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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)
(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-12
Celsion Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
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CELSION CORPORATION
10220-L OLD COLUMBIA ROAD
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-2364
----------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2004
----------------------------------------
To Our Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting (together with any
adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof, the "Annual Meeting") of
the stockholders of Celsion Corporation (the "Company") will be held at ten
o'clock AM local time on Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at the Sheraton Hotel, Columbia
Maryland, located at 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland 21044, for the
following purposes:
(1) To elect three Class III Directors, each to serve for a three-year
term;
(2) To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to
increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company's
common stock, $0.01 par value per share, by fifty million
(50,000,000) shares, from two hundred million (200,000,000) to two
hundred fifty million (250,000,000) shares;
(3) To consider and act to approve the Celsion Corporation 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan;
(4) To ratify the selection of Stegman & Company as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2004; and
(5) To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting.
The close of business on Monday, April 12, 2004 has been fixed as the
record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the
close of business on April 12, 2004 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
However, whether or not you expect to attend in person, please vote your shares.
You may do so either by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed
Proxy Card or by voting by telephone or over the Internet by following the
instructions included on your Proxy Card. Voting your shares will ensure your
representation, and help to ensure the presence of a quorum, at the Annual
Meeting. Your proxy is revocable, as set forth in the accompanying Proxy
Statement. Therefore, you may attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in
person even if you send in your Proxy Card or vote by telephone or over the
Internet in advance of the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John Mon
-------------
John Mon
Secretary
April 16, 2004
Columbia, Maryland
WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE VOTE
YOUR SHARES. YOU MAY DO SO EITHER BY COMPLETING, SIGNING, DATING AND
RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED AND
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR BY VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET
PURSUANT TO THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED ON YOUR PROXY CARD.
CELSION CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
==============================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
==============================================================
PAGE
----
SOLICITATION OF PROXY, REVOCABILITY AND VOTING...............................2
GENERAL.................................................................2
PROXIES.................................................................2
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES.................................................2
SOLICITATION............................................................2
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT...............3
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS AMENDED...................................................................4
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.......................................4
GENERAL.................................................................4
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION........................................4
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS........................................5
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION.................................................6
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS....................................6
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES................................6
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS.............................................6
QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS.............................................7
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS..............................................8
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE...........................................8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION..................................................9
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2003.......................................9
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
IN FISCAL YEAR 2003....................................................10
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS........................................10
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT....................................................11
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.........12
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION............12
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS...................................................12
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS.....................................................13
PROPOSAL NO. 2: AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.................14
BACKGROUND.............................................................14
PURPOSE AND GENERAL EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT............................15
POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT.........................................16
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS....................................................16
INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS...........................16
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION.......................................16
PROPOSAL NO. 3: APPROVAL OF THE CELSION CORPORATION 2004 STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN..............................................................17
BACKGROUND.............................................................17
REASONS FOR THE 2004 PLAN..............................................17
Dilutive Effects of THE 2004 PLAN......................................17
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE 2004 PLAN...................................17
New Plan Benefits......................................................21
FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS OF THE 2004 PLAN............................21
EXISTING EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION..........................23
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION.......................................24
PROPOSAL NO. 4: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS..............24
BACKGROUND.............................................................24
FEES .................................................................24
SERVICES BY EMPLOYEES OF STEGMAN & COMPANY.............................25
AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY ON APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES.....25
Audit Committee Determination AS TO INDEPENDENCE.......................25
RECOMMENDATION.........................................................25
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS....................................25
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING...........................25
OTHER BUSINESS..............................................................26
COMPANY REPORTS.............................................................26
ii
CELSION CORPORATION
=======================================================
PROXY STATEMENT
=======================================================
SOLICITATION OF PROXY, REVOCABILITY AND VOTING
GENERAL
The Board of Directors of Celsion Corporation (which is sometimes
referred to in this Proxy Statement as the "Company", "Celsion", "we" or "us")
is furnishing this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation, by the
Board of Directors, of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(together with any adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof, the
"Annual Meeting") to be held at ten o'clock AM local time on Tuesday, May 25,
2004, at the Sheraton Hotel, Columbia Maryland, located at 10207 Wincopin
Circle, Columbia, Maryland 21044, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying
Notice of the Annual Meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record
Date, Monday, April 12, 2004, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 159,713,033 shares of our
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, ("Common Stock") issued and
outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If you were a stockholder
as of the Record Date, you are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and we
encourage you to attend and vote in person. HOWEVER, WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND
TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REQUESTS THAT YOU VOTE BY
TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET OR COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING. A pre-addressed and postage-paid return envelope is enclosed for
your convenience, should you elect to vote by mail.
Our principal executive offices are located at 10220-L Old Columbia
Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046-2364, and our telephone numbers are (410)
290-5390 and (800) 262-0394 (toll free). We are first sending this Proxy
Statement and accompanying Proxy Card and Annual Report on Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2003 (our "2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K") to our stockholders on or about
April 22, 2004.
Election of directors at the Annual Meeting will be by plurality vote.
This means that the three director nominees receiving the greatest number of
votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the holders of Common Stock in the
election of directors will be elected. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes
in electing directors. The proposal to increase the number of shares of Common
Stock authorized under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), requires the favorable vote of a majority of
our outstanding shares. The proposal to approve the Celsion Corporation 2004
Stock Incentive Plan (the "2004 Plan") requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Ratification of the selection
of Stegman & Company to serve as our independent public accountants for the
current fiscal year requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting. The presence, in
person or by proxy, of a majority of all shares of Common Stock outstanding on
the Record Date and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for all purposes.
In the event that the number of shares represented at the Annual Meeting is less
than a quorum, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy Card intend to vote
"FOR" an adjournment of the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder votes will be tabulated by Automated Data Processing, Inc.
Shares represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy but not voted
will nevertheless be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes (shares which a broker or nominee has
indicated it does not have discretionary authority to vote) on a particular
matter will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker
non-votes, if any, therefore will have the same effect as "no" votes on the
proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock and on the ratification of Stegman & Company
as our independent public accountants, but will have no effect on the election
of directors or the proposal to approve the 2004 Plan.
PROXIES
If you vote by telephone or over the Internet no later than 11:59 PM on
May 24, 2004 (the day before the Annual Meeting) or return the enclosed Proxy
Card is properly dated, signed and returned so that we receive it prior to the
time of the Annual Meeting, with choices specified, so long as the proxy granted
is not revoked, your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance
with the choices indicated. If no choice is specified as to a matter, but the
voting instructions otherwise are fully followed or the Proxy Card otherwise is
properly executed, dated and returned, your shares will be voted in accordance
with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Any stockholder giving a proxy prior to the Annual Meeting may revoke
it either by attending the Annual Meeting and voting his or her shares in person
or by delivering to the Company, not later than the commencement of the Annual
Meeting, a letter or other suitable instrument of revocation, a later dated
telephonic or Internet voting instruction or a later dated Proxy Card, duly
executed by the stockholder. If you intend to revoke your proxy but do not
intend to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person, you should
effect your revocation in the same manner as you submitted your proxy
immediately. That is, if you originally voted by telephone, you should revoke by
telephone, if you originally voted over the Internet you should revoke over the
Internet and if you voted by mail you should revoke by mail.
SOLICITATION
We will bear the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing and
mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy Card and the Company's 2003
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any additional materials that we may
furnish to stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting. Copies of our
solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and
custodians to forward to beneficial owners of stock held in the names of such
nominees. The solicitation of proxies will be by mail and direct communication
with certain stockholders or their representatives by our officers, directors
and employees, who will receive no additional compensation therefor. In
addition, we have engaged D.F. King & Co., Inc., a professional proxy
solicitation firm, to solicit proxies and distribute materials to certain
stockholders, brokerage houses, banks, custodians and other nominee holders at a
cost which is not expected to exceed $7,500. This cost also will be borne by the
Company.
PLEASE VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET, OR COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED AND
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
2
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company
regarding the beneficial ownership of Celsion Common Stock as of April 12, 2004
by:
o each person or group known by us to own beneficially more than 5%
of the outstanding Common Stock;
o each of our directors and director nominees, as well as each
executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table appearing
under the heading "Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors--Executive
Compensation"; and
o our directors and executive officers, as a group.
We determine beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the
SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons included in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned
thereby. Shares of Common Stock subject to options that are currently
exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2004 are
treated as outstanding and beneficially owned by the holder of such options.
However, these shares are not treated as outstanding for purposes of computing
the percentage ownership of any other person.
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT OF COMMON
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER* BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES OUTSTANDING(1)
------------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------
Augustine Y. Cheung(02) 6,287,176 3.89
John Mon(3) 1,508,288 **
Max E. Link(4) 771,411 **
Claude Tihon(5) 289,346 **
Kris Venkat(6) 729,308 **
Anthony P. Deasey(7) 1,801,667 1.12
Gary W. Pace(8) 68,349 **
Daniel S. Reale(9) 149,766 **
Boston Scientific Corporation 12,732,572 7.97
One Boston Scientific Place
Natick, MA 01760-1537
Directors, Executive Officers as a
group (8 persons)(10) 11,605,311 7.20
-----------
* Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons named
is c/o Celsion Corporation, 10220-L Old Columbia Road, Columbia, MD
21046-2364 .
** Less than 1%.
(1) Based on 159,713,033 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 12,
2004.
(2) Excludes shares of Common Stock owned through the Augustine Y. Cheung
and Fee-Wah Cheung 2001 Family Trust and the Augustine Y. Cheung and
Fee-Wah Cheung 2003 Family Trust, as to which Dr. and Mrs. Cheung have
no voting or dispositive power and, therefore, do not have beneficial
ownership. Includes 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock underlying
currently exercisable options
(3) Includes 1,160,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently
exercisable options. Mr. Mon resigned as a director effective March 2,
2004 and no longer is deemed to be an executive officer.
(4) Includes 250,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(5) Includes 161,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(6) Includes 650,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(7) Includes 1,650,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(8) Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable
options.
(9) Includes 149,766 shares of Common Stock underlying currently
exercisable options. Mr. Reale resigned from the Company effective
February 23, 2004.
(10) Includes Daniel S. Reale and John Mon and the shares beneficially held
thereby. Mr. Reale resigned as an Executive Vice President and
President of the Company's Oncology Division effective February 23,
2004. Mr. Mon resigned as a director effective March 2, 2004.
3
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Company's executive officers, directors and
persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to
file reports with the SEC regarding ownership and changes in ownership of such
equity securities. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10%
stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish to us copies of all
reports that they file pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on our review of
the copies of such forms furnished between October 1, 2002 and December 31,
2003, and on our discussions with directors and executive officers, we believe
that, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, and the three months
ended December 31, 2003, all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements were
met.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the number of directors
that constitutes the whole Board of Directors is to be fixed by, or in the
manner provided in, our Bylaws. The Certificate of Incorporation also provides
that the Board of Directors is to be divided into three classes, designated as
Class I, Class II and Class III. Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors
is to consist of between three and nine directors, with the exact number to be
fixed by action of the Board. The Board has fixed the current number of
directors at five.
The terms of the Class III Directors--Drs. Augustine Y. Cheung, Max E.
Link and Kris Venkat--will expire with the election and qualification of
successor directors at the Annual Meeting, and each has been nominated to stand
for re-election to a three-year term. The terms of the Class I Director--Dr.
Claude Tihon--will expire with the election and qualification of directors at
the annual meeting of stockholders in 2005. The term of the Class II
Director--Dr. Gary W. Pace--will expire with the election and qualification of
directors at the annual meetings of stockholders in 2006.
At each annual meeting of stockholders, the directors elected to
succeed those whose terms are expiring succeed to the same class as the
directors they replace and such new directors are elected for a term to expire
at the third annual meeting of stockholders after their election and when their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified. A director of any class
who is elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of
directors would hold office for the remaining term of the class to which he or
she is elected, and a director who is elected to fill a vacancy arising in any
other manner would hold office for the remaining term of his or her predecessor.
The Board of Directors has nominated Drs. Augustine Y. Cheung, Max E.
Link and Kris Venkat to stand for re-election to the Board of Directors as the
Class III Directors, each with a term expiring at the 2007 annual meeting of
stockholders and with the election and qualification of their respective
successors. The proxies named in the Proxy Card provided with this Proxy
Statement intend to vote "FOR" the election of Drs. Cheung, Link and Venkat
unless otherwise instructed. If you do not wish your shares to be voted for Dr.
Cheung, Dr. Link or Dr. Venkat, you must identify the exception or exceptions by
striking through the name of each nominee for whom you do not wish to vote in
the appropriate place on the Proxy Card, in which event your shares will not be
voted for the nominee or nominees so stricken. In the event that any of the
nominees becomes unavailable, which is not expected, the designated proxies will
vote in their discretion for a substitute nominee, or the Board may reduce the
number of directors.
Under rules recently adopted by The American Stock Exchange (the
"AMEX"), a majority of our directors must be independent. The Board of
Directors, through its Nominating Committee, has been seeking, and continues to
seek, two additional independent directors. At such time, if any, as the
Nominating Committee and the Board identify additional qualified directors, we
expect to increase the size of the Board and add one such new director to each
of Class I and Class II. In the event that we are not successful in identifying
additional, qualified directors, the Board would consider reclassifying one of
the Class III Directors as a Class I or a Class II Director, in order to
equalize, to the extent possible, the number of directors constituting each
class.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
The directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, in
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting, so long as a quorum is present. As a
result, assuming the presence of a quorum, broker non-votes and abstentions will
not affect the election of directors.
================================================================================
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
================================================================================
4
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is certain information regarding the Company's current
directors and the nominees (who are also currently serving as directors), as
well as the Company's non-director executive officer.
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
---- --- ---------------------------------------------
Max E. Link 63 Chairman
Augustine Y. 57 President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Cheung Scientific Officer and Director
Claude Tihon 59 Director
Kris Venkat 56 Director
Gary W. Pace 56 Director
Anthony P. Deasey 54 Executive Vice President--Finance and
Administration and Chief Operating and
Financial Officer
Following is the biographical summary for the nominees proposed for
election as Class III Directors of the Company at the Annual Meeting and for
each of the continuing Class I and Class II Directors.
CLASS III DIRECTOR NOMINEES (TERMS EXPIRE IN 2007)
DR. AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG. Dr. Cheung has been President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since October 2001 and has served as a director
and Chief Scientific Officer since 1982. Dr. Cheung also served as Chairman of
the Company's Board of Directors from 1984 to 2001. Dr. Cheung was the founder
of the Company and previously served as President from 1982 to 1986 and Chief
Executive Officer from 1982 to 1996. From 1982 to 1985, Dr. Cheung also was a
Research Associate Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science at George Washington University and, from 1975 to 1981, he was
a Research Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at the Institute for
Physical Science and Technology and the Department of Radiation Therapy at the
University of Maryland. Dr. Cheung holds a Ph.D. and a Masters degree from the
University of Maryland.
DR. MAX E. LINK. Dr. Link has served as a director of the Company since
1997 and has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2001. Dr.
Link currently provides consulting and advisory services to a number of
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. From 1993 to 1994, Dr. Link served
as Chief Executive Officer of Corange, Ltd., a life science company that
subsequently was acquired by Hoffman-LaRoche. From 1971 to 1993, Dr. Link served
in numerous positions with Sandoz Pharma AG, culminating in his appointment as
Chairman of their Board of Directors in 1992. From 2001 to 2003, Dr. Link served
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centerpulse Ltd. Dr. Link currently
serves on the Boards of Directors of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq-NM:HGSI), Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq-NM:ALXN), Cell
Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq-NM:CTIC), Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:AKC),
Protein Design Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq-NM:PDLI), Discovery Laboratories, Inc.
(Nasdaq-SCM:DSCO), Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX:COB) and Cytrx Corporation
(Nasdaq-SCM:CYTR). Dr. Link holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of
St. Gallen (Switzerland).
DR. KRIS VENKAT. Dr. Venkat has been a director of Celsion since May
2001. Since 2000, he has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
of Sundari Enterprises, Inc. He has also been Chairman of the Board of Provid
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (since 2001), Morphochem, Inc. (since 2000), Automated
Cell, Inc. (since 2000), Than Technologies, Inc. (since 2003) and Indus Biotech
Private Limited (since 2002), as well as two companies based in Germany,
Accentua Pharma AG (since 2001) and Juelich Enzyme Products, GmbH (since 1996).
Dr. Venkat is a director of Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq-NM:SQNM), Genomics USA, Inc.,
and Strand Genomics Private Limited, and Vice Chairman of Transvivo, Inc. Dr.
Venkat is also a Senior Investment Adviser to TVM Techno Venture Management,
Germany. From 1992 to 2000, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Phyton, Inc. and, from 1993 to 2000, as Chairman of the
Board and Managing Director of its wholly owned German subsidiary, Phyton, GmbH.
From 1990 to 1991, Dr. Venkat was President and Chief Executive Officer of
Genmap, Inc. Dr. Venkat is a Visiting Professor of Chemical and Biochemical
Engineering at Rutgers University. He has held visiting faculty positions at
Yale University, Dartmouth College, Anna University in India and University
College, Galway in Ireland. From 1986 to 1998, Dr. Venkat served as an advisor
to the government of India on biotechnology development. Dr. Venkat holds a
Ph.D. and a Masters degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers
University and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT).
