Dermata Therapeutics, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Mar 26, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Mar 26, 2026
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the most highly-compensated executive officer (other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 for services rendered in all capacities to us for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. These individuals are our “Named Executive Officers” for 2025. We had no other named executive officers in 2025 and 2024.
| Name and Principal Position · Year · Salary · Bonus · Stock Option Awards (3) · Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald T. Proehl | 2025 | $280,000 | $140,000 | (4) | $52,515 | $472,515 |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | 280,000 | 117,600 | (2) | 64,373 | 461,973 |
| Kyri K. Van Hoose | 2025 | 346,568 | 138,627 | (1) | 23,340 | 508,535 |
| Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 328,500 | 110,376 | (2) | 25,740 | 464,616 |
| Christopher J. Nardo, Ph.D. | 2025 | 366,975 | 146,790 | (1) | 23,340 | 537,105 |
| Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer | 2024 | 349,500 | 117,432 | (2) | 25,748 | 492,680 |
| (1) | Bonuses earned for 2025 were paid in 2026, except for Mr. Proehl. See note (4) below. |
| (2) | Bonuses earned for 2024 were paid in April 2025, after topline data from STAR-1 was announced in March 2025. |
| (3) | In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock option awards granted during 2025 and 2024. These amounts have been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are described in Note 7 to our financial statements. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the executives upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options, or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options. |
| (4) | In order to preserve cash, Mr. Proehl’s bonus earned for 2025 is not expected to be paid until the Company’s achievement of a certain financing amount, as set by the Board. |
Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers
We are party to employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers listed below. Each of these Named Executive Officers are currently party to customary confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with us.
Gerald T. Proehl
On December 6, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Proehl (the “Proehl Agreement”). Under the terms of the Proehl Agreement, Mr. Proehl holds the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and is due a base salary of $350,000 annually, subject to periodic review and adjustment as the Board deems appropriate. However, starting in July 2022, in an effort to preserve the Company’s cash, Mr. Proehl voluntarily agreed to a base salary of $280,000, which the Compensation Committee approved. Mr. Proehl’s base salary was subsequently increased on January 1, 2026, to $291,200. In addition, Mr. Proehl is eligible to receive an annual bonus, with a target amount equal to 50% of Mr. Proehl’s base salary. The actual amount of each annual bonus will be based upon the level of achievement of certain of our corporate objectives and Mr. Proehl’s individual objectives, in each case, as established by the Company and Mr. Proehl for the calendar year with respect to which the annual bonus relates. The determination of the level of achievement of the corporate objectives and Mr. Proehl’s individual performance objectives for a year shall be made by us in our reasonable discretion. In addition, Mr. Proehl is eligible to receive, from time to time, equity awards under our existing equity incentive plan, or any other equity incentive plan we may adopt in the future, and the terms and conditions of such awards, if any, will be determined by our board of directors or the Compensation Committee, in their discretion. Mr. Proehl will also be eligible to participate in any executive benefit plan or program we adopt.
We may terminate Mr. Proehl’s employment at any time without Cause (as that term is defined in the Proehl Agreement) upon four weeks prior written notice to Mr. Proehl. Mr. Proehl may terminate his employment for Good Reason (as that term is defined in the Proehl Agreement) upon 60 days written notice.
If Mr. Proehl’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason, Mr. Proehl will be entitled to receive (i) his earned but unpaid base salary through the final day of his employment, (ii) expenses reimbursable under the Proehl Agreement incurred on or prior to the last day of his employment, (iii) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or benefits that Mr. Proehl is entitled to receive under any of our equity compensation plans (clauses (i) through (iii) collectively, the Accrued Obligations), (iv) severance payments equal to 12 months of Mr. Proehl’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Mr. Proehl’s termination), (v) a pro-rated payment equal to the annual bonus the Board determines is due, and (vi) if elected, we will reimburse Mr. Proehl for certain COBRA health benefits for 12 months.
