ORAGENICS INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 16, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Mar 16, 2026
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Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section describes the objectives of our executive compensation program, and the compensation decisions made with respect to our named executive officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Our named executive officer during 2025 was Janet Huffman who also serves as the Chief Financial Officer.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Director is responsible for establishing, reviewing, and overseeing the Company’s executive compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and approves the compensation of other executive officers. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee seeks to ensure that executive compensation is aligned with the Company’s business objectives, financial condition, and long-term stockholder interests.
The Company has conducted advisory votes on executives’ compensation at prior annual meetings of stockholders. The Compensation Committee considers the results of such advisory votes, along with other relevant actors when evaluating executive compensation decisions.
Business Highlights
During 2024, we paused the development of our immunization product candidate to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic and focused on the development of our Neurology Assets. Our compensation program continues to reflect the challenges associated with designing a compensation program at the beginning of the year that addresses our preclinical work and our strategy of acquiring additional product-development assets. Despite such challenges, the Compensation Committee remains committed to a philosophy which strongly aligns pay with demonstrated performance and is confident that the decisions made are reflective of this overarching philosophy.
Compensation Objective
Our named executive officer compensation programs are designed to achieve the following objectives:
| ● | Attract, motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge, skills, performance and business relationships are critical to our success; |
| ● | Align the interests of our named executive officers and stockholders by motivating named executive officers to ultimately increase stockholder value as well as facilitate retention; |
| ● | Motivate our named executive officers to manage our business to meet our short term and long-range goals and reward accomplishment of these goals; and |
| ● | Provide a competitive compensation package which includes some pay for performance factors. |
Compensation Determination Process
We conduct an annual review of named executive officer compensation, generally in December or January. At the Compensation Committee’s direction, our Chief Executive Officer prepares an executive compensation review for each named executive officer, other than themselves, which may include recommendations for:
| ● | A proposed year-end bonus, if any, based on the achievement of individual and/or corporate objectives; |
| ● | A proposed increase, if any, in base salary and target annual incentive opportunity for the upcoming year; and |
| ● | An award, if any, of stock options or stock awards for the year under review. |
As part of the compensation review, our Compensation Committee also considers changes to a named executive officer’s employment agreement, compensation arrangements and benefits, responsibilities, or severance arrangements.
In accordance with NYSE American requirements, the Compensation Committee also meets in an executive session without the Chief Executive Officer to consider and make recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, including base salary, cash bonus and year-end annual stock options. The Compensation Committee also grants year-end stock options to other named executive officers based on, among other factors, recommendations by our Chief Executive Officer.
In conjunction with the year-end annual compensation review, or as soon as practicable after the fiscal year-end, our Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee the corporate objectives and other criteria to be utilized for purposes of determining cash bonuses (i) for each named executive officer for the upcoming year (in accordance with that named executive officer’s employment agreement), and (ii) for all other employees as a group. The Compensation Committee in its discretion may revise our Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations or make its own recommendations to our Board of Directors, which may in turn suggest further revisions. At the end of the year, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer, reviews performance and determines the extent to which any established goals were achieved.
Setting Compensation for Named Executive Officers - Compensation Committee, Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer or Principal Executive Officer
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the primary responsibility for determining the compensation of our named executive officers. Our Compensation Committee recommends the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer or Principal Executive Officer and determines all compensation matters for our named executive officers, including base salary, bonuses, and equity compensation. Our Board of Directors, after considering the recommendations of the Compensation Committee, makes the final determination with respect to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer or Principal Executive Officer. Utilizing input from our Chief Executive Officer or Principal Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee makes an independent decision on compensation for each other named executive officers, although our Compensation Committee has, on occasion, submitted its compensation determinations for named executive officers to our full Board of Directors for its approval.