CLASS II DIRECTOR (TERM EXPIRES IN 2006)
DR. GARY W. PACE. Dr. Pace has served as a director of the Company
since 2002. He is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QrxPharma
Pty Ltd., a development stage biopharmaceutical company, and a Visiting
Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He also serves as
a director of ResMed (NYSE:RMD), Transition Therapeutics Inc. (CDNX:TTH),
Protiveris Inc., and CTour A/S. From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Pace was President and
Chief Executive Officer of RTP Pharma and from 2000 to 2002 Dr. Pace was
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waratah Pharmaceuticals Inc., a spin-off
company from RTP Pharma. From 1993 to 1994, he was the founding President and
Chief Executive Officer of Transcend Therapeutics Inc. (formerly Free Radical
Sciences Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company. From 1989 to 1993, he was Senior
Vice President of Clintec International, Inc., a Baxter/Nestle joint venture and
manufacturer of clinical nutritional products. Dr. Pace holds a B.Sc. with
honors from the University of New South Wales and a Ph.D. from MIT.
CLASS I DIRECTOR (TERM EXPIRES IN 2005)
DR. CLAUDE TIHON. Dr. Tihon has served as a director of the Company
since 1999. Since 1995, he has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
ContiCare Medical, Inc., a medical device company engaged in developing
urological products to manage women's stress incontinence and men's prostate
obstruction. From 1987 to 1995, Dr. Tihon served in numerous positions with
Pfizer Inc., culminating in his appointment as Vice President of Research and
Technology Assessment and Manager of the Endourology Strategic Business Unit of
American Medical Systems, Inc., a Pfizer Inc. subsidiary. From 1983 to 1987, Dr.
Tihon served as director of Cellular Diagnostics Development of Miles
Scientific, a division of Miles Laboratories. From 1979 to 1983, Dr. Tihon
served as Senior Research Scientist and Assistant Director of Clinical Cancer
Research of Bristol Laboratories, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Dr. Tihon holds a Ph.D. in Pathology from Columbia University.
5
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Following is the biographical summary for each of the Company's current
executive officers. Each executive officer is elected by, and serves at the
pleasure of, the Board of Directors.
DR. AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG. Dr. Chueng's biographical information appears
immediately above under the heading "Class III Director Nominees (Terms Expire
in 2007)".
ANTHONY P. DEASEY. Mr. Deasey is currently Executive Vice
President--Finance and Administration and Chief Operating and Financial Officer
of the Company. Mr. Deasey joined the Company as Senior Vice President--Finance
and Chief Financial Officer in 2000, and became Executive Vice
President--Finance and Administration in 2002 and Chief Operating Officer in
March 2004. Prior to joining Celsion, he was Senior Vice President--Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of World Kitchen (formerly Corning Consumer Products)
from 1998 to 2000. He also served as Senior Vice President--Chief Financial
Officer of Rollerblade Inc. from 1996 to 1998 and previously held the positions
of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Church & Dwight Co.
(NYSE:CHD). Mr. Deasey is a Chartered Accountant who gained his early experience
in the international operations of Chesebrough Ponds and Price Waterhouse.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, each of the members of
the Board of Directors who was not also an officer of the Company received
compensation in the form of shares of our Common Stock with a value equal to
$20,000 for his service as a director. Dr. Max Link received additional
compensation in the form of shares of Common Stock with a value equal to $25,000
for his service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The shares were
valued at $1.09 per share, which was the closing price of the Common Stock on
September 30, 2003. In conjunction with the change in the Company's fiscal year
ended from September 30 to December 31, commencing October 1, 2003, each
director who is not also an officer of the Company will receive annual cash
compensation in the amount of $25,000 payable quarterly and will receive an
additional $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of a committee of the Board
that is not held in conjunction with a Board meeting. The Board has reserved a
determination on any additional equity compensation for the current fiscal year.
In addition, non-employee directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket costs
of attending meetings of the Board and of Board committees.
During fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Company granted to Dr.
Gary Pace an option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's common stock at
$0.43 per share, which vested on December 27, 2002 when Dr. Pace became a member
of the Board of Directors.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors presently maintains separately designated Audit,
Compensation and Nominating Committees. The Audit Committee's principal
responsibilities are to select annually a firm of independent auditors to
conduct the annual audit of the Company's financial statements, to assess the
independence of the Company's independent auditors and to meet with the
independent auditors from time to time in order to review the Company's general
policies and procedures with respect to audits, accounting and financial
controls. Drs. Link, Pace, and Tihon currently serve on the Audit Committee.
The principal responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to
establish compensation policies for the executive officers of the Company and to
administer the Company's incentive plans. Drs. Link, Pace and Tihon currently
comprise the Compensation Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for
identifying and recruiting new members of the Board of Directors when vacancies
arise, identifying and recruiting nominees for election of directors,
reconsideration of incumbent directors in connection with nominations for the
election of directors and ensuring that the Board is properly constituted to
meet its corporate governance obligations. Drs. Link, Pace and Tihon are the
current members of the Nominating Committee.
Each of Dr. Link, Dr. Pace and Dr. Tihon is deemed independent under
applicable AMEX rules. A current copy of the charter of the Nominating Committee
can be found on our website located at www.celsion.com.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, there were a total of
seven meetings of the Board of Directors. During the fiscal year ended September
30, 2003, the Audit Committee met four times, the Compensation Committee met
once, and the Nominating Committee, which was constituted after the end of the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, did not meet. All directors attended at
least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of all committees of which they were
members.
In November 2003, the Board of Directors changed the Company's fiscal
year end from September 30 to December 31. During the year ended December 31,
2003, full Board of Directors met a total of ten times, the Audit Committee met
four times, the Compensation Committee met once, and the Nominating Committee
did not meet. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board
and of all committees of which they were members.
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS
Our director nomination process for new Board members is as follows:
o The Chairman of the Board or another Board member identifies a
need to add a new member to the Board to provide particular
expertise, experience or any of the other qualifications set
forth below or to fill a vacancy on the Board created by a
proposed expansion of the Board or the resignation, removal or
death of an incumbent director and so informs the Nominating
Committee.
6
o The Nominating Committee initiates a search by working with
management, seeking input from Board members and senior
management and hiring a search firm, if necessary.
o The Nominating Committee will also consider stockholders'
suggestions for nominees for directorships (other than
self-nominations). Suggestions should be submitted to the
Company in writing, as follows:
Corporate Secretary
Celsion Corporation
10220-L Old Columbia Road
Columbia, Maryland 21046- 2364.
Suggestions received by the Secretary before December 31, 2004
will be considered by the Nominating Committee for nomination
and election at the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders.
A stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth:
(a) as to each stockholder-proposed nominee:
(i) the name, age, business address and residence
address of the nominee;
(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the
nominee;
(iii) an undertaking to provide a completed director's
and officer's questionnaire in the form required
by Celsion within two weeks of the submission;
(iv) a statement as to the nominee's citizenship; and
(v) any other information relating to the nominee
that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of
directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder; and
(b) as to the stockholder giving the notice:
(i) the name and record address of the stockholder;
and
(ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that the
stockholder beneficially owns.
Celsion or the Nominating Committee may require a stockholder
who proposes a nominee to furnish such other information as
may reasonably be required by Celsion to determine the
eligibility or suitability of the proposed nominee to serve as
director of the Company.
o The Nominating Committee then determines the eligibility and
suitability of any nominated candidate based on the criteria
described below.
o The Chairman of the Board and at least one member of the
Nominating Committee interview prospective candidate(s) who
satisfy the qualifications described below.
o The Nominating Committee offers other Board members the
opportunity to interview the candidate(s) and then meets to
consider and approve the final candidate(s).
o The Nominating Committee seeks full Board endorsement of the
final candidate(s).
o The final candidate(s) are nominated by the Board for
submission to a stockholder vote or elected to fill a vacancy.
QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS
When identifying director nominees, the Nominating Committee considers
the following:
o The person's reputation, integrity and independence under AMEX
and SEC rules and regulations;
o The person's skills and business, government or other
professional experience and acumen, bearing in mind the
composition of the Board and the current state of the Company
and the biotechnical/biopharmaceutical industry generally at
the time of determination;
7
o The number of other public companies for which the person
serves as a director and as a member of an audit committee and
the availability of the person's time and his or her
commitment to the Company; and
o Diversity.
In the case of incumbent directors being considered for re-nomination,
the Nominating Committee will also take into account the director's history of
attendance at Board and committee meetings, the director's preparation for and
participation in such meetings and the director's tenure as a member of the
Board.
The Board believes it is important for one or more members of the Board
to be an "audit committee financial expert," as determined in accordance with
Item 401(h) under Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, and for one or more
directors to have a depth of experience in the biotechnical/biopharmaceutical
industry. The Board of Directors has determined that it has an "audit committee
financial expert" serving on its Audit Committee as defined by Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K. Our audit committee financial expert is Dr. Max E. Link. Dr.
Link is deemed to be "independent" under applicable AMEX rules. The Board of
Directors believes that each of its members has significant, relevant experience
in the biotechnical/biopharmaceutical industry.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
The Board has adopted a policy that any communications by stockholders
intended for the Board should be sent to the Board's attention at the Company's
address set forth on the first page hereof. If management deems it appropriate,
it will forward any such communication to the Board (or applicable Board member
or Board committee) or disclose it to the Board (or Board member or committee).
The Board has also adopted a policy that strongly encourages all
directors, to the extent reasonable and practicable, to attend the Company's
annual stockholders' meetings in person. All of the current Board members were
present at last year's annual stockholders' meeting.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute
soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by
reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the
Board on June 1, 2000 and amended and restated effective December 26, 2003. A
copy of the Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter is included as Appendix
A to this Proxy Statement. Additional copies of the Charter are available upon
written request to the Company. All members of the Audit Committee meet the
independence standards established by the AMEX. In addition, the Board made the
affirmative determination that none of the independent directors has a material
relationship with the Company and that the Audit Committee members meet the
additional independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange
Act.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility
to oversee management's implementation of the Company's financial reporting
process. In discharging its oversight role, the Audit Committee reviewed and
discussed the audited financial statements contained in the Company's 2003
Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Company's management and independent
auditor. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the
reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent
auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those
financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
The Audit Committee met privately with the independent auditor and
discussed issues deemed significant by the auditor, including those required by
Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61 and No. 90 (Communications with Audit
Committees), as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the
independent auditor its independence from the Company and its management,
including the matters in the written disclosures required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees),
and considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the auditor was
compatible with maintaining the auditor's independence.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions outlined above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members of the Audit Committee
Max E. Link
Claude Tihon
Gary W. Pace
8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY
The following table sets forth the aggregate cash compensation paid,
during each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of its other executive officers
whose annual salary and bonus for the year ended December 31, 2003 exceeded
$100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers"). In November 2003, the Company changed
its fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. The information presented
below reflects calendar year ends.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS
---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS
POSITION(S) YEAR ($) ($) ($) ($) (#)
----------------------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------------ -------------
Augustine Y. Cheung 2003 $ 283,136 $ 50,000 $ 5,400 -- --
President and Chief 2002 $ 269,239 $ 31,328 $ 5,400 -- 1,350,000 (3)
Executive Officer 2001 $ 250,546 -- $ 5,400 -- --
Anthony P. Deasey 2003 $ 226,359 $ 50,000 $ 5,400 -- --
Executive Vice President-- 2002 $ 215,875 -- $ 5,400 -- 1,270,000 (4)
Finance and Administration 2001 $ 202,900 -- -- -- 1,280,000 (5)
and Chief Operating and
Financial Officer
John Mon 2003 $ 141,859 -- -- -- --
Vice President--New 2002 $ 133,809 $ 50,122 -- -- 560,000 (6)
Business Development and 2001 $ 121,400 -- -- -- 150,000 (7)
Secretary(1)
Daniel S. Reale 2003 $ 272,568 $ 90,307 $ 5,400 -- --
Executive Vice President 2002 $ 260,615 -- $ 5,400 -- 1,120,000 (8)
and President--Oncology 2001 $ 215,256 -- $ 3,842 -- 900,000 (9)
Division(2)
-----------
(1) Mr. Mon resigned as a director effective March 2, 2004 and is no longer
deemed to be an executive officer.
(2) Mr. Reale joined the Company in April 2001 and resigned effective February
23, 2004.
(3) Consists of new grants to purchase 500,000 shares and grants to purchase
850,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
1,000,000 shares.
(4) Consists of new grants to purchase 350,000 shares and grants to purchase
800,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
900,000 shares and new grants in December 2002 to purchase 120,000 shares.
(5) 900,000 of these options were cancelled and partially replaced with new
options in May 2002.
(6) Consists of new grants to purchase 100,000 shares and grants to purchase
400,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
450,000 shares and new grants in December 2002 to purchase 60,000 shares.
(7) These options were cancelled and partially replaced with new options in May
2002.
(8) Consists of new grants to purchase 200,000 shares, grants to purchase
800,000 shares issued in replacement of cancelled grants to purchase
900,000 shares and new grants in December 2002 to purchase 120,000 shares.
(9) These options were cancelled and partially replaced with new options in May
2002.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2003
In 2003, the Board of Directors changed the Company's fiscal year end
from September 30 to December 31. The Company did not grant any stock options or
stock appreciation rights to any of the Named Executive Officers during the year
ended December 31, 2003.
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock
options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2003. The Company did not grant any stock appreciation
rights during that fiscal year.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF TOTAL ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OPTION TERM
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE -------------------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) EXIRATION DATE 5%($) 10%($)
----------------------- ----------- ---------------- --------- ----------------- --------- ----------
Augustine Y. Cheung -- -- -- -- -- --
Anthony P. Deasey 120,000(1) 13% $ 0.40 December 6, 2012 $ 30,187 $ 76,500
Daniel S. Reale 120,000(1) 13% $ 0.40 December 6, 2012 $ 30,187 $ 76,500
John Mon 60,000(1) 7% $ 0.40 December 6, 2012 $ 15,093 $ 38,250
----------
(1) All of the options listed in the table above are exercisable.
9
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES IN FISCAL YEAR 2003
In 2003, the Board of Directors changed the Company's fiscal year end
from September 30 to December 31. The following tables summarize, for each of
the Named Executive Officers, the number of stock options held at September 30,
2003 and December 31, 2003, and the aggregate dollar value of in-the-money
unexercised options held as of each of those dates. The value of unexercised,
in-the-money options at September 30, 2003 is the difference between (a) the
exercise price and (b) the fair market value of the underlying stock on
September 30, 2003, which was $1.09 per share, based on the closing price of the
Company's Common Stock on that date. The value of unexercised, in-the-money
options at December 31, 2003 is the difference between (a) the exercise price
and (b) the fair market value of the underlying stock on December 31, 2003,
which was $1.31 per share, based on the closing price of the Company's Common
Stock on that date. The options described had not been exercised as of September
30, 2003 or December 31, 2003, and may not be exercised in the near future or at
all, and actual gains, if any, on exercise would depend on the value of the
Common Stock on the actual date of exercise.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED VALUE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
ON REALIZED ----------------------------- --------------------------------
NAME EXERCISE ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
-------------------- ------------- --------- -------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
Augustine Y. Cheung -- -- 1,083,334 666,666 $ 639,000 $ 252,000
Anthony P. Deasey -- -- 1,093,334 556,666 $ 501,500 $ 210,000
John Mon -- -- 933,334 226,666 $ 626,400 $ 82,200
Daniel S. Reale -- -- 563,334 556,666 $ 282,300 $ 210,300
DECEMBER 31, 2003
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
ACQUIRED VALUE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
ON REALIZED ----------------------------- --------------------------------
NAME EXERCISE ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
-------------------- ------------- --------- -------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
Augustine Y. Cheung -- -- 1,083,334 666,666 $ 877,334 $ 398,666
Anthony P. Deasey -- -- 1,093,334 556,666 $ 742,034 $ 332,766
John Mon -- -- 933,334 226,666 $ 831,734 $ 132,066
Daniel S. Reale -- -- 563,334 556,666 $ 406,234 $ 333,766
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company is party to employment agreements with Dr. Augustine Y.
Cheung, Anthony P. Deasey and John Mon. Certain material terms of each agreement
are described in the sections under the executives' respective names. In
addition, all of the employment agreements contain certain common provisions.
First, they provide for a severance payment of 2.99 times the executive's base
salary in the event that there is a "change of control" of the Company and (i)
the executive's employment is terminated without cause or (ii) there is a
material adverse change, without the executive's consent, in his working
conditions or status and he terminates his employment by notice to the Company.
Second, they provide that the executive's base salary will increase on an annual
basis based on the greatest of 105% of the base salary for the prior year, the
annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) Adjustment or the sum offered by the Company's
Board of Directors after taking into account corporate and individual
performance, the Company's prospects and general business conditions. Third,
they provide that all unvested options under the agreements vest and become
immediately exercisable upon the occurrence of a "change of control" of the
Company. Fourth, they provide that, upon death, disability or termination of
employment of the executive, such executive and/or his heirs and legal
representatives have the option to exercise all stock options vested at the time
of death, disability or termination of employment, for a one-year period
thereafter, or until the expiration of the stated term of such option, whichever
period is shorter. Any stock option not exercisable upon death or disability or
the effective date of termination of employment would be forfeited. Finally, the
agreements provide for CPI adjustments, restrictive covenants and
confidentiality and other protections of the type generally included in
employment agreements for members of senior management. For purposes of these
agreements, a "change of control" is defined as a merger, asset sale, tender
offer or other substantial change in voting control, or the election of a new
majority of the Board of Directors or of three or more directors whose election
is opposed by a majority of the Board.
AUGUSTINE Y. CHEUNG. Under its agreement with the placement agent that
conducted the Company's private placement consummated on January 31, 2000,
Celsion was required to enter into a three-year employment agreement with
Augustine Y. Cheung, the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Scientific Officer, in order to encourage continuity of management.