Notwithstanding the above, if Mr. Proehl’s employment is terminated without Cause or he resigns for Good Reason either within three months immediately preceding or within one year after a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan), Mr. Proehl will receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) severance payments equal to 18 months of Mr. Proehl’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Mr. Proehl’s termination), (iii) the targeted annual bonus amount the Board determines is due to Mr. Proehl, (iv) if elected, we will reimburse Mr. Proehl for certain COBRA health benefits for 18 months, and (v) Mr. Proehl will be deemed to be fully vested in all of his outstanding equity awards as of the date of his termination.
If Mr. Proehl’s employment is terminated with Cause or without Good Reason, he will be entitled to receive (i) his earned but unpaid base salary through the final day of his employment, (ii) expenses reimbursable under the employment agreement incurred on or prior to the last day of his employment, and (iii) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or benefits that Mr. Proehl is entitled to receive under any of our equity compensation plans.
We may terminate Mr. Proehl’s employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Mr. Proehl. Mr. Proehl may voluntarily terminate his employment at any time without Good Reason upon four weeks prior written notice.
Kyri K. Van Hoose
On November 19, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Van Hoose, which was subsequently amended on January 1, 2022 (as amended, the “Van Hoose Agreement”). Under the terms of the Van Hoose Agreement, she holds the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and receives a base salary of $300,000 annually, subject to periodic review and adjustment as the Board deems appropriate. As of January 1, 2026, Ms. Van Hoose receives an annual base salary of $360,430. In addition, Ms. Van Hoose is eligible to receive an annual bonus, with a target amount equal to forty percent (40%) of Ms. Van Hoose’s base salary. The actual amount of each annual bonus will be based upon the level of achievement of our corporate objectives and Ms. Van Hoose’s individual objectives, in each case, as established by us and Ms. Van Hoose for the calendar year with respect to which the annual bonus relates. The determination of the level of achievement of the corporate objectives and Ms. Van Hoose’s individual performance objectives for a year shall be made by us in our reasonable discretion. In addition, pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, Ms. Van Hoose is eligible to receive, from time to time, equity awards under our existing equity incentive plan, or any other equity incentive plan we may adopt in the future, and the terms and conditions of such awards, if any, will be determined by our board of directors or Compensation Committee, in their discretion. Ms. Van Hoose is also eligible to participate in any executive benefit plan or program we adopt.
We may terminate Ms. Van Hoose’s employment at any time without Cause (as that term is defined in the Van Hoose Agreement) upon two weeks prior written notice to Ms. Van Hoose. Ms. Van Hoose may terminate her employment for Good Reason (as that term is defined in the Van Hoose Agreement) upon 60 days written notice to us, upon which notice we have 30 days to cure the conditions that Ms. Van Hoose considers to be Good Reason, subject to certain conditions set forth in her employment agreement.
If Ms. Van Hoose’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason, Ms. Van Hoose will be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) severance payments equal to nine months of Ms. Van Hoose’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Ms. Van Hoose’s termination), (iii) the targeted annual bonus amount the Board determines is due to Ms. Van Hoose, and (iv) if elected, the Company will reimburse Ms. Van Hoose for certain COBRA health benefits for nine months.
Notwithstanding the above, if Ms. Van Hoose’s employment is terminated without Cause or she resigns for Good Reason either within three months immediately preceding or within one year after a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan), Ms. Van Hoose will receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) severance payments equal to 12 months of Ms. Van Hoose’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Ms. Van Hoose’s termination), (iii) the targeted annual bonus amount the Board determines is due to Ms. Van Hoose, (iv) if elected, the Company will reimburse Ms. Van Hoose for certain COBRA health benefits for 12 months, and (v) Ms. Van Hoose will be deemed to be fully vested in all of her outstanding equity awards as of the date of her termination.
If Ms. Van Hoose’s employment is terminated with Cause or without Good Reason, she is entitled to receive (i) her earned but unpaid base salary through the final day of her employment, (ii) expenses reimbursable under the employment agreement incurred on or prior to the last day of her employment, and (iii) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or benefits that Ms. Van Hoose is entitled to receive under any of our equity compensation plans.
We may terminate Ms. Van Hoose’s employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Ms. Van Hoose. Ms. Van Hoose may voluntarily terminate her employment at any time without Good Reason upon two weeks prior written notice to us.