Role of Compensation Consultant
Our Compensation Committee is authorized to engage compensation consultants or other advisors to review our executive officers’ compensation, including a benchmarking analysis against the compensation of executive officers at comparable companies, to ensure that our compensation is market competitive, with the goal of retaining and adequately motivating our senior management. In March 2019 and January of 2020, our Compensation Committee retained Korn Ferry as a compensation consultant (“Korn Ferry”) to assess our current compensation programs and provide recommendations for continued improved alignment of the programs with our compensation philosophy and goals and to review and make recommendations regarding our executive and Director compensation for 2019 and 2020.
Our Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of its compensation consultant, considers alternative compensation consultants, and has the final authority to engage and terminate such services. The Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Korn Ferry pursuant to SEC rules and the applicable listing standards of the NYSE American and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent Korn Ferry from serving as an independent consultant to our Compensation Committee. This Korn Ferry assessment has not been formally updated, nor has the engagement continued as the Compensation Committee believes, based on a variety of factors, including the small number of employees, an updated assessment was not warranted
Benchmarking in the Context of Our Other Executive Compensation Principles
From time to time our Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of similarly situated executive officers at companies that we consider to be our peers, taking into consideration the experience, position and functional role, level of responsibility and uniqueness of applicable skills of both our executive officers and those of our peers, and the demand and competitiveness for attracting and retaining an individual with each executive officer’s specific expertise and experience. While this analysis is helpful in determining market-competitive compensation for senior management, it is only one factor in determining our executive officers’ compensation, and our Compensation Committee exercises its judgment in determining the nature and extent of its use.
For purposes of comparing our executive compensation against the competitive market, our Compensation Committee reviews and considers the compensation levels and practices of a group of comparable biotechnology companies known to the members of the Compensation Committee. This information was then used as a reference point for our Compensation Committee to assess our current compensation levels in the course of its deliberations on forms and amounts of compensation. Given our objective of attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding a highly-skilled team of executive officers and other employees, we aim to deliver a total compensation package that is within a competitive range around the median as compared to peers, with an emphasis on equity incentive compensation so as to more effectively tie our named executive officers and employees’ interests to those of our shareholders. In light of this, when undertaking such analysis, our Compensation Committee has reviewed data pertaining to the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles for base salary, total cash compensation (base salary plus annual bonus) and equity compensation. This competitive analysis is one factor, among others, taken into account by our Compensation Committee in assessing current compensation levels and recommending changes to compensation or additional awards of equity. Our Compensation Committee expects to review such compensation data as it believes necessary to make adjustments to its composition, taking into account changes in both our business and the businesses of the companies in the peer group. Due to the small number of employees and executive officers we have, among other factors, our Compensation Committee did not undertake an update to the peer group in 2025.
Our Compensation Committee believes that, given the competitiveness of our industry and our culture, our base compensation, annual cash bonuses and equity programs are flexible enough to reward the achievement of clearly defined corporate goals and are sufficient to retain our existing executive officers and to hire new executive officers with the appropriate qualifications and experience.
Elements of Named Executive Officer Compensation
For 2025, the principal components of compensation for our named executive officers consisted of:
| ● | Annual base salary; |
| ● | Annual bonus incentives; and |
| ● | Equity Incentive Awards / Option Awards. |
Annual Base Salary
We provide our named executive officers with a base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the year. Generally, the base salaries reflect the experience, skills, knowledge, and responsibilities required of each executive officer, and reflect our executive officers’ overall performance and contributions to our business.
During its review of base salaries for executives, the Compensation Committee primarily considers:
| ● | The negotiated terms of each named executive officer’s employment agreement, if any; |
| ● | An internal review of the named executive officer’s compensation, both individually and relative to other named executive officers; and |
| ● | Base salaries paid by comparable companies in the biopharmaceutical industry that have a similar business and financial profile. |
Salary levels are considered annually as part of our performance review process. Merit-based increases to salaries are based on management’s assessment of the individual’s performance, the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer to the Compensation Committee, and comparative compensation at peer companies. The factors used in determining increases in base salary include individual performance, changes in role and/or responsibility and changes in the competitive market environment. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the base salary for each executive officer.