The executive employment agreement between the Company and Dr. Cheung,
effective January 1, 2000, provided for an annual salary of $240,000 per year,
renewable annually. In addition, the agreement granted Dr. Cheung a bonus option
(not subject to performance conditions) to purchase up to 300,000 shares of
Common Stock, at an exercise price of $1.20, which is equal to the average
closing price of the Company's Common Stock during the Company's fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 1999. These options became fully vested on October 1, 2002.
Dr. Cheung's employment agreement also granted him performance-based
options to purchase up to a maximum of 700,000 shares of Common Stock, at
exercise prices ranging from $0.80 to $1.60 per share, upon achievement of five
specified corporate milestones, and subject to restrictions comparable to those
imposed on annual bonus compensation shares. Those performance objectives
included obtaining final FDA approval for Company products, consummating
alliances with strategic marketing and distribution partners, and attaining
annual pre-tax earnings of at least $1,000,000 for the Company.
In May 2002, the Company and Dr. Cheung amended his employment
agreement and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to
purchase Common Stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment
agreement. In exchange, the Company granted Dr. Cheung (1) a bonus option to
purchase 800,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share,
which vested at intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based
option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.76
per share, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during
his employment.
10
Dr. Cheung's current employment agreement expires on December 12, 2004,
subject to annual renewal unless he informs the Company or the Company informs
him of an intent not to renew at least three months prior to that schedules
expiration date.
ANTHONY P. DEASEY. On November 2000, Celsion entered into a three-year
employment agreement with Anthony P. Deasey, currently the Executive Vice
President--Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Deasey's
agreement provided for an annual salary of $200,000. The agreement also provided
for performance-based incentive options to purchase up to 400,000 shares of
Common Stock, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached
during his employment, at exercise prices ranging from $1.4375 to $2.0125. In
addition, the agreement granted Mr. Deasey a bonus option (not subject to
performance conditions) for the purchase of 500,000 shares of Common Stock at a
purchase price of $1.4375 per share, which vested at intervals until November
27, 2002.
In May 2002, the Company and Mr. Deasey amended his employment
agreement and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to
purchase Common Stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment
agreement. In exchange, the Company granted Mr. Deasey (1) a bonus option to
purchase 665,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share,
which vested at intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based
option to purchase 135,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.76
per share, exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during
his employment.
Mr. Deasey's employment agreement expires on November 30, 2004, subject
to annual renewal unless he informs the Company or the Company informs him of
intent not to renew at least three months prior to that schedules expiration
date.
JOHN MON. In June 2000, Celsion entered into a three-year employment
agreement with John Mon, a director and Vice President--New Business
Development, Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Company. Mr. Mon's
agreement provided for an annual salary of $100,000, renewable annually. Mr.
Mon's agreement also provided for performance-based incentive options to
purchase up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock, exercisable only if certain
corporate milestones are reached during his employment, on terms similar to
those governing the incentive options provided to Dr. Cheung. In addition, the
agreement granted Mr. Mon a bonus option (not subject to performance conditions)
for the purchase of 50,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $2.75 per share.
In May 2002, the Company and Mr. Mon amended his employment agreement
and, as part of that amendment, agreed to cancel all the options to purchase
Common Stock originally granted to him pursuant to the employment agreement. In
exchange, the Company granted Mr. Mon (1) a bonus option to purchase 185,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share, which vested at
intervals until March 31, 2004, and (2) a performance-based option to purchase
65,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.76 per share,
exercisable only if certain corporate milestones are reached during his
employment.
Mr. Mon's employment agreement expires on June 7, 2004, subject to
annual renewal unless he informs the Company or the Company informs him of an
intent not to renew at least three months prior to that schedules expiration
date. Neither party has given such notice and, consequently, the agreement will
renew, with an expiration of June 7, 2005, subject to the same prenotification
provision.
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Effective as of February 23, 2004, the Company entered into a
Separation and Release Agreement with Daniel S. Reale (the "Separation
Agreement") in connection with Mr. Reale's resignation as an Executive Vice
President and President of the Company's Oncology Division. Pursuant to the
Separation Agreement, in lieu of all amounts that otherwise would be payable as
salary or cash bonus pursuant to the employment agreement between the Company
and Mr. Reale in effect at the time of his resignation, the Company has agreed
to pay Mr. Reale $275,000, subject to normal withholding over a one-year period.
In addition, the Company has agreed to pay, and has paid, Mr. Reale a bonus in
the amount of $647,500 in connection with receipt by the Company from the FDA of
Pre-Marketing Approval (the "PMA") for the Company's BPH treatment system. The
Company made this latter payment to Mr. Reale on March 12, 2004.
The Separation Agreement also provides that certain stock options that
previously had been granted to Mr. Reale, but which had not yet vested at the
time of his separation from the Company, would vest as follows: options to
purchase 335,000 shares of Common Stock (the "PMA Options") on or after the
issuance of the PMA, provided that, the PMA Options will vest at the discretion
of the Board of Directors in the same manner (both in time and amount) as those
granted to other executives generally; and (ii) options to purchase 221,666
shares of Common Stock (the "March Options"), on March 31, 2004. The Board of
Directors vested the PMA Options on February 19, 2004. Mr. Reale is entitled to
exercise options vested at the time of his resignation at any time prior to May
22, 2004, the March Options at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. on June 29, 2004, and
the PMA Options at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. May 19, 2004. The exercise prices
of Mr. Reale's options, as described above, are as follows:
EXERCISE PRICE
OPTION VESTING DATE # OF STOCK OPTIONS PER SHARE
------------------- ------------------ ---------
5/14/02 221,667 $0.64
12/06/02 120,000 $0.40
3/31/03 221,667 $0.64
March Options 221,666 $0.64
PMA Options 335,000 $0.76
In addition, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, for a period of one
year from his separation from the Company, Mr. Reale is entitled to participate
in, and be covered by, each health insurance and hospitalization plan of the
Company, as the case may be, made available to its executives generally, on the
same terms as offered to all executives from and after the date of the
Separation Agreement.
The Separation Agreement also provides that, (i) for a period of one
year following his separation from the Company, and subject to certain limited
exceptions, Mr. Reale will not do anything in any way inconsistent with his
prior duties to, or adverse to the interests of, the Company, and will not
compete with the Company or be engaged in or connected with any other business
competitive
11
with that of the Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) for a period of three
years, Mr. Reale will not (a) employ any individual who was employed by the
Company or any of its affiliates at any time during the such period or during
the 12 months immediately preceding his separation, (b) in any way cause,
solicit, induce, influence or participate in the employment of any such
individual by anyone else in any business that is competitive with any of the
businesses engaged in by the Company or any of its affiliates or (c) directly or
indirectly, either persuade or attempt to persuade any customer or client of the
Company or of any of its affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or
with any affiliate, or to reduce the amount of business it does with the Company
or with any of its affiliates or solicit for himself or any person other than
the Company or any of its affiliates, the business of any individual or business
which was a customer or client of the Company or any of its affiliates at any
time during the 18-month period immediately preceding his separation.
The Company and Mr. Reale also executed customary mutual releases in
connection with the Separation Agreement, which also contains other customary
provisions.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute
soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by
reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or Exchange
Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this Report
by reference therein.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and
administering the compensation policies applicable to the Company's officers and
key personnel, for recommending compensation arrangements to the Board of
Directors and for evaluating the performance of senior management.
The Compensation Committee and the Board have adopted the following
executive compensation approaches:
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company attempts to design executive compensation to achieve two
principal objectives. First, the program is intended to be fully competitive so
that the Company may attract, motivate and retain talented executives. Second,
the program is intended to create an alignment of interests between the
Company's executives and stockholders, such that a significant portion of each
executive's compensation varies with business performance.
The Compensation Committee's philosophy is to pay competitive annual
salaries, coupled with an incentive system which, through stock compensation,
provides more than competitive total compensation for superior performance
reflected in increases in the Company's stock price. Based on assessments by the
Board and the Compensation Committee, the Committee believes that the Company's
compensation program for its senior executive officers has the following
characteristics that serve to align executive interests with long-term
stockholder interests:
o Emphasizes "at risk" pay such as options and grants of
restricted stock;
o Emphasizes long-term compensation through options and
restricted stock awards; and
o Rewards financial results and promotion of Company objectives
rather than individual performance against individual
objectives.
ANNUAL SALARIES
Salary ranges and increases for executives are established annually
based on competitive data. Within those ranges, individual salaries vary based
upon the individual's work experience, performance, level of responsibility,
impact on the business, tenure and potential for advancement within the
organization. Annual salaries for newly hired executives are determined at the
time of hire, taking into account the above factors, other than tenure.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
The grant of restricted stock or options to key employees encourages
equity ownership and closely aligns management interests with the interests of
stockholders. The amount and nature of any option or restricted stock award is
determined by the Compensation Committee on a case-by-case basis, depending upon
the individual's perceived future benefit to the Company and the perceived need
to provide additional incentive to align performance with the objectives of the
stockholders.
Members of the Compensation Committee
Max E. Link
Gary W. Pace
Claude Tihon
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During fiscal year 2003, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors was, and it presently continues to be, comprised of Dr. Max E. Link,
Dr. Gary W. Pace and Dr. Claude Tihon. No interlocking relationships exist
between any of these members of the Compensation Committee or any executive
officer of the Company and any other of the members of the Company's Board of
Directors or Compensation Committee.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In August 2001, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement with Dr.
Kris Venkat, one of its directors, pursuant to which Dr. Venkat was to provide
at least 60 days of consulting services per year to the Company for an initial
term of two years. This Advisory Agreement has been renewed for an additional
one-year term, until August 2004. Dr. Venkat's services under this Advisory
12
Agreement are in addition to his services as a director and include providing
(i) strategic business and tactical advice to the Company regarding its
development, management and personnel, (ii) assistance with the Company's
heat-activated liposome business, (iii) assistance with developing a financial
strategy and securing additional capital and/or financing and (iv) identifying
potential investors that meet the Company's objectives.
As compensation for his consulting services, the Company is obligated
to pay Dr. Venkat a fee of $60,000 per year during the term of the Advisory
Agreement. Upon prior approval by the Company, he will be paid an additional
$1,000 per day for any time expended beyond 60 days. In addition to the fees,
the Advisory Agreement provides for performance-based incentive options to
purchase up to 400,000 shares of Common Stock, exercisable only if certain
corporate milestones are reached during the term of Dr. Venkat's consulting
arrangement with the Company. The exercise price of such options ranges from
$0.85 to $1.36 per share. The Advisory Agreement also granted Dr. Venkat an
option, not subject to performance conditions, for the purchase of 300,000
shares of Common Stock at a price of $0.68 per share, which became fully vested
on August 1, 2002.
All of Dr Venkat's unvested options (other than the performance-based
options) would immediately vest and become exercisable if the Company terminates
the Advisory Agreement for any reason other than his breach or his substantial
failure to perform his duties due to his disability or death. All of his
unvested options (including the performance-based options) would also
immediately vest upon a change of control of the Company. For purposes of the
Advisory Agreement, a change of control is defined as the change in beneficial
ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, the
change in a majority of the members of the Board, with none of the new members
being approved by at least 75% of the members of the Board as of August 2000,
the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, a transfer of all or
substantially all of the Company's liposome business to a person that is not a
subsidiary of the Company or the Company's entry into a joint venture with
regard to the liposome business in which the Company does not retain voting
control.
The Company and Boston Scientific Corporation ("Boston Scientific")
have entered into a Distribution Agreement dated as of January 21, 2003,
pursuant to which the Company granted Boston Scientific exclusive rights to
market and distribute the Company's Microwave BPH 800 Urethroplasty(TM) System
(now known as the Prolieve(TM) Thermodilatation System) and its component parts
for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (the "Product") in all
territories other than China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Mexico and Central and
South America for a period of seven years beginning on the date Celsion is first
able to ship the Product (the "Launch Date"). The parties will share gross sales
(less costs and expenses) attributable to the Product.
The Company and Boston Scientific also entered into a Transaction
Agreement effective January 20, 2003. Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement,
upon attainment of specified milestones by Celsion prior to the Launch Date,
Boston Scientific is obligated to make equity investments in Celsion through the
purchase of Celsion Common Stock at a 20% premium to the market price for such
Common Stock over various measurement periods. On January 21, 2003, Boston
Scientific purchased 9,375,354 shares of the Company's Common Stock for $5
million (representing a per share price equal to 1.2 times the average closing
price for such Common Stock during the 30 trading days ending January 15, 2003).
Pursuant to the Distribution and Transaction Agreements, upon meeting
Celsion meeting certain milestones Boston Scientific will pay Celsion up to an
additional $10 million through a combination of license fees and additional
equity investments. Boston Scientific made a payment in the amount of $8 million
to the Company in connection with these milestone provisions on March 1, 2004,
of which $2 million has been escrowed pursuant to the terms of the Transaction
Agreement.
The Company has also granted Boston Scientific the exclusive right to
purchase the assets and technology relating to the manufacture, marketing, sale,
distribution and/or research and development of products using thermal therapy
for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ("BPH"). This option is
exercisable for a period of five years, with the option price being calculated
based on worldwide sales of the Product, subject to a minimum price of $60
million. Additionally, for a period of up to seven years, the Company has
granted Boston Scientific the right to (i) match any unsolicited offer that the
Company may receive for any other product developed by the Company and (ii) make
a written offer to the Company in the event the Company desires to sell, license
or distribute any product developed by it.
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The information provided in the performance graphs below does not
constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed to be filed or
incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act
or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates such information by reference therein.
Under the rules and regulations of the SEC we are required to include
in this Proxy Statement a line graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder
return on our Common Stock with the cumulative total return of (1) a broad
equity market index that includes companies whose equity securities are traded
on the same exchange as our stock and (2) a published industry or
line-of-business index. In November 2003, the Board of Directors changed the
Company's fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. Therefore, we have
provided two graphs--one based on a September 30 fiscal year and one based on a
December 31 fiscal year.
Since May 31, 2000, our Common Stock has been listed on the AMEX. Prior
to that time, it had traded on the Electronic Bulletin Board operated by The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. In light of this change, the performance graph
compares the cumulative stockholder return on the Common Stock, assuming an
investment of $100 on September 30, 1998 and reinvestment of any dividends or
other distributions, to cumulative returns, on a comparable basis, for the AMEX
Major Market Index and the AMEX Healthcare Index.
The Board of Directors recognizes that the market price of shares is
influenced by many factors, only one of which is Company performance. The stock
performance shown on the graphs is not necessarily indicative of future price
performance.
13
[GRAPH OMITTED]
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TOTAL RETURN ANALYSIS
12/31/1998 12/31/1999 12/31/2000 12/31/2001 12/31/2002 12/31/2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celsion Corporation $ 100.00 $ 1,278.26 $ 434.78 $ 286.96 $ 186.96 $ 569.57
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMEX Healthcare Index $ 100.00 $ 114.56 $ 167.09 $ 106.69 $ 64.92 $ 118.16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMEX Major Market Index $ 100.00 $ 117.76 $ 108.83 $ 103.66 $ 88.76 $ 107.24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: CTA Public Relations www.ctapr.com (303) 665-4200. Data from BRIDGE
Information Systems, Inc.
[GRAPH OMITTED]
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TOTAL RETURN ANALYSIS
9/30/1998 9/30/1999 9/30/2000 9/30/2001 9/30/2002 9/30/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celsion Corporation $ 100.00 $ 280.65 $ 787.10 $ 164.52 $ 129.03 $ 351.61
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMEX Healthcare Index $ 100.00 $ 109.19 $ 241.69 $ 159.15 $ 77.53 $ 126.63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMEX Major Market Index
$ 100.00 $ 125.54 $ 120.57 $ 109.04 $ 97.26 $ 110.27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: CTA Public Relations www.ctapr.com (303) 665-4200. Data from BRIDGE
Information Systems, Inc.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
BACKGROUND
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes the
issuance of up to two hundred million (200,000,000) shares of Common Stock, with
a par value of $0.01 per share, and one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of
Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. On March 1, 2004, the
Board of Directors unanimously adopted resolutions, subject to stockholder
approval, proposing that the Certificate of Incorporation be amended to increase
the authorized number of shares of the Company's Common Stock by fifty million
(50,000,000) from two hundred million (200,000,000) to two hundred fifty million
(250,000,000) shares. The Board of Directors determined that this amendment is
advisable and directed that it be submitted for the approval of our stockholders
at the Annual Meeting.
14
If the amendment is approved by our stockholders, the first paragraph
of Article Fourth of our Certificate of Incorporation, as presently in effect,
will be amended by deleting that paragraph as it presently appears and
substituting for it a new first paragraph that would read as follows:
The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is two hundred fifty
million one hundred thousand (250,100,000) shares, consisting
of (i) two hundred fifty million (250,000,000) shares of
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), and
(ii) one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred Stock"). The Preferred
Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
The amendment will become effective at such time as we file with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation. If the amendment is approved by the required vote
of our stockholders, we intend to file the Certificate of Amendment as soon as
practicable after such approval is obtained. However, the Board of Directors
reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further
action by the stockholders, to determine NOT to proceed with this proposed
increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock if, at any time
prior to the filing of the proposed amendment with the Delaware Secretary of
State (which will occur subsequent to stockholder approval), the Board of
Directors, in its sole discretion, determines that the increase is no longer in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
PURPOSE AND GENERAL EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT
The Board of Directors believes that the increase in the number of
authorized shares of our Common Stock from two hundred million (200,000,000) to
two hundred fifty million (250,000,000) is necessary to provide us with a
sufficient number of shares for financings, acquisitions, management incentive
or employee benefit plans, exercise of stock options or warrants, stock
dividends or stock splits and for other general corporate purposes. Once the
amendment is effective, no further stockholder action would be necessary to
effect the issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock, except as may be
required by our Certificate of Incorporation, by law or by the applicable
regulations of AMEX in a particular set of circumstances.
