PRELIMINARY
COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED OCTOBER 15, 2024
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed
by the Registrant ☒
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check
the appropriate box:
☒ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☐ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ |
Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12 |
AIM
ImmunoTech Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☐ |
Fee paid previously with
preliminary materials |
☐ |
Fee computed on table in
exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
PRELIMINARY
COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED OCTOBER 15, 2024
|
|
AIM IMMUNOTECH INC.
2117 SW Highway 484
Ocala, Florida 34473
(352) 448-7797 |
|
|
[●],
2024
Dear
Fellow Stockholders:
You
are cordially invited to virtually attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (including any adjournments, postponements or continuations
thereof, the “Annual Meeting”) of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company”). More details
on the Annual Meeting can be found in the enclosed Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy materials. You should have
also received a WHITE universal proxy card or voting instruction form and postage-paid return envelope, through which your
vote is being solicited on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Your
vote will be especially important at the Annual Meeting. As you may be aware, Ted D. Kellner (together with the other participants in
his solicitation, the “Dissident Group”), has nominated four candidates to stand for election to the Board.
You may receive proxy solicitation materials from the Dissident Group, including proxy statements and proxy cards. The Board recommends
that you disregard them. We are not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by, or relating to, the Dissident Group
or the nominees contained in any proxy solicitation materials filed or disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group or any other
statements that the Dissident Group or its representatives has made or may otherwise make.
The
Board does NOT endorse any of the nominees from the Dissident Group, and the presence of the Dissident Group’s nominees
on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card is NOT an approval of, or comment on, the fitness, character, suitability
or other qualifications of the Dissident Group’s nominees. The Board strongly urges you to NOT sign or return any proxy
card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group.
If
you have previously submitted a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group, you can revoke that proxy and vote for
your Board’s candidates and on the other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting by using the enclosed WHITE
universal proxy card or submitting a proxy to vote by Internet by following the instructions specified on the WHITE universal
proxy card or by virtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares. OUR BOARD URGES YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE
UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD FOR OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM
M. MITCHELL), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY
CARD SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP.
We
are confident that each of our four director candidates has the right mix of professional accomplishments, experience, skills and reputation
that make each candidate exceptionally qualified to serve as a representative of all stockholders and oversee the management of the Company.
We are committed to engaging with our stockholders and continuing to respond to stockholder feedback about the Company, and we believe
our candidates are in the best position to oversee the execution of our strategic plan to achieve long-term growth and deliver optimal
stockholder value. The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of Stewart L. Appelrouth, Nancy K.
Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell.
Whether
or not you intend to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Our Board urges you to protect your
investment by voting “FOR” the election of each of the four director candidates recommended by the Board and “FOR”
each of the Company’s proposals on the WHITE universal proxy card. We hope you will submit a proxy to vote as soon as
possible.
Thank
you for being a stockholder of the Company. Your vote and participation, no matter how many shares you own, are very important to us.
We look forward to your participation in our Annual Meeting.
|
Sincerely, |
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas K. Equels |
|
Executive
Vice Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
|
If
you have any questions or need any assistance in authorizing a proxy or voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor, Sodali
& Co.:
430
Park Avenue, 14th Floor
New
York, New York 10022
Stockholders
Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Brokers,
Banks, Trustees and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email:
AIM@investor.Sodali.com
PRELIMINARY
COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED OCTOBER 15, 2024
|
|
AIM IMMUNOTECH INC.
2117 SW Highway 484
Ocala, Florida 34473
(352) 448-7797 |
|
|
NOTICE
OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD [●], 2024 AT [●] [A.M. / P.M.] EASTERN TIME
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company”) will be
held on [●], 2024 at [●] [a.m. / p.m.] Eastern Time, in a virtual meeting format, via live webcast (including any adjournments,
postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be conducted in a virtual
format to provide stockholders the opportunity to participate, irrespective of location.
The
Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
| 1. | To
elect four directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”),
each to serve until the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until his or
her respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death,
resignation or removal (Proposal 1); |
| 2. | To
ratify, on a non-binding advisory basis, the selection of BDO USA, P.C. as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024
(Proposal 2); and |
| 3. | To
approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers
(Proposal 3). |
Stockholders
may also transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Who
Can Vote: |
|
The
Board has fixed the close of business on [●], 2024 (the “Record Date”), as the record date for determining
the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record on the Record Date
may vote at the Annual Meeting. |
|
|
|
Who
May Virtually Attend: |
|
All
stockholders as of the Record Date are cordially invited to virtually attend the Annual Meeting by visiting [●], where you
will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions, and vote. It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual
Meeting, regardless of the number of shares you may hold. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at [●]
by [●] [a.m. / p.m.], Eastern Time, on [●], 2024. |
|
|
|
How
You Can Vote: |
|
Even
though you may plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, please promptly submit your proxy to vote using one of the following
methods: on the Internet by accessing the website address printed on your WHITE universal proxy card or by completing,
signing, dating and returning the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card in the enclosed postage-prepaid return envelope.
Voting by any of these methods will not prevent you from virtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares. You may
change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted. Your vote is extremely important, and we appreciate you taking the time
to submit your proxy to vote promptly.
If
your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee is the holder of record of your shares (i.e., your shares are held in
“street name”), you will receive a voting instruction form from the holder of record. You must provide voting instructions
by filling out the voting instruction form in order for your shares to be voted. We recommend that you instruct your brokerage firm,
bank, trustee or other nominee to submit your proxy to vote your shares on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card. |
Your
vote (virtually or by proxy) will be especially important this year. As you may be aware, Ted D. Kellner (together with the other
participants in his solicitation, the “Dissident Group”), has nominated four candidates to stand for election
to the Board.
The
Board does NOT endorse any of the nominees from the Dissident Group, and the presence of the Dissident Group’s nominees
on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card is NOT an approval of or comment on the fitness, character, suitability
or other qualifications of the Dissident Group’s nominees. The Board strongly urges you to NOT sign or return any proxy
card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group. If you have previously submitted a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf
of, the Dissident Group, you can revoke that proxy and vote for your Board’s candidates and on the other matters to be voted on
at the Annual Meeting by using the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting by Internet by following
the instructions specified on the WHITE universal proxy card. Only your latest dated proxy will count. OUR BOARD URGES
YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD FOR OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K.
BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM M. MITCHELL), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND
NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP. We are not responsible for the accuracy
of any information provided by, or relating to, the Dissident Group or the nominees contained in any proxy solicitation materials filed
or disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group or any other statements that the Dissident Group or its representatives has
made or may otherwise make.
We
are confident that each of our four director candidates has the right mix of professional accomplishments, experience, skills and reputation
that make each candidate exceptionally qualified to serve as a representative of all stockholders and oversee the management of the Company.
We are committed to engaging with our stockholders and continuing to respond to stockholder feedback about the Company, and we believe
our candidates are in the best position to oversee the execution of our strategic plan to achieve long-term growth and deliver optimal
stockholder value.
The
Board strongly recommends that you vote on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting instruction form “FOR”
the election of Stewart L. Appelrouth, Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell as directors of the Company, “FOR”
Proposal 2 and “FOR” Proposal 3.
IT
IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY. ACCORDINGLY,
AFTER READING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD AND
PROMPTLY SUBMIT YOUR PROXY BY INTERNET OR MAIL AS DESCRIBED ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN
IF YOU PLAN TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE USING THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD
PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. EVEN IF YOU VOTE YOUR SHARES PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING,
IF YOU ARE A RECORD HOLDER OF SHARES, OR A BENEFICIAL HOLDER WHO OBTAINS A “LEGAL PROXY” FROM YOUR BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK,
TRUSTEE OR OTHER NOMINEE, YOU STILL MAY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTE YOUR SHARES VIRTUALLY.
Regardless
of the number of shares of common stock of the Company that you own, your vote will be very important. Thank you for your ongoing support,
interest and investment in the Company.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
William M. Mitchell |
|
Chair of the Board |
|
Ocala, Florida |
|
[●], 2024 |
We
are mailing a full set of our printed proxy materials to stockholders on or about [●], 2024.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY AT [●] [A.M. / P.M.], EASTERN
TIME, ON [●], 2024.
The
Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying WHITE universal proxy card and our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 are available free of charge at https://aimimmuno.com/sec-filings/.
You may also obtain these materials at the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at https://www.sec.gov.
Please
complete, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card in the envelope provided, or grant a proxy
and give voting instructions by Internet, so that you may be represented at the Annual Meeting. Instructions are on your
WHITE universal proxy card or on the voting instruction form provided by your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee.
********************
The
accompanying Proxy Statement provides a detailed description of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. We urge you to read
the accompanying Proxy Statement, including the appendices, carefully and in their entirety.
If
you have any questions concerning the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, would like additional copies of the Proxy Statement
or require any assistance in voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor, Sodali & Co.:
430
Park Avenue, 14th Floor
New
York, New York 10022
Stockholders
Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Brokers,
Banks, Trustees and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email:
AIM@investor.Sodali.com
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
AIM
ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company”) is a “smaller reporting company.” As defined by Item 10 of Regulation
S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and has elected
to provide in this Proxy Statement certain scaled disclosures permitted under the Exchange Act for smaller reporting companies. Under
the scaled disclosure obligations, the Company is not required to provide, among other things, a Compensation Discussion and Analysis,
a compensation committee report and certain other tabular and narrative disclosure related to executive compensation.
PRELIMINARY
COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED OCTOBER 15, 2024
AIM
IMMUNOTECH INC.
2117 SW Highway 484
Ocala, FL 34473
INTRODUCTION
This
proxy statement (including all appendices attached hereto, this “Proxy Statement”) is furnished to stockholders in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (the “Company,”
“we” or “us”) for use at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (including any
adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”). This solicitation of proxies is made
on behalf of our Board.
PROXY
STATEMENT SUMMARY
This
summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, including under “Executive Compensation.” References
to “2023,” “2022,” “2021,” and “2020” and the like refer to the fiscal year ending, or
ended, on December 31 of that year. As this summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, we encourage you
to carefully read the entire Proxy Statement for more information before voting.
THE
ANNUAL MEETING
2024
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Time
and Date: |
|
On
[●], 2024 at [●] [a.m. / p.m.], Eastern Time. |
|
|
|
Place: |
|
Via
live webcast by visiting [●]. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at [●] by [●] [a.m. /
p.m.], Eastern Time, on [●], 2024. |
|
|
|
Record
Date: |
|
The
close of business on [●], 2024 (the “Record Date”). |
|
|
|
Proxy
Materials: |
|
The
Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying WHITE universal proxy card and
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 are first being sent to stockholders of
record as of the Record Date on or about [●], 2024. |
Proposals
and Board Recommendations for Voting
PROPOSAL |
|
RECOMMENDATION
ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD |
Proposal
1 – Elect four directors to the Board, each to serve until the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
“2025 Annual Meeting”), until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
or her earlier death, resignation or removal |
|
FOR
ALL OF THE BOARD’S CANDIDATES |
|
|
|
Proposal
2 – Ratify, on a non-binding advisory basis, the selection of BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”) as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 |
|
FOR |
|
|
|
Proposal
3 – Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, our named executive officer compensation |
|
FOR |
Your
vote will be especially important this year. As you may be aware, Ted D. Kellner (together with the other participants in his solicitation,
the “Dissident Group”), has nominated four candidates to stand for election to the Board.
The
Board does NOT endorse any of the nominees from the Dissident Group, and the presence of the Dissident Group’s nominees
on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card is NOT an approval of or comment on the fitness, character, suitability
or other qualifications of the Dissident Group’s nominees. The Board strongly urges you to NOT sign or return any proxy
card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group. If you have previously submitted a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf
of, the Dissident Group, you can revoke that proxy and vote for your Board’s candidates and on the other matters to be voted on
at the Annual Meeting by using the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting by Internet by following
the instructions specified on the WHITE universal proxy card. Only your latest dated proxy will count. OUR BOARD URGES
YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD FOR OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K.
BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM M. MITCHELL), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND
NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP. We are not responsible for the accuracy
of any information provided by, or relating to, the Dissident Group or the nominees contained in any proxy solicitation materials filed
or disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group or any other statements that the Dissident Group or its representatives has
made or may otherwise make.
We
are confident that each of our four director candidates has the right mix of professional accomplishments, experience, skills and reputation
that make each candidate exceptionally qualified to serve as a representative of all stockholders and oversee the management of the Company.
We are committed to engaging with our stockholders and continuing to respond to stockholder feedback about the Company, and we believe
our candidates are in the best position to oversee the execution of our strategic plan to achieve long-term growth and deliver optimal
stockholder value.
The
Board strongly recommends that you vote on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting instruction form “FOR”
the election of Stewart L. Appelrouth, Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell as directors of the Company, “FOR”
Proposal 2 and “FOR” Proposal 3.
IT
IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY. ACCORDINGLY,
AFTER READING THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD AND
PROMPTLY SUBMIT YOUR PROXY BY INTERNET OR MAIL AS DESCRIBED ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD. PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN
IF YOU PLAN TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE USING THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD
PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. EVEN IF YOU VOTE YOUR SHARES PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING,
IF YOU ARE A RECORD HOLDER OF SHARES, OR A BENEFICIAL HOLDER WHO OBTAINS A “LEGAL PROXY” FROM YOUR BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK,
TRUSTEE OR OTHER NOMINEE, YOU STILL MAY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTE YOUR SHARES VIRTUALLY.