Annual Incentive Bonuses
We provide an opportunity for each of our named executive officers to receive an annual incentive bonus based on the satisfaction of individual and company objectives established by the Compensation Committee and/or our Board of Directors, or if no objectives are established at the discretion of the Committee. These incentives are paid in cash. For any given year, these objectives may include individualized goals or company-wide goals that relate to operational, strategic or financial factors such as progress in developing our product candidates, achieving certain manufacturing, intellectual property, clinical and regulatory objectives, and managing our capital requirements.
2025 Bonus Plan
The Company established performance-based bonus targets for its named executive officers in 2025 (the “2025 Bonus Plan”). The percentages were weighted for purposes of determining bonuses, if any, for the Company’s executive officers with respect to 2025 performance. Under such a cash bonus program, Ms. Huffman, was eligible for cash bonuses of up to 50% of base salary, or $162,500, (“Bonus Target”).
The bonuses payable to Ms. Huffman were to be based upon the achievement of the following objectives:
| i. | Up to 40% of the Bonus Target for overseeing the Company’s capital raising efforts; |
| ii. | Up to 5% of the Bonus Target for strategic talent acquisition in the Company’s finance department; |
| iii. | Up to 15% of the Bonus Target for the Company’s clinical trial milestones; and |
| iv. | Up to 40% of the Bonus Target for the Company’s strategic planning initiatives. |
The executive officers’ actual bonuses for fiscal year 2025 were eligible to exceed 100% of their 2024 Bonus Target percentage in the event performance exceeds the predetermined goals and/or upon the achievement of other specified goals, including stretch goals. Payment of bonuses to the Company’s executive officers under the 2025 Bonus Program and the actual amount of such bonus, if any, are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Equity Incentive Compensation
We believe that successful long-term corporate performance is more likely to be achieved with a corporate culture that encourages a long-term focus by our named executive officers and other employees through the use of equity awards, the value of which depends on our stock performance. We established our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan to provide all of our employees, including our named executive officers, with incentives to help align our employees’ interests with the interests of our stockholders and to enable them to participate in the long-term appreciation of our stockholder value. Additionally, equity awards provide an important retention tool for all employees, as the awards generally are subject to vesting over an extended period of time based on continued service with us.
We typically grant equity awards in connection with hiring a new employee. In addition, equity awards may also be granted for performance annually at, or soon after, the end of each year, depending on position, performance and tenure at the Company.
The determination of whether to grant stock options, as well as the size of such grants, to our named executive officers involves assessments by the Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors and, with respect to named executive officers other than herself, our Chief Executive Officer. Generally, annual equity awards are driven by our desire to retain and motivate our named executive officers, and we consider individual performance and contributions during the preceding year to the extent the Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors believe such factors are relevant. As with base salary and cash bonuses, in evaluating and determining stock option grants to our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors also considers publicly available data from other similar clinical stage companies identified by the Compensation Committee.
We currently grant stock options or stock awards to new employees when they join our Company based upon their position with us and their relevant prior experience. The awards granted by the Compensation Committee generally vest over time during the ten-year option term (although some previously granted awards vest immediately), or upon the achievement of certain milestones. Unless otherwise agreed to by us with respect to a termination without “cause” or for “good reason,” vesting and exercise rights generally cease upon termination of employment, except in the case of death (subject to a one-year limitation), disability or retirement. Prior to the exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting rights or the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. In addition to the initial option grants, our Compensation Committee may grant additional options to retain our employees and reward, or provide incentives for, the achievement of corporate goals and strong individual performance. Our Board of Directors has not granted our Chief Executive Officer the discretion to grant options to non-executive employees upon joining our Company, or to make grants during each annual non-executive employee review cycle.