On April 12, 2004, there were 159,713,033 shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding, with an additional 212,125 shares reserved for future grants
pursuant to the Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan, 26,042,691 shares reserved for
issuance upon exercise of currently outstanding options and warrants .
Therefore, as of that date, the Company had available only approximately
14,032,151 authorized but unissued and unreserved shares for any other purpose.
In addition, if approved by our stockholders pursuant to Proposal No. 3 at the
Annual Meeting, the Celsion Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan would reserve
an additional 10,000,000 shares for issuance in connection with various equity
compensation arrangements, further reducing the pool of authorized but unissued
and unreserved shares of Common Stock. However, there currently are sufficient
authorized and unissued shares available to accommodate the reservation of
shares under the 2004 Plan and the approval and implementation of Proposal No. 3
is not dependent upon the approval of an increase in the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Proposal No. 2. See "Proposal No. 3: Approval
of the Celsion Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan".
The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of
Celsion and its stockholders to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock so that such shares will be available for issuance in connection
with future transactions that the Board of Directors deems advantageous to the
Company and its stockholders. In particular, the Board believes that the
availability of additional shares of Common Stock would provide flexibility in
structuring possible acquisitions and strategic partnerships, enable us to raise
additional equity capital as and when needed and allow the Board of Directors,
in its discretion, to declare stock splits or stock dividends in the future.
These additional shares would be available for issuance from time to
time for corporate purposes, such as issuances of Common Stock in connection
with capital raising transactions and acquisitions of technologies, companies or
assets, as well as for issuance upon conversion or exercise of securities such
as convertible preferred stock, convertible debt, warrants or options
convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock. We believe that the
availability of the additional shares will provide us with the flexibility to
meet business needs as they arise, to take advantage of favorable opportunities
and to respond effectively in a changing corporate environment. For example, we
may elect to issue shares of Common Stock to raise equity capital, to make
acquisitions through the use of stock, to establish strategic relationships with
other companies, to adopt additional employee benefit plans or reserve
additional shares for issuance under such plans, where the Board of Directors
determines it advisable to do so, without the necessity of soliciting further
stockholder approval, subject to applicable stockholder vote requirements under
Delaware corporation law and the AMEX rules. If we issue additional shares for
any of these purposes, the aggregate ownership interest of our current
stockholders, and the interest of each such existing stockholder, would be
diluted, possibly substantially.
Although we examine potential favorable opportunities on an ongoing
basis, we have no current plans or arrangements to issue any additional shares
of Common Stock, except in connection with compensation matters in the ordinary
course. However, as we continue to develop our business and our products, from
time to time it may be advantageous to enter into agreements, relationships or
transactions that would require the issuance or reservation of Common Stock or
securities exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock. Given our current
capital structure, we may not have available a sufficient number of shares of
Common Stock for such purposes. In addition, although it has no present plans to
do so, the Board of Directors anticipates that, from time to time, the Company
may find it necessary or advantageous to raise additional capital, which may be
accomplished through the sale of Common Stock or other securities exchangeable
for or convertible into shares of Common Stock. Approval of the amendment would
provide the Company with available authorized but unissued shares to be utilized
in such future agreements, relationships, transactions and financings. Further,
having such shares authorized and, therefore, available for reservation or
issuance in the future would provide the Company with enhanced flexibility, and
would allow the Board of Directors to act to reserve or issue such shares
without the expense and delay of a special stockholders meeting to authorize
additional shares of Common Stock.
Adoption of the proposed amendment would not change the voting rights,
liquidation rights, preemptive rights or any other stockholder rights of our
Common Stock or the holders thereof. However, as discussed below, the additional
authorized shares of Common Stock could be issued at such times and under such
circumstances as to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share, if any,
15
and on the equity ownership of the present holders of our equity securities. The
proposed additional shares would be a part of the existing class of our Common
Stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and privileges as the
shares of Common Stock presently issued and outstanding.
POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT
The increase in the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock
could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect. Although
neither our Board of Directors nor our management views the increase in the
number of authorized shares as an anti-takeover measure, we could use the
available shares to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or delay or prevent
changes in control or changes in or removal of management, including
transactions that are favored by a majority of the stockholders or in which the
stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over
then-current market prices or might benefit in some other manner. For example,
without further stockholder approval, our Board of Directors could sell shares
of Common Stock in a private transaction to purchasers who would oppose a
takeover or favor the current Board of Directors. The increase in the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock would expand the ability of the Company to
issue shares and thereby dilute the voting power of any person or group that
might accumulate shares in order to attempt to effect a change in control.
Although the proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock has been prompted by business and financial considerations as
discussed above, stockholders nevertheless should be aware that approval of the
proposal to increase the number of authorized shares could facilitate future
efforts by Company management to deter or prevent a change in control of the
Company. The Board of Directors has no plans to use any of the additional shares
of Common Stock for any such purposes, and we are not aware of any existing or
planned effort on the part of any party to accumulate material amounts of our
Common Stock, or to acquire Celsion by means of a merger, tender offer,
solicitation of proxies in opposition to management or otherwise, or to change
our management, nor are we aware of any person having made any offer to acquire
our voting stock or assets. Further, the Board of Directors does not currently
contemplate entering into any arrangements or recommending the adoption of any
other provisions, such as supermajority voting requirements, that may have
material anti-takeover consequences. However, any such anti-takeover effects
would be in addition to existing anti-takeover provisions of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which include (a) the classification of
the Company's Board into three classes, so that it would take two annual
meetings (and, therefore, as much as two years or more) to replace a majority of
the Company's directors; (b) advance notice provisions in the Company's Bylaws,
which limit the business that may be brought at an annual meeting and place
procedural restrictions on the ability of stockholders to nominate directors;
(c) provisions that prohibit the Company's stockholders from calling special
meetings or acting by written consent; (d) provisions that authorize the Company
to issue preferred stock that can be created and issued by the Board without
prior stockholder approval, with rights senior to those of Common Stock; and (e)
share purchase rights associated with our Common Stock that are exercisable upon
the acquisition or potential acquisition by a person or group of, or the tender
offer for, 15% or more of our Common Stock.
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Under Delaware law, our stockholders would not be entitled to
dissenters' rights or rights of appraisal in connection with the proposal to
increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized under our Certificate
of Incorporation
INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Except in their capacities as stockholders of the Company, none of our
directors or executive officers or any of their respective affiliates has a
substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the proposed amendment to the
Certification of Incorporation. Furthermore, none of our directors or executive
officers has or will derive an extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata
basis with our other stockholders.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
required to approve Proposal No. 2, the proposal to amend our Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock.
"FOR" Proposal No. 2. As a result, broker non-votes and abstentions, if any,
will be treated as votes "AGAINST" the proposal. The Company's directors and
officers, who collectively held 5,784,545 shares of Common Stock, representing
3.62% of such shares outstanding, as of April 12, 2004 (the Record Date), have
indicated that they intend to vote all of such shares "FOR" Proposal No. 2.
16
================================================================================
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED PROPOSAL NO. 2, THE
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE BY 50,000,000 SHARES, FROM 200,000,000 TO
250,000,000, THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED UNDER
OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.
================================================================================
PROPOSAL NO. 3: APPROVAL OF THE CELSION CORPORATION 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
BACKGROUND
Our stockholders are being asked to approve the Celsion Corporation
2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2004 Plan"). The 2004 Plan, which will replace
the Celsion Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan (the "2001 Plan"), is a
broad-based incentive plan that provides for the grant of incentive stock
options, stock options that do not constitute incentive stock options,
restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom
stock and performance awards, to employees, consultants and non-employee
directors.
Substantially all of the 10,000,000 shares presently authorized under
the 2001 Plan are subject to currently outstanding stock options granted under
that Plan or have been issued upon exercise of such options. In the event that
our stockholders approve the 2004 Plan, to the extent that any shares remain
available under the 2001 Plan or become available due to the expiration or
forfeiture of currently outstanding options, such shares will become part of the
pool available under the 2004 Plan and no further options will be granted under
the 2001 Plan.
The purpose of the 2004 Plan is to make available additional authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to awards to be
granted to the Company's employees (including officers and directors),
consultants and non-employee directors, to provide flexibility to the Company by
permitting the grant of a range of types of equity compensation and to ensure
compliance with certain newly adopted SEC and AMEX rules governing stockholder
approval of equity compensation arrangements.
The 2004 Plan reserves 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Management
anticipates that the shares reserved under the 2004 plan should be sufficient to
meet the Company's needs for approximately the next three years. The 2001 Plan
reserved 10,000,000 shares for issuance, but provides only for stock options and
stock appreciation rights. The availability of additional shares and of
additional forms of equity consideration would allow the Company to provide its
employees, consultants and non-employee directors with equity compensation in
lieu of cash compensation. This would help curtail the Company's cash outlays
and permit it to conserve its cash resources for the development of its products
and business. The 2004 Plan is also intended to encourage and reward key
contributors to the Company's business by giving them an opportunity to share in
any future success of the Company without burdening the Company's cash
resources.
REASONS FOR THE 2004 PLAN
The primary purposes of the 2004 Plan are to ensure that the Company
will continue to have shares of Common Stock available in connection with its
equity compensation arrangements in order to encourage and reward key
contributors to the Company's business by giving them an opportunity to share in
any future success of the Company and to align their interests with those of our
stockholders. In addition, the 2004 Plan would permit the issuance of types of
equity compensation in addition to the stock options and stock appreciation
rights available under the 2001 Plan, including restricted stock, restricted
stock units, phantom stock and performance awards and, therefore, would increase
the Company's flexibility in structuring its compensation arrangements. The 2004
Plan also would allow the Company to continue to provide its employees,
consultants and non-employee directors with equity compensation in lieu of cash
compensation, thereby permitting the Company to limit its cash outlays for
compensation and conserve its cash resources. The Board of Directors believes
that the 2004 Plan will help us effectively to compete for, motivate and retain
directors, executives, other employees and consultants.
The Company presently is evolving from a development stage enterprise
to an operating company. However, we expect to continue to incur operating
losses and to place a heavy emphasis on product development and
commercialization for the foreseeable future. Therefore, for the foreseeable
future we anticipate that substantially all of Celsion's limited cash resources
will be required for the commercialization of the products presently in our
development pipeline and the development of new products. As a result, the
Company will continue to have relatively few cash resources to apply to hiring
and retaining key personnel. In the absence of cash resources, management
believes that it is critically important that the Company continue to be able to
grant meaningful equity-based compensation in order to ensure that it will be
able to hire and retain highly qualified personnel.
DILUTIVE EFFECTS OF THE 2004 PLAN
The 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be reserved for issuance
pursuant to the 2004 Plan (together with any residual shares that may become
available under the 2001 Plan) will consist of authorized but unissued shares of
our Common Stock. Celsion stockholders do not have preemptive rights. Therefore,
the issuance of shares under the 2004 Plan will dilute the interests of our
current stockholders in the Company. To the extent that the exercise price of
any option is less than the net book value per share of the Company at the time
of issuance, and to the extent of the issuance of restricted stock or restricted
stock units not subject to a cash payment equal to at least such net book value
per share, the value of other stockholders' interests in the Company will be
diluted.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE 2004 PLAN
The following summary provides a description of the significant
provisions of the 2004 Plan. However, the summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the 2004 Plan, a copy of which is included as
Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. Stockholders should read Appendix B
carefully in connection with their consideration of Proposal No. 3.
17
NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE 2004 PLAN
An aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for
issuance pursuant to the 2004 Plan. In addition, any shares reserved under the
2001 Plan that are available at the time the 2004 Plan is approved by our
stockholders, or that become available due to the expiration or forfeiture of
options granted under the 2001 Plan, will be added to the pool of shares
available under the 2004 Plan.
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
The 2004 Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or, at the
election of the Board, by a committee appointed by the Board comprised solely of
two or more "non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Act, who also qualify as "outside directors" (as described under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal
Revenue Code")). The Board of Directors has determined that the Compensation
Committee should administer the 2004 Plan and that each of the current members
of the Compensation Committee qualifies as a "non-employee director" and an
"outside director". References to the Compensation Committee should be read to
include the Board if at any time it determines to administer the 2004 Plan
directly.
The Compensation Committee will have full power and authority to
administer and interpret the 2004 Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations,
agreements, guidelines and instruments for the administration of the 2004 Plan
it deems necessary, desirable or appropriate, in accordance with the terms of
the 2004 Plan and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company.
The Compensation Committee also will have full power and authority to take all
other actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the 2004 Plan,
including the authority to (i) determine the participants to whom, and the time
or times at which, awards shall be granted; (ii) determine the types of awards
to be granted; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock and/or
amount of cash to be covered by or used for reference purposes for each award;
(iv) impose such terms, limitations, vesting schedules, restrictions and
conditions upon any such award as the Compensation Committee shall deem
appropriate; (v) modify, extend or renew outstanding awards, accept the
surrender of outstanding awards and substitute new awards, provided that no such
action shall be taken with respect to any outstanding award that would
materially, adversely affect the grantee without the grantee's consent or
constitute a repricing of stock options without the consent of the holders of
the Company's voting securities; (vi) reprice Incentive Stock Options and
Nonqualified Stock Options either by amendment to lower the exercise price or by
accepting such stock options for cancellation and issuing replacement stock
options with a lower exercise price or through any other mechanism (but only
with the approval of the holders of the voting securities of the Company to the
extent that such approval is required by any applicable law, regulation or the
rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system to which
the Company is subject); (vii) accelerate the time in which an award may be
exercised or in which an award becomes payable and waive or accelerate the
lapse, in whole or in part, of any restriction or condition with respect to an
award; (viii) establish objectives and conditions for earning awards and
determining whether awards will be paid after the end of a performance period;
and (ix) permit the deferral of, or require a participant to defer such
participant's receipt of, the delivery of Common Stock and/or cash under an
award that would otherwise be due to a participant and establish rules and
procedures for such payment deferrals.
If permitted by applicable law, the Board or the Compensation Committee
may delegate duties under the 2004 Plan to the Chief Executive Officer or other
senior officer of the Company, subject to such conditions and limits as the
Board or the Compensation Committee shall prescribe.
ELIGIBILITY
All directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or
any parent, subsidiary or affiliate are eligible to participate in the 2004
Plan. The selection of those directors, officers, employees and consultants,
from among those eligible, who will receive awards under the 2004 Plan is within
the discretion of the Compensation Committee, provided that awards of Incentive
Stock Options may be made only to employees of the Company and any parent or
subsidiary of the Company.
PERMITTED AWARDS
Our Board of Directors believes that it is appropriate to adopt a
flexible and comprehensive stock compensation plan that permits the grant of a
variety of long-term incentive awards to eligible participants. In keeping with
the aim of providing a comprehensive and flexible plan, the 2004 Plan authorizes
the following types of discretionary awards:
o Incentive Stock Options, which are stock options that meet the
definition set out in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.
o Nonqualified Stock Options, which are stock options that do not
meet the definition of Incentive Stock Options under the Internal
Revenue Code.
o Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs"), which represent the right to
receive payments in cash, Common Stock or a combination of the
two, of up to the amount by which the fair market value of a share
of Common Stock on the date of exercise exceeds the designated
base price of a share of Common Stock on the grant date. SARs may
be freestanding or may be granted "in tandem" with stock options.
o Phantom Stock, which represents the right to receive payments in
cash, Common Stock or other consideration, equal to the fair
market value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock at
such time, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the
grant agreement.
o Restricted Stock, which is a specified number of shares of Common
Stock that are subject to restrictions on disposition and
forfeiture to the Company under certain circumstances.
18
o Restricted Stock Units, which represent the right to receive
shares of Common Stock without any cash payment therefor upon the
satisfaction of vesting and other conditions, and may also include
the right to receive dividend equivalents equal to the amount of
dividends or other distributions payable in respect of shares of
Common Stock during the period from grant to satisfaction of all
vesting and other conditions.
o Performance Awards, which are amounts payable in Incentive Stock
Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or Phantom Stock that
may be earned upon satisfaction of various performance measures.
TERM AND TERMINATION
The 2004 Plan will become effective as of the date it is approved by
our stockholders. If not sooner terminated, the 2004 Plan will terminate on the
business day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date
and no further awards may be granted thereafter. The Board, in its discretion,
may terminate the 2004 Plan at any time with respect to any shares of Common
Stock for which awards have not previously been granted.
AMENDMENT
The Board may amend or terminate the 2004 Plan at any time, except that
stockholder approval will be required to increase the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to the 2004 Plan or if such approval is required to comply with
any tax or regulatory requirement or rule of any exchange or national automated
quotation system upon which the Common Stock is listed or quoted.
The Compensation Committee may make minor or administrative amendments
to the 2004 Plan, as well as amendments that may be dictated by requirements of
applicable U.S. federal or state laws or that may be authorized or made
desirable by such laws.
TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL TYPES OF AWARDS
TERM: The term of each award will be as specified by the
Compensation Committee at the date of grant, but may not exceed ten years.
