UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check
the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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☒ |
Definitive
Proxy Statement |
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Definitive
Additional Materials |
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
PULMATRIX,
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 the appropriate box):
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fee required. |
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials: |
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date
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previously paid:
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Filing
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Date
Filed:
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99
Hayden Avenue
Suite
390
Lexington,
Massachusetts 02421
(781)
357-2333
April
29, 2022
Dear
Stockholder:
You
are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Pulmatrix, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“the Company”). The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. In light of
the COVID-19 pandemic, for the safety of all, including our stockholders, we have determined that the Annual Meeting will be held in
a virtual meeting format only, via the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting.
To
participate in the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, please visit www.proxydocs.com/PULM. In order to attend, you must
register in advance at www.proxydocs.com/PULM prior to the deadline of June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Upon completing
your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique links that will allow you access to the meeting
and to submit questions prior to the deadline of June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. You will not be able to attend the Annual
Meeting in person.
We
are distributing our proxy materials to certain stockholders via the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) “Notice and Access” rules. We believe this approach allows us to provide stockholders with a timely and
convenient way to receive proxy materials and vote, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our
Annual Meeting. We are mailing to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet
Availability”) beginning on or about April 29, 2022. This is rather than mailing to all stockholders a paper copy
of the Proxy Statement, the proxy card and our 2021 Annual Report, which includes our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how to access all the proxy materials, vote
and obtain, if desired, a paper copy of the proxy materials.
Your
vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares of our voting securities that you own. Whether or not you expect to attend
the virtual Annual Meeting, after receiving the Notice of Internet Availability please vote as promptly as possible to ensure your representation
and the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who held shares at the close of business on the record date,
Monday, April 18, 2022 may vote at the Annual Meeting. As an alternative to voting online during the Annual Meeting, you may vote in
advance of the Annual Meeting, via the Internet, by telephone, or by signing, dating and returning the proxy card that is mailed to those
that request paper copies of the Proxy Statement and the other proxy materials. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust,
bank or other nominee, and you receive these materials through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return
the materials in accordance with the instructions provided to you by such broker or other intermediary or contact your broker directly
in order to obtain a proxy issued to you by your nominee holder to attend the meeting and vote in person. Failure to do so may result
in your shares not being eligible to be voted by proxy at the Annual Meeting. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I urge you to submit
your vote as soon as possible, even if you currently plan to attend the meeting virtually.
Thank
you for your support of our company. I look forward to your virtual participation at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Teofilo Raad |
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Teofilo Raad |
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Chief Executive Officer
and President |
PULMATRIX,
INC.
99
Hayden Avenue
Suite
390
Lexington,
Massachusetts 02421
(781)
357-2333
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held June 15, 2022
The
Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time, to be conducted in a virtual format only via live
audio webcast at www.proxydocs.com/PULM. There is no physical location for the 2022 Annual Meeting.
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Annual
Meeting Proposals |
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Recommendation
of the Board |
(1) |
Election of two directors
to serve as Class II directors on our Board of Directors to serve until our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until successors
have been duly elected and qualified. |
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FOR
Each
of the nominees |
(2) |
Ratification of the appointment
of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year. |
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FOR |
(3) |
Such other business as may arise and that may properly
be conducted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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Stockholders
are referred to the Proxy Statement for more detailed information with respect to the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.
The
Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 18, 2022, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the Annual
Meeting. Only holders of record of shares of our common stock on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting
and to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) of the Annual Meeting. A complete list of registered stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection at our offices during regular business hours for the ten (10)
calendar days prior to the Annual Meeting and online during the Annual Meeting.
YOUR
VOTE AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPANY’S AFFAIRS ARE IMPORTANT.
If
your shares are registered in your name, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the
Annual Meeting virtually, we request that you complete, date, sign and mail the form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set
out in the form of proxy and in the Proxy Statement to ensure that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting or to vote
online in advance of the Annual Meeting.
If
your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, and you receive these materials through your broker or
through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials, or vote online, in accordance with the instructions provided
to you by such broker or other intermediary or contact your broker directly in order to obtain a proxy issued to you by your nominee
holder to attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote during the meeting. Failure to do so may result in your shares not being eligible
to be voted by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of
the Board of Directors, |
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/s/
Teofilo Raad |
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Teofilo Raad |
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Chief Executive Officer
and President |
April
29, 2022
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PULMATRIX,
INC.
99
Hayden Avenue Suite 390
Lexington,
Massachusetts 02421
(781)
357-2333
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held June 15, 2022
Unless
the context otherwise requires, references in this Proxy Statement to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the
Company,” or “Pulmatrix” refer to Pulmatrix, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as a whole.
In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “stockholders” are to the holders of our common stock,
par value $0.0001 per share.
The
accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) on behalf of Pulmatrix, Inc. to be voted at the 2022
annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on June 15, 2022, at the time and place and
for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Notice”) and at any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) of the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy are dated April 29, 2022 and are expected
to be first sent or given to stockholders on or about April 29, 2022.
The
executive offices of the Company are located at, and the mailing address of the Company is 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts
02421.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR
THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 2022:
As
permitted by the “Notice and Access” rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are
making this Proxy Statement, a form of the proxy card, and our Annual Report available to stockholders electronically via the Internet
at the following website: www.proxydocs.com/PULM.
On
or about April 29, 2022, we commenced mailing to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice
of Internet Availability”) that contains instructions on how stockholders may access and review all of the proxy materials and
how to vote. Also, on or about April 29, 2022, we began mailing printed copies of the proxy materials to stockholders that previously
requested printed copies. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy
materials in the mail unless you request a copy. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by mail and would like to receive
a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice of Internet
Availability.