It is our policy to award stock options at an exercise price equal to the closing price on the NYSE American Market of our common stock on the date of the grant. For purposes of determining the exercise price of stock options, the grant date generally based upon the later of the first day of employment for newly hired employees, or the date and time on which the Compensation Committee or Board approves the stock option grant.
We have no program, practice, or plan to grant stock options, in coordination with the release of material nonpublic information. We also have not timed the release of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of stock options or other compensation, and we have no plan to do so. We do, however, have a policy regarding the adjustment or recovery of stock option awards in connection with the restatement of our financial statements, as our stock option awards have not been tied to the achievement of specific financial statement goals.
Other Compensation
Other aspects of compensation applicable to our named executive officers consist of the following:
*Retirement Benefits.*We maintain a Simple Individual Retirement Arrangement plan in which all full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are
eligible to participate. We provide this plan to help its employees save some amount of their cash compensation for retirement in a tax efficient manner. We do not provide an option for its employees to invest in our stock under the 401k plan. We match 100% of the employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s compensation.
*Health and Welfare Benefits.*All full-time employees, including our named executive officers, may participate in our health and welfare benefit programs, including
Medical, dental and vision care coverage as may be provided and applicable to all employees.
*Perquisites.*We do not provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers other than those that we provide to our employees.
Employment Agreements. During 2025, we had employment agreements in effect with Ms. Huffman. We entered into employment agreements with these officers and key employees to ensure that they would perform their respective roles with us for an extended period of time. In addition, we also considered the critical nature of each of their positions and our need to retain them when we committed to these agreements.
Named Executive Officer Compensation Decisions
We believe that the total compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, achieved the overall objectives of our executive compensation program. In accordance with our overall objectives, we believe executive compensation for 2025 was competitive with other similarly sized companies. The Compensation Committee took the following key compensation actions in 2025:
Base Salaries
During 2025, we made the following changes in annual base salary for named Executive Officers and key employees.
| Name | Annual Salary For 2024 | Increase | Annual Salary For 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janet Huffman | $250,000 | $75,000 | $325,000 |
Determination of Cash Bonus-2025
Our Board of Directors determined that Ms. Huffman’s 2025 performance-based cash bonus award earned to be $110,500, which was paid in December 2025.
Determination of Equity Awards
On December 11, 2025, Ms. Huffman received a stock option grant pursuant to our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) to purchase 250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.93 per share, the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. This award vests over three years
Other Policies and Considerations - Employment Contracts and Change in Control Arrangements
We entered into employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Huffman (the “Employment Agreements”).
Employment Agreements—Ms. Huffman, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer
On March 6, 2023, Ms. Huffman entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with us under terms substantially similar to the employment agreements of existing executives. Under the terms of her Executive Employment Agreement, Ms. Huffman’s employment with us became effective March 6, 2023, and she received an annual base salary of $250,000 and was eligible for a Performance Bonus with a target of 35% of her annual salary based on appropriate Company based and individual based targets in the discretion of the Compensation Committee as approved by the full Board of Directors. Ms. Huffman was eligible to participate in the medical insurance and other benefits available to all employees except her annual vacation will be set at four (4) weeks.
On January 16, 2025, the Board appointed Ms. Huffman to also serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer effective as of January 16, 2025, and in connection therewith, the Board determined that, effective January 16, 2025, Ms. Huffman’s employment agreement would be modified to (i) include her new title of Interim Chief Executive Officer; (ii) require that as she report directly to the Company’s Board of Directors and its Executive Chairman; (iii) increase her base salary by 10% to $275,000; and (iv) change her location to Sarasota (given the Company relocation from Tampa to Sarasota). All other terms of Ms. Huffman’s Employment Agreement remain in full force and effect.
On May 2, 2025, the Board appointed Janet Huffman, to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, in addition to continuing to serve as its Chief Financial Officer, and in connection therewith, the Board determined that, effective May 2, 2025, Ms. Huffman’s employment agreement would be modified to (i) include her new title of Chief Executive Officer (ii) increase her base salary to $325,000; (iii) include bonus target of fifty percent (50%) of her base compensation.