CHANGES IN CONTROL:
In the event of any proposed change in control, as that term is defined
in the 2004 Plan and as summarized below, the Compensation Committee will take
such action as it deems appropriate and equitable to effectuate the purposes of
the 2004 Plan and to protect the grantees of awards thereunder. Such actions may
include:
o acceleration or change of the exercise and/or expiration
dates of any award to require that exercise be made, if
at all, prior to the change in control;
o cancellation of any award upon payment to the holder in
cash of the fair market value of the stock subject to
such award as of the date of the change in control, less
the aggregate exercise price, if any, of the award; and
o in any case where equity securities of another entity are
proposed to be delivered in exchange for or with respect
to Common Stock, arrangements to have such other entity
replace the awards granted under the 2004 Plan with
awards with respect to such other securities, with
appropriate adjustments in the number of shares subject
to, and the exercise prices under, the award.
For purposes of the 2004 Plan, a "change in control" includes:
o the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another entity or other reorganization of the Company, if
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
continuing or surviving entity's securities outstanding
immediately thereafter is not owned directly or
indirectly by persons who were holders of the Company's
voting securities immediately prior thereto;
o sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to an entity
that is not a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the
Company;
o any transaction as a result of which any person becomes
the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing at least 50% of
the total voting power represented by the Company's
then-outstanding voting securities; or
o a change in the composition of the Board over a period of
24 consecutive months or less as a result of which
individuals who, at the beginning of such period,
constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that any individual subsequently becoming a
director whose selection as a director or nominee was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
directors then comprising the Board will be considered to
be a member of the Incumbent Board, except if such
selection occurs as a result of either an actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of a person other than the Board.
AMENDMENT: The Compensation Committee may not amend an
outstanding award in any manner that would materially and adversely affect the
award, except with the approval of the participant to whom the award was
granted. Otherwise, the Compensation Committee may amend an outstanding award to
the extent that the it would have had the authority initially to grant the award
as so amended.
19
TRANSFERABILITY: An Incentive Stock Option is not transferable
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised
during the employee's lifetime only by the employee or his or her guardian or
legal representative. Other awards may, in the discretion of the Compensation
Committee, be transferable by gift or pursuant to a domestic relations order to
certain specified family members, entities and trusts.
TERMS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF AWARDS
STOCK OPTIONS
EXERCISE PRICE: The exercise price will be determined by
the Compensation Committee, in its discretion. Although it is the general policy
of the Compensation Committee to grant options at not less than the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, the Compensation Committee has
reserved the right, in its discretion, to grant options at a lower price as and
when it deems appropriate. In no event, however, will Incentive Stock Options be
granted at an exercise price of less than the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the grant date. The fair market value of a share of our Common Stock,
computed in accordance with the requirements of the 2004 Plan, was $1.45 as of
February 25, 2004.
SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS: If an Incentive
Stock Option is granted to an employee who then owns stock possessing more than
10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
a subsidiary, then the term of the option may not exceed five years, and the
exercise price must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the shares on
the date that the option is granted. In addition, no more than 2,000,000 shares
of Common Stock may be subject to awards granted during any one calendar year to
any one Covered Employee, as that term is defined in Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, subject to adjustment upon a reclassification,
recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination
of shares or other change in the Company's capital structure..
STATUS OF OPTIONS: The Compensation Committee will
designate the status of each option granted to an employee as either an
Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option at the time of grant. If,
however, the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date of grant) of
shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options become exercisable for the
first time by an employee exceeds $100,000 in any calendar year, the options
with respect to the excess shares must be designated as Nonqualified Stock
Options. All options granted to consultants and non-employee directors will be
Nonqualified Stock Options.
PAYMENT: The Compensation Committee may determine the
method by which the option price may be paid, including in cash, check or other
shares of Common Stock which have been held by the optionee for at least six
months. The 2004 Plan also allows the Compensation Committee, in its discretion,
to permit broker-assisted cashless exercises.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Compensation Committee
may establish such other terms and conditions on the grant of stock options, not
inconsistent with the terms of the 2004 Plan, as it deems appropriate.
RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
PAYMENT: Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation
Committee or as may be required to comply with applicable tax withholding
obligations, grantees of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will not be
required to pay the Company cash consideration for such Restricted Stock or
Restricted Stock Units.
VESTING CONDITIONS AND OTHER CONDITIONS: The
Compensation Committee, in its discretion, shall determine the vesting
conditions and other restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock
or Restricted Stock Units, including the duration and conditions to termination
of such restrictions. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, reduce
or shorten the duration of any vesting period or other restriction applicable to
any award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
STOCK ISSUANCE AND STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS: Certificates
representing shares of Restricted Stock will be issued to the grantee, subject
to forfeiture if the Restricted Stock does not vest or other restrictions do not
lapse. Except as the Compensation Committee otherwise might determine, during
the restricted period the grantee will have all the rights of a stockholder to
receive dividends and to vote the Restricted Stock. Certificates representing
shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit will be issued at such time as the
Restricted Stock Unit has vested and other restrictions have lapsed. The grantee
of Restricted Stock Units will not be entitled to any of the rights of a
stockholder until the time that certificates are issued, provided that the
Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may provide a participant with the
right to receive amounts equivalent to the dividends and other distributions
that otherwise would be payable on shares subject to the Restricted Stock Unit,
either currently or upon vesting and lapse of restrictions.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
TANDEM SARS: Tandem SARs, which are SARs granted in
connection with an underlying stock option, will entitle the participant to
surrender all or part of the option for payment at such time and to the extent
such option is exercisable. Any such SAR will be exercisable only to the same
extent and on the same terms as the related options are exercisable. An
Incentive Stock Option may only be surrendered in connection with the exercise
of a tandem SAR if the fair market value of the Common Stock underlying the
option is greater than the option's exercise price.
FREE-STANDING SARS: Free-standing SARs, which are Stock
Appreciation Rights not granted in connection with stock options, will be
exercisable as and when determined by the Compensation Committee.
FORM OF PAYMENT: The Company may pay amounts due upon
exercise of a SAR by delivery of Common Stock, cash, or a combination of the
two, as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
OTHER TERMS: The Compensation Committee will determine,
at the date of grant, the times at which and the circumstances under which a
Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, the method of exercise, whether the
Stock Appreciation Right will be in combination with another award, and any
other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right.
20
PHANTOM STOCK AWARDS
Phantom Stock Awards under the 2004 Plan will be granted
at such times and subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the 2004 Plan, as the Compensation Committee may prescribe.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
FORM OF GRANTS: Performance Awards may be in the form of
Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock,
Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciate Rights and/or Phantom Stock, as the
Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may determine.
PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Performance periods will be
established by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, provided that no
performance period may be less than one year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES: The Compensation Committee will
use such operating objectives as it determines to be appropriate, or one or more
of the following criteria, which will be determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and may be used in absolute or relative terms, to
measure the performance of the Company, or any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or
division of the Company for a performance period:.
o basic or diluted earnings per share of Common Stock;
o earnings per share of Common Stock growth;
o revenue;
o operating income;
o net income (either before or after taxes);
o earnings and/or net income before interest and
taxes;
o earnings and/or net income before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization;
o return on capital;
o return on equity;
o return on assets;
o net cash provided by operations;
o free cash flow;
o Common Stock price;
o economic profit;
o economic value;
o total stockholder return; and
o gross margins and costs.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS UNDER SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE: The terms of any Performance Awards that are intended to meet the
performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code will be interpreted by the Compensation Committee consistently with
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations Section
1.162027(e)(2).
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
To date, no awards have been made under the 2004 Plan. Upon stockholder
approval, the Compensation Committee may elect to make awards to executive
officers and directors of the Company under the 2004 Plan. Inasmuch as awards
under the 2004 Plan are within the sole discretion of the Compensation
Committee, at present it is not possible for us to determine what benefits, if
any, any persons or groups will receive under the 2004 Plan. See the Summary
Compensation Table on page 11 and the Option Grant Table on page 12 for
information about awards made under the 2001 Stock Option Plan to the directors
and executive officers named in these tables.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS OF THE 2004 PLAN
The following is a brief summary of certain of the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2004 Plan. It does not
address any state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences, which may
vary significantly depending upon the jurisdiction and the status of the
stockholder/taxpayer. This summary also does not attempt to describe all of the
possible tax consequences that could result from the acquisition, holding,
exercise or disposition of an Incentive or Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock
Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Phantom Stock or
Performance Award, or the shares of Common Stock underlying any of the
foregoing. The discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code, its legislative
history, existing and proposed regulations under the Internal Revenue Code,
published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws
are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
21
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
Incentive Stock Options are subject to special federal income tax
treatment. No federal income tax is imposed on the optionee upon the grant or
the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option if the optionee does not dispose of
the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise within the two-year period
beginning on the date the option was granted or within the one-year period
beginning on the date the option was exercised (collectively, the "Holding
Period"). In such event, the Company would not be entitled to any deduction for
federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or exercise of the
option or the disposition of the shares so acquired. With respect to an
Incentive Stock Option, the difference between the fair market value of the
stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price must generally be included
in the optionee's alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which such
exercise occurs. However, if the optionee exercises an Incentive Stock Option
and disposes of the shares received in the same taxable year and the amount
realized is less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of
exercise, then the amount included in the income of the optionee will not exceed
the amount realized over the adjusted basis of the shares.
Upon disposition of the shares received upon exercise of an Incentive
Stock Option after the Holding Period has been satisfied, any appreciation of
the shares above the exercise price should constitute capital gain. If an
optionee disposes of shares acquired pursuant to his or her exercise of an
Incentive Stock Option prior to the end of the Holding Period, the optionee will
be treated as having received, at the time of disposition, compensation taxable
as ordinary income. In such event, and subject to the application of Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code as discussed below, the Company may claim a
deduction for compensation paid at the same time and in the same amount as
compensation is treated as received by the optionee. The amount treated as
compensation is the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise (or in the case of a sale in which a loss would be recognized, the
amount realized on the sale, if less) over the exercise price; any amount
realized in excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise would be treated as short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on
the holding period of the shares.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
As a general rule, no federal income tax is imposed on the optionee
upon the grant of a Nonqualified Stock Option (whether or not including a Stock
Appreciation Right), and the Company is not entitled to a tax deduction by
reason of such grant. Generally, upon the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock
Option, the optionee will be treated as receiving compensation taxable as
ordinary income in the year of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the
fair market value of the shares of stock at the time of exercise over the option
price paid for such shares. In the case of the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right, the optionee will be treated as receiving compensation taxable as
ordinary income in the year of exercise in an amount equal to the cash received
plus the fair market value of the shares distributed to the optionee. Upon the
exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, and
subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Company may claim a deduction for compensation paid at the same time and in the
same amount as compensation income is recognized by the optionee, assuming any
federal income tax reporting requirements are satisfied.
Upon a subsequent disposition of the shares received upon exercise of a
Nonqualified Stock Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, any difference between
the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise and the amount
realized on the disposition would be treated as capital gain or loss. If the
shares received upon the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or a Stock
Appreciation Right are transferred to the optionee subject to certain
restrictions, then the taxable income realized by the optionee, unless the
optionee elects otherwise, and the Company's tax deduction (assuming any federal
income tax reporting requirements are satisfied) should be deferred and should
be measured at the fair market value of the shares at the time the restrictions
lapse. The restrictions imposed on officers, directors and 10% stockholders by
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is such a restriction during the period
prescribed thereby if other shares have been purchased by such an individual
within six months of the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right.
RESTRICTED STOCK
The recipient of a Restricted Stock award will not realize taxable
income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction
at that time, assuming that the restrictions constitute a substantial risk of
forfeiture for federal income tax purposes. When the risk of forfeiture with
respect to the stock subject to the award lapses, the holder will realize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock at such time (less any consideration paid by the holder), and,
subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company will be
entitled to a corresponding deduction. All dividends and distributions (or the
cash equivalent thereof) with respect to a Restricted Stock award paid to the
holder before the risk of forfeiture lapses will also be compensation income to
the holder when paid and, subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code, deductible as such by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
holder of a Restricted Stock award may elect, under Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code, to be taxed at the time of grant of the Restricted Stock
award, based on the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date
of the award (less any consideration paid by the holder), in which case (i)
subject to Section 162(m) of the Code Internal Revenue Code, the Company will be
entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount; (ii) dividends
paid to the recipient during the period the forfeiture restrictions apply will
be taxable as dividends and will not be deductible by the Company; and (iii)
there will be no further federal income tax consequences when the risk of
forfeiture lapses. Such election must be made not later than 30 days after the
grant of the Restricted Stock award and is irrevocable.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS, PHANTOM STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
An individual who has been granted a Performance Award, Phantom Stock
or Restricted Stock Units generally will not realize taxable income at the time
of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at that time.
Whether a Performance Award, Phantom Stock award or award of Restricted Stock
Units is paid in cash or shares of Common Stock, the individual will have
taxable compensation and, subject to the application of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, the Company will have a corresponding deduction. The
measure and timing of such income and deduction will be the amount of any cash
paid and the fair market value of any shares of Common Stock, either at the time
such amounts are paid or, as to the shares, at the time any restrictions on the
shares (including restrictions under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act)
subsequently lapse, depending on the nature, if any, of the restrictions imposed
and whether the individual elects under Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b)
within 30 days of receipt to be taxed without regard to any such restrictions.
Any dividend equivalents paid with respect to a Performance Award, Phantom Stock
or Restricted Stock Units prior to the actual issuance of shares under the award
will be compensation income to the employee and, subject to the application of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, deductible as such by the Company.
22
SECTION 162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code precludes a public
corporation from taking a deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1
million paid to its chief executive officer or any of its four other
highest-paid officers. However, compensation that qualifies under Section 162(m)
as "performance-based" is specifically exempt from the deduction limit. Based on
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued
thereunder, the Company's ability to deduct compensation income generated in
connection with the exercise of stock options or SARs granted by the
Compensation Committee under the 2004 Plan, with an exercise price not less than
the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date, generally
should not be limited by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Further,
the Company believes that compensation income generated in connection with
Performance Awards granted by the Compensation Committee under the 2004 Plan
generally should not be limited by Section 162(m). The 2004 Plan has been
designed to provide flexibility with respect to whether Nonqualified Stock
Options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Phantom Stock awards granted by the
Compensation Committee should qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and, therefore, be exempt from the
deduction limit. If the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions relating to a
Restricted Stock or Phantom Stock award, or a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR
with an exercise price less than fair market value of the underlying shares on
the grant date, granted by the Compensation Committee in the form of a
Performance Award is based solely upon the satisfaction of one of the specific
performance criteria set forth in the 2004 Plan, then the Company believes that
the compensation expense deduction relating to such an award should not be
limited by Section 162(m) if the Restricted Stock subject to the award becomes
vested. However, compensation expense deductions relating to Restricted Stock or
Phantom Stock awards, or a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR with an exercise
price less than fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date,
granted by the Compensation Committee will be subject to the Section 162(m)
deduction limitation if the award becomes vested based upon any other criteria
set forth in such award (such as length of service with the Company).
The 2004 Plan is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
INAPPLICABILITY OF ERISA
Based upon current law and published interpretations, the Company does
not believe that the 2004 Plan is subject to any of the provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
EXISTING EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following tables set forth certain information regarding equity
securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans or
arrangements. In November 2003, the Company changed its fiscal year end from
September 30 to December 31. Therefore, the tables provide information as of
September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2003.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR
NUMBER OF SECURITIES TO BE WEIGHTED-AVERAGE FUTURE ISSUANCE UNDER
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF EXERCISE PRICE OF EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, (EXCLUDING SECURITIES
PLAN CATEGORY WARRANTS AND RIGHTS WARRANTS AND RIGHTS REFLECTED IN COLUMN (a))
------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------- ------------------------
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security
holders ................. 8,778,292(1) $ 0.66 887,125
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders ................. 8,922,673(2) $ 0.90 --(3)
---------- -------- -------
Total .......... 17,700,965 $ 0.78 887,125(4)
========== ======== =======
----------
(1) Includes both vested and unvested options to purchase Common Stock issued
to employees, officers, directors and consultants under the Company's 2001
Plan. Certain of these options to purchase Common Stock were issued under
the 2001 Plan in connection with employment agreements.
(2) Includes securities underlying options and warrants issuable pursuant to
individually negotiated compensation arrangements and not pursuant to
plans.
(3) Certain of the securities exercisable to purchase Common Stock set forth in
column (a) of this row have price protection or antidilution rights that
entitle the holders to reduce the exercise price of such securities if the
Company issues additional stock, options, warrants or other convertible
securities below the exercise price of the subject securities.
23
DECEMBER 31, 2003
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR
NUMBER OF SECURITIES TO BE WEIGHTED-AVERAGE FUTURE ISSUANCE UNDER
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF EXERCISE PRICE OF EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, (EXCLUDING SECURITIES
PLAN CATEGORY WARRANTS AND RIGHTS WARRANTS AND RIGHTS REFLECTED IN COLUMN (a))
------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------- ------------------------
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security
holders.................. 8,753,292(1) $ 0.66 912,125
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders.................. 9,268,238(2) $ 0.88 --(3)
----------- ------- -------
Total.......... 18,021,530 $ 0.77 912,125(3)
=========== ======= =======
----------
(1) Includes both vested and unvested options to purchase Common Stock issued
to employees, officers, directors and outside consultants under the
Company's 2001 Plan. Certain of these options to purchase Common Stock were
issued under the 2001 Plan in connection with employment agreements.
(2) Includes securities underlying options and warrants issuable pursuant to
individually negotiated compensation arrangements and not pursuant to
plans.