ABOUT
THE ANNUAL MEETING
What
is a proxy?
A
proxy is another person that you legally designate to vote your stock. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document,
that document is also called a “proxy” or a “proxy card.” If you are a “street name” holder, you
must obtain a proxy from your broker or nominee in order to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting.
What
is a proxy statement?
A
proxy statement is a document that regulations of the SEC require that we give to you when we ask you to sign a proxy card to vote your
stock at the Annual Meeting.
Why
did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of paper copies of the proxy materials?
We
are using the SEC’s Notice and Access model (“Notice and Access”), which allows us to deliver proxy materials over
the Internet, as the primary means of furnishing proxy materials. We believe Notice and Access provides stockholders with a convenient
method to access the proxy materials and vote, while allowing us to conserve natural resources and reduce the costs of printing and distributing
the proxy materials. On or about April 29, 2022, we began mailing to stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability containing instructions
on how to access our proxy materials on the Internet and how to vote online. The Notice of Internet Availability is not a proxy card
and cannot be used to vote your shares, however the information contained in the document can help you effect your vote. If
you received a Notice of Internet Availability this year, you will not receive paper copies of the proxy materials unless you request
the materials by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability.
What
is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At
our Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the Notice, which include the following:
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(1) |
Election of two directors
to serve as Class II directors on our Board of Directors to serve until our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until successors
have been duly elected and qualified (“Proposal 1”). |
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(2) |
Ratification of the appointment
of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2022 fiscal year (“Proposal 2”). |
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(3) |
Such other business as
may arise and that may properly be conducted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
What
should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You
may receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability (or, if you requested a printed copy of the proxy materials, this Proxy Statement
and the proxy card) or voting instruction card. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive
a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. Similarly, if you are a stockholder of record
and hold shares in a brokerage account, you will receive a Notice of Internet Availability (or, if you requested a printed copy of the
proxy materials, a proxy card) for shares held in your name and a voting instruction card for shares held in “street name.”
Please follow the separate voting instructions that you received for your shares of common stock held in each of your different accounts
to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
What
is the record date and what does it mean?
The
record date to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is the close of business on April 18,
2022 (the “Record Date”). The Record Date is established by the Board as required by Delaware law. On the Record Date, 3,387,172
shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.
Who
is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Holders
of common stock at the close of business on the Record Date may vote at the Annual Meeting.
What
are the voting rights of the stockholders?
Each
holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share of common stock on each matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Our Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation prohibits cumulative voting rights.
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business. If a quorum is not present or
represented at the Annual Meeting, the Chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to another place, if any, date
or time.
What
is the difference between a stockholder of record and a “street name” holder?
If
your shares are registered directly in your name with VStock Transfer, LLC, the Company’s stock transfer agent, you are considered
the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. The Notice of Internet Availability has been sent directly to you by the Company.
If
your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, the nominee is considered the record holder of those
shares. You are considered the beneficial owner of these shares, and your shares are held in “street name.” The Notice of
Internet Availability has been forwarded to you by your nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee concerning
how to vote your shares by using the voting instructions the nominee included in the mailing or by following such nominee’s instructions
for voting.
What
is a broker non-vote?
Broker
non-votes occur when shares are held indirectly through a broker, bank or other intermediary on behalf of a beneficial owner (referred
to as held in “street name”) and the broker submits a proxy but does not vote for a matter because the broker has not received
voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (i) the broker does not have discretionary voting authority on the matter or (ii) the
broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it has discretionary voting authority. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange
(the “NYSE”) that govern how brokers may vote shares for which they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial
owner, brokers are permitted to exercise discretionary voting authority only on “routine” matters when voting instructions
have not been timely received from a beneficial owner. Proposal 2 is considered a “routine matter.” Therefore, if you do
not provide voting instructions to your broker regarding such proposal, your broker will be permitted to exercise discretionary voting
authority to vote your shares on such proposal. In the absence of specific instructions from you, your broker does not have discretionary
authority to vote your shares with respect to Proposal 1.
How
do I vote my shares?
If
you are a record holder, you may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. To vote in person by virtually attending
the Annual Meeting, or to vote by proxy, you may choose one of the following methods to vote your shares:
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During the meeting: you
may vote in person by virtually attending the Annual Meeting through www.proxydocs.com/PULM. To attend the Annual Meeting
virtually, you must register in advance at www.proxydocs.com/PULM prior to the deadline of June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Please have your Stockholder Control Number, which can be found on the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card that is sent
to you, when you vote online during the Annual Meeting. |
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Via Internet: as
prompted by the menu found at www.proxypush.com/PULM, follow the instructions to obtain your records and submit an electronic ballot.
Please have your Stockholder Control Number, which can be found on the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card that is sent
to you, when you access this voting site. |
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Via telephone: call
1-866-243-5096 and then follow the voice instructions. Please have your Stockholder Control Number, which can be found on the Notice
of Internet Availability or proxy card that is sent to you, when you call. |
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Via mail: if you
requested printed proxy materials as provided in the Notice of Internet Availability and would like to vote by mail, complete and
sign the accompanying proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you submit a signed proxy without indicating
your vote, the person voting the proxy will vote your shares according to the Board’s recommendation. |
The
proxy is fairly simple to complete, with specific instructions on the electronic ballot, telephone or card. By completing and submitting
it, you will direct the designated persons (known as “proxies”) to vote your stock at the Annual Meeting in accordance with
your instructions. The Board has appointed Teofilo Raad to serve as the proxy for the Annual Meeting.