For
more information and up-to-date postings, please go to www.aimimmuno.com. Information on our website is not, and will not be deemed to
be, a part of this Proxy Statement or incorporated into any of our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). If you need assistance with voting or have any questions, please contact Sodali & Co. (“Sodali”),
our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may call toll free at (800) 662-5200. Banks
and brokers may call collect at (203) 658-9400.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why
am I receiving these proxy materials?
You
received these proxy materials because you were a stockholder of record of the Company on the Record Date. Our Board is soliciting your
proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting on the matters to be considered at that meeting. The Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and the form of WHITE universal proxy card are being made available to you on or about
[●], 2024. This Proxy Statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under SEC rules and that is designed
to assist you in making an informed decision when voting your shares.
When
and where will the Annual Meeting be held?
The
Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held on [●], 2024 at [●] [a.m. / p.m.] Eastern Time, via live webcast at [●]. To
participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at [●] by [●] [a.m. / p.m.] Eastern Time, on [●], 2024. Stockholders
will NOT be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders as
of the Record Date, their authorized representatives and guests of the Company. Access to the Annual Meeting may be granted to others
at the discretion of the Company and the chair of the Annual Meeting.
Please
have your voting instruction form, WHITE universal proxy card or other communication containing your control number available
and follow the instructions to complete your registration request. Upon completing registration, participants will receive further instructions
via email, including unique links that will allow them to access the meeting.
Stockholders
may log into the meeting platform beginning at [●] [a.m. / p.m.] Eastern Time, on [●], 2024. We encourage you to log in prior
to the meeting start time. If you are a beneficial holder, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from your brokerage firm, bank,
trustee or other nominee in order to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you need assistance with registration, voting or have any questions,
please contact Sodali, our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting.
We
will provide stockholders the opportunity to ask questions. Questions submitted during the Annual Meeting pertinent to meeting matters
will be answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints. Instructions for submitting questions and making statements will be
posted on the virtual meeting website. The question-and-answer session will be conducted in accordance with certain rules of conduct.
The rules of conduct will be available at [●] prior to the date of the Annual Meeting and may include certain procedural requirements.
Even
if you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, we strongly urge you to vote in advance either by completing, signing and dating
the enclosed voting instruction form or WHITE universal proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided
or by voting via the Internet, as soon as possible. This will ensure your vote will be counted if you later are unable
or decide not to virtually attend the Annual Meeting.
What
if I experience technical issues with the virtual meeting platform?
We
will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have while accessing the virtual Annual Meeting. If
you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during check-in or during the Annual Meeting, please call the technical
support number that will be included in the reminder email you will receive the day before the meeting. We encourage you to access the
virtual meeting prior to the start time. If you need assistance with registration, voting or have any questions, please contact Sodali,
our proxy solicitor assisting us in connection with the Annual Meeting.
What
is a proxy?
A
proxy is your legal designation of another person (your “proxy”) to vote the shares of common stock you own at the Annual
Meeting. By completing and returning the proxy card(s), which identify the individuals or trustees authorized to act as your proxy, you
are giving each of those individuals authority to vote your shares of common stock as you have instructed. By voting via proxy, each
stockholder is able to cast his or her vote without having to virtually attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to virtually
attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you vote using the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card prior to the Annual
Meeting to ensure that your shares will be represented.
Why
did I receive more than one proxy card?
Because
the Dissident Group may send solicitation materials to stockholders, we may conduct multiple mailings prior to the Annual Meeting to
ensure stockholders have our latest proxy information and materials to vote. In that event, we will send you a new WHITE
universal proxy card or voting instruction form with each mailing, regardless of whether you have previously voted. You may also receive
more than one set of proxy materials, including multiple WHITE universal proxy cards, if you hold shares that are registered
in more than one account—please vote the WHITE universal proxy card for every account you own. The latest dated proxy
you submit will be counted. IF YOU WISH TO VOTE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD, THEN YOU SHOULD ONLY SUBMIT WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY
CARDS.
What
should I do if I receive any proxy materials from the Dissident Group?
The
Dissident Group has nominated four nominees for election as directors to the Board in opposition to the election of the Board’s
incumbent candidates. We expect that you may receive proxy solicitation materials from the Dissident Group, including opposition proxy
statements and proxy cards.
The
Board strongly urges you NOT to sign or return any proxy cards or voting instruction forms that you may receive from the Dissident
Group, not even for the purpose of voting to “withhold” with respect to the Dissident Group’s nominees. If you
have already voted using the proxy card provided by the Dissident Group, you have every right to change your vote by completing, signing,
dating and returning the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card, by voting over the Internet by following
the instructions provided on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting instruction form or by virtually attending
and voting at the Annual Meeting. Only the latest proxy you submit will be counted.
Voting
to “withhold” with respect to any of the Dissident Group’s nominees on its proxy card is not the same as voting for
the Board’s candidates. If you vote “withhold” on the Dissident Group’s nominees using the proxy card sent to
you by the Dissident Group, your vote will not be counted as a vote for any of the director candidates recommended by the Board, but
will result in the revocation of any previous vote you may have cast on the WHITE universal proxy card. If you wish
to vote pursuant to the recommendation of the Board, you should disregard any proxy card that you receive other than the WHITE
universal proxy card. If you have any questions or need assistance voting, please contact Sodali at (800) 662-5200. The Board
recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the Board’s four candidates on the WHITE universal
proxy card. The Board urges you NOT to sign or return any proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group, even
as a protest vote.
What
happens if the Dissident Group withdraws or abandons its solicitation or fails to comply with the universal proxy rules, and I already
granted proxy authority in favor of the Dissident Group?
Stockholders
are encouraged to submit their votes on the WHITE universal proxy card. If the Dissident Group withdraws or abandons its
solicitation or fails to comply with the universal proxy rules after a stockholder has already granted proxy authority to the Dissident
Group, stockholders can still sign and date a later submitted WHITE universal proxy card, vote over the
Internet by following the instructions provided on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or voting instruction form or
virtually attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.
If
the Dissident Group withdraws or abandons its solicitation or fails to comply with the universal proxy rules, any votes cast in favor
of the Dissident Group’s nominees will be disregarded and not be counted as votes cast, whether such vote is provided on the Company’s
WHITE universal proxy card or the Dissident Group’s proxy card.
What
matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
We
are aware of three matters that stockholders may vote on at the Annual Meeting. The following items are each listed on the WHITE
universal proxy card:
| 1. | The
election of four directors to the Board, each to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting, until
his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier
death, resignation or removal (Proposal 1); |
| 2. | The
ratification, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the selection of BDO as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal
2); and |
| 3. | Approval,
on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation (Proposal 3). |
We
will also transact such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Could
other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?
The
Board does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting any business other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. Our Board
is not aware of any other business to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. However, by either completing, signing, dating and
returning your WHITE universal proxy card or following the instructions on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy
card to submit your proxy and voting instructions via the Internet or voting instruction form, you will give to the
persons named as proxies discretionary voting authority, to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act, with respect
to any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The proxies will vote on any such matter in accordance with their
best judgment to the extent authorized by Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act.
Is
my vote important?
Your
vote will be particularly important this year. As you may know, the Company has received a notice from the Dissident Group regarding
its intent to nominate four candidates to stand for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. You may, therefore, receive solicitation
materials from, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group, including proxy statements and proxy cards.
Under
the new rules adopted by the SEC, the WHITE universal proxy card also includes the names of the Dissident Group’s
nominees. We ask that you only cast your votes “FOR” each of the Board’s four candidates and “withhold”
your votes for each of the Dissident Group’s nominees. Stockholders should refer to the Dissident Group’s proxy statement
for the names, backgrounds, qualifications and other information concerning the Dissident Group’s nominees. You may access the
Dissident Group’s proxy statement, and any other relevant documents, without cost on the SEC’s website. If you mark a “FOR”
vote with respect to fewer than four nominees under Proposal 1, your shares will only be voted “FOR” those nominees
you have marked. If you vote “FOR” more than four nominees, all of your votes on Proposal 1 will be invalid and will
not be counted.
What
are the Board’s voting recommendations?
The
Board unanimously recommends that you vote your shares using the WHITE universal proxy card:
| ● | FOR
each of the Board’s four candidates to be elected to serve on the Board until the
2025 Annual Meeting, until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified
or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal (Proposal 1); |
| ● | FOR
the ratification, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the selection of BDO as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal
2); and |
| ● | FOR
the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our named executive officer compensation
(Proposal 3). |
All
shares represented by validly executed WHITE universal proxy cards received prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual
Meeting will be voted by the designated proxy holders and, where a stockholder specifies by means of the WHITE universal
proxy card a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s
instructions.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL FOUR OF OUR BOARD’S CANDIDATES NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND ON THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL
PROXY CARD, and strongly urges you NOT to sign or return any proxy card(s) or voting instruction form(s) sent to you by, or
on behalf of, the Dissident Group. If you indicate on your WHITE universal proxy card, via the Internet,
that you want to withhold authority to vote for a particular nominee, then your shares will not be voted for that nominee.
If
you have previously signed any proxy card sent to you by the Dissident Group in respect of the Annual Meeting, you can revoke it by completing,
signing, dating and returning the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card or by following the instructions provided in the
WHITE universal proxy card for submitting a proxy to vote your shares over the Internet or voting at
the Annual Meeting virtually. Completing, signing, dating and returning any proxy card that the Dissident Group may send to you, even
with instructions to vote “withhold” with respect to the Dissident Group’s nominees, will cancel and revoke any proxy
you may have previously submitted to have your shares voted for the Board’s candidates as only your latest proxy card will be counted.
Beneficial owners who own their shares in “street name” should follow the voting instructions provided by their brokerage
firm, bank, trustee or other nominee to ensure that their shares are represented and voted at the Annual Meeting, or to revoke prior
voting instructions. The Board urges you to complete, sign, date and return only the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card.
Do
I have to virtually attend the Annual Meeting to vote?
No.
If you want to have your vote count at the Annual Meeting, but not actually attend the meeting virtually, you may vote by granting a
proxy or—for beneficial owners (i.e., “street name” stockholders)—by submitting voting instructions
to your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee. In most instances, you will be able to do this via the Internet or by
mail.
In
the United States, if you are not in possession of your voting proxy or instruction form, please contact your brokerage firm, bank, trustee
or other nominee for assistance in obtaining a duplicate control number.
Do
Europeans holding Company Common Stock have to vote a different way?
Yes.
Europeans must contact their custodian bank or broker directly, as European banks and brokerage houses do not necessarily forward the
proxy materials to stockholders. As we are a Delaware corporation, there is no need for your bank or brokerage house to block your shares.
Banks and brokerage houses simply need to certify the number of shares owned by their clients on the Record Date, and cast votes on your
behalf by [●], 2024 at [●] [a.m. / p.m.], Eastern Time.
The
proxy materials are available at: [●].
How
may I obtain a printed copy of the proxy materials?
To
receive, free of charge, a separate copy of the Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and this Proxy Statement or the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, stockholders may write or call our offices at the following address
or telephone number:
AIM
ImmunoTech Inc.
Attn:
Investor Relations
2117
SW Highway 484
Ocala,
Florida 34473
(352)
448-7797
Beneficial
owners (i.e., “street name” stockholders) may contact their brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee to request
information.
What
is the Record Date and what does it mean?
Our
Board established [●], 2024 as the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. Stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record
Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Who
can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only
stockholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What
is the difference between a “registered stockholder” and a “street name stockholder?”
These
terms describe how your shares of common stock are held.
Registered
Stockholders/Stockholders of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, EQ (formerly American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company or “AST”), then you are a stockholder of record (also known as a “registered stockholder”).
As a stockholder of record, you may vote by proxy or vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual
Meeting virtually, we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible by (i) accessing the Internet site or (ii) if applicable, completing, signing, dating and returning a WHITE
universal proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.
Street
Name Stockholder/Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Brokerage Firm, Bank, Trustee or Other Nominee
If
on the Record Date your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee,
then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by
that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the
Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee on how to vote
the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting virtually provided that you bring with you proof of your
beneficial ownership of shares, such as a brokerage account statement. However, if you are not the stockholder of record, you may not
vote your shares virtually at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid “legal proxy” from your brokerage
firm, bank, trustee or other nominee.
How
do I vote?
Registered
Stockholders. If you are a registered stockholder (i.e., you hold your shares in your own name through our transfer agent,
EQ) as of the Record Date, then you may vote by proxy via the Internet or by mail by following the instructions provided
on the WHITE universal proxy card. Stockholders of record may also vote at the virtual Annual Meeting by visiting [●]
and following the on-screen instructions (have your WHITE universal proxy card ready). You may still attend the virtual
Annual Meeting and vote if you have already voted by proxy.
Beneficial
Owners. If you are a beneficial owner of shares (i.e., your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, trustee
or other nominee) as of the Record Date, then you may vote by proxy by following the instructions provided in the voting instruction
form or other materials provided to you by the brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds your shares. To vote at the
virtual Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from the brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds your shares.
If you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, then your shares will not be voted at the Annual Meeting on any proposal with
respect to which the broker does not have discretionary authority. To the extent that the Dissident Group provides proxy materials to
a broker who holds shares for a beneficial owner, none of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting will be considered a discretionary
matter under the rules of the various regional and national exchanges of which the intermediary is a member (the “Broker
Rules”), and all of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting will be considered “non-routine” matters.
In that case, a broker that is subject to the Broker Rules will not have authority to vote shares held by a beneficial owner without
instructions from the beneficial owner on Proposals 1, 2 or 3. Further, the broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, if you are beneficial owner, we encourage you to instruct your broker how to
vote your shares using the voting instruction form provided by your broker so that your vote can be counted.
