Onconetix, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 13, 2026.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
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.
FY2025 · Filed Mar 13, 2026
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
See the whole filing, with its images and exhibitsContents
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth total compensation paid to our named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Individuals we refer to as our “named executive officers” include (i) all individuals serving as our Chief Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025; (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer who were serving as executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, whose salary and bonus for services rendered in all capacities exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and (iii) up to two of our most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer who served as executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 but not at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 whose salary and bonus for services rendered in all capacities exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Stock Awards ($)(1) · Option Awards ($)(1) · All Other Compensation ($) · Total ($) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Schiess(2) | 2025 | 163,937 | — | — | — | — | 163,937 | |
| Former Chief Executive Officer and Former Chief Science Officer | 2024 | 265,176 | 40,000 | (3) | — | — | — | 305,176 |
| Karina Fedasz (4) | 2025 | 307,060 | 45,000 | (5) | — | — | — | 352,060 |
| Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 197,125 | — | — | — | — | 197,125 | |
| (1) | This figure represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock-based awards granted in the fiscal year, computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report. |
| (2) | Mr. Schiess was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer on January 12, 2024 and as Chief Science Officer on December 15, 2023. Mr. Schiess resigned from Interim Chief Executive Officer on February 24, 2025 and Chief Science Officer on May 31, 2025. |
| (3) | Mr. Schiess was awarded a bonus of $40,000 for his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer. |
| (4) | Ms. Fedasz was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer effective June 10, 2024 and Interim Chief Executive Officer effective April 2, 2025. |
| (5) | Ms. Fedasz was awarded a bonus of $45,000 for her role as Interim Chief Executive Officer. |
Employment Agreements of Named Executive Officers
Set forth below is a summary of many of the material provisions of the employment agreements with our named executive officers and other executive officers, of which summaries do not purport to contain all of the material terms and conditions of each such agreement.
Ralph Schiess
In November 2011, Ralph Schiess entered into an employment agreement with Proteomedix (as amended, the “Schiess Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Dr. Schiess serves as Chief Executive Officer of Proteomedix and was paid a base salary of CHF 233,100 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Dr. Schiess is also eligible to participate in the PMX Option Plan and to receive accident insurance, sick pay insurance, a pension plan, and certain government-mandated child allowance benefits. Dr. Schiess received a bonus of CHF 90,804 for 2023.
Pursuant to the Schiess Employment Agreement, Dr. Schiess agreed to be bound by certain non-compete and non-solicitation covenants contained therein.
The Schiess Employment Agreement may be terminated with notice in writing by either Proteomedix or Dr. Schiess. In the event of a change of control, either party must give twelve months’ notice, but for a period starting six months prior to and two years after a change of control becomes effective, Proteomedix must, upon request of Dr. Schiess, must provide Garden Leave within 30 days after receipt of such request. During the Garden Leave, Dr. Schiess may enter into consulting arrangements and accept board positions, provided that Dr. Schiess’ statutory and contractual confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations remain unchanged and in effect. If the termination of the Schiess Employment Agreement is for any other reason than a change of control, then either party must give five months’ notice.
On February 24, 2025, Dr. Schiess resigned from his positions as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer of the Company, effective as of the date. On May 31, 2025, Dr. Schiess resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Proteomedix, effective as of that date.
Karina Fedasz
On June 10, 2024, the Company appointed Karina M. Fedasz as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective immediately. In connection with Ms. Fedasz’s appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer, on June 10, 2024, the Company and Ms. Fedasz entered into a consulting agreement (the “Fedasz Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Ms. Fedasz will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company and will be paid $15,000 per month for up to 80 hours of monthly service to the Company and $200 per hour thereafter, and will provide signatory services for $2,500 per month. The Fedasz Consulting Agreement is for a term of one year, subject to early termination by either party upon thirty (30) days’ written notice.
On April 2, 2025, Ms. Fedasz was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. No additional compensation was granted in connection with this appointment at that time. On December 5, 2025, Ms. Fedasz was granted a bonus of $45,000, to be paid in January 2026, for her role as Interim Chief Executive Officer during 2025, and an increase in compensation of $5,000 per month, effective January 1, 2026, for her service as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
See “Employment Agreements of Named Executive Officers” above.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
None of our named executive officers had any outstanding equity incentive plan awards as of December 31, 2025.