Your
proxy will be valid only if you complete and return it before the Annual Meeting. If you properly complete and transmit your proxy but
do not provide voting instructions with respect to a proposal, then the designated proxy will vote your shares “FOR”
the election of Teofilo Raad and Richard Batycky, Ph.D. as Class II directors and “FOR” Proposal 2 as to which you
provide no voting instructions in accordance with the Board’s recommendation. We do not anticipate that any other matters will
come before the Annual Meeting, but if any other matters properly come before the meeting, then the designated proxy will vote
your shares in accordance with applicable law and their judgment.
If
you hold your shares in “street name,” your bank, broker or other nominee should provide to you a request for voting instructions
along with the Company’s proxy solicitation materials. By completing the voting instruction card, you may direct your nominee how
to vote your shares. If you partially complete the voting instruction but fail to complete one or more of the voting instructions, then
your nominee may be unable to vote your shares with respect to the proposal as to which you provided no voting instructions. See “What
is a broker non-vote?” Alternatively, if you want to vote your shares in person virtually at the Annual Meeting, you must register
in advance at www.proxydocs.com/PULM prior to the deadline of June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Please have your Stockholder
Control Number, which can be found on the voter instruction form, when you access the website. You will be required to obtain a legal
proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and submit a copy in advance of the Annual Meeting. Further instructions will be provided
to you as part of the registration process. Note that a broker letter that identifies you as a stockholder is not the same as a nominee-issued
proxy. If you fail to register prior to the deadline of June 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and obtain a legal proxy from your
bank, broker or other nominee, you will not be able to vote your nominee-held shares during the Annual Meeting.
Who
counts the votes?
All
votes will be tabulated by Mediant Communications, Inc., the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting. Each proposal will
be tabulated separately.
Can
I vote my shares in person virtually at the Annual Meeting?
Yes.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote your shares virtually during the meeting by following the instructions under “How
do I vote my shares?”.
If
you hold your shares in “street name,” you may vote your shares in person virtually during the meeting by following the instructions
under “How do I vote my shares?”
Even
if you currently plan to attend virtually the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also return your proxy or voting instructions as
described above so that your votes will be counted if you later decide not to attend virtually the Annual Meeting or are unable to attend.
What
are my choices when voting?
When
you cast your vote on:
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Proposal 1: |
You may vote for all director
nominees or may withhold your vote as to one or more director nominees. |
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Proposal 2: |
You may vote for the proposal,
against the proposal or abstain from voting on the proposal. |
What
are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my shares?
The
Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
“FOR”
the election of Teofilo Raad and Richard Batycky, Ph.D. as Class II directors.
“FOR”
Proposal 2
What
if I do not specify how I want my shares voted?
If
you are a record holder who returns a completed proxy that does not specify how you want to vote your shares on one or more proposals,
the proxies will vote your shares for each proposal as to which you provide no voting instructions, and such shares will be voted in
the following manner:
“FOR”
the election of Teofilo Raad and Richard Batycky, Ph.D. as Class II directors.
“FOR”
Proposal 2.
If
you are a “street name” holder and do not provide voting instructions on one or more proposals, your bank, broker or other
nominee will be unable to vote those shares with respect to Proposal 1 but will be able to vote those shares with respect to Proposal
2. See “What is a broker non-vote?”
Can
I change my vote?
Yes.
If you are a record holder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by any of the following means:
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Virtually attending the
Annual Meeting and voting again online during the Annual Meeting. Your virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself
revoke a proxy. You must vote your shares online during the Annual Meeting to revoke your proxy. |
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Completing and submitting
a new valid proxy bearing a later date. |
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Voting again on a later
date via the Internet or by telephone (only your latest Internet or telephone proxy that is submitted prior to the Annual Meeting
will be counted). |
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Giving
written notice of revocation to the Company addressed to Jingling Wang, Director of Accounting, at the Company’s
address above, which notice must be received before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 14, 2022. |
If
you are a “street name” holder, your bank, broker or other nominee should provide instructions explaining how you may change
or revoke your voting instructions.
What
votes are required to approve each proposal?
Assuming
the presence of a quorum, with respect to Proposal 1, the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting is required for the election of the director nominees, i.e., the two director nominees who receive the most votes will
be elected. Assuming the presence of a quorum, approval of Proposal 2 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
for or against the proposal.
How
are abstentions and broker non-votes treated?
Any
stockholder who is present at the Annual Meeting, either in person, which would include virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting, or
by proxy, who abstains from voting, will still be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for the meeting. If you
hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, your shares will
be included in the determination of the number of shares present at the Annual Meeting for determining a quorum at the meeting but may
constitute broker non-votes, resulting in no votes being cast on your behalf with respect to certain proposals. See “What is a
broker non-vote?”
An
abstention or failure to instruct your broker how to vote with respect to Proposal 1 will not be counted as an affirmative or negative
vote in the election of directors and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to Proposal 1. An abstention or broker
non-vote with respect to Proposal 2 will likewise not be counted as an affirmative or negative vote against the proposal and will have
no effect on the outcome of the vote on such proposals. Brokers who have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner do
not have discretionary authority to vote on the election of directors in Proposal 1. Therefore, broker non-votes will not be considered
in the vote totals with respect to Proposal 1 and will have no effect on the vote regarding the election of directors. However, if you
do not give your broker specific instructions on how to vote your shares with respect to Proposal 2, your broker may vote your shares
at its discretion.
Do
I have any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to any of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
No.
None of our stockholders has any dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
What
are the solicitation expenses and who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?
Our
Board is asking for your proxy and we will pay all of the costs of asking for stockholder proxies. We will reimburse brokerage houses
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding solicitation material to the
beneficial owners of common stock and collecting voting instructions. We may use officers and employees of the Company to ask for proxies,
as described below.
Is
this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?
