ENDRA Life Sciences Inc

Our compensation philosophy is to offer our executive officers compensation and benefits that are competitive and meet our goals of attracting, retaining and motivating highly skilled management, which is necessary to achieve our financial and strategic objectives and create long-term value for our stockholders. We believe the levels of compensation we provide should be competitive, reasonable and appropriate for our business needs and circumstances. Our board of directors uses benchmark compensation studies in determining compensation elements and levels. The principal elements of our executive compensation program have to date included base salary, annual bonus opportunity and long-term equity compensation in the form of stock options. We believe successful long-term Company performance is more critical to enhancing stockholder value than short-term results. For this reason and to conserve cash and better align the interests of management and our stockholders, we emphasize long-term performance-based equity compensation over base annual salaries.

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned by the individual that served as our principal executive officer during 2023 and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than the individual who served as our principal executive officer during 2023 (collectively, the “named executive officers”):

2023 Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements

The following is a summary of the employment arrangements with our named executive officers.

Francois Michelon. Effective May 12, 2017, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Francois Michelon, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, which agreement was amended on December 27, 2019. Mr. Michelon’s employment with the Company is “at will” and may be terminated by him or the Company at any time and for any reason. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Michelon receives an annual base salary that is subject to adjustment at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Effective January 1, 2022, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Michelon’s annual salary to $423,000. In September 2023, Mr. Michelon agreed to a 30% reduction of his base salary received for the remainder of 2023 in order to preserve cash for the Company’s operations. Mr. Michelon is also eligible for an annual cash bonus based upon the achievement of performance-based objectives established by the Board of Directors.

If Mr. Michelon’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in the 2016 Plan) or if Mr. Michelon resigns for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Michelon will be entitled to receive, subject to his execution of a standard release agreement, 12 months’ continuation of his current base salary and a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of continued healthcare coverage (or 24 months’ continuation of his current base salary and a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of continued healthcare coverage if such termination occurs within one year following a change in control).

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Michelon is eligible to receive benefits that are substantially similar to those of the Company’s other senior executive officers.

Michael Thornton. Effective May 12, 2017, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Michael Thornton, our Chief Technology Officer, which agreement was amended on December 27, 2019. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Thornton’s employment with the Company is “at will” and may be terminated by him or the Company at any time and for any reason. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Thornton receives an annual base salary that is subject to adjustment at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Effective January 1, 2022, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Thornton’s annual salary to $324,000. In September 2023, Mr. Thornton agreed to a 30% reduction of his base salary received for the remainder of 2023 in order to preserve cash for the Company’s operations.

If Mr. Thornton’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in the 2016 Plan) or if Mr. Thornton resigns for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Thornton will be entitled to receive, subject to his execution of a standard release agreement, 12 months’ continuation of his current base salary and a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of continued healthcare coverage (or 24 months’ continuation of his current base salary and a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of continued healthcare coverage if such termination occurs within one year following a change in control).

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Thornton is eligible to receive benefits that are substantially similar to those of the Company’s other senior executive officers.

Irina Pestrikova. Ms. Pestrikova is employed by the Company pursuant to an Offer Letter by and between the Company and Ms. Pestrikova, dated as of June 9, 2021. Ms. Pestrikova’s employment is “at will” and may be terminated by the Company at any time and for any reason. Effective as of December 31, 2023, Ms. Pestrikova’s annual salary was set by the Board at $185,000. Per the terms of her offer letter, Ms. Pestrikova is eligible to receive employee benefits plans including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans.

Additionally, our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our health and welfare programs and 401(k) plan, and other benefit programs on the same basis as other employees.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year End

The following table provides information regarding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2023.

Equity Compensation Plan Table

The following table presents information on the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023. All outstanding awards relate to our common stock.

Director Compensation

Effective January 30, 2023, the Company adopted a non-employee director compensation policy (the “Compensation Policy”) pursuant to which each of our non-employee directors receives, upon his or her initial election to the Board of Directors, a stock option exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock with a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of the common stock on the Nasdaq on the grant date. All such stock options vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. Under the Compensation Policy, on the first trading day of each calendar year, each non-employee director is awarded a stock option exercisable for 600 shares of common stock, with a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of the common stock on the Nasdaq on the grant date, which becomes exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Additionally, pursuant to the Compensation Policy, each non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer of $40,000, prorated for partial years of service and paid quarterly in arrears.

The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation earned by or awarded to each of our non-employee directors who served on the Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023: