PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
For the period ended Apr 30, 2025. Filed Aug 11, 2025.
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FY2025 · Filed Aug 11, 2025
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Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below (each a “Named Executive Officer”), as well as the director compensation program for our directors. As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies.
For our fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, our Named Executive Officers and their positions were as follows:
| · | Joshua N. Silverman, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim President and Interim Chairman of the Board; |
| · | Carlos A. Trujillo, Chief Financial Officer. |
We have the same number of Named Executive Officers as we do “executive officers” as defined by Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The following tables provide information about compensation earned by our Named Executive Officers during our fiscal years ended April 30, 2025, and 2024.
Summary Compensation Table
| Name | Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($)(1) | All Other Compensation (2) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua N. Silverman (2) | Interim Chief Executive | 2025 | $375,000 | $100,000 | $– | $– | $45,257 | $520,257 |
| Officer and Interim President | 2024 | $375,000 | $100,000 | $– | $312,923 | $41,662 | $829,585 | |
| Carlos A. Trujillo | Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | $380,000 | $50,000 | $– | $– | $52,017 | $482,017 |
| 2024 | $380,000 | $50,000 | $– | $156,562 | $49,556 | $636,118 | ||
(1) The amounts in the columns titled “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” reflect the grant date fair values of awards made during the identified fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Our computation of expected volatility for the year ended April 30, 2024 on selected guideline companies historical weekly basis volatility. For stock option grants issued during the year ended April 30, 2024, we used a calculated volatility for each grant. We lack adequate information about the exercise behavior now and has determined the expected term assumption under the simplified method provided for under ASC 718, which averages the contractual term of our stock options of ten years with the average vesting term of six months. The dividend yield assumption of zero is based upon the fact we have never paid cash dividends and presently has no intention of paying cash dividends. The risk-free interest rate used for each grant is equal to the U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of the grant for instruments with a similar expected life.
(2) Includes health insurance premium payments for Mr. Silverman and Mr. Trujillo.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Employment Arrangements
Joshua N. Silverman
On November 14, 2022, the Board approved employment of Joshua N. Silverman as the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim President and Interim Chairman of the Board on a month-to-month basis, and it further approved paying Mr. Silverman is paid an annual base salary of $375,000. Mr. Silverman is eligible to participate in the 2022 Plan. On November 20, 2023, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Silverman a stock option grant to purchase 170,000 shares of common stock exercisable over a ten-year term at an exercise price of $2.18 per share, vesting 50% immediately and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.
On August 8, 2025, we entered into an Executive Compensation Agreement (the “Silverman Compensation Agreement”) with Mr. Silverman, effective as of January 1, 2025, pursuant to which Mr. Silverman will serve as our Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chairman.
The Silverman Compensation Agreement provides for an initial three-year term, with automatic one-year renewal periods unless either party provides at least ninety (90) days’ prior written notice of non-renewal. Under the Silverman Compensation Agreement, Mr. Silverman is entitled to an annual base salary of $375,000, subject to annual review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Silverman is eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus. In addition, Mr. Silverman is entitled to receive annual long-term incentive awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan with a target annual equity award grant date fair value to equal 300% of Mr. Silverman’s base salary.
In the event of termination without “Cause” or by Mr. Silverman for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the Silverman Compensation Agreement). Mr. Silverman is entitled to receive accrued compensation through the termination date, severance equal to two times the sum of his base salary and target bonus (prorated for the year of termination), payable over 24 months, and accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards. If such termination occurs within two years following or six months preceding a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Silverman Compensation Agreement), Mr. Silverman is entitled to enhanced severance equal to three times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, payable in a lump sum, and full acceleration of all unvested equity awards.
In the event of Mr. Silverman’s death during the term of the Silverman Compensation Agreement, his estate is entitled to receive accrued compensation, any unpaid bonus amounts, accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards, and any other benefits due under the Company’s benefit plans. In addition, the death benefit under the Company’s life insurance program, if any, will be paid to his designated beneficiary or estate. If Mr. Silverman’s employment terminates due to disability, he is entitled to accrued compensation, prorated target bonus, and continued salary payments for 24 months, along with accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards and benefits under the Company’s long-term disability insurance plan, if applicable.