No.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the Notice of Internet Access, we have engaged Kingsdale Advisors (“Kingsdale”),
the proxy solicitation firm hired by the Company, at an approximate cost of $20,000, to solicit proxies on behalf of our Board.
Kingsdale may solicit the return of proxies, either by mail, telephone, telecopy, e-mail or through personal contact. The fees of Kingsdale
as well as the reimbursement of expenses of Kingsdale will be borne by us. Our officers, directors, and employees may also solicit the
return of proxies, either by mail, telephone, telecopy, e-mail or through personal contact. These officers, directors, and employees
will not receive additional compensation for their efforts but will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, in connection with shares of the common stock registered in their names, will be requested to forward
solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares of common stock.
Are
there any other matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting?
Management
does not intend to present any business at the Annual Meeting for a vote other than the matters set forth in the Notice and has no information
that others will do so. If other matters requiring a vote of the stockholders properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention
of the persons named in the form of proxy to vote the shares represented by the proxies held by them in accordance with applicable law
and their judgment on such matters.
Where
can I find voting results?
We
expect to publish the voting results in a current report on Form 8-K, which we expect to file with the SEC within four business days
after the Annual Meeting.
Who
can help answer my questions?
The
information provided above in this “Question and Answer” format is for your convenience only and is merely a summary of
the information contained in this Proxy Statement. We urge you to carefully read this entire Proxy Statement, including the
documents we refer to in this Proxy Statement. If you have any questions, or need additional materials, please feel free to contact
our Proxy Solicitation Agent, Kingsdale Advisors by calling toll-free at (877) 659-1820, or via e-mail at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
PROPOSAL
1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our
Board is currently composed of six individuals divided into three classes equal in number, with the term of office of one class expiring
each year.
On
April 2, 2021, Amit D. Munshi, a Class I director, resigned from the Board. Following Mr. Munshi’s resignation, the Board reduced
the number of directors from seven to six with two directors in each of Class I, Class II and Class III.
On
July 23, 2021, Mark Iwicki, a Class III director, resigned from the Board. Also on July 23, 2021, the Board appointed Anand Varadan
to the Board, effective as of July 26, 2021, to serve as a Class III director for a term expiring at our
2023 annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or his earlier death, resignation, or removal.
Accordingly,
this year, the Board has nominated two nominees for re-election as Class II directors: Teofilo Raad and Richard Batycky, Ph. D., whose
terms will expire at the Annual Meeting.
The
class and current term of each director is as follows.
Class
and Term Expiration |
|
Directors |
|
Age |
Class II |
|
Teofilo Raad |
|
52 |
(2022) |
|
Richard Batycky, Ph.D. |
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
Class III |
|
Michael J. Higgins |
|
59 |
(2023) |
|
Anand Varadan |
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
Class
I |
|
Todd
Bazemore |
|
51 |
(2024) |
|
Christopher
Cabell, M.D. |
|
53 |
At
the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will consider and vote upon the re-election of Teofilo Raad and Richard Batycky, Ph. D., (collectively,
the “Company Nominees”) to serve as Class II directors. If re-elected, these Company Nominees will serve for a three-year
term that will expire at our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. Our Board believes that all of our current directors, including the
two nominees for election, possess personal and professional integrity, good judgment, a high level of ability and business acumen.
If
a quorum is present, the Company Nominees will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes have no effect on the vote. The two Company Nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected directors
of the Company. Shares of common stock represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the
election of the two nominees named below. Should any Company Nominee become unable or unwilling to accept nomination or election, the
proxy holders may vote the proxies for the election, in his or her stead, of any other person the Board may nominate or designate. Each
Company Nominee has agreed to serve, if elected, and the Board has no reason to believe that any Company Nominee will be unable to serve.
The
biographies of the Company Nominees for Class II (for terms expiring in 2025) are as follows:
Teofilo
Raad. Mr. Raad was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2019. Prior to his appointment, he served as Pulmatrix’s Chief
Business Officer and led commercial and business development efforts. He has more than 20 years of commercial healthcare and life science
leadership experience and most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Option Care from 2013-2016, where he helped separate the
specialty home infusion business unit from Walgreens to create the nation’s largest independent home infusion provider. Prior to
that, he was Vice President and business unit head at Sunovion with overall responsibility for CNS and respiratory products, including
assets in asthma and COPD from 2010 to 2012. During his time at Sunovion, Mr. Raad led multiple products through clinical development
to commercialization and implemented new strategic alliances in the US and Japan. Earlier in his career, he also gained direct launch
experience with Sporanox®, Janssen’s oral itraconazole product to treat fungal infections, and brings that experience
to the Company’s lead program Pulmazole. Mr. Raad holds a BS in Business Administration from University of Colorado at Boulder
and an MBA from Thunderbird Global School of Global Management. We believe that Mr. Raad has extensive business experience running the
operations of biopharmaceutical companies and qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board.
Richard
Batycky, Ph.D. Dr. Batycky was appointed to serve as a director of our Company in November 2019. He is currently the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Nocion Therapeutics, Inc. having served in such position since 2018. Dr. Batycky has over two decades of experience
with biotech start-ups from founding to acquisition across an array of platforms and disease states with significant expertise in inhaled
drug development. From 2009 to 2014, he was the Chief Scientific Officer and a founder of Civitas Therapeutics, which was acquired by
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., or Acorda. At Acorda, he served as Chief Technology Officer from 2014 to 2018 where he led its novel dry powder
inhalation therapy to treat motor issues in Parkinson’s patients through to FDA approval as Inbrija™. Prior to
Civitas Therapeutics, he was Chief Scientific Officer and Senior VP of R&D at Pulmatrix from 2007 to 2009 and held prior positions
at Alkermes and Advanced Inhalation Research from 1998 to 2007. Dr. Batycky received his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University
of Calgary and his S.M. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). We believe that Dr. Batycky’s
significant experience in inhaled drug development in biotechnology companies qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board.