However,
for brokerage accounts that receive proxy materials only from the Company (and not from the Dissident Group), the broker will be entitled
to vote shares held for a beneficial owner on routine matters, such as Proposal 2, without instructions from the beneficial owner of
those shares. In that event, the broker is not entitled to vote the shares on non-routine items. Accordingly, if you receive proxy materials
only from the Company and you do not submit any voting instructions to your broker, your broker may exercise discretion to vote your
shares on Proposal 2, even in the absence of your instruction. If your shares are voted on Proposal 2, as directed by your broker, your
shares will constitute “broker non-votes” on each of the non-routine proposals (i.e., Proposals 1 and 3). In the event
your brokerage account receives proxy materials only from the Company (and not from the Dissident Group), the “broker non-votes”
will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the meeting. The voting instruction form provided by the broker
holding your shares may also include information about how to submit your voting instructions over the Internet, if such
options are available. The WHITE universal proxy card accompanying this Proxy Statement will provide information regarding
Internet voting.
If
you have any questions or need assistance in voting your proxy, please contact Sodali at (800) 662-5200 (toll free for stockholders)
or (203) 658-9400 (call collect for brokers, banks, trustees or other nominees).
Whether
or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, the Board urges stockholders to submit a proxy to vote your shares in advance
of the meeting by (i) visiting [●] and following the on screen instructions (have your WHITE universal proxy card
available when you access the webpage) or (ii) submitting your WHITE universal proxy card by mail
in the postage-paid envelope. Submitting a proxy will not prevent you from revoking a previously submitted proxy or changing your vote
as described above.
If
you vote via the Internet or by mailing a proxy card, your shares will be voted as you direct. For the election of directors
(Proposal 1), you may specify whether your shares should be voted “FOR” all, some or none of the nominees listed,
up to a total of four directors. With respect to the ratification of the selection of the appointment of BDO as our independent registered
public accounting firm (Proposal 2) and the non-binding, advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers
(Proposal 3), you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the ratification or approval, or you may abstain
from voting on the ratification or approval.
Your
vote is very important. Please submit a proxy by following the instructions on your WHITE universal proxy card even if
you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually.
How
many shares of common stock are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and how many votes do I have?
As
of [●], 2024, the Record Date, there were approximately [●] shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001
per share, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote on all matters.
Do
I have appraisal or dissenters’ rights?
None
of the applicable Delaware law, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, nor our Amended and Restated By-Laws
(the “Bylaws”), provide for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with
any of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement. Accordingly, you will have no right to dissent and obtain payment for your shares
in connection with such proposals.
Does
the Company have cumulative voting?
No.
There is no cumulative voting, and the holders of the Company’s common stock vote together as a single class.
How
many votes must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
For
the Annual Meeting, under our Bylaws, the required quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting is 40% of the shares
of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or by proxy.
For
purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, each share of common stock is deemed to entitle the holder to one vote per share.
Your
shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum if you:
| ● | Are
entitled to vote and are present at the virtual Annual Meeting; or |
| ● | Have
properly voted via the Internet or by submitting a proxy card or voting instruction
form by mail. |
If
on the Record Date your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee,
and your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee receives proxy materials from the Dissident Group, then broker non-votes, if
any, will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists as the Annual Meeting. In the event that your brokerage
firm, bank, trustee or other nominee receives proxy materials only from the Company (and not from the Dissident Group), broker non-votes
will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting.
What
vote is required to approve each proposal?
Proposal
1 – Election of Directors. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by holders of shares represented by proxy
or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Therefore, the four nominees for director who receive
the most votes cast by the shares represented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote in the election will be
elected at the Annual Meeting.
Proposal
2 – Ratification of Selection of BDO. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of our
common stock, represented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, is required to ratify, on a non-binding
advisory basis, the selection of BDO (Proposal 2). If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee of the Board
(the “Audit Committee”) will consider the results and any information submitted by the stockholders in determining
whether to retain BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if
it determines that a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Proposal
3 – Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
in voting power of the shares of our common stock, represented by proxy or present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the
matter, is required to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the executive compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal
3). Although the advisory vote on Proposal 3 is non-binding—as provided by law—the Compensation Committee of our Board (the
“Compensation Committee”) will review the results of the vote and take them into account in making a determination
concerning executive compensation.
How
do abstentions, broker non-votes and withhold votes affect the voting results?
Withhold
votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1. Broker discretionary voting is not permitted on Proposal 1, and broker
non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.
An
abstention will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposal 2. Broker discretionary voting will not be permitted on
Proposal 2 if the Dissident Group delivers its proxy materials to your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee on your behalf.
If the Dissident Group does not provide your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee with a proxy card or voting instruction form,
your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee will be able to vote your shares with respect to Proposal 2, and broker non-votes
will not be applicable.
An
abstention will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposal 3. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the
outcome of Proposal 3. Broker discretionary voting is not permitted on Proposal 3.
If
you receive proxy materials from or on behalf of both the Company and the Dissident Group, then brokers holding shares in your account
will not be permitted to exercise discretionary authority regarding any of the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Where
will I be able to find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We
expect to disclose final voting results based on the Inspector of Election’s final, certified report on a Current Report on Form
8-K that we will file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final results are unavailable at that time,
we intend to file preliminary voting results based on the preliminary tabulation by the Inspector of Election and then file the final
voting results in an amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the day the final results are available.
Can
I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy card(s) or submitted my vote via the Internet?
Yes.
You can revoke your proxy at any time before the polls close at the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you
may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:
| ● | You
may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date; |
| ● | You
may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Corporate Secretary at
the Company, Attn: Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala,
Florida 34473; or |
| ● | You
may attend the Annual Meeting and vote virtually. Simply attending the Annual Meeting will
not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
If
your shares are held by your brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your brokerage
firm, bank, trustee or other nominee to revoke your proxy.
If
you have already voted using a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group, you have every right to change your vote.
We urge you to revoke that proxy by voting in favor of each of the Board’s candidates by using the enclosed WHITE
universal proxy card. Only the latest dated and validly executed proxy that you submit will count.
What
if I return a WHITE universal proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If
you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections or without marking your voting selection as to a particular
proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR”
the election of each of the Company’s four director candidates and “FOR” Proposals
2 and 3, to the extent your proxy card does not indicate otherwise.
Who
may attend the Annual Meeting?
Attendance
at the virtual Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record as of the Record Date, their authorized representatives, and
guests of the Company. Access to the Annual Meeting may be granted to others at the discretion of the Company and the chair of the Annual
Meeting. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you must pre-register at [●] by [●] [a.m. / p.m.], Eastern Time, on [●],
2024.
Please
have your voting instruction form, WHITE universal proxy card or other communication containing your control number available
and follow the instructions to complete your registration request. If you are a beneficial holder, you must obtain a “legal proxy”
from your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee to participate in the Annual Meeting. Upon completing registration, participants will
receive further instructions via email, including unique links that will allow them to access the meeting.
Even
if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, we strongly urge you to vote in advance either by completing, signing, and
dating the enclosed voting instruction form or WHITE universal proxy card and returning it in the postage-paid envelope
provided or by voting via the Internet, as soon as possible. This will ensure your vote will be counted if you later
are unable or decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
Is
a list of stockholders of record available?
The
Company’s list of stockholders as of the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination
by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours
at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473, the Company’s principal place of business. If you wish to inspect the stockholder
list, please submit your request, along with proof of ownership, by email to Laurie Santos at Laurie.Santos@AIMimmuno.com to schedule
an appointment during ordinary business hours.
Is
my vote confidential?
Proxy
instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting
privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:
| ● | As
necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; |
| ● | To
allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and |
| ● | To
facilitate a proxy solicitation. |
Who
is paying the costs of the proxy solicitation?
The
Company will pay the entire cost of the Board’s soliciting of proxies. In addition to these mailed proxy materials and the use
of the Internet, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Such
persons are listed in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. Other than the persons described in this Proxy Statement, no general class
of employee of the Company will be employed to solicit stockholders in connection with this proxy solicitation. However, in the course
of their regular duties, our employees, officers and directors may be asked to perform clerical or ministerial tasks in furtherance of
this solicitation. Directors, officers and employees will not be paid any additional or special compensation for soliciting proxies.
Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares of the common
stock in their names that are beneficially owned by others to forward to those beneficial owners. We will also reimburse brokerage firms,
banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners.
We
have engaged Sodali to assist in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Annual
Meeting, for a service fee and the reimbursement of customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $[●] in total. Sodali
expects that approximately [●] of its employees will assist in the solicitation. Our aggregate expenses, including legal fees for
attorneys, accountants, public relations and other advisors, printing, advertising, postage, transportation and other costs
incidental to the solicitation, but excluding (i) costs normally expended for a solicitation for an election of directors in the absence
of a proxy contest and (ii) costs represented by salaries and wages of Company employees and officers, are expected to be approximately
$[●], of which $[●] has been incurred as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
Who
should I call if I have questions about the Annual Meeting or need assistance voting my shares?
If
you have any questions or require assistance voting, or if you need additional copies of the proxy materials, please contact our proxy
solicitation firm, Sodali:
430
Park Avenue, 14th Floor
New
York, New York 10022
Stockholders
Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Brokers,
Banks, Trustees and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email:
AIM@investor.Sodali.com
INFORMATION
CONCERNING BOARD MEETINGS
The
Board is responsible for the management and direction of the Company and for establishing broad corporate policies. A primary responsibility
of the Board is to provide effective governance over the Company’s affairs for the benefit of its stockholders. In all actions
taken by the Board, the directors are expected to exercise their business judgment in what they reasonably believe to be the best interests
of the Company. In discharging that obligation, directors may rely on the honesty and integrity of the Company’s senior executives
and its outside advisers and auditors.
The
Board and various committees of the Board meet periodically throughout the year to receive and discuss operating and financial reports
presented by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as reports by other members of senior management, experts
and other advisers. Directors are expected to personally attend Board meetings unless the meeting is held by teleconference. The Board
held 14 meetings in 2023 and executed 19 unanimous consents. All Directors then in office were in attendance for the meetings, as well
as for the non-reconvened 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on January 5, 2024. The 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
was initially held on December 1, 2023 and reconvened to December 29, 2023 and finally held on January 5, 2024 (the “2023
Annual Meeting”).
In
2023, the non-employee (independent) directors did not meet without employee directors or management personnel present outside of meetings
of standing committees of the Board. Interested persons who wish to contact the Chair of the Board or other non-employee Directors can
do so by sending written comments through the Office of the Secretary of the Company at AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala,
Florida 34473. The Office will either forward the original materials as addressed or provide directors with summaries of the correspondence,
with the originals available for review at the directors’ request.
CONDUCT
OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
The
Chair of our Board (or in the absence of the Chair, the President (or a Vice President in the absence of the President), or in the absence
of the foregoing persons, any person designated by our Board) has broad authority to conduct the Annual Meeting in an orderly manner.
Our Board or the person serving as chair of the meeting have authority to establish rules of conduct for stockholders who wish to address
the meeting, including limiting questions to the order of business and to a certain amount of time. Copies of these rules will be made
available at [●] prior to the Annual Meeting. To ensure that the meeting is conducted in a manner that is fair to all stockholders,
the chair of the meeting may also exercise broad discretion in recognizing stockholders who wish to speak in determining the extent of
discussion on each item of business and in managing disruptions or disorderly conduct. Instructions for submitting questions and making
statements will be posted on the virtual meeting website.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Our
Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines address items such as the standards, qualifications and responsibilities
of our directors and director candidates and corporate governance policies and standards applicable to us in general. In addition, we
have a code of conduct that applies to all our employees, including our executive officers and our directors. The code of conduct is
posted under “Corporate Governance” in the Investors section of our website at https://aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance.
We will disclose under “Corporate Governance” in the Investors section of our website any amendments to, or any waivers under,
the code of conduct that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC. Our Board has four standing committees: the Audit Committee,
the Compensation Committee, the Disclosure Controls Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee. The Board also
has an Executive Committee, which did not meet in 2023. Each committee operates under a written charter, which are available on our website
https://aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance. Detailed information on our Board and its committees can be found within the respective charter
or other governance document.
BOARD
STRUCTURE
The
Board currently separates the roles of Chair of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Company. Periodically, our Corporate Governance
and Nomination Committee assesses these roles and the Board leadership structure to ensure the interests of the Company and its stockholders
are best served.
Currently,
the independent Chair position is held by William Mitchell, and our CEO is Thomas K. Equels.
The
current separation of the Chair and CEO roles allows the CEO to focus his time and energy on operating and managing the Company and leverage
the experience and perspectives of the Chair. The Chair sets the agenda for, and presides over, Board meetings and independent sessions
and coordinates the work of the committees of our Board, providing independent oversight and streamlining the CEO’s duties. The
Board believes this governance structure promotes balance between the Board’s independent authority to oversee our business and
the CEO and his management team who manage the business on a day-to-day basis.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The
Board maintains the following committees:
Executive
Committee
In
February 2016, our Board formed the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee reports to the Board, and its purpose is to aid the
Board in handling matters which, in the opinion of the Chair of the Board, should not be postponed until the next scheduled meeting of
the Board. Mr. Equels, our Chief Executive Officer, is the chair of the Committee and is a member of the Committee along with our three
independent directors, Ms. Bryan, Mr. Appelrouth and Dr. Mitchell. The full text of the Executive Committee Charter, as approved by the
Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.”