Director Compensation
The Board has approved cash and equity compensation for directors, such that we pay each of our non-employee directors an annual cash retainer for service on the Board and for service on each committee on which the director is a member. The chair of each committee receives an additional annual retainer for such service. All retainers are payable in arrears in four equal quarterly installments. The retainers paid to non-employee directors for service on the Board and for service on each committee of the Board on which the director is a member are as follows:
| Annual Board Service Retainer | |
|---|---|
| All non-employee directors | $45,000 |
| Annual Committee Member Service Retainer | |
| Member of the Audit Committee | $10,000 |
| Member of the Compensation Committee | $7,500 |
| Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | $5,000 |
| Annual Committee Chair Service Retainer | |
| (in addition to Committee Member Service Retainer above): | |
| Chair of the Audit Committee | $15,000 |
| Chair of the Compensation Committee | $7,500 |
| Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | $5,000 |
Additionally, each non-director will receive an annual grant of restricted stock awards equal to 0.04% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of the Company’s annual meeting, such restricted stock vesting approximately one year from the grant dates and upon the director’s death or disability or upon a change of control of the Company. Sarah Romano elected not to receive her grant of restricted stock for 2026.
Our Compensation Committee will continue to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding compensation for directors, including equity-based plans. We will reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending board and committee meetings.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our directors for the year ended December 31, 2025:
| Fees Earned or Paid In Cash · Stock Awards · Option Awards · All Other Compensation · Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | ($) | ($)(1) | ($)(1) | ($) | ($) | |||||
| Thomas Meier | 60,000 | (2) | 1,811 | (3) | — | — | 61,811 | |||
| Timothy Ramdeen | 72,500 | (4) | 1,811 | (3) | — | — | 74,311 | |||
| James Sapirstein(6) | 21,896 | (5) | — | — | — | 21,896 | ||||
| Ajit Singh(8) | 27,758 | (7) | — | — | — | 27,758 | ||||
| Simon Tarsh(10) | 76,671 | (9) | 1,811 | (3) | — | — | 78,482 | |||
| Andrew Oakley | 248,657 | (11) | 2,016 | (3, 12) | — | — | 250,673 | |||
| Sarah Romano | 4,946 | (13) | — | — | — | 4,946 | ||||
| (1) | This figure represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock-based awards granted in the fiscal year, computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report. |
| (2) | Represents fees earned by Mr. Meier, for serving as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Compensation Committee, totaling $60,000 |
| (3) | These directors were each granted 618 shares of restricted stock on August 15, 2025, which vest on August 16, 2026. All such shares are unvested and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2025. |
| (4) | Represents fees earned by Mr. Ramdeen, for serving as a member of the Board, Audit Committee, and Compensation Committee, as well as Chairman of the Nominating Governance Committee totaling $72,500. |
| (5) | Represents fees earned by Mr. Sapirstein for serving as a member of the Board and Executive Chairman from February 24, 2025 until March 28, 2025. |
| (6) | As of March 28, 2025, James Sapirstein resigned as Executive Chairman and member of the Board. |
| (7) | Represents fees earned for serving as a member of the Board. |
| (8) | As of August 10, 2025, Ajit Singh resigned as a member of the Board. |
| (9) | Represents fees earned by Mr. Tarsh for serving as a member of the Board, Compensation Committee, and Nominating Governance Committee, as well as Chairman of the Audit Committee, totaling $76,671. |
| (10) | Simon Tarsh served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Board until December 5, 2025 and as a member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating Governance Committee until October 23, 2025. As a result of his resignation, his grant of restricted stock, awarded on August 15, 2025, was accordingly forfeited. |
| (11) | Represents fees earned by Mr. Oakley for serving as a member of the Board, member of the Compensation Committee, member of the Audit Committee, member of the Nominating Governance Committee, and Lead Independent Director, totaling $248,657. Mr. Oakley was paid $36,000 per month for his role as the Lead Independent Director, effective July 12, 2025. |
| (12) | Mr. Oakley was granted 20 shares of restricted stock on February 24, 2025, when he joined the Board, which vest on August 31, 2026. All such shares are unvested and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2025. |
| (13) | Represents fees earned by Ms. Romano for serving as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2025, regarding our common stock that may be issued under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) and the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”).