All severance and equity acceleration benefits are subject to Mr. Silverman’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims. The Agreement also includes provisions regarding confidentiality, non-disparagement, post-employment cooperation, and compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Compensation under the Agreement is subject to the Company’s clawback policies as may be required by applicable law or listing standards.
Carlos A. Trujillo
On May 8, 2022 we entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Compensation Agreement with Mr. Trujillo (“Trujillo Compensation Agreement”) effective as of January 1, 2022. The current term of the Trujillo Compensation Agreement extends until December 31, 2025, with annual extensions at the end of the term (or any extension of the term) unless we or Mr. Trujillo provide 90-days written notice of termination.
The Trujillo Compensation Agreement provided that Mr. Trujillo will serve as a member of our Board, from which he resigned on August 15, 2022, and as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Trujillo is paid an annual base salary of $380,000, subject to annual increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and shall be eligible to receive an annual Bonus. Mr. Trujillo is eligible to participate in the 2022 Plan. On November 20, 2023, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Trujillo a stock option grant to purchase 85,000 shares of common stock exercisable over a ten-year term at an exercise price of $2.18 per share, vesting 50% immediately and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.
If Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated by us without “Cause” or by him for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement), then subject to his execution of a timely release, he is entitled to: (i) severance equal to two times the sum of his base salary at the time his employment terminates, (ii) payment of the annual bonus, if any, earned by Mr. Trujillo for the year preceding the year of termination, or, if greater, the target bonus, if any, for the year of termination, (iii) accelerated vesting of any unvested stock or option awards and (iv) continued health coverage for Mr. Trujillo and his family and life insurance coverage for Mr. Trujillo, if any, at the Company’s expense until the earliest of: (A) the eighteen-month anniversary of termination; (B) the date Mr. Trujillo is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (C) the date on which Mr. Trujillo receives or becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated by us without Cause or by him for Good Reason within two years after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement) or within six months prior to a Change in Control, then the base salary and bonus, if any, component of severance would be paid in lump sum. Also, Mr. Trujillo would be entitled to receive a full Code Section 280G tax gross-up, with respect to any amounts that may be subject to the excise tax provisions under Code Section 280G.
If Mr. Trujillo’s employment ceases due to his death, (i) any otherwise unvested equity awards held by him at the time of his death would become vested, (ii) his eligible dependents would be entitled to continued healthcare coverage at the Company’s expense for up to 18 months, and (iii) his designated beneficiary or estate would receive the proceeds, if any, from any life insurance.
If Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated due to “Disability” (as such term is defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement) he would receive continued health coverage and life insurance coverage, if any, for 18 months at our expense, as well as any disability benefits payable under any long-term disability plan or policy we maintain. In addition, any otherwise unvested equity awards would then become vested.
Additionally, Mr. Trujillo is bound by confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions as well as non-solicitation and non-competition covenants that apply during the term of his employment and for twenty-four months after termination of his employment.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control
Employment Agreements
Information regarding potential payments upon termination or change-in-control pursuant to employment agreements with officers of the Company is set forth above.
2021 Plan and 2022 Plan
Under our 2021 and 2022 Plans, upon a Change in Control (as defined in the 2021 and 2022 Plan), the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, take one or more of the following actions:
| · | cause any or all outstanding awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part; |
| · | cause any outstanding option or stock appreciation right to become fully vested and immediately exercisable for a reasonable period in advance of the Change in Control and, to the extent not exercised prior to that Change in Control, cancel that option or stock appreciation right upon closing of the Change in Control; |
| · | cancel any unvested award or unvested portion thereof, with or without consideration; |
| · | cancel any award in exchange for a substitute award; |
| · | redeem any restricted stock or restricted stock unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share on the date of the Change in Control; |
| · | cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to: (a) the number of shares subject to that option or stock appreciation right, multiplied by (b) the difference, if any, between the fair market value on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that option or the base price of the stock appreciation right; provided, that if the fair market value on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such option or the base price of any such stock appreciation right, the committee may cancel that option or stock appreciation right without any payment of consideration therefor; and/or |
| · | take such other action as the Compensation Committee determines to be appropriate under the circumstances. |
Further, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.