The Committee did not meet in 2023.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee of our Board consists of the following three directors, each of whom is “independent” under applicable
NYSE American rules, a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and an “Outside Director”
as defined under the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Internal Revenue Code”): Nancy K. Bryan (Chair), Stewart L. Appelrouth and Dr. William Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D.
The
Compensation Committee oversees implementation and administration of the Company’s compensation and employee benefits programs
with the goal of attracting, retaining and motivating executives and officers, as well as other employees, to improve their performance
and the Company’s financial performance. In that regard, the Compensation Committee (1) reviews and approves corporate goals and
objectives relevant to compensation; (2) evaluates the performance and compensation of the Company’s officers and executives and
reviews the compensation of all other non-officer executives of the Company that are considered highly paid; (3) reviews and approves
employment agreements, severance agreements, change of control agreements, deferred compensation agreements, perquisites and similar
compensation arrangements of the Company’s executive officers; (4) makes recommendations to the Board on the compensation of non-employee
members of the Board; (5) administers the Company’s incentive and equity-based compensation plans, including approving the grant
of equity awards under such plans, reviewing such plans and making recommendations to the Board regarding the adoption, amendment or
termination of such plans; (6) selects and determines the fees and scope of work of its compensation consultants; and (7) reviews the
Company’s compensation strategy to assure that it continues to advance the Company’s objectives and promote stockholder value.
The full text of the Compensation Committee’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com
in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.”
This
Committee formally met three times in 2023, and all committee members were in attendance for the meetings. Our General Counsel, Chief
Financial Officer and Director of Human Resources support the Compensation Committee in its work.
Corporate
Governance and Nomination Committee
The
Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee of our Board consists of Dr. William M. Mitchell (Chair), Nancy K. Bryan and Stewart L.
Appelrouth. In 2023, the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee met two times. All committee members were in attendance for the
meetings.
All
of the members of the Committee meet the independence standards contained within the NYSE American Company Guide and the Company’s
Corporate Governance Guidelines. The full text of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee Charter as well as the Corporate
Governance Guidelines are available on our website: https://aimimmuno.com/corporate-governance/.
The
Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee is responsible for (1) assisting the Board in identifying, recommending, assessing, recruiting
and selecting candidates to serve as members of the Board, including in connection with filling vacancies; (2) assisting the Board in
developing criteria for identifying and selecting individuals for nomination to the Board; (3) advising the Board with respect to the
Board’s composition, procedures and committees; (4) reviewing, assessing and recommending appropriate Corporate Governance Guidelines;
(5) reviewing the charter of each committee of the Board and recommending to the Board the number, identity and responsibilities of each
committee; (6) reviewing the Company’s business practices as they relate to preserving the good reputation of the Company; (7)
developing and recommending to the Board procedures for succession planning for Company executives and continuity of the Board; and (8)
assessing the effectiveness of the Board in meeting the long-term interests of the stockholders. The Committee is authorized to retain
search firms and other consultants to assist it in identifying candidates and fulfilling its other duties.
Stockholders
who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to the Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida
34473, stating in detail the qualifications of such persons for consideration by the Committee. Director candidates should demonstrate
the qualifications, experience and skills for Board members which are important to the Company’s business and its future, as outlined
in Proposal 1 below.
The
Company aspires to the highest standards of ethical conduct, reporting results with accuracy and transparency and maintaining full compliance
with the laws, rules and regulations that govern the Company’s business. the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines embody
many of our policies and procedures which are at the foundation of our commitment to best practices. The guidelines are reviewed annually
and revised, if deemed necessary, to continue to reflect best practices.
Disclosure
Controls Committee
The
Disclosure Controls Committee (“DCC”) reports to the Audit Committee and is responsible for procedures and
guidelines on managing disclosure information. This is not a committee of the Board. The purpose of the DCC is to make certain that information
required to be publicly disclosed is properly accumulated, recorded, summarized and communicated to the Board and management. This process
is intended to allow for timely decisions regarding communications and disclosures and to help ensure that we comply with related SEC
rules and regulations. The DCC is responsible for (1) implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures; (2) reviewing and evaluating the Company’s interactions with the FDA and other similar regulatory bodies; and (3)
reviewing earnings and other press releases and periodic reports and proxy statements of the Company that are to be filed with the SEC.
Robert Dickey, our CFO, is the DCC’s Investor Relations Coordinator and Chair. The other members of the DCC are Peter Rodino, our
COO and General Counsel, Dr. William Mitchell, one of our Independent Directors, Diane Young, our Clinical Project Manager, Jodie Pelz,
our Director of Finance, and Ann Marie Coverly, Director of HR and Administration serving as the Deputy Investor Relations Coordinator.
The full text of the DCC’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor
Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.” The DCC actively met on numerous occasions in 2023.
Audit
Committee and Audit Committee Expert
The
Audit Committee of our Board consists of Stewart L. Appelrouth (Chair), Dr. Mitchell and Nancy K. Bryan. All three members have been
determined by the Board to be Independent Directors as required under Section 803(2) of the NYSE: American Company Guide and Rule 10A-3
under the Exchange Act. The Board has determined that Mr. Appelrouth qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,”
as that term is defined by Section 803B(2) of the NYSE: American Company Guide and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
We
believe Dr. Mitchell, Ms. Bryan and Mr. Appelrouth to be independent of management and free of any relationship that would interfere
with their exercise of independent judgment as members of this Committee. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to (1) assist
the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the annual independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, the engagement of the independent registered
public accounting firm and the evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and
performance; (2) select the independent registered public accounting firm, oversee the work of the independent registered public accounting
firm, pre-approve all auditing services of the independent registered public accounting firm and evaluate the independent registered
public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance; (3) prepare the reports or statements as may be required
by NYSE American or the securities laws; (4) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the integrity of
the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting process and the Company’s system of internal accounting and financial
controls; (5) discuss the financial statements and reports with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including
critical accounting policies and practices, the Company’s disclosures in the Company’s Annual Report and any significant
financial reporting that arose in the preparation of the audited financial statements; and (6) oversee the Disclosure Control Committee.
The Audit Committee is authorized to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary.
This
Audit Committee formally met four times in 2023 with all committee members in attendance. Our General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer
support the Audit Committee in its work. The full text of the Audit Committee’s Charter, as approved by the Board, is available
on our website: www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate Governance.”
Audit
Committee Report
The
primary responsibility of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial
matters and compliance with laws and regulations. The primary methods used by the Audit Committee to fulfill its responsibility with
respect to financial matters are:
| ● | To
appoint, evaluate, and as the Audit Committee may deem appropriate, terminate, and replace
the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | To
monitor the independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm; |
| ● | To
determine the compensation of the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm; |
| ● | To
pre-approve any audit services, and any non-audit services permitted under applicable law,
to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | To
review the Company’s risk exposures, the adequacy of related controls and policies
with respect to risk assessment and risk management; |
| ● | To
monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes and systems of
control regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and information systems; |
| ● | To
facilitate and maintain an open avenue of communication among the Board, management and the
Company’s independent registered public accountants; and |
| ● | To
provide oversight of the DCC to monitor their successful implementation of the DCC’s
charter, policies and procedures. |
In
discharging its responsibilities during the last fiscal year relating to internal controls, accounting and financial reporting policies
and auditing practices, the Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO, the
overall scope and process for its audit. The Audit Committee regularly met with BDO, with and without management present, to discuss
the results of its examinations, the consideration of our internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial
reporting.
The
Audit Committee also undertook all required discussions with BDO during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 of such matters required
to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”),
rules of the SEC and other applicable regulations. The Audit Committee received from BDO the written and oral disclosures and the letter
required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding BDO’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence
and discussed with BDO the independence of their firm.
The
Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s
audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the internal control requirements
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Based
on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements
referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023.
This
report is respectfully submitted by the current members of the Audit Committee of the Board.
Stewart
L. Appelrouth, Committee Chair
Dr. William M. Mitchell
Nancy K. Bryan
Board
Role in Risk Oversight
The
Board evaluates its leadership structure and role in risk oversight on a periodic basis. The Board determines what leadership structure
it deems appropriate based on factors such as the experience of the applicable individuals, the current business environment of our Company
and other relevant factors.
The
Board is also responsible for oversight of our risk management practices while management is responsible for the day-to-day risk management
processes. Our executive management team evaluates enterprise risks and shares their assessment of such risks with the Audit Committee
or the full Board for oversight. In addition, financial risks and our internal control environment are overseen by the Audit Committee,
and the Compensation Committee considers how risks taken by management could impact the value of executive compensation.
Code
of Ethics and Business Conduct
Our
Board revised the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, Directors, and Employees, Agents and Consultants. The principal amendments
included broadening the Code’s application to our agents and consultants, adoption of a regulatory compliance policy and adoption
of a policy for protection and use of Company computer technology for business purposes only. Our Board is required to approve any waivers
of the Code for Directors or executive Officers, and we are required to disclose any such waiver in a Current Report on Form 8-K within
four business days. On an annual basis, this Code is reviewed and signed by each officer, director, employee, and strategic consultant
with none of the amendments constituting a waiver of provision of the Code of Ethics on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions.
You
may obtain a copy of this Code by visiting our website at www.aimimmuno.com in the “Investor Relations” tab under “Corporate
Governance” or by written request to our office at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, FL 34473.
Communication
with the Board
Interested
parties wishing to contact the Board may do so by writing to the following address: AIM ImmunoTech Board of Directors, c/o Peter W. Rodino
III, Corporate Secretary, 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473. All letters received will be categorized and processed by the Corporate
Counsel or Secretary and then forwarded to the Board.
Director
Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
Directors
are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual Meeting absent unusual circumstances, although we have no formal policy on the
matter. All of the directors attended the non-adjourned annual shareholder meeting held on January 5, 2024.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following sets forth biographical information about each of our executive officers as of the date of this report:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Thomas
K. Equels, Esq. |
|
72 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer, President and Director |
Peter
W. Rodino, III, Esq. |
|
73 |
|
Chief
Operating Officer, General Counsel & Secretary |
Robert
Dickey, IV |
|
69 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
THOMAS
K. EQUELS, M.S., J.D. is our Chief Executive Officer (since 2016), President (since 2015) and
Executive Vice Chair (since 2008). He has also been one of our Directors since 2008. Mr. Equels was formerly the President and Managing
Director of the Equels Law Firm in Miami, Fla. For over a quarter century, he represented national governments, state governments and
private companies in banking, insurance, aviation, pharmaceutical and construction matters. He also was on numerous occasions the court-appointed
receiver to turn around distressed companies. Mr. Equels received his Juris Doctor degree with high honors from Florida State University.
He received his Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Troy University and also obtained his Master of Science Degree from Troy University.
Mr. Equels began his professional career as a military pilot. He served in Vietnam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses,
the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and fifteen Air Medals. In 2012, he was Knighted by Pope Benedict.
PETER
W. RODINO, III, Esq. was a director of the Company from July 2013 until September 30, 2016,
when Mr. Rodino resigned as a member of our Board to permit him to serve the Company in a new capacity. Effective October 1, 2016, we
retained Mr. Rodino as our Executive Director for Governmental Relations, and as our General Counsel and, as of October 16, 2019, Mr.
Rodino assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rodino has been our Secretary since November 2016. Mr. Rodino has broad legal,
financial, and executive experience. In addition to being President of Rodino Consulting LLC and managing partner at several law firms
during his many years as a practicing attorney, he served as Chairman and CEO of Crossroads Health Plan, the first major Health Maintenance
Organization in New Jersey. He also has had experience as an investment executive in the securities industry and acted as trustee in
numerous Chapter 11 complex corporate reorganizations. Previously, as founder and president of Rodino Consulting, Mr. Rodino provided
business and government relations consulting services to smaller companies with a focus on helping them develop business plans, implement
marketing strategies and acquire investment capital. Mr. Rodino holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and
a J.D. degree from Seton Hall University.
ROBERT
DICKEY, IV has been our Chief Financial Officer since April 4, 2022. Mr. Dickey has more than 25 years of experience in C-suite financial
leadership for life science and medical device companies, both private and public, ranging from preclinical development to commercial
operations and across a variety of disease areas and medical technologies. Mr. Dickey has served as Managing Director at Foresite Advisors
since March 2020 assuming responsibility for CFO advisory, financial analysis, capital raising, and transactional support/execution for
public offerings and M&A services at life science companies and was previously a Managing Director at Danforth Advisors from August
2018 to March 2020. Both Foresite Advisors and Danforth Advisors provide financial support and investment advisory services. Mr. Dickey
served as a member on the board of directors at Emmaus Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company, from July 2019 to August 2022; served
as a member on the board of directors at Sanuthera, Inc., a privately held medical device company, from 2013 to 2017, and was employed
as Chief Financial Officer of Motif Bio Plc., a NASDAQ and London AIM exchange-listed antibiotics company, from January 2017 to February
2018. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dickey spent 18 years in investment banking, primarily at Lehman Brothers, with a background split between
mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. Mr. Dickey was a senior vice president of the Company from 2008 until 2013.
Throughout his career he has demonstrated C-level (CFO, COO and CEO) and board level experience in public, private, revenue stage and
development stage life sciences and medical device companies and has played a leading role in two start-ups. His prior career as an investment
banker included 14 years at Lehman Brothers. Mr. Dickey is experienced in all stages of the business lifecycle, including start-up, high-growth
and turnarounds, and in building businesses and achieving an exit. He also has international experience, expertise in public and private
financings, M&A, partnering/licensing transactions, project management and Chapter 11 reorganizations, as well as interacting with
boards, VC’s, shareholders and Wall Street. Mr. Dickey has an MBA from The Wharton School and an AB from Princeton University.