| Plan category: · Number of Securities to be issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights (a) · Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b) · Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in column (a)) (c) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | ||||
| 2019 Plan (1) | — | — | — | (1)(2) |
| 2022 Plan (3) | 23 | $5,700.95 | 7,899 | |
| Total | 23 | $5,700.95 | 7,899 | |
| (1) | The 2019 Plan permits grants of equity awards to employees, directors, consultants, and other independent contractors. Our board of directors and stockholders have approved a total reserve of 411 shares for issuance under the 2019 Plan. |
| (2) | Once the 2022 Plan became effective, no further grants were made under the 2019 Plan and all shares that remained available for the issuance of awards under our 2019 Plan as of immediately prior to the time our 2022 Plan became effective were rolled over into the 2022 Plan. |
| (3) | The 2022 Plan permits grants of equity awards to employees, directors, consultants, and other independent contractors. Our board of directors and stockholders have approved a total reserve of 17,058 shares for issuance under the 2022 Plan, of which 7,899 are remaining. |
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
Our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, our 2022 Plan effective upon the completion of our initial public offering. Our 2022 Plan is a successor to and continuation of our 2019 Plan. Our 2022 Plan became effective on the date of the completion of our initial public offering. Once the 2022 Plan became effective, no further grants will be made under the 2019 Plan.
*Awards.*Our 2022 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, to employees, including employees of any parent or subsidiary, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, or NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and other forms of awards to employees, directors and consultants, including employees and consultants of our affiliates.
*Authorized Shares.*Initially, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under our 2022 Plan was 470 shares of our common stock, which is the sum of (i) 59 new shares, plus (ii) an additional number of shares not to exceed 411 (calculated after giving effect to the Pre-IPO Stock Split), consisting of (A) shares that remain available for the issuance of awards under our 2019 Plan as of immediately prior to the time our 2022 Plan becomes effective and (B) shares of our common stock subject to outstanding stock options or other stock awards granted under our 2019 Plan that, on or after the 2022 Plan becomes effective, terminate or expire prior to exercise or settlement; are not issued because the award is settled in cash; are forfeited because of the failure to vest; or are reacquired or withheld (or not issued) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation or the purchase or exercise price, if any, as such shares become available from time to time.
On August 22, 2022, at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s stockholders approved an additional 294 shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2022 Plan. On May 31, 2023, at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s stockholders approved an additional 161 shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2022 Plan. On September 5, 2024, at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s stockholders approved an additional 16,132 shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2022 Plan.
The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under our 2022 Plan will be reduced by: one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a stock option or stock appreciation right with respect to which the exercise or strike price is at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the stock option or appreciation right on the grant date; and (ii) 1.20 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to any restricted stock unit or other “full value award.” The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs under our 2022 Plan is equal to the number of shares reserved under the 2022 Plan at any time.
Shares subject to stock awards granted under our 2022 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under our 2022 Plan. Shares withheld under a stock award to satisfy the exercise, strike, or purchase price of a stock award or to satisfy a tax withholding obligation do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under our 2022 Plan. If any shares of our common stock issued pursuant to a stock award are forfeited back to or repurchased or reacquired by us (i) because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, (ii) to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award or (iii) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award, the shares that are forfeited or repurchased or reacquired will revert to and again become available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. Any shares previously issued which are reacquired in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a stock award will again become available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. The number of shares available for issuance under our 2022 Plan will increase by 1.20 shares for each share subject to restricted stock units or other full value awards (not including stock options or stock appreciation rights) which are forfeited or reacquired for the reasons described in the preceding two sentences.
*Plan Administration.*Our Board of Directors has assigned the authority to administer the 2022 Plan to our Compensation Committee, but may, at any time, re-vest in itself some or all of the power delegated to our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (i) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified stock awards and (ii) determine the number of shares subject to such stock awards. Under our 2022 Plan, our Compensation Committee has the authority to determine award recipients, grant dates, the numbers and types of stock awards to be granted, the applicable fair market value, and the provisions of each stock award, including the period of exercisability and the vesting schedule applicable to a stock award.
