or independent auditor to
attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants
to, the Committee. The Committee shall keep written minutes of its meetings
(which may, if needed to protect privilege, be confidential), and make regular
reports to the Board. The Committee may not, however, knowingly cause the
Company's counsel to make any disclosure in a manner that would cause a loss of
the attorney-client privilege or a waiver of the work product doctrine.
AUTHORITY
The Committee shall have all authority necessary to carry out its
responsibilities, function, and processes under this charter. The Committee
shall also have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers,
as it determines necessary to carry out its duties.
The Company will provide appropriate funding, as determined by the
Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for payment of:
1. compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for
the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing
other audit, review or attest services for the Company;
2. compensation to any advisers employed by the Committee pursuant to
authority granted by this charter; and
3. ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary
or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
A-2
PROCESSES AND FUNCTIONS
In fulfilling its responsibilities and in the exercise of its authority,
the Committee shall also:
QUARTERLY
1. Review with management and the independent auditor the financial
statement review completed by the independent auditor prior to the
release of quarterly earnings.
2. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the
Company's quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC, including issues
concerning significant adjustments, management judgments and
accounting estimates, significant new accounting policies and
disagreements with management.
3. Meet with management to review the Company's major financial risk
exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control
such exposures.
4. Review disclosures made to the Committee by the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their
certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any
significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Company's internal control.
ANNUALLY
1. Review and discuss the Company's annual audited financial statements
with management and the independent auditor, including disclosures
made in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, and approve or recommend to the Board for
approval whether the audited financial statements should be included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2. Discuss with management and the independent auditor significant
financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the
preparation of the Company's financial statements, including issues
regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices as well
as the adequacy of internal controls that could significantly affect
the Company's financial statements.
3. Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be
discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communications With Audit Committees, as amended ("SAS 61"),
relating to the conduct of the audit.
4. Review and discuss reports from the independent auditors submitted
to the Committee under Section 10A(k) of the Exchange Act, which
reports shall include:
a. all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;
b. all alternative treatments of financial information within
generally accepted accounting principles that have been
discussed with management officials of the issuer,
ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatment preferred by the registered
public accounting firm; and
c. other material written communications between the independent
auditor and management, such as any management letter or
schedule of unadjusted differences.
A-3
5. Prepare and review the Audit Committee Report, for inclusion in the
Company's annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee Report shall
state whether the Audit Committee has:
a. reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial
statements with management;
b. discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to
be discussed by SAS 61, as amended;
c. has received the written disclosures and statement from the
independent auditor required by Independence Standards Board
Standard 1, as amended, and has discussed with the auditor the
independence of the auditor; and
d. has recommended to the Board of Directors, based on the
Committee's review and discussion of items a. through c.
above, that the Company's consolidated financial statements be
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal
year for filing with the SEC.
6. Provide the Board with such individual information and assurances as
are reasonably necessary to assure that each member is an
independent director.
7. Review with the Company's inside general counsel (if applicable) and
principal outside counsel those legal matters that may have a
material impact on the financial statements, the Company's
compliance policies and any material reports or inquiries received
from regulators or governmental agencies.
8. Meet with the independent auditor and management of the Company
prior to the conduct of the annual financial statement audit to
review the planning and staffing of the audit.
9. Review with the outside auditor any problems or difficulties the
auditor may have encountered during the course of the audit. Such
review should include:
a. any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work,
including any restrictions on the scope of activities or
access to required information;
b. any changes required in the planned scope of any audit; and
c. an assesment of the accounting function, including the
internal audit department, if one exists, and its and their
responsibilities, budget and staffing.
10. Review any management letter provided by the outside auditor, and
the Company's response to that letter.
11. Establish policies for the Company's hiring of employees or former
employees of the independent auditor who participated in any
capacity in the audit of the Company.
12. Review major changes to the Company's auditing and accounting
principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor,
internal auditors or management.
13. Obtain from the independent auditor assurances that Section 10A(b)
of the Exchange Act has not been implicated.
14. Review such other matters in relation to the financial affairs of
the Company and its internal and external audits as the Board of
Directors or the Committee considers appropriate.
15. Meet at least annually with the chief financial officer, any senior
internal auditing executive, and the outside auditor in separate
executive sessions.
A-4
16. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Committee's charter on an
annual basis and recommend proposed changes to the Board of
Directors for approval.
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in
this charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditor.
A-5
NEOPROBE CORPORATION THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints David C. Bupp and Brent L. Larson, and each
of them, severally, with full power of substitution, as proxies for the
undersigned, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated
below, all of the shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of Neoprobe
Corporation held of record by the undersigned on June 1, 2004, at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 27, 2004, or any adjournment thereof,
with all the power the undersigned would possess if present in person.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES.
1. To elect as a directors the nominees named below for a term of three
years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
NOMINEES: REUVEN AVITAL
DAVID C. BUPP
JULIUS R. KREVANS, M.D.
[ ] FOR all nominees listed above (except as marked to the contrary)
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed above
THE UNDERSIGNED MAY WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE BY
LINING THROUGH OR OTHERWISE STRIKING OUT THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE.
2. To increase the authorized number of shares of the Company from
80,000,000 to 105,000,000, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of common
stock, $.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001
par value.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
(Continued, to be dated and signed, on the other side.)
(Continued from the other side.)
IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OR ANY
ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 ABOVE.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt with this Proxy of a copy of
the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated June 15, 2004, and a copy
of the Company's 2003 Annual Report to Stockholders.
Date: , 2004
---------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Signature
---------------------------------------------
Signature (if held jointly)
IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as name or
names appear to the left. When shares are held
by joint tenants, both should sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. Corporations should sign in their full
corporate name by their president or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please
sign in partnership name by an authorized
person.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.