Christopher J. Nardo, Ph.D.
On August 17, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Nardo, which was subsequently amended on December 6, 2021, January 1, 2022, and July 1, 2022 (as amended, the “Nardo Agreement”). Dr. Nardo holds the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer and receives a base salary of $320,000 annually, subject to periodic review and adjustment as the Board deems appropriate. As of January 1, 2026, Mr. Nardo receives an annual base salary of $381,654. In addition, Dr. Nardo is eligible to receive an annual bonus, with a target amount equal to forty percent (40%) of Dr. Nardo’s base salary. The actual amount of each annual bonus will be based upon the level of achievement of our corporate objectives and Dr. Nardo’s individual objectives, in each case, as established by us and Dr. Nardo for the calendar year with respect to which the annual bonus relates. The determination of the level of achievement of the corporate objectives and Dr. Nardo’s individual performance objectives for a year shall be made by us in our reasonable discretion. In addition, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Dr. Nardo is eligible to receive, from time to time, equity awards under our existing equity incentive plan, or any other equity incentive plan we may adopt in the future, and the terms and conditions of such awards, if any, will be determined by our board of directors or Compensation Committee, in their discretion. Dr. Nardo is also eligible to participate in any executive benefit plan or program we adopt.
We may terminate Dr. Nardo’s employment at any time without Cause (as that term is defined in the Nardo Agreement) upon two weeks prior written notice to Dr. Nardo. Dr. Nardo may terminate his employment for Good Reason (as that term is defined in the Nardo Agreement) upon 60 days written notice to us, upon which notice we have 30 days to cure the conditions that Dr. Nardo considers to be Good Reason, subject to certain conditions set forth in his employment agreement.
If Dr. Nardo’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason, Dr. Nardo will be entitled to receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) severance payments equal to nine months of Dr. Nardo’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Dr. Nardo’s termination), (iii) the targeted annual bonus amount the Board determines is due to Dr. Nardo, and (iv) if elected, the Company will reimburse Dr. Nardo for certain COBRA health benefits for nine months.
Notwithstanding the above, if Dr. Nardo’s employment is terminated without Cause or he resigns for Good Reason either within three months immediately preceding or within one year after a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan), Dr. Nardo will receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) severance payments equal to 12 months of Dr. Nardo’s base salary (to be paid in a lump sum on the next regular payroll date within 60 days of Dr. Nardo’s termination), (iii) the targeted annual bonus amount the Board determines is due to Dr. Nardo, (iv) if elected, the Company will reimburse Dr. Nardo for certain COBRA health benefits for 12 months, and (v) Dr. Nardo will be deemed to be fully vested in all of his outstanding equity awards as of the date of his termination.
If Dr. Nardo’s employment is terminated with Cause or without Good Reason, he is entitled to receive (i) his earned but unpaid base salary through the final day of his employment, (ii) expenses reimbursable under the employment agreement incurred on or prior to the last day of his employment, and (iii) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or benefits that Dr. Nardo is entitled to receive under any of our equity compensation plans.
We may terminate Dr. Nardo’s employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Dr. Nardo. Dr. Nardo may voluntarily terminate his employment at any time without Good Reason upon two weeks prior written notice to us.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table summarizes, for each of the named executive officers, the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options held as of December 31, 2025.
| Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options · Option Exercise · Option Expiration · Vesting | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Price | Date | Schedule |
| Gerry T. Proehl | 399 | 434 | $91.49 | 1/3/2034 | (1) |
| - | 4,500 | $13.80 | 1/12/2035 | (2) | |
| Kyri K. Van Hoose | 160 | 173 | $91.49 | 1/3/2034 | (1) |
| - | 2,000 | $13.80 | 1/12/2035 | (2) | |
| Christopher J. Nardo, Ph.D. | 159 | 174 | $91.49 | 1/3/2034 | (1) |
| - | 2,000 | $13.80 | 1/12/2035 | (2) | |
(1) This stock option award was granted January 4, 2024. The shares underlying the option will vest as to 25% upon the 12-month anniversary of the grant date and will vest as to 75% in 36 equal monthly instalments commencing on the 12-month anniversary of the grant date.