(3) Certain of the securities exercisable to purchase Common Stock set forth in
column (a) of this row have price protection or antidilution rights that
entitle the holders to reduce the exercise price of such securities if the
Company issues additional stock, options, warrants or other convertible
securities below the exercise price of the subject securities.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voted
at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve Proposal No. 3. As a result,
assuming the presence of a quorum, broker non-votes and abstentions will not
affect the vote on Proposal No. 3. The Company's directors and officers, who
collectively held 5,784,545 shares of Common Stock, representing 3.62% of such
shares outstanding, as of April 12, 2004 (the Record Date), have indicated that
they intend to vote all of such shares "FOR" Proposal No. 3.
================================================================================
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED PROPOSAL NO. 3, THE
ADOPTION OF THE 2004 CELSION CORPORATION STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AND
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL
================================================================================
PROPOSAL NO. 4: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
BACKGROUND
The Audit Committee has appointed Stegman & Company ("Stegman") as the
independent public accountants of the Company, to audit its financial statements
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004, and requests stockholder
ratification of such selection. Stegman has served as the Company's independent
accountants since the 1993 fiscal year, and has advised the Company that neither
Stegman nor any of its members has, or has had in the past three years, any
financial interest in the Company or any relation to the Company other than as
auditors and accountants.
Representatives of Stegman are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and
are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
FEES
The following table presents fees for professional audit services
rendered by Stegman & Company for the audit of the Company's annual financial
statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002,
and fees for other services rendered by Stegman during those periods:
FISCAL YEAR 2003 FISCAL YEAR 2002
----------------- -----------------
% OF % OF
FEE CATEGORY AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT TOTAL
------------ ------ ----- ------ -----
Audit Fees $42,000 90% $38,703 88%
Audit-Related Fees -- -- -- --
Tax Fees $ 4,500 10% $ 5,500 12%
All Other Fees -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Fees $46,500 100% $44,203 100%
======= ======= ======= =======
24
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered by
Stegman for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and for
reviews of the quarterly financial statements included in the Company's Forms
10-Q. Tax fees consist of fees for preparation of the Company's federal and
state tax returns. Stegman rendered no audit-related services, financial
information systems design and implementation services or any other services to
the Company during fiscal years 2002 and 2003 and, therefore, no fees were
charged for such services during those periods.
SERVICES BY EMPLOYEES OF STEGMAN & COMPANY
No part of Stegman's engagement to audit the Company's financial
statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 was attributable to work
performed by persons other than Stegman's full-time, permanent employees.
AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY ON APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
It is the policy of the Audit Committee to preapprove all audit and
permissible non-audit services provided by the Company's independent
accountants, in accordance with rules prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These services may include audit services, audit-related services,
tax services, and other services. Pre-approval is based on a written proposal,
accompanied by a cost estimate and estimated budget. The Audit Committee has
delegated to its Chairman the authority to preapprove audit and nonaudit
services with an estimated cost of up to $25,000, provided the exercise of such
authority is reported to the Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. The
Audit Committee reserves the right, from time to time, to delegate preapproval
authority to other of its members, so long as such members are independent
directors.
All of the services of Stegman during fiscal year 2003 were approved by
the Audit Committee in accordance with its preapproval policy and the approval
requirement of the SEC, to the extent that rule was applicable during fiscal
year 2003 and such services were not exempt from this approval requirement.
AUDIT COMMITTEE DETERMINATION AS TO INDEPENDENCE
Because the services other than audit services rendered by Stegman were
not material in nature or amount of fees, the Audit Committee believes that the
provision of these services is compatible with maintenance of Stegman's
independence from the Company.
RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock represented, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting will be required to approve Proposal No. 4 and thereby to ratify
the selection of Stegman & Company as the independent public accountants for the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. As a result, broker
non-votes and abstentions, if any, will be treated as votes "AGAINST" the
proposal.
===============================================================================
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL
NO. 4, THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2004.
===============================================================================
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Stegman as the Company's
independent public accountants is not required by the Company's Bylaws or other
applicable legal or regulatory requirements. However, the Board, upon the
recommendation of the Audit Committee, is submitting the selection of Stegman to
the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the
stockholders fail to ratify the selection of Stegman, the Audit Committee will
reconsider whether or not to retain that firm, or whether to retain a different
firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion,
may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any
time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be
participating in the practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual
reports. This means that only one copy of our Proxy Statement or 2003 Annual
Report on Form 10-K may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your
household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if
you call or write us at the following address or telephone number:
10220-L Old Columbia Road
Columbia, Maryland 21046-2364
Attention: Corporate Secretary
(410) 290-5390
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE SEPARATE COPIES OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT AND PROXY
STATEMENT IN THE FUTURE, OR IF YOU ARE RECEIVING MULTIPLE COPIES AND WOULD LIKE
TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE COPY FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR BANK,
BROKER, OR OTHER NOMINEE RECORD HOLDER, OR YOU MAY CONTACT US AT THE ADDRESS AND
TELEPHONE NUMBER SET OUT ABOVE.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING
If a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our proxy statement
for presentation at our 2005 annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with
Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, the proposal must be
received by us no
25
later than December 24, 2004. Such proposals should be directed to Celsion
Corporation, 10220-L Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland, 21046-1705,
Attention: Mr. John Mon, Secretary.
A stockholder may also nominate directors or have other business
brought before the 2005 annual meeting by submitting the nomination or proposal
to us no later than December 24, 2004. The nomination or proposal must be
delivered to our executive offices at 10220-L Old Columbia Road, Columbia,
Maryland, 21046-2364, Attention: Mr. John Mon, Secretary. Any stockholder
considering submitting a proposal for action at our 2005 annual meeting is
directed to our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements as to submission
of matters for stockholder action. Copies of the Bylaws may be obtained upon
request to our Corporate Secretary.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Directors of the Company are not aware of any business to be acted
upon at the Annual Meeting, other than described herein. It is not anticipated
that other matters will be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, other
matters are duly brought before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or
postponements thereof, the persons appointed as proxies will have discretion to
vote or act thereon according to their best judgment.
COMPANY REPORTS
The Company's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which contains
audited financial statements for that fiscal year is being sent to stockholders
along with this Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE COMPANY'S 2003 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K, AS FILED WITH THE SEC (BUT EXCLUDING EXHIBITS), MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT
CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST DIRECTED TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, CELSION
CORPORATION, 10220-L OLD COLUMBIA ROAD, COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-2364.
By Order of the Board of Directors
John Mon
Secretary
April 16, 2004
26
APPENDIX A
AMENDED AND RESTATED CHARTER
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
CELSION CORPORATION
The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Celsion Corporation (the
"Corporation") has determined that the Audit Committee of the Board shall assist
the Board in fulfilling certain of the Board's oversight responsibilities. The
Board hereby adopts this charter to establish the governing principles of the
Audit Committee.
I. ROLE OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The role of the Audit Committee is to act on behalf of the Board in
fulfilling the following responsibilities of the Board:
A. To oversee all material aspects of the Corporation's reporting,
control and audit functions, except those that are specifically
related to the responsibilities of another committee of the Board;
B. To monitor the independence and performance of the Corporation's
independent accountants; and
C. To provide a means for open communication among the Corporation's
independent accountants, financial and senior management, the
internal audit department and the Board.
II. COMPOSITION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
A. The Board shall designate the members of the Audit Committee at
the Board's annual organizational meeting and the members shall
serve until the next such meeting or until their successors are
designated by the Board.
B. The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members but no
more than six members who are free of any relationship that, in
the opinion of the Board, would interfere with their exercise of
independent judgment as committee members. Committee members shall
have basic understanding of finance and accounting and shall be
able to read and understand financial statements. One member of
the Committee shall have accounting or related financial
management experience. In addition, the members of the Audit
Committee shall meet the requirements of the rules of the
principal market or transaction reporting system on which the
Corporation's securities are traded or quoted (i.e., New York
Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market).
III. MEETINGS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more
frequently as circumstances may require. The Chair of the Audit Committee shall
be responsible for meeting with the independent accountants at their request to
discuss the interim financial statements.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee shall have the responsibility with respect to:
A. The Corporation's Risks and Control Environment:
o To discuss with the Corporation's management, independent
accountants and internal audit department the integrity of the
Corporation's financial reporting processes and controls,
particularly the controls in areas representing significant
financial and business risks;
o To review and update periodically a code of ethical conduct and
review the Corporation's procedures to enforce compliance with
the code; and
o To investigate any matter brought to its attention within the
scope of its duties.
B. The Corporation's Independent Accountants:
o To evaluate annually the effectiveness and objectivity of the
Corporation's independent accountants and recommend to the
Board the engagement or replacement of the independent
accountants;
o To ensure that the Audit Committee receives annually from the
Corporation's independent accountants a formal written report
describing completely the relationships between the independent
accountants and the Corporation that the independent
accountants are required to provide to the Audit Committee, to
actively engage in a dialogue with the independent accountants
about any relationships between the independent accountants and
the Corporation or any services that the independent
accountants provide or propose to provide that may impact upon
the objectivity and independence of the independent accountants
and to take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate
action to oversee the independence of the independent
accountants;
o To have a relationship with the independent accountants because
of the ultimate responsibility of the independent accountants
to the Board and the Audit Committee, as representatives of the
stockholders; and
o To approve the fees and other compensation paid to the
independent accountants.
C. The Corporation's Financial Reporting Process:
o To oversee the Corporation's selection of and major changes to
its accounting policies;
o To meet with the Corporation's independent accountants and
financial management both to discuss the proposed scope of the
audit and to discuss the conclusions of the audit, including
any items that the independent accountants are required by
auditing standards to discuss with the Audit Committee, such
as, any significant changes to the Company's accounting
policies, the integrity of the Corporation's financial
reporting process and any proposed changes or improvements in
financial, accounting or auditing practices;
o To discuss with the Corporation's financial management and
independent accountants the Corporation's annual results and,
when appropriate, the interim results before they are made
public;
o To review and discuss with the Corporation's financial
management and independent accountants the Corporation's
audited financial statements and, when appropriate, the
Corporation's interim financial statements, before they are
made public; and
o To issue for public disclosure by the Corporation the report
required by the rules of SEC.
D. The Corporation's Internal Audit Process:
o To review, assess and approve the charter for the internal
audit department;
o To review and approve the annual internal audit plan of, and
any special projects to be undertaken by, the internal audit
department;
o To discuss with the internal audit department any changes to,
and the implementation of, the internal audit plan and any
special projects and discuss with the internal audit department
the results of the internal audits and any special projects;
and
o To oversee the activities, organizational structure and
qualifications of the internal audit department.
E. Other Matters
o To review and update periodically this charter of the Audit
Committee;
o To review reports and any financial information submitted by
the Corporation to a government body or the public;
o To report to the Board the matters discussed at each meeting of
the Audit Committee;
o To keep an open line of communication with the financial and
senior management, the internal audit department, the
independent accountants and the Board; and
o To retain, at the Corporation's expense, special legal,
accounting or other consultants or experts it deems necessary
in the performance of its duties.
A-2
APPENDIX B
CELSION CORPORATION
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
EFFECTIVE: ____________ __, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TYPES OF AWARDS............................B-1
2. DEFINITIONS...........................................................B-1
3. ADMINISTRATION........................................................B-2
(a) Procedure.......................................................B-2
(b) Secondary Committees and Sub-Plans..............................B-3
(c) Powers of the Committee.........................................B-3
(d) Limited Liability...............................................B-3
(e) Indemnification.................................................B-4
(f) Effect of Committee's Decision..................................B-4
(g) Apprising the Board.............................................B-4
4. STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MAXIMUM AWARDS........................B-4
(a) Stock Available Under the Plan..................................B-4
(b) Maximum Awards to Covered Employees.............................B-4
5. PARTICIPATION.........................................................B-4
6. STOCK OPTIONS.........................................................B-4
(a) Grant of Option.................................................B-4
(b) Exercise Price..................................................B-4
(c) Payment.........................................................B-5
(d) Term of Options.................................................B-5
(e) Restrictions on Incentive Stock Options.........................B-5
(f) Other Terms and Conditions......................................B-5
7. RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS...........................B-5
(a) In General......................................................B-5
(b) Vesting Conditions and Other Restrictions.......................B-5
(c) Stock Issuance and Stockholder Rights...........................B-5
8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.............................................B-6
(a) Award of Stock Appreciation Rights..............................B-6
(b) Restrictions of Tandem SARs.....................................B-6
(c) Amount of Payment upon Exercise of SARs.........................B-6
(d) Form of Payment upon Exercise of SARs...........................B-6
9. PHANTOM STOCK.........................................................B-6
10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS....................................................B-6
(a) In General......................................................B-6
(b) Covered Employee Targets........................................B-6
11. WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING OF TAXES....................................B-7
12. TRANSFERABILITY.......................................................B-7
13. ADJUSTMENTS; BUSINESS COMBINATIONS....................................B-7
(a) Adjustments.....................................................B-7
(b) Change in Control...............................................B-7
(c) Dissolution and Liquidation.....................................B-7
(d) Other Adjustments...............................................B-7
14. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.............................................B-8
(a) Amendment or Termination by the Board...........................B-8
(b) Amendments by the Committee.....................................B-8
(c) Approval of Grantees............................................B-8
15. NON-GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT...........................................B-8
16. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.............................................B-8
17. WRITTEN AGREEMENT.....................................................B-8
18. NON-UNIFORM DETERMINATIONS............................................B-8
19. LIMITATION ON BENEFITS................................................B-8
20. LISTING AND REGISTRATION..............................................B-8
21. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW........................................B-8
22. NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED..............................................B-9
23. NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS...........................B-9
24. NO RESTRICTION OF CORPORATE ACTION....................................B-9
25. GOVERNING LAW.........................................................B-9
26. PLAN SUBJECT TO CHARTER AND BYLAWS....................................B-9
27. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION DATE......................................B-9
CELSION CORPORATION
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TYPES OF AWARDS
Celsion Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Company) hereby
establishes the Celsion Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The
purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term growth and profitability of the
"Company" by (i) providing incentives to improve stockholder value and to
contribute to the growth and financial success of the Company, and (ii) enabling
the Company to attract, retain and reward the best available persons for
positions of substantial responsibility.
The Plan permits the granting of Awards in the form of Incentive Stock
Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units,
Stock Appreciation Rights, Phantom Stock, and Performance Awards, in each case
as such term is defined below, and any combination of the foregoing.
2. DEFINITIONS
Under this Plan, except where the context otherwise indicates, the
following definitions apply:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any entity other than a Subsidiary, if
the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own directly or indirectly not less
than fifty percent (50%) of such entity.
(b) "Awards" shall mean Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified
Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation
Rights, Phantom Stock, and Performance Awards, and any combination of the
foregoing.
(c) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "Change in Control" shall mean:
(i) The consummation of an amalgamation, merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other
corporate reorganization of the Company, if more than fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving
entity's securities outstanding immediately after such amalgamation,
merger, consolidation or other reorganization (or, if applicable, more
than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the ultimate
parent company that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of
the securities of such continuing or surviving entity) is not owned
directly or indirectly by persons who were holders of the Company's
then-outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such
amalgamation, merger, consolidation or other reorganization;
(ii) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets to an entity that is not a
Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company;
(iii) Any transaction as a result of which any person becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by
the Company's then-outstanding voting securities. For purposes of this
subsection, the term "person" shall have the same meaning as when used
in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act but shall exclude: (A)
any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, (B) any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company,
a Parent, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, and (C) any underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such
securities; or
(iv) A change in the composition of the Board over a period of
twenty four (24) consecutive months or less as a result of which
individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
subsequently becoming a director whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's Stockholders, was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of the directors then comprising the Board (either by
a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in
which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written
objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for
this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.
(e) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any regulations issued thereunder.
(f) "Committee" shall mean the Board or a committee of the Board
appointed pursuant to Section 3 of the Plan to administer the Plan.
(g) "Committee Delegate" shall mean the Chief Executive Officer or
other senior officer of the Company to whom duties and powers of the Board or
Committee hereunder have been delegated pursuant to Section 3(b).
(h) "Covered Employee" shall mean an employee of the Company or
any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate who is subject to Code Section 162(m).
(i) "Exchange Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
(j) "Fair Market Value" of the Stock for any purpose on a
particular date shall mean:
(i) if the Stock is traded on a public securities exchange or
a national automated quotation system, the closing price for Stock on
the relevant date, or (if there were no sales on such date) the closing
price on the nearest day before the relevant date, as reported in The
Wall Street Journal or a similar publication selected by the Committee;
or
(ii) if the Stock is not traded on a public securities
exchange or a national quotation system on such date, the price
determined in a manner such as the Committee shall in good faith
determine to be appropriate.
(k) "Grant Agreement" shall mean a written agreement between the
Company and a grantee memorializing the terms and conditions of an Award granted
pursuant to the Plan.
(l) "Grant Date" shall mean the date on which the Committee
formally acts to grant an Award to a grantee or such other date as the Committee
shall so designate at the time of taking such formal action.
(m) "Incentive Stock Options" shall mean Stock options that meet
the requirements of Code Section 422.
(n) "Nonqualified Stock Options" shall mean Stock options that do
not meet the requirements of Code Section 422.
(o) "Parent" shall mean a company, whether now or hereafter
existing, within the meaning of the definition of "parent company" provided in
Section 424(e) of the Code, or any successor thereto of similar import.
(p) "Participant" shall mean a director, officer, employee or
consultant of the Company, or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, who is
granted an Award under the Plan.
(q) "Performance Award" shall mean an Award under Section 10
hereof.