*Stock Options.*ISOs and NSOs are granted under stock option agreements in a form approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the 2022 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2022 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee determines the term of stock options granted under the 2022 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. Unless the terms of an option holder’s stock option agreement, or other written agreement between us and the recipient approved by the Compensation Committee, provide otherwise, if an option holder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the option holder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be extended in the event that exercise of the option is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If an option holder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an option holder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the option holder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 18 months following the date of death. If an option holder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the option holder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate upon the termination date. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the Compensation Committee and may include (i) cash, check, bank draft or money order, (ii) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (iii) the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the option holder, (iv) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO or (v) other legal consideration approved by the Board of Directors.
Unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise, options or stock appreciation rights generally are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to approval of the Compensation Committee or a duly authorized officer, an option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument.
*Tax Limitations on ISOs.*The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an award holder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our parent or subsidiary corporations unless (i) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and (ii) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.
*Restricted Stock Unit Awards.*Restricted stock unit awards are granted under restricted stock unit award agreements in a form approved by the Compensation Committee. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, or other written agreement between us and the recipient approved by the Compensation Committee, restricted stock unit awards that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant’s continuous service ends for any reason.
*Restricted Stock Awards.*Restricted stock awards are granted under restricted stock award agreements in a form approved by the Compensation Committee. A restricted stock award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past or future services to us or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. The Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant’s service relationship with us ends for any reason, we may receive any or all of the shares of common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.
*Stock Appreciation Rights.*Stock appreciation rights are granted under stock appreciation right agreements in a form approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee determines the strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2022 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock appreciation rights may be settled in cash or shares of common stock or in any other form of payment as determined by the Board and specified in the stock appreciation right agreement.
The Compensation Committee determines the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the 2022 Plan, up to a maximum of 10 years. If a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be further extended in the event that exercise of the stock appreciation right following such a termination of service is prohibited by applicable securities laws. If a participant’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases due to disability or death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, stock appreciation rights generally terminate immediately upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.
*Performance Awards.*The 2022 Plan permits the grant of performance awards that may be settled in stock, cash, or other property. Performance awards may be structured so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period. Performance awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the common stock.
The performance goals may be based on any measure of performance selected by the board of directors or the Compensation Committee. The performance goals may be based on company-wide performance or performance of one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and may be either absolute or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the board of directors at the time the performance award is granted, the board or Compensation Committee will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that any portion of our business which is divested achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under our bonus plans; (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; (xi) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles; and (xi) to exclude the effects of the timing of acceptance for review and/or approval of submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory body.
*Other Stock Awards.*The Compensation Committee may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The Compensation Committee will set the number of shares under the stock award (or cash equivalent) and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
*Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit.*The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid to any non-employee director with respect to any calendar year, including awards granted and cash fees paid by us to such non-employee director, will not exceed $150,000 in total value; provided that such amount will increase to $200,000 for the first year for newly appointed or elected non-employee directors.
*Changes to Capital Structure.*In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (i) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2022 Plan, (ii) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (iii) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs and (iv) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
*Corporate Transactions.*The following applies to stock awards under the 2022 Plan in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the 2022 Plan), unless otherwise provided in a participant’s stock award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board or Compensation Committee at the time of grant.
In the event of a corporate transaction, any stock awards outstanding under the 2022 Plan may be assumed, continued, or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award may be assigned to the successor (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume, continue or substitute for such stock awards, then (i) with respect to any such stock awards that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, or current participants, the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such stock awards will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction), and such stock awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction), and (ii) any such stock awards that are held by persons other than current participants will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, except that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the corporate transaction.
In the event a stock award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a corporate transaction, the board of directors may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such stock award may not exercise such stock award but instead will receive a payment equal in value to the excess (if any) of (i) the per share amount payable to holders of common stock in connection with the corporate transaction over (ii) any per share exercise price payable by such holder, if applicable. In addition, any escrow, holdback, earn out or similar provisions in the definitive agreement for the corporate transaction may apply to such payment to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of common stock.