Under the 2021 and 2022 Plans, upon termination of a participant’s service with the Company and unless otherwise specified in an applicable award agreement, any portion of an option or stock appreciation right that is not exercisable upon termination will expire immediately, and any portion of an option or stock appreciation right that is exercisable upon termination will expire on the date it ceases to be exercisable, as determined by the reason for termination:
| · | Termination by reason of death: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates by reason of death, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of his or her death or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 12 months from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right. |
| · | Termination by reason of disability: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates by reason of disability, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised by the participant or his or her personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 12 months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right. |
| · | Termination for Cause: If a participant’s service with the Company is terminated for Cause (as defined in the 2021 Plan) or if a participant resigns at a time that there was a Cause basis for such participant’s termination: (i) any option or stock appreciation right, or portion thereof, not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the participant the option exercise price paid for such shares, if any. |
| · | Other termination: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates for any reason other than death, disability or Cause, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised by the participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right. |
Outstanding Equity Awards as of April 30, 2025
| Option Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date |
| Joshua N. Silverman | 170,000 | – | $2.18 | 11/19/2033 |
| Carlos A. Trujillo | 2,000 | – | $10.05 | 12/31/2025 |
| 2,000 | – | $2.50 | 01/01/2027 | |
| 85,000 | – | $2.18 | 11/19/2033 | |
Granting of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information
We do not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of our common stock, and do not time the public release of such information based on award grant dates. During the last completed fiscal year, we have not made awards to any named executive officer or director during the period beginning four business days before and ending one business day after the filing of a period report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or the filing or furnishing of a current report on Form 8-K, and wehave not timed the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Clawback Policy
The Board of Directors adopted a Clawback policy to create and maintain a culture that emphasizes integrity and accountability that reinforces pay-for-performance compensation policy. The policy applies to current and former executive officers in accordance with applicable rules and standards adopted by the SEC. The policy covers incentive-based compensation, which includes any compensation that is granted, earned or vested based on wholly or in part upon attaining any financial reporting measures that are determined and presented in accordance with accounting principles (“GAAP”) used in preparing our financial statements as well as non-GAAP. An accounting restatement of its financial statements due to material noncompliance with securities law, including correction of an error on the financial statements may cause a recovery of the incentive-based compensation from the executive officer.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information concerning compensation paid or to each of our directors, other than our Named Executive Officers who also serve as directors, who served during the year ended April 30, 2025.
Director Compensation Table
| Name | Fees Earned ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($)(1)(2) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan L. Schechter | $70,000 | $– | $60,000 | $130,000 |
| Robert Weinstein | $70,000 | $– | $60,000 | $130,000 |
| Wayne R. Walker | $70,000 | $– | $60,000 | $130,000 |
| Michael M. Abecassis | $102,000 | $– | $60,000 | $162,000 |
| (1) | The amounts in the columns titled “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” reflect the grant date fair values of awards made during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Our computation of expected volatility for the year ended April 30, 2025 on our historical weekly basis volatility. For stock option grants issued during the year ended April 30, 2024, we used a calculated volatility for each grant. We lack adequate information about the exercise behavior now and has determined the expected term assumption under the simplified method provided for under ASC 718, which averages the contractual term of our stock options of ten years with the average vesting term of six months. The dividend yield assumption of zero is based upon the fact we have never paid cash dividends and presently has no intention of paying cash dividends. The risk-free interest rate used for each grant is equal to the U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of the grant for instruments with a similar expected life. and the assumptions stated in Note 4 and Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements to this Report. |
On November 17, 2023, we adopted a nonemployee director compensation policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”). The Director Compensation Policy provides for the annual automatic grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value of $60,000. Such grants shall occur annually on the first business day after our annual meeting of stockholders, and the options shall vest on the date of the subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the director’s continued service on the vesting date. Each nonemployee director will also receive an annual retainer in the amount of $60,000, plus an additional $10,000 annually per committee chairmanship. Dr. Abecassis, as chair of the Strategic Scientific Committee, receives a monthly retainer fee of $3,500.
Our employee directors do not receive additional compensation for their service on the Board. For information regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers who are also directors, please see above, under the heading “Executive Compensation.”
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