DELINQUENT
SECTION 16(A) REPORTS
Under
federal securities laws, the Company’s directors and officers and any beneficial owner of more than 10% of a class of the Company’s
equity securities, are required to report their ownership of the Company’s equity securities and any changes in such ownership
in a timely manner. Based solely upon information provided by officers and directors and greater than 10% owners, we are not aware of
any filings not made on a timely basis, except for two Forms 4 filed on March 27, 2024, to report awards of options to Thomas Equels
and Peter Rodino on November 30, 2023.
OTHER
MATTERS
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
Except
as disclosed below, there are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record
or beneficially of more than five percent of any of the Company’s voting securities, or any associate of such director, officer,
affiliate of the Company, or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest
adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
AIM
ImmunoTech, Inc. v. Tudor, et al., Case 5:22-cv-00323 (M.D. Florida 2022)
On
July 15, 2022, the Company filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against seven individual defendants,
including Jonathan Jorgl, an AIM stockholder who first purchased 1,000 AIM shares on June 27, 2022, and his nominees for election at
our 2022 annual meeting, Robert Chioini and Michael Rice (AIM ImmunoTech, Inc. v. Tudor, et al., Case Case 5:22-cv-00323-GAP-PRL
(M.D. Florida 2022)). The complaint also names Franz Tudor, Todd Deutsch, Ted Kellner and Walter Lautz as defendants. The Company’s
complaint alleges that the defendants failed to register as a group pursuant to U.S. securities laws and committed other unlawful actions
in their attempt to effectuate a takeover of the Board. The Company seeks: (i) a declaration that the defendants violated Section 13(d)
of the Exchange Act; and (ii) an injunction that prevents the defendants from future violations of the federal securities laws.
On
July 10, 2023, the District Court dismissed the action on mootness grounds because the 2022 Annual Meeting, including the election of
directors, had already occurred. On August 8, 2023, the Company filed a motion to reconsider the dismissal, arguing that the actions
of certain defendants seeking election to AIM’s Board at the next annual meeting of stockholders demonstrated that the Company’s
complaint was not moot. The District Court denied the motion on September 27, 2023. Separately, on August 7, 2023, Mr. Lautz moved for
reconsideration pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), and on September 12, 2023, Mr.
Jorgl moved for attorneys’ fees under Rule 11. On April 22, 2024, the District Court issued an order granting in part Lautz and
Jorgl’s Rule 59(e) and Rule 11 motions.
On
June 18, 2024, appealed the District Court’s orders of dismissal and denial of the Company’s motion for reconsideration (AIM
ImmunoTech, Inc. v. Tudor, et al., Case No. 0:2023prici13576 (11th Cir. 2023)). The Company filed a motion to stay enforcement of
the judgment pending the 11th Circuit Appeal, which the District Court granted on June 21, 2024. The Company filed an appellate brief
on September 4, 2024.
No
Family Relationships
There
are no family relationships between any of our officers and directors.
Householding
Of Materials
Some
brokerage firms, banks, trustees and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding”
proxy statements. This means that only one copy of the Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement,
the WHITE universal proxy card and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 will be,
or may have been, sent to multiple Stockholders in the same household unless we received contrary instructions from any stockholder in
that household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address upon written or
oral request to: AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala FL 34473, Attention: Secretary or by phone at (352) 448-7797. Any stockholder
who wants to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement, or of the Company’s proxy statements or annual reports in the future,
or any stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, should contact the stockholder’s
brokerage firm, bank, trustee or other nominee record holder, or the stockholder may contact us at the address and telephone number above.
Deadlines
for Notice of Stockholder Actions to be Considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting
Shareholder
Proposals under Rule 14a-8
Pursuant
to the various rules promulgated by the SEC, stockholders interested in submitting a proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy
materials and for presentation at the 2025 Annual Meeting may do so by following the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act. In general, to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials, Rule 14a-8 stockholder proposals must be received by the Company’s
Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices (located at 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473) no later
than [●].
Stockholder
Proposals
Any
stockholder of record of the Company who desires to submit a proposal of business (other than stockholder proposals in accordance with
Rule 14a-8) for action at the 2025 Annual Meeting must deliver written notice of an intent to make such proposal of business to the Company’s
Corporate Secretary at c/o Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473 no earlier than [●]
and no later than [●]. However, if the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of
the date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then such notice must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary no earlier than
120 days prior to the 2025 Annual Meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of 90 days prior to the 2025 Annual Meeting
and the 10th day following the day on which public announcement (as defined in the Bylaws) of the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting is
first made by the Company. Any such notice must also comply with the timing, disclosure, procedural and other requirements as set forth
in the Bylaws.
Stockholder
Nominations for Director Candidates
Any
stockholder of record of the Company who desires to nominate one or more director candidates at the 2025 Annual Meeting or submit a proposal
of business (other than stockholder proposals in accordance with Rule 14a-8) for action at the 2025 Annual Meeting must deliver written
notice of an intent to make such director nomination and/or make such proposal of business to the Company’s Corporate Secretary
at c/o Corporate Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473 no earlier than [●] and no later than
[●]. However, if the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the date of the prior
year’s annual meeting, then such notice must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary no earlier than 120 days prior to the
2025 Annual Meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of 90 days prior to the 2025 Annual Meeting and the 10th day
following the day on which public announcement (as defined in the Bylaws) of the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting is first made by the
Company. Any such notice must also comply with the timing, disclosure, procedural and other requirements as set forth in the Bylaws.
In
addition to satisfying the requirements under the Bylaws described in the immediately preceding paragraph, to comply with the universal
proxy rules under the Exchange Act, any stockholder who intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Board’s
nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act in accordance with the time
period set forth immediately above for providing notice of stockholder nominations for director candidates.
Annual
Report
Our
Annual Report is being furnished together with this Proxy Statement. You can review and download a copy of our Annual Report by accessing
our website, https://aimimmuno.com/sec-filings, or stockholders may request paper copies, without charge, by writing to AIM ImmunoTech
Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, FL 34473, Attention: Secretary. The Company’s filings with the SEC also are available to the
public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The information on the Company’s website and the SEC’s website are not
part of this Proxy Statement.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as “believes,”
“hopes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,”
“anticipates” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence
does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Company’s forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance,
and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks, uncertainties and other
factors. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any
risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the SEC. You are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Except as required
by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances
that occur after the date of this Proxy Statement.
PROPOSALS
TO STOCKHOLDERS
PROPOSAL
1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At
the Annual Meeting, four directors are to be elected to either serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting or until each director’s respective
earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.
Unless
otherwise specified, the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card will be voted in favor of the election of Stewart L. Appelrouth,
Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell if you sign and return it. Information is furnished below with respect to all
of the Board’s candidates.
The
Board has examined the relationship between each of our non-employee directors and the Company and has determined that each of Ms. Bryan
and Messrs. Appelrouth and Mitchell qualifies as an “independent” director under the independence standards of the NYSE American
rules and SEC rules. Mr. Equels does not qualify as an independent director because he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
We
believe our directors represent a desirable diversity of backgrounds, skills, education and experiences, and they all share the personal
attributes of dedication to be effective directors. In recommending Board candidates, the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee
considers a candidate’s: (1) general understanding of elements relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in the current
business environment; (2) understanding of our business; and (3) diversity in educational and professional background. The Committee
also considers a candidate’s judgment, competence, dedication and anticipated participation in Board activities along with experience,
geographic location and special talents or personal attributes. The following are qualifications, experience and skills for Board members
which are important to the Company’s business and its future:
Leadership
Experience: We seek directors who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities. Such leaders bring diverse perspectives and broad
business insight to our Company. The relevant leadership experience that we seek includes a past or current leadership role in a large
or entrepreneurial company, a senior faculty position at a prominent educational institution or a past elected or appointed senior government
position.
Industry
or Academic Experience: We seek directors who have relevant industry experience, both with respect to the disease areas where we
are developing new therapies as well as with the economic and competitive dynamics of pharmaceutical markets, including those in which
our drugs will be prescribed.
Scientific,
Legal or Regulatory Experience: Given the highly technical and specialized nature of biotechnology, we desire that certain of our
directors have advanced degrees, as well as drug development experience. Since we are subject to substantial regulatory oversight, both
here and abroad by the FDA and other agencies, we also desire directors who have legal or regulatory experience.
Finance
Experience: We believe that our directors should possess an understanding of finance and related reporting processes, particularly
given the complex budgets and long timelines associated with drug development programs.
Each
of the Board’s candidates has provided a consent to being named as a nominee of the Board in a proxy statement in connection with
the Annual Meeting and stating that such nominee consents to serve if elected as a director, and the Board has no reason to believe that
any nominee will be unable to serve. However, if, before the election, any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve
(a situation that we do not anticipate), the proxy holders will vote the proxies for the remaining candidates and for substitute candidates
chosen by the Board (unless the Board reduces the number of directors to be elected). If any substitute candidates are designated, we
will file an amended proxy statement that, as applicable, identifies each substitute candidate, discloses that such nominee has consented
to being named in the revised proxy statement and to serve if elected, and includes certain biographical and other information about
such nominee required by the rules of the SEC.
The
Board unanimously recommends using the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card to vote “FOR” each of the
Board’s four candidates for director. As detailed above, the Dissident Group has informed the Company it intends to seek your proxy
to vote in favor of the Dissident Group’s nominees. Accordingly, you may receive proxy solicitation materials from the Dissident
Group, including proxy statements and proxy cards. The Board recommends that you disregard them.
The
Board does NOT endorse any of the nominees from the Dissident Group, and the presence of the Dissident Group’s nominees
on the enclosed WHITE universal proxy card is NOT an approval of or comment on the fitness, character, suitability
or other qualifications of the Dissident Group’s nominees. The Board strongly urges you to NOT sign or return any proxy
card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group.
If
you have previously submitted a proxy card sent to you by, or on behalf of, the Dissident Group, you can revoke that proxy and vote for
your Board’s candidates and on the other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting by using the enclosed WHITE
universal proxy card or submitting a proxy to vote by Internet by following the instructions specified on the WHITE universal
proxy card or by virtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares. OUR BOARD URGES YOU TO VOTE ONLY ON THE WHITE
UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD FOR OUR BOARD’S PROPOSED CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM
M. MITCHELL), TO DISREGARD ANY MATERIALS SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP, AND NOT TO SIGN, RETURN OR VOTE ANY PROXY
CARD SENT TO YOU BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, THE DISSIDENT GROUP.
The
following material contains information concerning the Board’s candidates, including their period of service as a director, their
recent employment, other directorships, including those held during the past five years with a public company or registered investment
company, age as of the Annual Meeting, and director qualifications relevant to the Board’s determination that each nominee should
serve as a director in light of our business as an immuno-pharma company and our structure. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee
recommended to the Board that it nominate each of Stewart L. Appelrouth, Nancy K. Bryan, Thomas K. Equels and William M. Mitchell for
re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting. On November 9, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the Board’s
initiation of a process to identify two additional directors with a focus on diverse candidates who possess biotechnology commercialization
experience. Following that announcement and with the Board’s permission, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Equels
spoke with several individuals whom he believed would meet the Board’s preferred criteria for a new director. Ultimately, Mr. Equels
recommended that the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee and the Board consider Ms. Bryan as a director candidate because she
was a highly qualified executive with extensive biotechnology commercialization expertise. After the Corporate Governance and Nomination
Committee and the Board completed their customary candidate evaluation processes over the following few months, they determined to appoint
Ms. Bryan as a director on March 28, 2023. Mr. Equels and Ms. Bryan became acquainted at life sciences industry events hosted by BioFlorida,
Inc., where Ms. Bryan served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2013 to 2023, and when Mr. Equels later joined the 30+-member
board of directors of BioFlorida. Mr. Equels is not compensated for his service on the board of directors of BioFlorida, which is a member-driven
association focused on the advancement of the life sciences industry in the State of Florida.
In
addition to the information set forth below, Appendix A sets forth information relating to our directors, candidates for directors,
and certain of our officers who are considered “participants” in our solicitation under applicable SEC rules by reason of
their position as directors of the Company, as candidates for directors, or because they may be soliciting proxies on our behalf.
CANDIDATES
FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR
THOMAS
K. EQUELS, age 72, is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (since 2016), President (since
2015) and Executive Vice Chair (since 2008). He has also been one of the Company’s directors since 2008. Mr. Equels was formerly
the President and Managing Director of the Equels Law Firm in Miami, Fla. For over a quarter century, he represented national governments,
state governments and private companies in banking, insurance, aviation, pharmaceutical and construction matters. He also was on numerous
occasions the court-appointed receiver to turn around distressed companies. Mr. Equels received his Juris Doctor degree with high honors
from Florida State University. He received his Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Troy University and also obtained his Master
of Science Degree from Troy University. Mr. Equels began his professional career as a military pilot. He served in Vietnam and was awarded
two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and fifteen Air Medals. In 2012, he was Knighted by Pope Benedict.