*Plan Amendment or Termination.*Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our 2022 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopts our 2022 Plan. No stock awards may be granted under our 2022 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.
2019 Equity Incentive Plan
Our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) in July 2019 for grants of awards to employees, directors, officers, and consultants of us or any of our subsidiaries. Once the 2022 Plan became effective, no further grants will be made under the 2019 Plan. However, the 2019 Plan will continue to govern the terms and conditions of the outstanding awards previously granted under the 2019 Plan.
*Awards.*Our 2019 Plan provides for the grant of stock awards (collectively, “Stock Awards”) to employees, directors, officers and consultants of us or any of our subsidiaries, consisting of (i) incentive stock options, (“ISOs”), within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”); (ii) nonstatutory stock options (“NSOs”); (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock awards; (v) restricted stock unit awards, and (vi) other forms of awards.
Authorized Shares. Once the 2022 Plan became effective, no further grants were made under the 2019 Plan and all shares that remained available for the issuance of awards under our 2019 Plan as of immediately prior to the time our 2022 Plan became effective were rolled over into the 2022 Plan.
*Plan Administration.*The 2019 Plan may be administered by our board of directors, and our board of directors may delegate such administration to a committee of the board of directors (as applicable, the “Administrator”). The Administrator, in its discretion, selects the individuals to whom awards may be granted, the time or times at which such awards are granted and the terms and conditions of such awards.
*Stock Options.*Stock options entitle the holder to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock at a specified price (the exercise price), subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option grant. Our board of directors may grant either incentive stock options, which must comply with Code Section 422, or non-qualified stock options. ISO’s may only be granted to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Our Administrator sets exercise prices and terms and conditions; except that stock options must be granted with an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Unless our Administrator determines otherwise, fair market value means, as of a given date, the closing price of our common stock. At the time of grant, our board of directors determines the terms and conditions of stock options, including the quantity, exercise price, vesting periods, term (which may not exceed 10 years) and other conditions on exercise. Pursuant to the 2019 Plan, we may only issue 35,000 ISOs.
*Eligibility.*Awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan to officers, employees, directors, officers and of us and our subsidiaries. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of us or our subsidiaries.
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards. Our board of directors may grant awards of restricted stock, which are shares of common stock subject to specified restrictions, and restricted stock units, or RSUs, which represent the right to receive shares of our common stock in the future. These awards may be made subject to repurchase, forfeiture or vesting restrictions at the discretion of our board of directors’ discretion. The restrictions may be based on continuous service with us or the attainment of specified performance goals, as determined by the board of directors. Stock units may be paid in stock or cash or a combination of stock and cash, as determined by the board of directors. Other stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to stock awards provided for under the 2019 Plan.
*Stock Appreciation Rights.*Upon exercise, SARs entitle the holder to receive payment per share in stock or cash, or in a combination of stock and cash, equal to the excess of the share’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date (the “grant price”. Exercise of a SAR issued in tandem with a stock option will reduce the number of shares underlying the related stock option to the extent of the SAR exercised. The term of a SAR cannot exceed 10 years.
*Changes to Capital Structure.*In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (i) the class and maximum number of shares subject to the 2019 Plan, (ii) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs and (iii) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.
*Corporate Transactions.*The following applies to Stock Awards under the 2019 Plan in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the 2019 Plan), unless otherwise provided in a participant’s stock award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant.
In the event of a corporate transaction, the board of directors may take one of the following actions, contingent on the completion of the corporate transaction: (i) arrange for the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) to assume, continue or substitute the Stock Award for a similar stock award; (ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of common stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company); (iii) accelerate the vesting (in whole or in part) of the Stock Award; (iv) arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award; (v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration that the Board; and (vi) make a payment equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all participants. The Board may also take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.
Additionally, under the 2019 Plan, a Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Plan) as may be provided in the Grant Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the participant and the Company or any of its subsidiaries which may employ the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
*Plan Amendment or Termination.*Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our 2019 Plan, subject to certain conditions, including that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopted our 2019 Plan.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.