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Hoth Therapeutics Inc

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Mar 28, 2024.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Mar 28, 2024

RKTO$0.40-1.4%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 to our principal executive officer and an additional officer (collectively, the “named executive officers”):

●Robb Knie, Chief Executive Officer and President; and
●Stefanie Johns, former Chief Scientific Officer.
Name and Principal PositionYearSalary ($)Bonus ($)(1)Stock Awards ($)Option Awards ($)(2)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($)All Other Compensation ($)(3)Total ($)
Robb Knie2023450,000200,000-103,601--115,222868,823
Chief Executive Officer and President2022450,000300,000-216,361--94,0091,060,370
Stefanie Johns2022382,44320,000108,181--185,263695,886
Former Chief Scientific Officer
(1)Represents payments of discretionary bonuses for performance during the applicable years as determined by the board, and as further described below Bonus Arrangements.
(2)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, rather than the amount paid to or realized by Robb Knie and Stefanie Johns. See Note 6, “Stockholders’ Equity” in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the Company’s accounting for share-based compensation plans.
(3)All other compensation represents the employer matching contributions to each Robb Knie’s and Stefanie Johns’ 401(k) accounts and the amounts received for their executive health or supplemental health insurance premiums. Mr. Knie received (i) an employer 401(k) contribution in the amounts of $19,800 and $18,000 for fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (ii) payments for executive health or supplemental medical insurance premiums in the amounts of $95,422 and $76,009 for fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. Ms. Johns received (A) an employer 401(k) contribution in the amounts of $0 and $18,300 for fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (B) payments for executive health or supplemental medical insurance premiums in the amounts of $0 and $34,463 for fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. For 2022, all other compensation for Ms. Johns includes the following in connection with payments received under the Stefanie Johns Separation Agreement and General Release, dated December 9, 2022, pursuant to which Ms. Johns was entitled to the following payments for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2022:
NameSeparation PaymentTotal of All Other Compensation
Stefanie Jones$132,500$132,500

Employment Agreements

Robb Knie Employment Agreement

On March 28, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement (the “2023 Knie Employment Agreement”) with Robb Knie, pursuant to which Mr. Knie continues to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. The term of the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement will continue for a period of three years from the date of execution and automatically renews for successive one-year periods at the end of each term until either party delivers written notice of their intent not to review at least six months prior to the expiration of the then effective term. Mr. Knie’s base salary is $450,000 per year. Mr. Knie is eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to $350,000 per year at the discretion of the compensation committee of the Company, based upon the achievement of Company and individual performance targets established by the compensation committee. Under the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement, Mr. Knie is also entitled to receive equity-based compensation awards. In addition, the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement contains standard non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. Mr. Knie is also eligible to receive additional equity-based compensation awards as the Company may grant from time to time. The 2023 Knie Employment Agreement further provides for standard expense reimbursement, vacation time and other standard executive benefits.

Pursuant to the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement, in the event Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement), due to a non-renewal by the Company, he voluntarily resigns, or if he resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement), Mr. Knie is entitled to (i) a cash payment equal to the sum of (x) 24 months of his base salary at the then current rate (or 36 months if such termination occurs within 12 months of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2023 Knie Employment Agreement)) and (y) annual bonus in effect on his last day of employment; (ii) continuation of health benefits for a period of 24 months (or 36 months if such termination occurs within 12 months of a Change in Control); (iii) a lump sum payment equal to the amount of any annual bonus earned with respect to a prior fiscal year, but unpaid as of the date of termination; (iv) a lump sum payment equal to the amount of annual bonus that was accrued through the date of termination for the year in which employment ends; and (v) subject to Mr. Knie’s compliance with his restrictive covenants, the outstanding and unvested portion of any equity award will accelerate and immediately vest on the date of Mr. Knie’s termination.

In the event that Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to the amount of any annual bonus earned with respect to a prior fiscal year, but unpaid as of the date of termination; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to the amount of annual bonus that was accrued for the year in which employment ends; and (iii) the treatment of any equity awards in accordance with their respective equity award agreements.