In the event the Company terminates the Employment Agreement without cause, as defined in the Employment Agreement, Ms. Huffman will be entitled to receive severance pay equal to six (6) months of her annual base salary, at the rate in effect on the date of termination and any performance bonus that, as of the date of termination, has been earned by Ms. Huffman but has not yet been paid by the Company. If Ms. Huffman’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without cause during the period of thirty (30) days following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Employment Agreement), in lieu of the severance payments above, Ms. Huffman will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the sum of: (i) six (6) months of her annual base salary, at the higher of the base salary rate in effect on the termination date or the base salary rate in effect immediately before the effective date of the Change of Control, and (ii) her performance bonus for the year which includes the effective date of the Change in Control, payable at the target level of performance. In addition, Ms. Huffman also will be entitled to receive the amount of any performance bonus that, as of the date of termination, has been earned by Ms. Huffman but has not yet been paid by the Company to Ms. Huffman. The Employment Agreement contains customary confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions.
In connection with Ms. Huffman’s employment in March 2023, she was awarded stock options to acquire 233 shares of our common stock under our 2021 Plan, at an exercise price of $120.00 per share, which was our closing price on the grant date. The options vested as follows: 58 options vested on the grant date, 58 options vested on September 6, 2023, 58 options vested on March 6, 2024, 58 options vested on September 6, 2024, and 59 options vested on March 6, 2025, in each case Ms. Huffman remained in continuous employment with us through such dates.
The Executive Employment Agreement is terminable at any time by us and upon 60 days’ notice by Ms. Huffman. Upon separation for any reason Ms. Huffman shall receive her base salary accrued through the date of termination, and any vested rights and benefits provided under our employee benefit plans and programs. In addition, if Ms. Huffman’s separation from employment is terminated by us without Cause or for non-renewal by us after the end of the Initial Term and Ms. Huffman signs a full general release then we would be obligated to pay Ms. Huffman six months of her annual base salary as severance plus any earned but unpaid Performance Bonus.
If Ms. Huffman’s employment is terminated by us without Cause during the period of 30 days following a Change in Control and Ms. Huffman signs a full general release then we would be obligated to pay Ms. Huffman six months of her annual base salary as severance, any earned, accrued but unpaid bonus Performance Bonus and Ms. Huffman’s Performance Bonus for the year of the Change in Control at target level of performance. Additionally, with any such termination Ms. Huffman’s stock options or other stock awards under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan which are not vested shall vest as of her termination date. Under the Executive Employment Agreement, “Change in Control” is defined as a transaction or series of transactions which constitutes a sale of control of the Company, a change in effective control of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or a transaction which qualifies as a “change in ownership” or “change in effective control” of the Company or a “change in ownership of substantially all of the assets” of the Company under the standards set forth in Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
In the Executive Employment Agreement Ms. Huffman has agreed to duties of non-disclosure of Confidential Information, non-competition and non-solicitation and Company ownership of developments provisions.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibilityof Executive Comp ensation
The Compensation Committee takes into consideration the tax consequences of compensation to the named executive officers, but tax considerations are not a significant part of our Company’s compensation policy.
Accountingfor Stock-Based Comp ensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718. This accounting treatment has not significantly affected our executive compensation decisions.