(2) This stock option award was granted January 13, 2025. The shares underlying the option will vest as to 25% upon the 12-month anniversary of the grant date and will vest as to 75% in 36 equal monthly instalments commencing on the 12-month anniversary of the grant date.
Director Compensation Table – 2025
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during 2025.
| Name · Fees Earned Paid in Cash (1) · Stock Awards (2) · Stock Option Awards (3)(4) · Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Hale | $73,000 | $ | - | $5,665 | $78,665 |
| Wendell Wierenga, Ph.D. | 50,000 | - | 5,665 | 55,665 | |
| Kathleen Scott | 55,000 | - | 5,665 | 60,665 | |
| Steven J. Mento, Ph.D. | 44,000 | - | 5,665 | 49,665 | |
| Mary Fisher (5) | 47,500 | - | 5,665 | 53,165 | |
| Andrew Sandler, M.D. | 49,000 | - | 5,665 | 54,665 | |
| Brittany Bradrick | 47,500 | - | 5,665 | 53,165 | |
| (1) | Board of Director fees earned or paid in cash were for calendar year 2025, representing fees earned by our non-employee directors. |
| (2) | The Board of Directors did not receive stock awards in 2025. All compensation was paid in cash and by the issuance of stock option awards. |
| (3) | In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock option awards granted during 2025. These amounts have been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are described in Note 7 to our financial statements. This amount does not reflect the actual economic value that will be realized by the directors upon the vesting of the stock options, the exercise of the stock options, or the sale of the common stock underlying such stock options. |
| (4) | As of December 31, 2025, each of the members of the Board of Directors have been granted a total of 566 options, comprised of 66 options granted on January 4, 2024, at an exercise price of $91.49, and 500 options granted on January 13, 2025, at an exercise price of $13.80. Each of these stock option grants are subject to equal monthly vesting over one year. As of December 31, 2025, 524 of the 566 stock options granted were exercisable by each Director. |
| (5) | Mary Fisher has resigned from the Board, effective March 31, 2026. |
Director Compensation Policy
We have adopted a compensation policy pursuant to which our non-employee board members receive $40,000 per year ($60,000 for Lead Director), each member of the Audit Committee receives $7,500 per year ($15,000 for the Chair), each member of the Compensation Committee receives $5,000 per year ($10,000 for the Chair), and each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives $4,000 per year ($8,000 for the Chair). Any compensation to be paid under this policy may be made in cash or restricted stock units at the election of each board member which must be made in the prior calendar year. As part of this director compensation policy, our directors may elect to receive their annual compensation (i) 100% in restricted stock units, (ii) 50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock units, or (iii) 100% in cash. To the extent any of our directors elect to receive any of their compensation in restricted stock units, such restricted stock units will not be subject to any vesting term.
We have also adopted an equity compensation policy pursuant to which board members shall be granted stock options to purchase shares of our Common Stock upon joining the board of directors (“New Director Grants”), and at the beginning of each year, each then serving non-employee director shall be automatically granted stock options to purchase shares of our common stock (“Continuing Director Grants”). New Director Grants vest upon the third anniversary of the date of grant, and the Continuing Director Grants vest in twelve equal monthly instalments commencing on the date of grant. These stock options shall have a term of ten years and shall have an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. All options to be granted under this policy will be granted pursuant to our 2021 Plan.
The Company’s Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information
We do not have any formal policy that requires us to grant, or avoid granting, equity-based compensation to our executive officers at certain times. Consistent with our annual compensation cycle, the Compensation Committee has for several years granted annual equity awards to our executive officers and directors at the start of the new fiscal year. The timing of any equity grants to executive officers in connection with new hires, promotions, or other non-routine grants is tied to the event giving rise to the award (such as an executive officer’s commencement of employment or promotion effective date). As a result, in all cases, the timing of grants of equity awards, including stock options, occurs independent of the release of any material nonpublic information, and we do not time the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of equity-based compensation.
No stock options were issued to named executive officers in fiscal year 2025 during any period beginning four business days before the filing of a periodic report or current report disclosing material non-public information and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such report with the SEC.
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