In the event that Mr. Knie’s employment is terminated due to his non-renewal or resignation without Good Reason, he will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the amount of any annual bonus earned with respect to a prior fiscal year, but unpaid as of the date of termination.

Equity Grant Practices

2018 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 4, 2018, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan became effective on May 4, 2018 upon approval of the 2018 Plan by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to the 2018 Plan, the Company can grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, annual or long-term performance awards or other stock-based awards. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding option awards under the 2018 Plan total 79,360, as described in the table “Option Awards” below.

2022 Equity Incentive Plan

On March 24, 2022, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) initially reserving 96,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for issuance thereunder. The 2022 Plan became effective on June 23, 2022 upon approval of the 2022 Plan by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. On June 2, 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved the Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2022 Plan”) which was approved by stockholders on August 18, 2023. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2022 Plan, the Company can grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, annual or long-term performance awards or other stock-based awards. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding option awards under the Amended and Restated 2022 Plan total 90,000, as described in the table “Option Awards” below.

Bonus Arrangements

Pursuant to the terms of the executive employment agreements described above, the Company, through the board, has the discretion to determine the amounts of the annual incentive bonus payments which executives may receive Based on the review of the Company’s performance for calendar year 2023, the board, in its sole discretion, determined to pay the bonuses to the named executive officers listed in the summary compensation table above.

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a defined contribution employee retirement plan, or 401(k) plan, for its employees. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify as a tax-qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Code so that contributions to the 401(k) plan, and income earned on such contributions, are not taxable to participants until withdrawn or distributed from the 401(k) plan. The Company will match a participant’s contribution 100% up to 6% of their compensation, subject to statutory limits.

Perquisites

Perquisites are not a material component of compensation. In general, named executive officers do not receive reimbursements for meals, airlines, and travel costs, other than those costs allowed for all employees. During 2023, no named executive officers received an allowance from the Company or any of the above or a reimbursement for any expense incurred for non-business purposes.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2023

The following table provides information regarding option awards held by each of our named executive officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2023. There were no stock awards or other equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

Option Awards
Name · Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable · Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable · Option Exercise Price ($) · Option Expiration Date
Robb Knie10,000(1)-$131.5012/24/2029
3,201(2)-$76.257/21/2030
9,000(3)-$52.751/29/2031
20,000(4)-$14.753/16/2032
40,000(5)-$2.597/17/2033
(1)Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant.
(2)Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant.
(3)Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant.
(4)Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant.
(5)Stock options granted to Robb Knie vested in full immediately upon grant.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

The following table presents the total compensation for each person who served as a non-employee member of our board of directors and received compensation for such service during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Other than as set forth in the table and described more fully below, we did not pay any compensation, make any equity awards or non-equity awards to, or pay any other compensation to any of the non-employee members of our board of directors in 2023.

NameFees earned or paid in cash ($)Stock Awards ($)Option Awards ($)(1)(2)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($)All Other Compensation ($)Total ($)
Jeff Pavell50,000-15,210---65,210
David Sarnoff50,000-15,210---65,210
Graig Springer50,000-15,210---65,210
Wayne Linsley50,000-15,210---65,210
(1)Amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value for option awards granted in each respective year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of forfeitures. See Note 6, “Stockholders’ Equity” in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended 2023 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2023 for more information regarding the Company’s accounting for share-based compensation plans.
(2)On July 17, 2023, Jeff Pavell was granted ten-year options to purchase up to 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.59, which options vested in full upon grant.
On July 17, 2023, David Sarnoff was granted ten-year options to purchase up to 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.59, which options vested in full upon grant.

On July 17, 2023, Graig Springer was granted ten-year options to purchase up to 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.59, which options vested in full upon grant.

On July 17, 2023, Wayne Linsley was granted ten-year options to purchase up to 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.59, which options vested in full upon grant.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

Our directors receive $50,000 cash compensation per year for their service on the board of directors, as well as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses with respect to such directors’ attendance at meetings of the board of directors of the Company.

Committee chairs receive an additional one-time $6,000 cash compensation upon appointment for their added services in such roles.

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