Clawbacks
In order to further align management’s interests with those of shareholders and to support the Company’s governance practices, the Board of Directors adopted a recoupment policy applicable to annual bonuses and other short-term and long-term incentive compensation based on financial targets (“Incentive Compensation”) received by current and former executive officers of the Company and such other senior executives/employees of the Company who may from time to time be deemed subject to the policy by the Board of Directors (“Covered Executive”). The policy provides that if, as a result of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, a Covered Executive received more Incentive Compensation than the Covered Executive would have received absent the incorrect financial statements, the Company shall recover said excess Incentive Compensation (defined as the excess of (i) the actual amount of Incentive Compensation paid to the Covered Executive over (ii) the Incentive Compensation that would have been paid based on the restated financial results during the three year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare such restatement). The policy also provides that if the Board of Directors makes a determination in its sole discretion that a Covered Executive engaged in Misconduct (as defined below), the Board of Directors may require reimbursement or forfeiture of all or part of the Incentive Compensation received by the Covered Executive. The Board of Directors may use its judgment in determining the amount to be recovered. Misconduct is defined as (i) conviction of a felony, (ii) material breach of any agreement with the Company, (iii) material breach of any Company policy or code, (iv) act of theft, embezzlement or fraud, (v) misrepresentation or misstatement of financial or performance results, and (vi) any other act or event that the Board of Directors has determined that recoupment is appropriate.
Consideration of Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee also expects to consider the results of our stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation. Our shareholders have historically voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers and, at our 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting, 81.1% of the shares represented in person or by proxy voted in favor of the program. In light of these results, the Compensation Committee has determined to substantially continue the executive compensation program. The Board of Directors determined that shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation will be submitted to our shareholders annually until the next required advisory vote on the frequency of conducting advisory votes on executive compensation.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid or accrued for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 to our most highly compensated executive officer who earned more than $100,000 in total compensation during 2025, as well as two former executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”)
| Bonus · Stock Awards · Option Awards · All Other Compensation | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and principal position | Year | Salary | (1) | (2) | (2) | (3) | Total | |||||||||
| Kimberly Murphy | 2025 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||
| Former Chief Executive Officer and President | 2024 | $53,750 | $ | - | $ | - | $10,562 | $216,612 | $280,924 | |||||||
| Janet Huffman | 2025 | $285,801 | $110,500 | $ | - | $201,700 | $11,156 | $609,157 | ||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | $250,000 | $75,000 | $ | - | $31,200 | $7,500 | $363,700 | ||||||||
| Joseph Redmond | 2025 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $198,000 | $198,000 | |||||
| Former President and Interim Principal Executive Officer | 2024 | $397,126 | $ | - | $ | - | $39,000 | $28,015 | $464,141 | |||||||
| (1) | The amounts reported in this column represent performance-based bonuses earned pursuant to the Company’s bonus plans. Amounts earned for 2024 were paid in February 2025. Amounts earned for 2025 were paid in December 2025. |
| (2) | The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. On December 11, 2025, Ms. Huffman received incentive stock option awards under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan covering 25,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.80 per share, vesting over three years. |
| (3) | Amounts reported in this column for Ms. Huffman represent Company matching contributions under the Company’s SIMPLE IRA retirement plan. Amounts reported for Mr. Redmond in 2025 represent severance payments totaling $198,000. |
The Compensation Committee believes that our future success depends, in large part, upon our ability to maintain a competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel. The Compensation Committee utilizes the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan to provide incentives to employees. We do not have any separate long-term incentive plans that provide compensation intended to serve as incentives for performance other than awards contemplated under, or pursuant to, our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards
The following table provides information concerning outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2025:
| Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable (1) | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable (2) | Option exercise price(s) | Option expiration date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janet Huffman Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | 250,000 | - | $0.93 | 12/11/2035 |
| Janet Huffman | 2,667 | - | 14.40 | 9/19/2034 |
| Janet Huffman | 187 | 47 | $120.00 | 3/7/2033 |
| 1) | Represents awards that are time vested with each award vesting evenly on an annual basis over three years, subject to earlier vesting upon a change in control as defined in the award agreements. |
| 2) | Represents awards that are time vested with each award vesting evenly on a semi-annual basis over two years, subject to earlier vesting upon a change in control as defined in the award agreements. |
Director Compensation
The Director Compensation program for 2025 consisted of the following:
Cash Compensation. The Director compensation program for 2025 provided that all non-employee Directors would receive an annual base fee for service on the Board of $45,000. In addition, the Chairperson of the Board and of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee would also receive annual fees of $40,000, $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively. All non-employee Directors serving on our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee (other than as the Chairperson) would receive an annual fee of $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000, respectively, in connection with such committee service. In addition, from time to time, the Board may establish special committees and in connection therewith determine the cash compensation that would be paid to the Directors serving on a special committee at the time of the establishment of such committee. All fees for Board service are generally paid on or before the last business day of each quarter.