The
biographies of the directors for the Class III directors (for terms expiring in 2023) are as follows:
Michael
J. Higgins. Mr. Higgins was appointed Chairman of the Board in April 2020. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since June
2015. He has served as chairman of the board of directors of Voyager Therapeutics., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, since
June 2019, and served as Voyager’s Interim CEO from June 2021 through March 2022. He has served as a board member of Genocea Biosciences
Inc., a publicly traded immuno-oncology company, since February 2015; Nocion Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, since September
2020; Camp4 Therapeutics Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, since October 2017 and KinDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology
company, since March 2016. Mr. Higgins is a serial entrepreneur who has helped launch/build numerous companies during his career. He
served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Polaris Partners, an investment company, from 2015 to 2020. From 2003 to 2014 he served as Senior
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc, a biopharmaceutical company. Prior to 2003, Mr. Higgins held
a variety of senior business positions at Genzyme Corporation, including Vice President of Corporate Finance and Vice President of Business
Development. Prior to joining Genzyme Corporation, Mr. Higgins led Procept, Inc.’s financial team from founding through its initial
public offering. Mr. Higgins earned a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration
at Dartmouth College. We believe that Mr. Higgins’ financial and business expertise, including his diversified background as an
executive officer in public pharmaceutical companies, qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board.
Anand
Varadan. Mr. Varadan is currently the founder and President of Ignition Insights, LLC, a consulting
firm providing commercial and strategic consultancy services to biopharma companies and investors. Previously, he was Executive Vice
President, Chief Commercial Officer at Chiasma Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, until its acquisition by Amryt PLC
(NASDAQ: AMYT). Mr. Varadan also served as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer of Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc, (NASDAQ:
KPTI) an oncology-focused pharmaceutical company, where he started up commercial operations leading to the successful launch of XPOVIO
for multiple myeloma. Earlier in his career, Mr. Varadan held executive leadership roles at Amgen Inc., a biopharmaceutical company,
in the U.S., E.U., and Canada including Vice President, U.S. Inflammation and Nephrology Business Unit and Vice President and General
Manager, Amgen Canada. Prior to Amgen, Mr. Varadan was a brand manager at Procter and Gamble Company. Mr. Varadan has a B.S. from
George Washington University and an M.B.A. from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. Mr. Varadan’s extensive
executive leadership experience and his in-depth knowledge of the biopharmaceutical industry make him well qualified to serve on the
Board.
The
biographies of the directors for the Class I directors (for terms expiring in 2024) are as follows:
Todd
Bazemore. Mr. Bazemore was appointed to serve as a director of our Company in October 2020. Todd Bazemore has served as the President
and Chief Operating Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since December 2021 and as the Chief Operating Officer from November 2017 through
November 2021. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Santhera Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.,
or Santhera, a pharmaceutical company and subsidiary of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holdings AG, from September 2016 until November 2017.
Prior to joining Santhera, Mr. Bazemore served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Dyax Corp., or Dyax, a biopharmaceutical
company focused on orphan diseases, between April 2014 and January 2016, when Dyax was acquired by Shire plc. Between April 2012 and
September 2013, he served as Vice President, Managed Markets at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Sunovion (a subsidiary of Dainippon
Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd.), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serious medical conditions. Prior to that, Mr. Bazemore held
several roles of increasing responsibility at Sunovion, including Vice President of Sales and Vice President of the Respiratory Business
Unit. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. We believe that Mr. Bazemore has extensive business
experience running the commercial operations of biopharmaceutical companies and qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board.
Christopher
Cabell, M.D. Dr. Cabell was appointed to serve as a director of our Company in June 2020. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer
and Head of Clinical Development, at Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., or Emergent, having joined in February 2021. Prior to joining Emergent,
Dr. Cabell spent three (3) years at Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with increasing responsibilities including Head of Research and Development,
and Chief Medical Officer from October 2017 to November 2020. Previously, Dr. Cabell spent 10 years at Quintiles Inc. and QuintilesIMS
in a variety of management positions including Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Global Head of Medical and Project Management, and
Global Head of Business Development from October 2007 to September 2017. Prior to joining Quintiles, Dr. Cabell was on faculty at Duke
University School of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology. Dr. Cabell is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and has over
100 peer reviewed publications including in the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and Annals of Internal Medicine. Board certified
in both internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Cabell is an honors graduate of Pennsylvania State University and Duke University,
earning both his Medical Degree and a Masters in Health Sciences from the latter. We believe that Dr. Cabell’s significant experience
in clinical drug development in biotechnology companies qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board.
Required
Vote and Board Recommendation
If
a quorum is present, the two Company Nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as directors. If you hold your shares
in your own name and abstain from voting on the election of directors, your abstention will have no effect on the vote. If you hold your
shares through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote for the two Company Nominees, your broker will not have the
authority to vote your shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum but will not have any effect on the outcome of the vote.
The
Board recommends that you vote “FOR” all Company Nominees. |
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Pulmatrix,
with the oversight of the Board and its committees, operates within a comprehensive plan of corporate governance for the purpose of defining
independence, assigning responsibilities, setting high standards of professional and personal conduct and assuring compliance with such
responsibilities and standards. We regularly monitor developments in the area of corporate governance.