THOMAS
K. EQUELS, Esq. – Director Qualifications:
| ● | Leadership
Experience – Military, Owner and former President, Managing Director of Equels
Law Firm, Court appointed receiver in numerous industries; |
| | |
| ● | Industry
Experience – legal counsel, General Counsel, CFO and CEO to the Company; and |
| | |
| ● | Biotech,
Scientific, Legal or Regulatory Experience – Law degree with over 25 years as a
practicing attorney specializing in litigation, development of clinical trials, creating
intellectual property concepts, and established plan to finance drug development. |
WILLIAM
M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D., age 89, has been a director since July 1998 and Chair of the Board since February 2016. Dr. Mitchell has
served as a Professor of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine since 1966
and is a board-certified physician. Dr. Mitchell earned a M.D. from Vanderbilt and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he served
as House Officer in Internal Medicine, followed by a Fellowship at its School of Medicine. Dr. Mitchell has published over 250 papers,
reviews and abstracts that relate to viruses, anti-viral drugs, immune responses to viral infection, detection in blood of cancer DNA
(i.e., the liquid biopsy), and other biomedical topics. Dr. Mitchell has worked for and with many professional societies that have included
the American Society of Investigative Pathology, the International Society for Antiviral Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology,
the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the American Chemical Society, and the American Society of Microbiology.
Dr. Mitchell is a member of the American Medical Association. He has served on numerous government review committees, among them the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health, including the initial AIDS and Related Research
Review Group. Dr. Mitchell previously served as one of the Company’s directors from 1987 to 1989.
WILLIAM
M. MITCHELL, M.D., Ph.D. – Director Qualifications:
| ● | Leadership
Experience – Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He
was an independent member of the board of directors for Chronix Biomedical and was Chairman
of its Medical Advisory Board. Additionally, he has served on multiple governmental review
committees of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and for the European Union, including key roles as Chairman; |
| ● | Academic
and Industry Experience – Physician scientist with extensive investigative experience
on viral and immunology, and cancer issues relevant to our scientific business along with
being a former independent director of an entrepreneurial diagnostic company (Chronix Biomedical)
that is involved in next generation DNA sequencing for blood based cancer diagnosis (i.e.-
the liquid biopsy); and |
| ● | Scientific,
Legal or Regulatory Experience – M.D., Ph.D. and professor at a top-ranked school
of medicine, and inventor of record on numerous U.S. and international patents who is experienced
in regulatory affairs through filings with the FDA. |
STEWART
L. APPELROUTH, CPA, age 71, was appointed as a director of the Company and head of the Audit Committee in August 2016 and has been
a certified public accountant and a principal at Appelrouth Farah & Co., P.A., Certified Public Accountants and Advisors,
a full-service accounting and internal business advisory firm, since he co-founded the firm in 1985. Appelrouth Farah & Co. joined
Citrin Cooperman Advisors, LLC, a firm providing business advisory and non-attest services, in March 2022. Mr. Appelrouth is also a certified
forensic accountant and possesses 40 years of experience in Accounting and Consulting. He is a member of or has affiliations with organizations
including the AICPA, American College of Forensic Examiners, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, past member of the Florida Bar
Grievance Committee, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and InfraGard Member, a national information sharing program between
the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector. Mr. Appelrouth graduated from Florida State University in 1975 and received
his master’s degree in Finance from Florida International University in 1980.
STEWART
L. APPELROUTH – Director Qualifications:
| ● | Leadership
Experience – has served in leadership positions on numerous private and non-profit
boards of directors and other organizations; |
| ● | Industry
Experience – Partner at certified public accounting and advisory firm; Certified
Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner; |
| ● | Regulatory
Experience – FINRA Arbitrator; and |
| ● | Financial
Expert – over 40 years of accounting and audit experience. |
NANCY
K. BRYAN, age 66, was appointed as a director of the Company in March 2023. Ms. Bryan is an established leader with more than 25
years of experience in the life sciences industry. She has served on executive leadership teams and played key roles in biopharmaceutical
companies’ successes, including marketing, sales, business development, financing and communications. From May 2013 to December
2023, Ms. Bryan served as the President and CEO of BioFlorida Inc., an association supporting the advancement of life sciences in Florida.
Prior to joining BioFlorida, Ms. Bryan began her career with major pharmaceutical companies including Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer
Pharmaceuticals. She then went on to serve in a number of executive leadership positions in specialty pharmaceuticals and smaller, start-up
biotech companies, including Indevus Pharmaceuticals and NPS Pharmaceuticals. Throughout her career, Bryan helped develop, launch and
commercialize many products including blockbusters (Zantac, Levitra), major biologics (Tysabri) and orphan drugs for rare diseases (Valstar
for bladder cancer, Supprelin LA for central precocious puberty), and helped establish franchises in a wide variety of therapeutic areas,
including Oncology, Anti-infectives, GI, Urology and Autoimmune (MS, CD). She has established a successful track record introducing strategic
and tactical solutions to develop global markets as well as launch, grow and turn around established and underperforming drugs, resulting
in greater revenue, market share, profitability and stockholder value.
Ms.
Bryan holds a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Columbia University, and her academic honors include Phi
Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma.
NANCY
K. BRYAN – Director Qualifications:
| ● | Leadership
Experience – President and CEO of BioFlorida; served on executive leadership teams
and played a key role in biopharmaceutical companies’ successes including marketing,
sales, business development, financing initiatives and investor and PR communications; and |
| ● | Commercialization
Experience – 25 years of experience in Biopharmaceuticals in commercial positions
of increasing responsibility involving primary care, biologics and specialty markets; throughout
her career, she has developed, launched and commercialized many products, major biologics
and orphan drugs for rare diseases and has established franchises in a wide variety of therapeutic
areas including: Oncology, Anti-infectives, GI and Autoimmune (MS, CD). |
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD “FOR” EACH OF THE BOARD’S FOUR
CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM M. MITCHELL) TO BE ELECTED TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS ON THE
BOARD.
PROPOSAL
2
RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed BDO to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm
of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. BDO has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since
January 19, 2021. Our Bylaws do not require that the stockholders ratify the appointment of BDO as our independent registered public
accounting firm. However, as a matter of good corporate practice, the Board is requesting that the stockholders ratify the appointment
of BDO as a means of soliciting stockholders’ opinions.
All
audit and professional services are approved in advance by the Audit Committee to assure such services do not impair the auditor’s
independence from us. The total fees by BDO for 2023 were $697,474, and total fees for 2022 were $545,000.
The
following table shows the aggregate fees for professional services rendered during the year ended December 31, 2023.
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Description of Fees: | |
| | | |
| | |
Audit Fees | |
$ | 663,984 | | |
| 522,000 | |
Tax Fees | |
| 33,490 | | |
| 23,000 | |
Total | |
$ | 697,474 | | |
| 545,000 | |
Audit
Fees
Audit
fees include the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our financial statements included in our quarterly reports
and services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
It
also includes fees for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial
statements and professional services related to the Company’s filing of SEC Forms S-1, S-3 and S-8 (i.e., stock shelf
offering procedures).
Tax
Fees
Tax
fees include fees billed by BDO for professional services rendered for tax return preparation,
compliance, advice and planning services.
The
Audit Committee has determined that BDO’s rendering of these audit-related services and all other fees were compatible with maintaining
auditor’s independence. The Board considered BDO to be well qualified to serve as our independent public accountants. The Audit
Committee also pre-approved the charges for services performed in 2023 and 2022.
The
Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing and accounting services and the terms thereof (which may include providing comfort letters
in connection with securities underwriting) and non-audit services (other than non-audit services prohibited under Section 10A(g) of
the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to us by the independent
auditor; provided, however, the pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions of non-audit services for us if the
“de minimis” provisions of Section 10A (i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are satisfied. This authority to pre-approve non-audit
services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to
the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision.
Ratification
If
the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider any information submitted by the stockholders in determining
whether to retain BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2024. Even if the appointment of BDO is
ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that a change
would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Representatives
from BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION
OF BDO USA, P.C. AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.
PROPOSAL
3
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
We
are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”),
as we have described at length below. While this vote is advisory and not binding on our Company relating to the compensation of our
NEOs, your vote will provide an important indication of investor sentiment to our Compensation Committee regarding our executive compensation
philosophy, policies and practices. As a result of the vote, the Compensation Committee will be able to consider this sentiment when
determining future executive compensation.
Your
vote is requested. We believe that the information we have provided within the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and
“Executive Compensation” sections of this proxy statement demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed
to ensure management’s interests are aligned with our stockholders’ interests to support long-term value creation. Accordingly,
the Board recommends that stockholders approve the following advisory resolution:
RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the individuals identified in the Summary
Compensation Table, as disclosed in the AIM ImmunoTech Inc. Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC,
including Item 402 of Regulation S-K (which disclosure includes the compensation tables and the accompanying footnotes and narratives
within the “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” section of this Proxy Statement).
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION
OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The
Company is a “smaller reporting company” and has elected to provide in this Proxy Statement certain scaled disclosures permitted
under the Exchange Act for smaller reporting companies. Under the scaled disclosure obligations, the Company is not required to provide,
among other things, a Compensation Discussion and Analysis, a compensation committee report and certain other tabular and narrative disclosure
related to executive compensation.
This
discussion and analysis describes our executive compensation philosophy, process, plans and practices as they relate to our NEOs listed
below and gives the context for understanding and evaluating the more specific compensation information contained in the narratives,
tables and related disclosures that follow. For the purposes of discussion and analysis, the following NEOs are included in the narratives,
tables and related disclosures that follow:
| ● | Thomas
K. Equels, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President; |
| ● | Robert
Dickey IV, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”); and |
| ● | Peter
Rodino, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), General Counsel and Company Secretary
(“CS”). |
In
November 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Thomas K. Equels, the agreement runs for five years with a base salary of
$850,000. Mr. Equels will be awarded a year-end target bonus of $350,000. Long term compensation will be provided by 300,000 non-qualified
yearly stock options with one year vesting on November 30, 2021, and each anniversary date thereafter for advancing the long-term objectives
of the Company established by the Board with long-term performance goal evaluation by the Compensation Committee. In March
2021, subsequent to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Peter Rodino. The agreement
runs for three years. Compensation is divided into both short- and long-term compensation. Short-term (cash) compensation will consist
of a base salary of $425,000. Mr. Rodino will be awarded a year-end target bonus based on performance and goals established by the Compensation
Committee. Long-term compensation will be provided by 100,000 non-qualified yearly stock options with one-year vesting commencing on
November 30, 2021. In addition, Mr. Equels, and Mr. Rodino will be entitled to awards (“Event Awards”) equal to 3% for Mr.
Equels and 1% for Mr. Rodino of the “Gross Proceeds” from specific events such as acquisitions, licensing agreements or “therapeutic
indication” (each, an “Event”). Gross Proceeds means those cash amounts paid to us by the other parties for licensing
agreements, therapeutic acquisitions or any other one-time cash generating event. Therapeutic indications are, for example, target organ
specific pathologically defined cancer indications, vaccine enhancers, broad spectrum antiviral indications, or medical entities associated
with persistent severe fatigue. Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino also will each be entitled to an award (an “Acquisition Award”)
equal to 3% for Mr. Equels and 1% for Mr. Rodino of the Gross Proceeds, upon the sale of our Company or substantially all of its assets
(an “Acquisition”). An Event Award or Acquisition Award shall be paid in cash within 90 days of our receipt of the Gross
Proceeds. On March 1, 2022, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Foresite Advisors, LLC, a company wholly owned by Robert
Dickey IV, for $375 per hour pursuant to which Mr. Dickey serves as our new Chief Financial Officer effective April 4, 2022.
Objectives
and Philosophy of Executive Compensation
The
primary objectives of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation are to attract and retain the most talented and
dedicated executives possible, to tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable performance objectives,
and to align executives’ incentives with stockholder value creation.
At
the 2023 Annual Meeting, the stockholders did not approve the annual, non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation.
To
achieve these objectives and factor the results of prior advisory votes on executive compensation, the Compensation Committee expects
to implement and maintain compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of executives’ overall compensation to key strategic
financial and operational goals such as the establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships, the development of our products,
the identification and advancement of additional products, and the performance of our common stock price. The Compensation Committee
evaluates individual executive performance with the goal of setting compensation at levels the Compensation Committee believes are comparable
with executives in other companies of similar size and stage of development operating in the biotechnology industry while taking into
account our relative performance, our own strategic goals, governmental regulations, and the results of stockholder advisory votes regarding
executive compensation.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ON THE WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table provides information on the compensation during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 of Thomas K. Equels,
our Chief Executive Officer and President, Robert Dickey IV, our Chief Financial Officer, and Peter Rodino, our Chief Operating Officer,
Executive Director for Governmental Relations, General Counsel & Secretary, constituting the Company’s Named Executive Officers,
based on the year ended December 31, 2023.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position | |
Year | | |
Salary/ Fees ($)(2) | | |
Bonus
($)(3)(6) | | |
Option
Awards ($)(1) | | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | | |
All
Other Compensation ($)(3) | | |
Total
($) | |
Thomas K Equels | |
| 2023 | | |
| 850,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 128,112 | | |
| — | | |
| 103,189 | | |
| 1,081,301 | |
CEO & President (2)(3) | |
| 2022 | | |
| 850,000 | | |
| 300,000 | | |
| 111,556 | | |
| — | | |
| 90,472 | | |
| 1,352,028 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Robert Dickey IV | |
| 2023 | | |
| 54,484 | | |
| 10,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 64,484 | |
CFO (4) | |
| 2022 | | |
| 37,815 | | |
| 10,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 47,815 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Peter Rodino | |
| 2023 | | |
| 425,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 42,704 | | |
| — | | |
| 59,940 | | |
| 527,644 | |
COO, General Counsel & Secretary (5) | |
| 2022 | | |
| 425,000 | | |
| 150,000 | | |
| 69,295 | | |
| — | | |
| 55,003 | | |
| 699,298 | |
Notes:
(1) | All
option awards were valued using the Black-Scholes method. |
(2) | For
Named Executive Officers, who are also Directors that receive compensation for their services
as a Director, the Salary/Fees and Option Awards columns include compensation that was received
by them for their role as a member of the Board of Directors. As is required by Regulation
S-K, Item 402(c), compensation for services as a Director have been reported within the “Summary
Compensation Table” (above) for fiscal years of 2023 and 2022 as well
as reported separately in the “Compensation of Directors” section (see below)
for calendar year 2023. |
Pursuant
to his current employment agreement, Mr. Equels is entitled to 3% of the “Gross Proceeds” (as defined in the employment agreement)
for “significant events” (as described in the employment agreement) There were no payments during 2023 and 2022.