The Board expects to meet in-person for a minimum of four meetings each year. To the extent the Board meets in excess of six in-person meetings an additional per meeting fee would also be considered to be paid to each Director by the Board for such additional in-person meeting. To the extent the Board determines to establish a special committee, or a special committee was previously established and continues to function, the Board would determine the cash compensation payable to each Director serving on any such special committee.
Our Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors use market data as one means of evaluating and establishing Board remuneration. From time to time the Compensation Committee seeks the advice for compensation consultants on matters related to executive compensation, board remuneration and related governance matters.
Equity Compensation-New Director. Equity compensation is issued to Directors upon joining our Board. Non-employee Directors receive a stock option for the purchase of shares of Company’s Common Stock equating to $60,000 with an exercise price set as the Closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the day immediately prior to the appointment to the Board, which will immediately vest and be exercisable for ten years, subject to early termination under the terms of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. If new Directors join the Board before July 1 of the calendar year, they will receive 100% of the value; 50% of such total value if they join between July 1 and October 1; 25% of such total value if they join after October in a calendar year.
Annual Equity Compensation Awards. As part of the Director Compensation Program each non-employee director receives equity awards under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. In December 2025, the Board considered and granted stock options to non-employee Directors. Directors Pope, Koski, Telling, Gandolfo, Dunton, and Giordano received 125,000 options at a grant price of $0.93 per share. Messrs. According to the terms of the grants, the options vested immediately.
The stock options are subject to the standard terms and conditions of the Company’s form of stock option agreement which includes earlier vesting upon a change in control of the Company.
Discretionary Awards. As part of the Director Compensation Program, the Board may also make discretionary equity-based awards from time to time under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
Minimum dollar value stock ownership requirements. Each non-employee Director receiving the above equity-based awards will be subject to a minimum dollar value stock ownership holding requirement with respect to the awards received as well as all prior equity awards under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan which requirement is intended to align the ability to sell shares with the performance of the Company’s stock price. The non-employee Directors will each be subject to a minimum dollar value stock ownership requirement equal to six times the annual Board retainer ($270,000) which dollar threshold they would be precluded from selling shares of Company stock acquired from the Company under its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
Reimbursement of Expenses. Non-employee Directors are also reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at Board or committee meetings and reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses associated with their Board service.
*Long-term Incentive Compensation.*The Company did not have a Long-Term Incentive Compensation plan in place performance in 2024 for its Non-Employee Directors.
The following table sets forth the compensation of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31,2025.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
| Name | Fees earned or paid in cash (1) | Option awards (2) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Frederick W. Telling | $72,500 | $96,400 | $168,900 |
| Robert C. Koski | $50,000 | $96,400 | $146,400 |
| Charles L. Pope | $112,500 | $96,400 | $208,900 |
| Dr. Alan W. Dunton | $75,000 | $96,400 | $171,400 |
| John Gandolfo | $62,500 | $96,400 | $158,900 |
| Natasha Giordano | $15,000 | $96,400 | $111,400 |
| (1) | Amounts represent cash compensation earned by our Non-employee Directors during 2025 in connection with their Board service including any service on committees or service in connection with special committees established by the Board. |
| (2) | The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (ASC 718). See Notes 2 and 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. On December 11, 2025, Director. Pope, Koski, Telling, Gandolfo, Dunton and Giordano received 125,000 options at a grant price of $0.93 per share. According to the terms of the grants, the options vested immediately. |
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