(r) "Performance Measure" shall mean one or more of the following
criteria, or such other operating objectives as it deems appropriate, selected
by the Committee to measure performance of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary
or Affiliate or other business division of same for a Performance Period,
whether in absolute or relative terms: basic or diluted earnings per share of
Stock; earnings per share of Stock growth; revenue; operating income; net income
(either before or after taxes); earnings and/or net income before interest and
taxes; earnings and/or net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization; return on capital; return on equity; return on assets; net cash
provided by operations; free cash flow; Stock price; economic profit; economic
value; total stockholder return; gross margins and costs. Each such measure
shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
as consistently applied and, if so determined by the Committee and, in the case
of a Performance Award to a Covered Employee, to the extent intended to meet the
performance-based compensation exception under Code Section 162(m), adjusted to
omit the effects of extraordinary items, gain or loss on the disposal of a
business segment, unusual or infrequently occurring events and transactions and
cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles.
(s) "Performance Period" means a period of not less than one year
over which the achievement of targets for Performance Measures is determined.
(t) "Phantom Stock" shall mean Awards under Section 9.
(u) "Restricted Stock" and "Restricted Stock Units" shall mean
Awards under Section 7.
(v) "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 as in effect under the
Exchange Act on the effective date of the Plan, or any successor provision
prescribing conditions necessary to exempt the issuance of securities under the
Plan (and further transactions in such securities) from Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act.
(w) "Securities Act" shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933,
as amended and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
(x) "Stock" shall mean common stock of the Company, par value
$0.01 per share.
(y) "Stock Appreciation Rights" shall mean Awards under Section 8.
(z) "Subsidiary" and "Subsidiaries" shall mean only a company or
companies, whether now or hereafter existing, within the meaning of the
definition of "subsidiary company" provided in Section 424(f) of THE Code, or
any successor thereto of similar import.
(aa) "2001 Plan" shall mean the 2001 Celsion Corporation Stock
Option Plan.
3. ADMINISTRATION
(a) Procedure. The Plan shall be administered by the Board. In the
alternative, the Board may delegate authority to a Committee to administer the
Plan on behalf of the Board, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board
may prescribe. Such Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) members of
the Board each of whom is a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule of similar import, and an
"outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Once appointed, the Committee shall continue to serve until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and, thereafter,
directly administer the Plan. In the event that the Board is the administrator
of the Plan in lieu of a Committee, the term "Committee" as used herein shall be
deemed to mean the Board.
B-2
Members of the Board or Committee who are either eligible for Awards or
have been granted Awards may vote on any matters affecting the administration of
the Plan or the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan, except that no such member
shall act upon the granting of an Award to himself or herself, but any such
member may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of
the Board or the Committee during which action is taken with respect to the
granting of an Award to him or her.
The Committee shall meet at such times and places and upon such notice
as it may determine. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. Any
acts by the Committee may be taken at any meeting at which a quorum is present
and shall be by majority vote of those members entitled to vote. Additionally,
any acts reduced to writing or approved in writing by all of the members of the
Committee shall be valid acts of the Committee.
(b) Secondary Committees and Sub-Plans. The Board may, in its sole
discretion, divide the duties and powers of the Committee by establishing one or
more secondary Committees to which certain duties and powers of the Board
hereunder are delegated (each of which shall be regarded as a "Committee" under
the Plan with respect to such duties and powers), or delegate all of its duties
and powers hereunder to a single Committee. Additionally, if permitted by
applicable law, the Board or Committee may delegate any or all of its duties and
powers hereunder to the Chief Executive Officer and/or to other senior officers
of the Company subject to such conditions and limitations as the Board or
Committee shall prescribe. However, only the Committee described under
Subsection 3(a) may designate and grant Awards to Participants who are subject
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee
shall also have the power to establish sub-plans (which may be included as
appendices to the Plan or the respective Grant Agreements), which may constitute
separate programs, for the purpose of establishing programs which meet any
special tax or regulatory requirements of jurisdictions other than the United
States and its subdivisions. Any such interpretations, rules, administration and
sub-plans shall be consistent with the basic purposes of the Plan.
(c) Powers of the Committee. The Committee shall have all the
powers vested in it by the terms of the Plan, such powers to include authority,
in its sole and absolute discretion, to grant Awards under the Plan, prescribe
Grant Agreements evidencing such Awards and establish programs for granting
Awards. The Committee shall have full power and authority to take all other
actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the Plan, including,
but not limited to, the authority to:
(i) determine the Participants to whom, and the time or times
at which, Awards shall be granted,
(ii) determine the types of Awards to be granted,
(iii) determine the number of shares of Stock and/or amount of
cash to be covered by or used for reference purposes for each Award,
(iv) impose such terms, limitations, vesting schedules,
restrictions and conditions upon any such Award as the Committee shall
deem appropriate, including without limitation establishing, in its
discretion, Performance Measures that must be satisfied before an Award
vests and/or becomes payable, the term during which an Award is
exercisable, the purchase price, if any, under an Award and the period,
if any, following a grantee's termination of employment or service with
the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate during which the
Award shall remain exercisable,
(v) modify, extend or renew outstanding Awards, accept the
surrender of outstanding Awards and substitute new Awards, provided
that no such action shall be taken with respect to any outstanding
Award that would materially, adversely affect the grantee without the
grantee's consent, or constitute a repricing of stock options without
the consent of the holders of the Company's voting securities under
(vi) below,
(vi) only with the approval of the holders of the voting
securities of the Company to the extent that such approval is required
by applicable law, regulation or the rules of a national securities
exchange or automated quotation system to which the Company is subject,
reprice Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options either
by amendment to lower the exercise price or by accepting such stock
options for cancellation and issuing replacement stock options with a
lower exercise price or through any other mechanism,
(vii) accelerate the time in which an Award may be exercised
or in which an Award becomes payable and waive or accelerate the lapse,
in whole or in part, of any restriction or condition with respect to an
Award,
(viii) establish objectives and conditions, including targets
for Performance Measures, if any, for earning Awards and determining
whether Awards will be paid after the end of a Performance Period, and
(ix) permit the deferral of, or require a Participant to defer
such Participant's receipt of, the delivery of Stock and/or cash under
an Award that would otherwise be due to such Participant and establish
rules and procedures for such payment deferrals.
The Committee shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret
the Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines and
instruments for the administration of the Plan as the Committee deems necessary,
desirable or appropriate in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.
(d) Limited Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no
member of the Board or Committee or a Committee Delegate shall be liable for any
action taken or decision made in good faith relating to the Plan or any Award
thereunder.
(e) Indemnification. The members of the Board and Committee and
any Committee Delegate shall be indemnified by the Company in respect of all
their activities under the Plan in accordance with the procedures and terms and
conditions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Company as in effect from time to time. The foregoing right of indemnification
shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such
persons may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
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(f) Effect of Committee's Decision. All actions taken and
decisions and determinations made by the Committee or a Committee Delegate on
all matters relating to the Plan pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder
shall be in the Committee's or Committee Delegate's sole and absolute discretion
and shall be conclusive and binding on all parties concerned, including the
Company, its stockholders, any Participants in the Plan and any other employee
of the Company, and their respective successors in interest.
(g) Apprising the Board. The Committee will inform the Board
regarding its activities under the Plan not less frequently than at each
scheduled Board meeting and at such other times as the Board may request. .
4. STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MAXIMUM AWARDS
(a) Stock Available Under the Plan.
(i) Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 13 of the
Plan, the Stock that may be delivered or purchased or used for
reference purposes (with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, or
Phantom Stock) with respect to Awards granted under the Plan, including
with respect to Incentive Stock Options, shall not exceed an aggregate
of ten million (10,000,000) shares of Stock, plus the number of shares
of Stock available from the 2001 Plan as provided in Subsection
4(a)(ii) below. Stock available under the Plan may be, in any
combination, authorized but unissued Stock, treasury Stock and Stock
that is repurchased, in the market, and canceled by the Company. The
Company shall reserve said number of shares of Stock for Awards under
the Plan, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.
If any Award, or portion of an Award, issued under the Plan, expires or
terminates unexercised, becomes unexercisable or is forfeited or
otherwise terminated, surrendered or canceled as to any shares of Stock
without the delivery by the Company (or, in the case of Restricted
Shares, without vesting) of Stock or other consideration, the Stock
subject to such Award shall thereafter be available for further Awards
under the Plan.
(ii) There shall be available for issuance under the Plan the
sum of (A) the number of shares of Stock remaining available for
issuance under the 2001 Plan at the effective date of this Plan, plus
(B) shares of Stock subject to any stock options issued under the 2001
Plan to the extent such stock options subsequently expire or terminate
unexercised, become unexercisable or are forfeited or otherwise
terminated, surrendered or canceled, without delivery of shares of
Stock or other consideration to the holder.
(b) Maximum Awards to Covered Employees. The maximum number of
shares of Stock subject to Awards that may be granted during any one calendar
year to any one Covered Employee shall be limited to two million (2,000,000). To
the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code and so long as Section 162(m)
of the Code is applicable to persons eligible to participate in the Plan, shares
of Stock subject to the foregoing maximum with respect to which the related
Award is terminated, surrendered or canceled shall nonetheless continue to be
taken into account with respect to such maximum for the calendar year in which
granted.
5. PARTICIPATION
Participation in the Plan shall be open to all directors, officers,
employees and consultants of the Company, or of any Parent, Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company, as may be selected by the Committee from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, participation in the Plan with respect to Awards
of Incentive Stock Options shall be limited to employees of the Company or of
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
Awards may be granted to such Participants and for or with respect to
such number of shares of Stock as the Committee shall determine, subject to the
limitations in Section 4 of the Plan. A grant of any type of Award made in any
one year to a Participant shall neither guarantee nor preclude a further grant
of that or any other type of Award to such person in that year or subsequent
years.
6. STOCK OPTIONS
Subject to the other applicable provisions of the Plan, the Committee
may from time to time grant to Participants Awards of Nonqualified Stock Options
and/or Incentive Stock Options. The stock option Awards granted shall be subject
to the following terms and conditions.
(a) Grant of Option. The grant of a stock option shall be
evidenced by a Grant Agreement, executed by the Company and the grantee, stating
the number of shares of Stock subject to the stock option evidenced thereby, the
exercise price and the terms and conditions of such stock option, in such form
as the Committee may from time to time determine.
(b) Exercise Price. The price per share payable upon the exercise
of each stock option shall be determined by the Committee
(c) Payment. Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part by
payment of the exercise price of the Stock to be acquired in accordance with the
provisions of the Grant Agreement, and/or such rules and regulations as the
Committee may have prescribed, and/or such determinations, orders, or decisions
as the Committee may have made. Payment may be made in cash (or cash equivalents
acceptable to the Committee) or, if provided in the Grant Agreement and
permitted by applicable law, in shares of Stock which have been held by grantee
for at least six (6) months, or a combination of cash and such Stock, or by such
other means as the Committee may prescribe. The Fair Market Value of Stock
delivered on exercise of stock options shall be determined as of the date of
exercise.
If the Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange
Act, the Committee, subject to such limitations as it may determine, may
authorize payment of the exercise price, in whole or in part, by delivery of a
properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions, to:
(i) a brokerage firm to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate amount of
sale or loan proceeds to pay the exercise price and any withholding tax
obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, and (ii) the Company
to deliver the certificates for such purchased Stock directly to such brokerage
firm.
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(d) Term of Options. The term during which each stock option may
be exercised shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in no
event shall a stock option be exercisable more than ten years from the date it
is granted. Prior to the exercise of the stock option and delivery of the Stock
certificates represented thereby, the grantee shall have none of the rights of a
stockholder with respect to any Stock represented by an outstanding stock
option.
(e) Restrictions on Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock
Option Awards granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with Code
Section 422 and, as such, shall meet the following additional requirements:
(i) Grant Date. An Incentive Stock Option must be granted
within ten (10) years of the earlier of the Plan's adoption by the
Board of Directors or approval by the Company's stockholders.
(ii) Exercise Price and Term. The exercise price of an
Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the stock
option is granted and the term of the stock option shall not exceed ten
(10) years. Also, the exercise price of any Incentive Stock Option
granted to a grantee who owns (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6)
of the Code, after the application of the attribution rules in Section
424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined
voting power of all classes of shares of Stock of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary of the Company shall be not less than one hundred
ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the grant
date and the term of such stock option shall not exceed five (5) years.
(iii) Maximum Grant. The aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the Grant Date) of Stock of the Company with respect
to which all Incentive Stock Options first become exercisable by any
grantee in any calendar year under this or any other plan of the
Company and its Parent and Subsidiaries may not exceed One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000) or such other amount as may be permitted
from time to time under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that
such aggregate Fair Market Value shall exceed One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000), or other applicable amount, such stock options to
the extent of the Stock in excess of such limit shall be treated as
Nonqualified Stock Options. In such case, the Company may designate the
shares of Stock that are to be treated as Stock acquired pursuant to
the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.
(iv) Grantee. Incentive Stock Options shall only be issued to
employees of the Company or of a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company.
(v) Designation. No stock option shall be an Incentive Stock
Option unless so designated by the Committee at the time of grant or in
the Grant Agreement evidencing such stock option.
(vi) Stockholder Approval. No stock option issued under the
Plan shall be an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan is approved by
the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of its
adoption by the Board in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company and
governing law relating to such matters.
(f) Other Terms and Conditions. Stock options may contain such
other provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the
Committee shall determine appropriate from time to time.
7. RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(a) In General. Subject to the other applicable provisions of the
Plan and applicable law, the Committee may at any time and from time to time
grant Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to Participants, in such
amounts and subject to such vesting conditions, other restrictions and
conditions for removal of restrictions as it determines. Unless determined
otherwise by the Committee, Participants receiving Restricted Stock or
Restricted Stock Units are not required to pay the Company cash consideration
therefor (except as may be required for applicable tax withholding).
(b) Vesting Conditions and Other Restrictions. Each Award for
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by a Grant
Agreement that specifies the applicable vesting conditions and other
restrictions, if any, on such Award, the duration of such restrictions, and the
time or times at which such restrictions shall lapse with respect to all or a
specified number of the shares of Stock that are part of the Award.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may reduce or shorten the duration
of any vesting or other restriction applicable to any Restricted Stock or
Restricted Stock Units awarded to any grantee under the Plan.
(c) Stock Issuance and Stockholder Rights.
(i) Restricted Stock. Stock certificates with respect to Stock
granted pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued, and/or
Stock shall be registered, at the time of grant of the Restricted Stock
Award, subject to forfeiture if the Restricted Stock does not vest or
other restrictions do not lapse. Any Stock certificates shall bear an
appropriate legend with respect to the restrictions applicable to such
Restricted Stock Award and the grantee may be required to deposit the
certificates with the Company during the period of any restriction
thereon and to execute a blank stock power or other instrument of
transfer therefor. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee,
during the period of restriction following issuance of Restricted Stock
certificates, the grantee shall have all of the rights of a holder of
Stock, including but not limited to the rights to receive dividends (or
amounts equivalent to dividends) and to vote with respect to the
Restricted Stock. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide that
any dividends or distributions paid with respect to Stock subject to
the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock Award will be subject to the
same restrictions as the Restricted Stock to which such dividends or
distributions relate.
(ii) Restricted Stock Units. Stock certificates for the shares
of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit shall be issued, and/or
Stock shall be registered, upon vesting and lapse of any other
restrictions with respect to the issuance of Stock under such Award.
The grantee will not be entitled to vote such Stock or to any of the
other rights of stockholders during the period prior to issuance of the
certificates for such Stock and/or the registration of the Stock. An
Award of Restricted Stock Units may provide the Participant with the
right to receive amounts equivalent to dividends and distributions paid
with respect to Stock subject to the Award while the Award is
outstanding, which payments may, in the Committee's discretion,
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either be made currently or credited to an account for the Participant,
and may be settled in cash or Stock, all as determined by the
Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee with respect to
a particular Award, each outstanding Restricted Stock Unit shall accrue
such dividend equivalents, deferred as equivalent amounts of additional
Restricted Stock Units, which amounts will be paid only when and if the
Restricted Stock Unit (on which such dividend equivalents were accrued)
vests and becomes payable. To the extent that a Restricted Stock Unit
does not vest or is otherwise forfeited, any accrued and unpaid
dividend equivalents shall be forfeited.
8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
(a) Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the other
applicable provisions of the Plan, the Committee may at any time and from time
to time grant Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs") to Participants, either on a
free-standing basis (without regard to or in addition to the grant of a stock
option) or on a tandem basis (related to the grant of an underlying stock
option), as it determines. SARs granted in tandem with or in addition to a stock
option may be granted either at the same time as the stock option or at a later
time; provided, however, that a tandem SAR shall not be granted with respect to
any outstanding Incentive Stock Option Award without the consent of the grantee.
SARs shall be evidenced by Grant Agreements, executed by the Company and the
grantee, stating the number of shares of Stock subject to the SAR evidenced
thereby and the terms and conditions of such SAR, in such form as the Committee
may from time to time determine. The term during which each SAR may be exercised
shall be determined by the Committee. In no event shall a SAR be exercisable
more than ten years from the date it is granted. The grantee shall have none of
the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Stock represented by a SAR.
(b) Restrictions of Tandem SARs. No Incentive Stock Option may be
surrendered in connection with the exercise of a tandem SAR unless the Fair
Market Value of the Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option is greater than
the exercise price for such Incentive Stock Option. SARs granted in tandem with
stock options shall be exercisable only to the same extent and subject to the
same conditions as the stock options related thereto are exercisable. The
Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe additional conditions to the
exercise of any such tandem SAR.