(3) | Mr.
Equels’ All Other Compensations consists of: |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Life & Disability Insurance | |
$ | 41,073 | | |
$ | 31,375 | |
Healthcare Insurance | |
| 24,316 | | |
| 26,764 | |
Car Expenses/Allowance | |
| 18,000 | | |
| 18,000 | |
401(k) Matching Funds | |
| 19,800 | | |
| 14,333 | |
Total | |
$ | 103,189 | | |
$ | 90,472 | |
(4) | Mr.
Dickey’s All Other Compensations consists of: |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Life & Disability Insurance | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
Healthcare Insurance | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Car Expenses/Allowance | |
| — | | |
| — | |
401(k) Matching Funds | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
(5) | Mr.
Rodino’s All Other Compensations consists of: |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Life & Disability Insurance | |
$ | 2,524 | | |
$ | 2,450 | |
Healthcare Insurance | |
| 23,216 | | |
| 23,820 | |
Car Expenses/Allowance | |
| 14,400 | | |
| 14,400 | |
401(k) Matching Funds | |
| 19,800 | | |
| 14,333 | |
Total | |
$ | 59,940 | | |
$ | 55,003 | |
(6) | All
bonus compensation for 2023 was deferred to 2024. |
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Option Awards |
Name | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | |
Option
Exercise Price ($) | | |
Option
Expiration Date | |
Thomas K Equels | |
| 568 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 190.08 | | |
| 6/6/2024 | |
President and Chief | |
| 568 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 132.00 | | |
| 6/8/2025 | |
Executive Officer | |
| 568 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 73.92 | | |
| 6/8/2026 | |
| |
| 6,818 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 24.64 | | |
| 6/8/2027 | |
| |
| 323 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.56 | | |
| 6/15/2027 | |
| |
| 323 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.56 | | |
| 6/30/2027 | |
| |
| 412 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.12 | | |
| 7/15/2027 | |
| |
| 472 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 18.48 | | |
| 7/31/2027 | |
| |
| 485 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 18.04 | | |
| 8/15/2027 | |
| |
| 556 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 15.84 | | |
| 8/31/2027 | |
| |
| 8,446 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 16.28 | | |
| 2/13/2028 | |
| |
| 2,841 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 16.72 | | |
| 4/12/2028 | |
| |
| 6,818 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 13.20 | | |
| 5/16/2028 | |
| |
| 5,682 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 13.20 | | |
| 5/16/2028 | |
| |
| 3,666 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 13.64 | | |
| 7/18/2028 | |
| |
| 6,457 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 10/17/2028 | |
| |
| 23 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 11/14/2028 | |
| |
| 9,685 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 1/28/2029 | |
| |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3.05 | | |
| 8/12/2030 | |
| |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1.96 | | |
| 11/11/2030 | |
| |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1.71 | | |
| 11/11/2031 | |
| |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.41 | | |
| 11/30/2032 | |
| |
| — | | |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 0.47 | | |
| 11/30/2033 | |
Total | |
| 1,254,711 | | |
| 300,000 | | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Robert Dickey IV | |
| 50,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.70 | | |
| 3/3/2032 | |
Chief
Financial Officer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total | |
| 50,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Peter Rodino | |
| 284 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 68.64 | | |
| 6/21/2026 | |
COO, General Counsel | |
| 151 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.56 | | |
| 6/15/2027 | |
and Secretary | |
| 151 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.56 | | |
| 6/30/2027 | |
| |
| 192 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 21.12 | | |
| 7/15/2027 | |
| |
| 220 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 18.48 | | |
| 7/31/2027 | |
| |
| 226 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 18.04 | | |
| 8/15/2027 | |
| |
| 259 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 15.84 | | |
| 8/31/2027 | |
| |
| 3,941 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 16.28 | | |
| 2/13/2028 | |
| |
| 2,273 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 16.72 | | |
| 4/12/2028 | |
| |
| 2,652 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 13.20 | | |
| 5/16/2028 | |
| |
| 1,711 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 13.64 | | |
| 7/18/2028 | |
| |
| 3,013 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 10/17/2028 | |
| |
| 23 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 11/14/2028 | |
| |
| 4,520 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9.68 | | |
| 1/28/2029 | |
| |
| 75,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1.85 | | |
| 12/9/2030 | |
| |
| 100,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1.44 | | |
| 11/30/2031 | |
| |
| 50,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.70 | | |
| 3/3/2032 | |
| |
| 100,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.41 | | |
| 11/30/2032 | |
| |
| — | | |
| 100,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 0.47 | | |
| 11/30/2033 | |
Total | |
| 344,616 | | |
| 100,000 | | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | |
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Payments
on Termination Due to Disability
As
of December 31, 2020, we had an employment agreement with Mr. Equels which entitled him to his base salary, applicable benefits otherwise
due and payable through the last day of the month in which disability occurs and immediate vesting of stock options. In the event of
permanent disability, the Company will provide an additional two years of base salary. On March 24, 2021, we entered into employment
agreements with Mr. Rodino which entitled him to his base salary, applicable benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day
of the month in which disability occurs and immediate vesting of stock options. In the event of permanent disability, the Company will
provide an additional two years of base salary. In addition, each NEO has the same short and long-term disability coverage which is available
to all eligible employees. The coverage for short-term disability provides up to six months of full salary continuation up to 60% of
weekly pay, less other income, with a $1,500 weekly maximum limit. The coverage for group long-term disability provides coverage at the
exhaustion of short-term disability benefits of full salary continuation up to 60% of monthly pay, less other income, with a $10,000
monthly maximum limit. The maximum benefit period for the group long-term disability coverage is 60 months for those age 60 and younger
at the time of the claim with the coverage period proportionately reduced with the advanced age of the eligible employee to a minimum
coverage period of 12 months for those of 69 years old and older as of the date of the claim. For the period June 2010 through December
2023, Mr. Equels was entitled to receive total disability coverage of $400,000 pursuant to his employment agreement and payable by us.
Payments
on Termination Due to Death
Pursuant
to their employment agreements, the NEOs are entitled to their base salary and applicable benefits otherwise due and payable through
the last day of the month in which death occurs and immediate vesting of stock options. Each NEO
has coverage of group life insurance, along with accidental death and dismemberment benefits, consistent to the dollar value available
to all eligible employees. The benefit is equal to two times current salary or wage with a maximum limit of $300,000, plus any supplemental
life insurance elected and paid for by the NEO. For the period June 2010 and through December 2023, Mr. Equels is entitled to receive
total death benefit coverage of $3,000,000 pursuant to his employment agreement and payable by us.
Severance
and Change in Control Benefits — NEOs
Pursuant
to his employment agreement, Mr. Equels is entitled to severance benefits on certain types of employment terminations not related to
a change in control or termination not for cause. Mr. Rodino and Mr. Dickey are not covered by an employment severance agreement and
therefore would only receive severance as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
Mr.
Equels’ and Mr. Rodino’s employment agreement terms will automatically be extended for three additional years following a
change in control, except where such change in control occurs as a result of certain “significant events” as described in
their employment agreements. Additionally, any purchase rights represented by an Option not then vested shall, upon a change in control,
become vested.
Upon
the occurrence of a qualifying termination following a change in control, Mr. Equels and Mr. Rodino would each receive (x) his respective
base salary and benefits, (y) his options to be issued annually, and (z) his automobile allowance, in each case for the remaining term
of his employment agreement plus a three-year extension in the term. The employment agreement with Mr. Equels provides for an initial
term through December 31, 2025. The employment agreement with Mr. Rodino provides for a current term expiring on March 31, 2027. Mr.
Equels and Mr. Rodino are entitled to 3% for Mr. Equels and 1% for Mr. Rodino of the “Gross Proceeds” (as defined in their
employment agreements) for “significant events” (as described in their employment agreements). In addition, Mr. Equels is
entitled to 3% of the “Gross Proceeds” from any sale of the Company or substantially all of its assets, while Mr. Rodino
is entitled to 1% of the “Gross Proceeds” from any sale of the Company or a substantial portion of its assets not in the
ordinary course of its business.
The
actual dollar amounts to be paid would be determined at the time of the NEO’s separation from us based on their prevailing compensation
and employment agreements along with any determination by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
Post-Employment
Compensation
The
following is a description of post-employment compensation payable to the respective NEO. If an NEO does not have a specific benefit,
they will not be mentioned in the subsection. In such event, the NEO does not have any such benefits upon termination unless otherwise
required by law.
Termination
for Cause
All
of our NEOs can be terminated for cause. For each NEO, “Cause” means willful engaging
by any NEO in illegal conduct, gross misconduct or gross violation of our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to our Company. Mr. Equels’ agreement provides that he shall not be deemed to have been terminated
for Cause unless and until we initiate a process by delivery to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not
less than a majority of the directors of the Board specifying the grounds for termination. After reasonable notice to Mr. Equels and
an opportunity for him to be heard, the issues shall be adjudicated by a retired Florida judge or a Florida certified mediator mutually
acceptable to the Board and Mr. Equels. Termination requires a finding that Mr. Equels was guilty of intentional and material misconduct
according to the standards set forth above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail supported by legally admissible evidence
and utilizing the legal standard of beyond reasonable doubt. In the event that an NEO’s employment is terminated for Cause, we
shall pay such NEO, at the time of such termination, only the compensation and benefits otherwise due and payable to him through the
last day of his actual employment by us.
Termination
without Cause
In
the event that an NEO is terminated at any time without “Cause,” we shall pay to him, at the time of such termination, the
compensation and benefits otherwise due and payable through the last day of the then current term of his employment agreement. However,
benefit distributions that are made due to a “separation from service” occurring while he is a Named Executive Officer shall
not be made during the first six months following separation from service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to
him during such period shall be accumulated and paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the “separation
from service.” All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.
Death
or Disability
An
NEO can be terminated for death or disability. “Disability” means the NEO’s inability effectively to carry out substantially
all of his duties by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which
has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. In the event his employment is terminated due
to his death or disability, we will pay him (or their estate as the case may be), at the time of such termination, his base salary, applicable
benefits, and immediate vesting of unvested stock options. In the event of permanent disability, we will provide an additional two years
of base salary.
Compensation
of Directors
Our
Compensation, Audit and Corporate Governance and Nomination Committees, consist of Dr. William M. Mitchell, Compensation Chair and Corporate
Governance and Nomination Committee Chair, Stewart L. Appelrouth, Audit Committee Chair, and Nancy K. Bryan, all of whom are independent
Board members.
We
reimburse directors for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending Board, committee, stockholder and special meetings along
with other Company business-related expenses. We do not provide retirement benefits or other perquisites to non-employee directors under
any current program.
There
was no cost-of-living increase granted in 2022 or 2023.
All
directors have been granted options to purchase common stock under our Stock Option Plans and/or Warrants to purchase common stock. We
believe such compensation and payments are necessary in order for us to attract and retain qualified outside directors. Options shares
for stock compensation were issued under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plans.
Director
Compensation – 2023
Name
and Title of Director | |
Year | | |
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash $ | | |
Stock
Award $ | | |
Option
Award $ | | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation $ | | |
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings $ | | |
All
Other Compensation As Director $ | | |
Total
$ | |
W. Mitchell | |
| 2023 | | |
| 139,365 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 139,365 | |
Chair of the Board | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
S. Appelrouth | |
| 2023 | | |
| 139,365 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 139,365 | |
Director | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
N. Bryan | |
| 2023 | | |
| 93,750 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 93,750 | |
Director | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
In
March 2023, the Board reduced annual cash compensation from $182,462 to $125,000 to allow for additional Board members.
Pay
Versus Performance
Year | |
Summary
Compensation Table Total for PEO (1) | | |
Compensation
Actually Paid to PEO (1) (2) (3) | | |
Average
Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (1) | | |
Average
Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (1) (2) | | |
Value
of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return (4) | | |
Net
Income (Loss)(5) | |
2023 | |
| 1,081,301 | | |
| 1,108,539 | | |
| 294,860 | | |
| 300,160 | | |
$ | 24.58 | | |
$ | (28,962,000 | ) |
2022 | |
| 1,352,028 | | |
| 1,235,379 | | |
| 332,111 | | |
| 288,863 | | |
$ | 17.32 | | |
$ | (19,445,000 | ) |
(1) | The
PEO and the non-PEO NEOs for each year are as follows: |
2023:
Thomas K. Equels, PEO; Robert Dickey and Peter Rodino, NEOs.
2022:
Thomas K. Equels, PEO. Robert Dickey became our PFO on April 4, 2022, and his compensation from that date through year-end has been included
in the “Summary Compensation Table” and “Compensation Actually Paid.” Peter Rodino served as the other NEO for
the entire year.