Code
of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy
We
have adopted a Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy that applies to all of our associates, as well as each of
our directors and certain persons performing services for us. The Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy addresses,
among other things, competition and fair dealing, conflicts of interest, protection and proper use of Company assets, government relations,
compliance with laws, rules and regulations and the process for reporting violations of the Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and
Whistleblower Policy, employee misconduct, improper conflicts of interest or other violations. Our Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics
and Whistleblower Policy is available on our website at www.pulmatrix.com in the “Corporate Governance” section found under
the “Investors” tab. We intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and
Whistleblower Policy at the same website address provided above.
Board
Composition
Our
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide that our Board will consist
of such number of directors as determined from time to time by resolution adopted by our Board. Effective April 6, 2021, the size of
our Board has been fixed at six directors. Subject to any rights applicable to any then outstanding shares of preferred stock, any vacancies
or newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors
then in office. Our Board is classified into three classes, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. The term
of Class II directors expires at this Annual Meeting, the term of office of Class III directors expires at the Company’s annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023 and the term of Class I directors expires at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders
to be held in 2024. Stockholders vote to elect directors of the class with a term then expiring each year at our annual meeting.
On
April 2, 2021, Amit D. Munshi, a Class I director, resigned from the Board. Following Mr. Munshi’s resignation, the Board reduced
the number of directors from seven to six with two directors in each of Class I, Class II and Class III.
On
July 23, 2021, Mark Iwicki, a Class III director, resigned from the Board. Also on July 23, 2021, the Board appointed Anand Varadan to
the Board, effective as of July 26, 2021, to serve as a Class III director for a term expiring at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders
or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or his earlier death, resignation, or removal.
We
have no formal policy regarding Board diversity. Our Board believes that each director should have a basic understanding of the principal
operational and financial objectives and plans and strategies of the Company, our results of operations and financial condition and relative
standing in relation to our competitors. We take into consideration the overall composition and diversity of the Board and areas of expertise
that director nominees may be able to offer, including business experience, knowledge, abilities and customer relationships. Generally,
we will strive to assemble a Board that brings to us a variety of perspectives and skills derived from business and professional experience
as we may deem are in our and our stockholders’ best interests. In doing so, we will also consider candidates with appropriate
non-business backgrounds.
Director
Independence
We
are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market and therefore rely on the definition of independence set forth in the NASDAQ Listing
Rules (“NASDAQ Rules”). Under the NASDAQ Rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if,
in the opinion of our Board, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment
in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his
background, employment, and affiliations, including family relationships, we have determined that Mr. Bazemore, Dr. Batycky, Dr. Cabell,
Mr. Higgins, and Mr. Varadan have no material relationships with us that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment and
are “independent directors” as that term is defined in the NASDAQ Listing Rules.
Board
Committees, Meetings and Attendance
During
2021, the Board held four meetings. We expect our directors to attend Board meetings, meetings of any committees and subcommittees on
which they serve, and each annual meeting of stockholders, either in person or by teleconference. During 2021, each director attended
at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the total number of meetings held by the Board and Board committees of which such director was
a member. Three of the six directors attended our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders.
The
Board delegates various responsibilities and authority to different Board committees. Committees regularly report on their activities
and actions to the full Board. Currently, the Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. Committee assignments are re-evaluated annually. Each of these committees operates under a charter that
has been approved by our Board. The current charter of each of these committees is available on our website at www.pulmatrix.com
in the “Corporate Governance” section under “Investors.” As of April 29, 2022, the following table sets forth
the membership of each of the Board committees listed above.
Name |
|
Audit
Committee |
|
Compensation
Committee |
|
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee |
Teofilo Raad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Batycky, Ph.D. |
|
Member |
|
Chairman |
|
|
Todd Bazemore |
|
Member |
|
|
|
Chairman |
Christopher Cabell, M.D. |
|
|
|
Member |
|
Member |
Michael J. Higgins* |
|
Chairman |
|
|
|
Member |
Anand Varadan |
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
* |
Chairman of the Board of
Directors |
Audit
Committee
Our
Audit Committee is responsible for, among other matters:
|
● |
approving and retaining
the independent auditors to conduct the annual audit of our financial statements; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing the proposed
scope and results of the audit; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing and pre-approving
audit and non-audit fees and services; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing accounting and
financial controls with the independent auditors and our financial and accounting staff; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing and approving
transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates; |
|
|
|
|
● |
recognizing and preventing
prohibited non-audit services; |
|
|
|
|
● |
establishing procedures
for complaints received by us regarding accounting matters; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing internal audit
functions, if any; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
preparing the report of
the audit committee that the rules of the SEC require to be included in our annual meeting proxy statement. |
Our
Audit Committee is composed of Michael J. Higgins (chairman), Richard Batycky, Ph.D. and Todd Bazemore. Prior to the resignation of Amit
D. Munshi from the Board, effective April 2, 2021, our Audit Committee was comprised of Mr. Higgins (chairman), Dr. Batycky and Mr. Munshi.
Our Board has determined that Mr. Higgins, Dr. Batycky, Mr. Bazemore, and Mr. Munshi, during his time of service, were independent in
accordance with NASDAQ Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our
Board has also reviewed the education, experience and other qualifications of each member of the Audit Committee. Based upon that review,
our Board has determined that Michael J. Higgins qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the rules
of the SEC. The Audit Committee met four times during 2021.