(c) Amount of Payment upon Exercise of SARs. A SAR shall entitle
the grantee to receive, subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Grant
Agreement, a payment having an aggregate value equal to the product of (i) the
excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of one share of Stock
over (B) the base price per share of Stock specified in the Grant Agreement,
times (ii) the number of shares of Stock specified by the SAR, or portion
thereof, that is exercised. In the case of exercise of a tandem SAR, such
payment shall be made in exchange for the surrender of the unexercised related
stock option (or any portion or portions thereof which the grantee from time to
time determines to surrender for this purpose).
(d) Form of Payment upon Exercise of SARs. Payment by the Company
of the amount receivable upon any exercise of a SAR may be made by the delivery
of Stock or cash, or any combination of Stock and cash, as determined in the
sole discretion of the Committee from time to time. If upon settlement of the
exercise of a SAR a grantee is to receive a portion of such payment in Stock,
the number of shares of Stock shall be determined by dividing such portion by
the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the exercise date. No fractional
shares shall be used for such payment and the Committee shall determine whether
cash shall be given in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional
shares shall be eliminated.
9. PHANTOM STOCK
The grant of Phantom Stock shall be evidenced by a Grant Agreement,
executed by the Company and the grantee, that incorporates the terms of the Plan
and states the number of shares of Phantom Stock evidenced thereby and the terms
and conditions of such Phantom Stock in such form as the Committee may from time
to time determine. Phantom Stock granted to a Participant shall be credited to a
bookkeeping reserve account solely for accounting purposes and shall not require
a segregation of any of the Company's assets. Each share of Phantom Stock shall
represent the value of one share of Stock. Phantom Stock shall become payable in
whole or in part in such form, at such time or times and pursuant to such
conditions in accordance with the provisions of the Grant Agreement, and/or such
rules and regulations as the Committee may prescribe, and/or such
determinations, orders or decisions as the Committee may make. Except as
otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Agreement, the grantee shall have
none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any shares represented by
Phantom Stock as a result of the grant of Phantom Stock to the grantee. Phantom
Stock may contain such other provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of
the Plan, as the Committee shall determine desirable or appropriate from time to
time.
10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS
(a) In General. The Committee, in its discretion, may establish
targets for Performance Measures for selected Participants and authorize the
granting, vesting, payment and/or delivery of Performance Awards in the form of
Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock,
Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or Phantom Stock to such
Participants upon achievement of such targets for Performance Measures during a
Performance Period. The Committee, in its discretion, shall determine the
Participants eligible for Performance Awards, the targets for Performance
Measures to be achieved during each Performance Period, and the type, amount,
and terms and conditions of any Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be
granted either alone or in addition to other Awards made under the Plan.
(b) Covered Employee Targets. After the Company is subject to Code
Section 162(m), in connection with any Performance Awards granted to a Covered
Employee that are intended to meet the performance-based compensation exception
under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall (i) establish in the applicable
Grant Agreement the specific targets relative to the Performance Measures which
must be attained before the respective Performance Award is granted, vests, or
is otherwise paid or delivered, (ii) provide in the applicable Grant Agreement
the method for computing the portion of the Performance Award which shall be
granted, vested, paid and/or delivered if the target or targets are attained in
full or part, and (iii) at the end of the relevant Performance Period and prior
to any such grant, vesting, payment or delivery certify the extent to which the
applicable target or targets were achieved and whether any other material terms
were in fact satisfied. The specific targets and the method for computing the
portion of such Performance Award which shall be granted, vested, paid or
delivered to any Covered Employee shall be established by the Committee prior to
the earlier to occur of (A) ninety (90) days after the commencement of the
Performance Period to which the Performance Measure applies and (B) the elapse
of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period and in any
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event while the outcome is substantially uncertain. In interpreting Plan
provisions applicable to Performance Measures and Performance Awards that are
intended to meet the performance-based compensation exception under Code Section
162(m), it is the intent of the Plan to conform with the standards of Section
162(m) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(e)(2), and the
Committee in interpreting the Plan shall be guided by such provisions.
11. WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING OF TAXES
The Company may require, as a condition to the grant of any Award under
the Plan, vesting or exercise pursuant to such Award or to the delivery of
certificates for shares of Stock issued or payments of cash to a grantee
pursuant to the Plan or a Grant Agreement, that the grantee pay to the Company,
in cash or, if approved by the Company, in Stock, including Stock acquired upon
grant of the Award or exercise of the Award, valued at Fair Market Value on the
date as of which the withholding tax liability is determined, any federal, state
or local taxes of any kind or any applicable taxes or other required withholding
of any other jurisdiction required by law to be withheld with respect to any
taxable event under the Plan. The Company, to the extent permitted or required
by law, shall have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind (including
salary or bonus) otherwise due to a grantee any federal, state or local taxes of
any kind or any applicable taxes or other required withholding of any other
jurisdiction required by law to be withheld with respect to the grant, vesting,
exercise or payment of or under any Award under the Plan or a Grant Agreement,
or to retain or sell a sufficient number of the shares of Stock to be issued to
such grantee to cover any such taxes. The Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or
Affiliate shall comply with any applicable tax reporting requirements of any
jurisdiction imposed on it by law with respect to the granting, vesting,
exercise and/or payment of Awards.
12. TRANSFERABILITY
No Award granted under the Plan shall be transferable by a grantee
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence, an Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee
only by the grantee or, during the period the grantee is under a legal
disability, by the grantee's guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option may, in the
Committee's sole discretion, be transferable by gift or domestic relations order
to (i) the grantee's child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent,
grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law,
father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law,
including adoptive relationships (such persons, "Family Members"), (ii) a
Company, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity whose
only stockholders, partners or members, as applicable are the grantee and/or
Family Members, or (iii) a trust in which the Grantee and/or Family Members have
all of the beneficial interests, and subsequent to any such transfer any Award
may be exercised by any such transferee.
13. ADJUSTMENTS; BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
(a) Adjustments. In the event of a reclassification,
recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination
of shares or other similar event, the maximum number and kind of shares reserved
for issuance or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan as
provided in Section 4 shall be adjusted to reflect such event, and the Committee
shall make such adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable in the number,
kind and price of shares covered by outstanding Awards made under the Plan, and
in any other matters that relate to Awards and that are affected by the changes
in the shares referred to above.
(b) Change in Control. In the event of any proposed Change in
Control under Section 2(d)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Committee shall take such
action as it deems appropriate and equitable to effectuate the purposes of this
Plan and to protect the grantees of Awards, which action may include, without
limitation, any one or more of the following: (i) acceleration or change of the
exercise and/or expiration dates of any Award to require that exercise be made,
if at all, prior to the Change in Control; (ii) cancellation of any Award upon
payment to the holder in cash of the Fair Market Value of the Stock subject to
such Award as of the date of (and, to the extent applicable, as established for
purposes of) the Change in Control, less the aggregate exercise price, if any,
of the Award; and (iii) in any case where equity securities of another entity
are proposed to be delivered in exchange for or with respect to Stock of the
Company, arrangements to have such other entity replace the Awards granted
hereunder with awards with respect to such other securities, with appropriate
adjustments in the number of shares subject to, and the exercise prices under,
the Award.
(c) Dissolution and Liquidation. In the event the Company
dissolves and liquidates (other than pursuant to a plan of amalgamation, merger
or reorganization), then notwithstanding any restrictions on exercise set forth
in this Plan or any Grant Agreement, or other agreement evidencing a stock
option, Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock, Restricted Stock or Restricted
Stock Unit Award: (i) each grantee shall have the right to exercise his stock
option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Phantom Stock or to require delivery of
Stock certificates, and/or registration of the Stock, representing any such
Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, at any time up to ten (10) days
prior to the effective date of such liquidation and dissolution; and (ii) the
Committee may make arrangements with the grantees for the payment of appropriate
consideration to them for the cancellation and surrender of any stock option,
Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock
Unit Award that is so canceled or surrendered at any time up to ten (10) days
prior to the effective date of such liquidation and dissolution. The Committee
may establish a different period (and different conditions) for such exercise,
delivery, cancellation or surrender to avoid subjecting the grantee to liability
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Any stock option, Stock Appreciation
Right or Phantom Stock not so exercised, canceled or surrendered shall terminate
on the last day for exercise prior to such effective date; and any Restricted
Stock or Restricted Stock Units as to which there has not been such delivery of
Stock certificates or that has not been so canceled or surrendered, shall be
forfeited on the last day prior to such effective date. The Committee shall give
to each grantee written notice of the commencement of any proceedings for such
liquidation and dissolution of the Company and the grantee's rights with respect
to his outstanding Award.
(d) Other Adjustments. The Committee is authorized to make
adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards
in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation,
the events described in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 13) affecting
the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Parent,
Subsidiary or Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or
accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments
are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or
potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
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Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, issuance by the Company of
stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, for cash,
property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or
warranty to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of stock or obligations of
the Company convertible into such stock or other securities, and in any case
whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason
thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to
Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share of Stock subject to
Awards.
14. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
(a) Amendment or Termination by the Board. The Board, without
further approval of the stockholders, may amend or terminate the Plan or any
portion thereof at any time, except that no amendment shall become effective
without prior approval of the stockholders of the Company to increase the number
of shares of Stock subject to the Plan or if stockholder approval is necessary
to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement or rule of any exchange or
national automated quotation system upon which the Stock is listed or quoted
(including for this purpose stockholder approval that is required for continued
compliance with Rule 16b-3 or stockholder approval that is required to enable
the Committee to grant Incentive Stock Options pursuant to the Plan).
(b) Amendments by the Committee. The Committee shall be authorized
to make minor or administrative amendments to the Plan as well as amendments to
the Plan that may be dictated by requirements of U.S. federal or state laws
applicable to the Company or that may be authorized or made desirable by such
laws. The Committee may amend any outstanding Award in any manner as provided in
Section 3(c) and to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority
to make such Award as so amended.
(c) Approval of Grantees. No amendment to the Plan or any Award
may be made that would materially adversely affect any outstanding Award
previously made under the Plan without the approval of the grantee.
15. NON-GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT
Nothing in the Plan or in any Grant Agreement thereunder shall confer
any right on an employee to continue in the employ of the Company or any Parent,
Subsidiary or Affiliate or shall interfere in any way with the right of the
Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate an employee at any
time.
16. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
For purposes of maintaining a grantee's continuous status as an
employee and accrual of rights under any Award, transfer of an employee among
the Company and the Company's Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall not be
considered a termination of employment. Nor shall it be considered a termination
of employment for such purposes if an employee is placed on military or sick
leave or such other leave of absence that is considered as continuing intact the
employment relationship; in such a case, the employment relationship shall be
continued until the date when an employee's right to reemployment shall no
longer be guaranteed either by law or contract.
17. WRITTEN AGREEMENT
Each Grant Agreement entered into between the Company and a grantee
with respect to an Award granted under the Plan shall incorporate the terms of
this Plan and shall contain such provisions, consistent with the provisions of
the Plan, as may be established by the Committee.
18. NON-UNIFORM DETERMINATIONS
The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without
limitation determinations of the persons to receive Awards, the form, amount and
time of such Awards, the terms and provisions of such Awards and the agreements
evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among
persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan, whether
or not such persons are similarly situated.
19. LIMITATION ON BENEFITS
With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable
conditions of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by
the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the
extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
20. LISTING AND REGISTRATION
If the Company determines that the listing, registration or
qualification of Stock subject to any Award upon any securities exchange or
listing or quotation system established by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or under any law is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the granting of same or the issue or
purchase of Stock thereunder, no such Award may be exercised in whole or in part
and no restrictions on such Award shall lapse, unless such listing, registration
or qualification is effected free of any conditions not acceptable to the
Company.
21. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW
The Company may require that a grantee, as a condition to exercise of
an Award, and as a condition to the delivery of any Stock certificate, provide
to the Company, at the time of each such exercise and each such delivery, a
written representation that the Stock being acquired shall be acquired by the
grantee solely for investment and will not be sold or transferred without
registration or the availability of an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Company may also
require that a grantee submit other written representations that will permit the
Company to comply with applicable federal and state securities laws in
connection with the issuance of the Stock, including representations as to the
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters of the grantee and
the grantee's ability to bear the economic risk of the grantee's investment. The
B-8
Company may require that the grantee obtain a "purchaser representative" as that
term is defined in applicable federal and state securities laws. Any Stock
certificates for shares issued pursuant to this Plan may bear a legend
restricting transferability of the Stock unless such shares are registered or an
exemption from registration is available under the Securities Act and applicable
securities laws of the states of the U.S. The Company may notify its transfer
agent to stop any transfer of Stock not made in compliance with these
restrictions. Stock shall not be issued with respect to an Award granted under
the Plan unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of
Stock certificates for such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the
requirements of any national securities exchange or Nasdaq System upon which the
Stock may then be listed or quoted, and shall be further subject to the approval
of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance to the extent such
approval is sought by the Committee.
22. NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED
Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a
trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the
Company and a grantee or any other person. To the extent that any grantee or
other person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to
an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general
creditor of the Company.
23. NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Parent,
Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation
arrangements (whether such arrangements be generally applicable or applicable
only in specific cases), including without limitation the granting of stock
options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights or
Phantom Stock Units otherwise than under the Plan.
24. NO RESTRICTION OF CORPORATE ACTION
Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit or impair the
power of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to make adjustments,
reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes in its capital or business
structure, or to amalgamate, merge or consolidate, liquidate, sell or transfer
all or any part of its business or assets or, except as otherwise provided
herein, or in a Grant Agreement, to take other actions which it deems to be
necessary or appropriate. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have
any claim against the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate as a result
of such action.
25. GOVERNING LAW
The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, of Grant Agreements
entered into pursuant to the Plan, and of any rules, regulations, determinations
or decisions made by the Board or Committee relating to the Plan or such Grant
Agreements, and the rights of any and all persons having or claiming to have any
interest therein or thereunder, shall be determined in accordance with
applicable federal laws and the laws of the State of Maryland. Unless otherwise
provided in the Award Agreement, recipients of an Award under the Plan are
deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or local
courts of the State of Maryland, to resolve any and all issues that may arise
out of or relate to the Plan or any related Grant Agreement.
26. PLAN SUBJECT TO CHARTER AND BYLAWS
This Plan is subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Company, as they may be in effect from time to time.
27. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION DATE
The Plan is effective as of the date on which the Plan is approved by
the stockholders of the Company. No Award shall be granted under the Plan after
the close of business on the day immediately preceding the tenth (10th)
anniversary of the effective date of the Plan. Subject to other applicable
provisions of the Plan, all Awards made under the Plan prior to such termination
of the Plan shall remain in effect until such Awards have been satisfied or
terminated in accordance with the Plan and the terms of such Awards.
Date Approved by the Board: February 27, 2004
----------------------------------------------------
Date Approved by the Stockholders:
---------------------------------------------
B-9
PROXY CARD
IN CONNECTION WITH 2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
CELSION CORPORATION
10220-L OLD COLUMBIA ROAD
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21046-2364
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF CELSION CORPORATION
The undersigned stockholder of CELSION CORPORATION (the "Company")
hereby appoints Augustine Y. Cheung and John Mon, and each of them, as lawful
attorneys and proxies, with several power of substitution, for and in the name
of the undersigned, to represent and vote, as designated below, all shares of
the Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote on all
matters, except as specifically indicated below, at the Annual Meeting of the
Stockholders of the Company to be held at ten o'clock AM local time on Tuesday,
May 25, 2004, at the Sheraton Hotel, Columbia Maryland, 10207 Wincopin Circle,
Columbia, Maryland 21044, or at any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling
thereof (collectively, the "Annual Meeting"). The undersigned hereby revokes any
and all previous proxies with respect to the matters covered by this proxy and
the voting of such shares at the Annual Meeting and acknowledges receipt of
Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement in connection therewith.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for
(except as marked to the contrary below) all nominees listed below
Nominees: Dr. Augustine Y. Cheung, Dr. Max E. Link, Dr. Kris Venkat
INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR A NOMINEE, STRIKE THROUGH THE
NOMINEE'S NAME LISTED ABOVE. TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY AS TO ALL NOMINEES, CHECK THE
APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ABOVE.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BY 50,000,000, FROM 200,000,000 TO
250,000,000.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
PROPOSAL NO. 3: TO APPROVE THE CELSION CORPORATION 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
PROPOSAL NO. 4: TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2004.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY:
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO
INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "IN
FAVOR" OF EACH OF THE DIRECTORS NAMED IN PROPOSAL NO. 1, "IN FAVOR" OF PROPOSAL
NO. 2, "IN FAVOR" OF PROPOSAL NO. 3, "IN FAVOR" OF PROPOSAL NO. 4 AND IN THE
DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS AS TO OTHER MATTERS.
-------------- -----------------------------------
Date Signature of Owner
-----------------------------------
Additional Signature of Joint Owner (if any)
If stock is jointly held, each joint owner should sign. When signing as
attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate
officer or partner, please give full title.
TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
JUST SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY--NO BOXES NEED BE CHECKED.
CELSION VOTE BY INTERNET--www.proxyvote.com
[LOGO]CELSION CORPORATION Use the Internet to transmit your voting
instructions and for election and delivery
information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time
the day before the cut-off date or meeting
10220-L OLD COLUMBIA ROAD date. Have your proxy card in hand when you
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, 21046-2364 access the web site. You will be prompted to
enter your 12-digit Control Number, which is
located below, to obtain your records and to
create an electronic voting instruction form.
VOTE BY PHONE--1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your
voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M.
Eastern Time the day before the cut-off or
meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand
when you call. You will be prompted to enter
your 12-digit Control Number, which is
located below, and then follow the simple
instructions the Voice Vote provides you.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and
return it in the postage-paid envelope we
have provided or return it to Celsion
Corporation, c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way,
Edgewood, NY 11717.