(2) | The
dollar amounts reported in the “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” column represent
the amount of “compensation actually paid” to the PEO, as computed in accordance
with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned
by or paid to the PEO during the applicable year. In accordance with SEC rules, the following
adjustments were made to total compensation to determine the compensation actually paid to
the PEO: |
Year | |
Summary
Compensation Table Total for PEO | | |
Less:
Summary Compensation Table Reported Value of Equity Awards(a) | | |
Plus:
Equity Award Adjustments(b) | | |
Equals:
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | |
2023 | |
$ | 1,081,301 | | |
$ | (128,112 | ) | |
$ | 155,350 | | |
$ | 1,108,539 | |
2022 | |
$ | 1,352,028 | | |
$ | (111,556 | ) | |
$ | (5,093 | ) | |
$ | 1,235,379 | |
| (a) | Represents
the aggregate grant-date fair value of equity awards as reported in the “Option Awards”
columns in the “Summary Compensation Table” for the applicable year. |
| (b) | The
equity award adjustments for each applicable year were as set forth in the table below. The
valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those
disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award
adjustments are as follows: |
Year | |
Year
End Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in the Covered Year | | |
Year
over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years | | |
Vesting
Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Covered Year that Vested in the Covered Year | | |
Change
in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Covered Year (From Prior Year End to Vesting Date) | | |
Fair
Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Vest in the Covered Year | | |
Value
of Dividend Equivalents Accrued or other Earnings Paid on Stock Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value | | |
Total
Equity Award Adjustments | |
2023 | |
$ | 108,552 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 9,868 | | |
$ | 40,780 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 159,200 | |
2022 | |
$ | 79,433 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 7,221 | | |
$ | (91,747 | ) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (5,093 | ) |
The
dollar amounts reported in the “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” column represent the average amount of
“compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding the PEO), as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar
amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs (excluding the PEO) during the applicable year.
In accordance with the SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding
the PEO) or each year to determine the compensation actually paid:
Year | |
Average
Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs | | |
Less:
Summary Compensation Table Average Reported Value of Equity Awards | | |
Plus:
Average Equity Award Adjustments(x) | | |
Equals:
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | |
2023 | |
$ | 294,860 | | |
$ | (21,352 | ) | |
$ | 26,652 | | |
$ | 300,160 | |
2022 | |
$ | 332,111 | | |
$ | (33,802 | ) | |
$ | (9,447 | ) | |
$ | 288,863 | |
| (x) | The
amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as
follows (figures in columns other than “Total Average Equity Award Adjustments”
are rounded to the nearest dollar): |
Year | |
Average
Year End Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in the Covered Year | | |
Year
over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years | | |
Vesting
Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the Covered Year that Vested in the Covered Year | | |
Change
in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Covered Year (From Prior Year End to Vesting Date) | | |
Fair
Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Vest in the Covered Year | | |
Average
Value of Dividend Equivalents Accrued or other Earnings Paid on Stock Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value | | |
Total
Average Equity Award Adjustments | |
2023 | |
$ | 18,093 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 1,645 | | |
$ | 6,915 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 26,652 | |
2022 | |
$ | 10,431 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 8,826 | | |
$ | (28,703 | ) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (9,447 | ) |
(3) | In
calculating the “compensation actually paid” amounts reflected in these columns,
the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of the equity award adjustments included
in such calculations was computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The valuation assumptions
used to calculate such fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the
time of grant. |
(4) | The
values disclosed in this TSR column represent the re-measurement period value at December
31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 with an investment of $100 in the Company’s shares as of December
31, 2020. |
| |
(5) | Represents the amount of net income (loss) reflected in the Company’s
audited GAAP financial statements for each applicable fiscal year. The Company’s net
comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was approximately
$28,231,000, $19,445,000, $19,080,000, respectively. |
One
objective of the “Pay Versus Performance Table” is to illustrate how performance-based features in our executive compensation
program operate to index pay to performance. As further explained below, we believe that the table reflects an alignment of compensation
actually paid with the decline in the Company’s performance.
Compensation
Actually Paid versus Company Total Shareholder Return
As
outlined in the table, decreases in the compensation values for our PEO and non-PEO NEOs over the three-year period 2021 through 2023
align with the changes in the Company’s total shareholder return over this same period. This is due primarily to an emphasis in
the design of the Company’s compensation programs on structuring of short-term and long-term compensation for the NEOs. The NEOs
are awarded a year-end target bonus based on performance and goals. Long-term compensation is provided by non-qualified yearly stock
options within yearly vesting. The ultimate value of these equity awards, and the resulting impact on compensation actually paid, aligns
with the Company’s total shareholder return performance. As the overall total shareholder return performance has declined, there
has been a corresponding decline in the compensation actually paid.
Compensation
Actually Paid versus Company Net Income
As
outlined in the table, decreases in the compensation values for our PEO and non-PEO NEOs over the three-year period 2021 through 2023
align with net losses over this same period. However, over the periods covered in this analysis, the Company has been primarily focused
on the clinical and regulatory development of Ampligen and, accordingly, we have not historically used net income (loss) as a performance
measurement in our executive compensation. As a pre-commercial stage company, the Company’s performance is attributable to the
successful execution of our regulatory, clinical, research and commercial goals. Therefore, while the Board monitors the Company’s
net income (loss), we do not currently believe there is a meaningful relationship between our net loss and compensation actually paid
to our NEOs during the periods presented.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Review,
Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Our
policy is to require that any transaction with a related party required to be reported under applicable SEC rules, other than compensation
related matters and waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics, be reviewed and approved or ratified by a majority of independent,
disinterested directors. We have adopted procedures in which the Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party
transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an annual and case-by-case basis with the approval of the Audit Committee
required for all such transactions.
We
have employment agreements with certain of our executive officers and have granted such officers and directors options and warrants to
purchase our common stock.
PRINCIPAL
STOCKHOLDERS
The
following table sets forth as of the Record Date, [●], 2024, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially
owned by:
| ● | Each
person, individually or as a group, known to us to be deemed the beneficial owners of five
percent or more of our issued and outstanding common stock; |
| ● | Each
of our directors and NEOs; and |
| ● | All
of our officers and directors as a group. |
| ● | The
total number of shares of common stock as of the Record Date, [●], 2024, was [●]. |
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner | |
Shares
Beneficially Owned | | |
%
Of Shares Beneficially Owned | |
The Kellner Group (collectively,
Messrs. Todd Deutsch, Ted. D. Kellner and Paul W. Sweeney) | |
| 3,211,100 | (1) | |
| [●] | % |
Thomas K. Equels, Executive Vice Chair, Chief
Executive Officer, President | |
| [●] | (2) | |
| [●]% | |
Peter W. Rodino III, Chief Operating Officer,
General Counsel, Secretary | |
| [●] | (3) | |
| * | |
William M. Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. Chair of the
Board of Directors | |
| [●] | (4) | |
| * | |
Stewart L. Appelrouth, Director | |
| [●] | (5) | |
| * | |
Nancy K. Bryan, Director | |
| [●] | | |
| * | |
Robert Dickey IV, Chief Financial Officer | |
| [●] | (6) | |
| * | |
All directors and executive officers as a group
(6 persons) | |
| [●] | | |
| [●]% | |
*
Less than 1%
(1) | Represents
shares of common stock beneficially owned as of September 11, 2024, based on a Schedule 13D/A
filed on September 11, 2024, by Messrs. Deutsch, Kellner and Sweeney. Messrs. Deutsch, Kellner
and Sweeney list their address as c/o Baker & Hostetler LLP, 127 Public Square, Suite
2000, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attn: John J. Harrington. Represents 1,716,100 shares beneficially
owned by Mr. Deutsch, 1,493,000 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kellner and 2,000 shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Sweeney. |
(2) | For
Mr. Equels, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise
of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested
or not exercisable within the next 60 days. |
(3) | For
Mr. Rodino, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise
of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested
or not exercisable within the next 60 days. |
(4) | For
Dr. Mitchell, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise
of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested
or not exercisable within the next 60 days. Also includes [●] shares of common
stock owned by his spouse and [●] shares owned by family trusts. |
(5) | For
Mr. Appelrouth, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise
of options and excludes [●] shares issuable upon exercise of options not vested
or not exercisable within the next 60 days. |
(6) | For
Mr. Dickey IV, shares beneficially owned include [●] shares issuable upon exercise
of options. |
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table gives information about our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all
of our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023.
Plan
Category | |
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | |
Weighted
average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | |
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |
| |
(a) | | |
(b) | | |
(c) | |
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders: | |
| 3,293,493 | | |
$ | 4.03 | | |
| 1,210,286 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders: | |
| 152,160 | | |
$ | 8.03 | | |
| — | |
Total | |
| 3,445,653 | | |
$ | 4.21 | | |
| 1,210,286 | |
IT
IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY.
WE
URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD IN THE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, NO MATTER
HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.
WE
RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF OUR BOARD’S CANDIDATES (STEWART L. APPELROUTH, NANCY K. BRYAN, THOMAS
K. EQUELS AND WILLIAM M. MITCHELL) ON PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2 AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 3 USING THE
WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
Peter W. Rodino, III, Secretary |
Ocala,
Fla.
[●],
2024
Appendix
A
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Under
applicable SEC rules and regulations, all members of the Board, including the Company’s director candidates, Robert Dickey, IV,
Chief Financial Officer, and Peter W. Rodino, III, Esq., Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel & Secretary, are “participants”
with respect to our solicitation of proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting. The following sets forth certain information about
such persons (the “Participants”).
Directors
and the Company’s Director Candidates
The
names and present principal occupation of our directors and director candidates are set forth below. The business address for our current
directors and director candidates is c/o AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473.
Name |
|
Present
Principal Occupation |
Stewart
L. Appelrouth |
|
Principal,
Citrin Cooperman Advisors, LLC |
Nancy
K. Bryan |
|
(Former)
President and Chief Executive Officer, BioFlorida Inc. |
Thomas
K. Equels, Esq. |
|
Executive
Vice Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President, AIM ImmunoTech Inc. |
William
M. Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
Professor,
Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine |
Officers
and Employees
Executive
officers and employees of the Company who are Participants are Robert Dickey, IV, Thomas K. Equels, Esq. and Peter W. Rodino, III, Esq.
The business address for each is c/o AIM ImmunoTech Inc., 2117 SW Highway 484, Ocala, Florida 34473. Messrs. Rodino and Dickey’s
present principal occupations are stated below, and Mr. Equals’, is stated above.
Name |
|
Present
Principal Occupation |
Robert
Dickey, IV |
|
Chief
Financial Officer, AIM ImmunoTech Inc. |
Peter
W. Rodino, III, Esq. |
|
Chief
Operating Officer, General Counsel & Secretary, AIM ImmunoTech Inc. |
Information
Regarding Ownership of the Company’s Securities by Participants
The
number of the Company’s securities beneficially owned by the Participants as of [●], 2024 is set forth in the section titled
“Principal Stockholders” in this Proxy Statement.
Information
Regarding Transactions in the Company’s Securities by Participants
The
following table sets forth information regarding purchases and sales of the Company’s securities during the past two years by the
Participants within the past two years. No part of the purchase price or market value of these securities is represented by funds borrowed
or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities.
Name | |
Date | | |
Title
of Security | |
Number
of Shares | | |
Transaction
Type |
Stewart L. Appelrouth | |
| 03/15/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 90,910 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 03/10/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 68,208 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 143 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 150 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 163 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 196 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 196 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 250 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 287 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 295 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 338 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 2,568 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 1,136 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 1,136 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 1,728 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 1,115 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 1,963 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 11 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 2,356 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 568 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 25,000 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 25,000 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 03/08/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 25,000 | | |
Other Acquisition or Disposition |
| |
| 01/03/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 80,646 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 11/30/2022 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 50,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
|
Nancy K. Bryan | |
| 03/21/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 38,462 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
|
Thomas K. Equels, Esq. | |
| 09/16/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 5,000 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 09/13/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 20,000 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 09/11/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 312,500 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| 08/12/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 377,358 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| 05/06/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 61,729 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 03/15/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 75,758 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 11/30/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 300,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| 11/27/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 33,861 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 09/29/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 22,676 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 08/25/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 8,222 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 08/24/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 14,993 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 07/17/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 16,950 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 01/03/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 161,291 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 11/30/2022 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 300,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
|
William M. Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. | |
| 11/30/2022 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 50,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
|
Peter W. Rodino, III, Esq. | |
| 08/12/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 188,679 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| 05/06/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 30,865 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 03/15/2024 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 37,879 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 11/30/2023 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 100,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
| |
| 01/03/2023 | | |
Common Stock | |
| 80,646 | | |
Open Market Purchase |
| |
| 11/30/2022 | | |
Stock Option | |
| 100,000 | | |
Grant, Award or Other Acquisition |
Miscellaneous
Information Regarding Participants
Other
than as set forth in this Appendix A or elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and based on the information provided by each Participant,
none of the Participants or their associates (i) beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, or owns of record but not beneficially, any shares of common stock or other securities of the Company, (ii) beneficially
owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, securities of any parent or subsidiary of the
Company, or (iii) has any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by the Company or its affiliates
or with respect to any future transactions to which the Company or any of its affiliates will or may be a party.
Other
than as set forth in this Appendix A or elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and based on the information provided by each Participant,
none of the Participants (i) is now, or has been within the past year, a party to any contracts, arrangements or understandings with
any person with respect to any of the Company’s securities, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements,
puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits or the giving or withholding of proxies,
(ii) has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) during the past ten years, (iii)
is a party to an arrangement or understanding pursuant to which a nominee for election as director is proposed to be elected or (iv)
has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Other
than as set forth in this Appendix A or elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and based on the information provided by each Participant,
neither the Participants nor any of their associates or immediate family members have a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction
or series of similar transactions since the beginning of our last fiscal year or any currently proposed transactions, or series of similar
transactions, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000.
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