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other matters:
|
● |
reviewing and recommending
the compensation arrangements for management, including the compensation for our president and chief executive officer; |
|
|
|
|
● |
appointing, compensating
and overseeing the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisor retained by the Compensation Committee; |
|
|
|
|
● |
establishing and reviewing
general compensation policies with the objective to attract and retain superior talent, to reward individual performance and to achieve
our financial goals; |
|
|
|
|
● |
administering our stock
incentive plans; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
preparing the report of
the compensation committee to the extent that the rules of the SEC require such report to be included in our annual meeting proxy
statement. |
Our
Compensation Committee is composed of Richard Batycky, Ph.D. (chairman), Christopher Cabell, M.D, and Anand Varadan. Prior to
the resignation of Mark Iwicki from the Board, effective July 23, 2021, our Compensation Committee was comprised of Mr. Iwicki (chairman),
Dr. Batycky and Dr. Cabell. Our Board has determined that Dr. Batycky, Dr. Cabell, Mr. Varadan and Mr. Iwicki, during his time of service,
were independent in accordance with NASDAQ Rules. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate to subcommittees of the Compensation
Committee any of the responsibilities of the full committee. The Compensation Committee met one time during 2021. We did not engage any
consultant to assist in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive and director compensation during 2021.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other matters:
|
● |
evaluating the current
composition, organization and governance of the Board and its committees, and making recommendations for changes thereto; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing each director
and nominee annually; |
|
|
|
|
● |
determining desired Board
member skills and attributes and conducting searches for prospective members accordingly; |
|
|
|
|
● |
evaluating nominees, and
making recommendations to the Board concerning the appointment of directors to Board committees, the selection of Board committee
chairs, proposal of the slate of directors for election to the Board, and the termination of membership of individual directors in
accordance with the Board’s governance principles; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the process
of succession planning for the chief executive officer and, as warranted, other senior officers of the Company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
developing, adopting and
overseeing the implementation of a code of business conduct and ethics; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
administering the annual
Board performance evaluation process. |
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Todd Bazemore (chairman), Christopher Cabell, M.D., and Michael J. Higgins.
Prior to the resignations of Amit D. Munshi and Mr. Iwicki from the Board, effective April 2, 2021 and July 23, 2021,
respectively, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was comprised of Mr. Munshi (chairman), Mr. Higgins, Mr. Iwicki,
and Mr. Bazemore. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times during 2021.
Director
Nominations
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers all qualified candidates identified by members of the Board, by senior management
and by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee follows the same process and uses the same criteria for evaluating
candidates proposed by stockholders, members of the Board and members of senior management. We did not pay fees to any third party to
assist in the process of identifying or evaluating director candidates during 2021.
Our
Bylaws contain provisions that address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board
at our Annual Meeting. To recommend a nominee for election to the Board, a stockholder must submit his or her recommendation to our Secretary
at our corporate offices at 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421. Such nomination must satisfy the notice, information
and consent requirements set forth in our Bylaws and must be received by us prior to the date set forth under “Submission of Future
Stockholder Proposals” below. A stockholder’s recommendation must be accompanied by the information with respect to stockholder
nominees as specified in our Bylaws, including among other things, the name, age, address and occupation of the recommended person, the
proposing stockholder’s name and address, the ownership interests of the proposing stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose
behalf the nomination is being made (including the number of shares beneficially owned, any hedging, derivative, short or other economic
interests and any rights to vote any shares) and any material monetary or other relationships between the recommended person and the
proposing stockholder and/or the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made.
In
evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following factors:
|
● |
the appropriate size and
diversity of our Board; |
|
|
|
|
● |
our needs with respect
to the particular knowledge, skills and experience of nominees, including experience in corporate finance, technology, business,
administration and sales, in light of the prevailing business conditions and the knowledge, skills and experience already possessed
by other members of the Board; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience with accounting
rules and practices, and whether such a person qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” pursuant to SEC rules;
and |
|
|
|
|
● |
balancing continuity of
our Board with periodic injection of fresh perspectives provided by new Board members. |
Our
Board believes that each director should have a basic understanding of our principal operational and financial objectives and plans and
strategies, our results of operations and financial condition and our relative standing in relation to our competitors.
In
identifying director nominees, the Board will first evaluate the current members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current
members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service will be
considered for re-nomination.
If
any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the
Board will identify another nominee with the desired skills and experience described above. The Board takes into consideration the overall
composition and diversity of the Board and areas of expertise that director nominees may be able to offer, including business experience,
knowledge, abilities and customer relationships. Generally, the Board will strive to assemble a Board that brings to us a variety of
perspectives and skills derived from business and professional experience as it may deem are in our and our stockholders’ best
interests. In doing so, the Board will also consider candidates with appropriate non-business backgrounds.
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The
positions of Chairman of the Board and Principal Executive Officer are filled by two separate individuals. Mr. Higgins currently serves
as our Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Raad currently serves as our Principal Executive Officer. The Board acknowledges that there are
different leadership structures that could allow it to effectively oversee the management of the risks relating to the Company’s
operations and believes its current leadership structure enables it to effectively provide oversight with respect to such risks. Our
Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the Company’s risk management processes on behalf of the full Board. The
Audit Committee receives reports from management concerning the Company’s assessment of risks. In addition, the Audit Committee
reports regularly to the full Board, which also considers the Company’s risk profile. The Audit Committee and the full Board focus
on the most significant risks facing the Company and the Company’s general risk management strategy. In addition, as part of its
oversight of our Company’s executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee considers the impact of such program, and
the incentives created by the compensation awards that it administers, on our Company’s risk profile. In addition, the Compensation
Committee reviews all of our compensation policies and procedures, including the incentives that they create and factors that may reduce
the likelihood of excessive risk taking, to determine whether they present a significant risk to our Company. The Compensation Committee
has determined that, for all employees, our compensation programs do not encourage excessive risk and instead encourage behaviors that
support sustainable value creation.
Communications
with Directors
The
Board welcomes communication from our stockholders. Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with a member or
members of our Board or a committee thereof may do so by addressing correspondence to the Board member, members or committee, c/o Secretary,
Pulmatrix, Inc., 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421. Our Secretary will review and forward correspondence to
the appropriate person or persons.
All
communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph will be opened by our Secretary for the sole purpose of determining whether
the contents represent a message to our directors. Any contents that are not in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or
service or patently offensive material will be forwarded promptly to the addressee(s). In the case of communications to the Board or
any group or committee of directors, our Secretary will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member
of the group or committee to whom the communication is addressed. If the amount of correspondence received through the foregoing process
becomes excessive, our Board may consider approving a process for review, organization and screening of the correspondence by our Secretary
or another appropriate person.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships amongst our directors and executive officers, or person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director
or executive officer.
Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings
There
have been no material legal proceedings that would require disclosure under the federal securities laws that are material to an evaluation
of the ability or integrity of our directors or executive officers, or in which any director, officer, nominee or principal stockholder,
or any affiliate thereof, is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.
Anti-Hedging
Policy
We
maintain an insider trading policy that applies to our officers and directors that prohibits trading our securities during certain established
periods and when in possession of material non-public information. It also prohibits, unless approved in advance in limited circumstances
by the policy administrator, the hedging of our securities, including short sales or purchases or sales of derivative securities based
on our securities, and the use of our securities to secure a margin or other loan. Since the adoption of our insider trading policy,
the policy administrator has not granted any such exemptions to the policy’s general prohibition on hedging or pledging.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
We
have entered into a director’s agreement with each of our non-employee directors. In 2021, under these agreements, non-employee
directors were paid cash compensation payable in four quarterly payments as set forth in the table below.
| |
Annual Retainer Non-Employee Directors | |
Board of Directors: | |
| | |
Members | |
$ | 30,000 | |
Chairperson | |
$ | 60,000 | |
Audit Committee: | |
| | |
Members | |
$ | 7,000 | |
Chairperson | |
$ | 15,000 | |
Compensation Committee: | |
| | |
Members | |
$ | 3,000 | |
Chairperson | |
$ | 7,000 | |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: | |
| | |
Members | |
$ | 5,000 | |
Chairperson | |
$ | 10,000 | |
The
agreements also provide that such directors will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
attendance of board and committee meetings.
The
following table presents the total compensation for each person who served as a member of our Board during 2021, Other than as set forth
in the table and described more fully below, we did not pay any compensation, reimburse any expense of, make any equity awards or non-equity
awards to, or pay any other compensation to any of the other members of our Board in such period. Mr. Raad receives no additional compensation
for his service as a director, and, consequently, is not included in this table. The compensation received by Mr. Raad as our President
and Chief Executive Officer for 2021 is set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” under the section “Executive
Compensation”.
Director
Compensation Table
2021
Name | |
Fees earned or paid in cash ($) | | |
Option awards (1)(2) ($) | | |
Total ($) | |
Richard Batycky, Ph.D. | |
| 41,717 | | |
| 17,731 | | |
| 59,448 | |
Todd Bazemore | |
| 43,698 | | |
| 17,731 | | |
| 61,429 | |
Christopher Cabell, M.D. | |
| 35,147 | | |
| 17,731 | | |
| 52,878 | |
Michael J. Higgins | |
| 80,000 | | |
| 29,552 | | |
| 109,552 | |
Anand Varadan (3) | |
| 14,250 | | |
| 21,241 | | |
| 35,491 | |
Mark Iwicki(4) | |
| 23,967 | | |
| 17,731 | | |
| 41,698 | |
Amit D. Munshi(5) | |
| 12,008 | | |
| 17,731 | | |
| 29,739 | |
(1) |
In accordance with SEC rules, this
column reflects the aggregate fair value of option awards granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, computed as of
their respective grant dates in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 for
share-based compensation transactions. The assumptions made in the valuation of the share-based payments are contained in Note 10
to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year
ended December 31, 2021. |
(2) |
As
of December 31, 2021, our non-employee directors held the following aggregate number of options to purchase shares of our
common stock: Dr. Batycky, 2,750 options; Mr. Bazemore, 2,250 options; Dr. Cabell, 2,250 options; Mr. Higgins, 4,874 options;
Mr. Varadan, 1,500 options; Mr. Iwicki, 3,914 options; and Mr. Munshi, 3,414 options. |
(3) |
Mr. Varadan joined the Board on July 26, 2021. |
(4) |
Mr. Iwicki resigned from the Board on July 23, 2021. |
(5) |
Mr. Munshi resigned from the Board on April 2, 2021. |
STOCK
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 18, 2022 by (i) each person
known to us to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of our common stock, (ii) each director and Named Executive Officer (as defined
below) and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of common stock owned by them and have an address of c/o Pulmatrix Inc., 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390,
Lexington, MA 02421, unless otherwise noted. Percentage of ownership is based on 3,387,172 shares of common stock issued and outstanding
as of April 18, 2022.
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. For the purpose of calculating the number of shares beneficially owned
by a stockholder and the percentage ownership of that stockholder, shares of common stock subject to options or warrants that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty (60) days of April 18, 2022 by that stockholder are deemed outstanding.
Name | |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | | |
Percentage of Shares outstanding(1) | | |
Beneficially Owned as a result of stock ownership(1) | | |
Beneficially Owned as a result of stock option ownership(1) | | |
Beneficially Owned as a result of warrant ownership(1) | |
Named Executive Officers and Directors | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Richard Batycky, Ph.D. | |
| 1,648 | | |
| * | | |
| 25 | | |
| 1,623 | | |
| — | |
Todd Bazemore | |
| 973 | | |
| * | | |
| — | | |
| 973 | | |
| — | |
Christopher Cabell M.D. | |
| 1,097 | | |
| * | | |
| — | | |
| 1,097 | | |
| — | |
Michael J. Higgins | |
| 3,214 | | |
| * | | |
| — | | |
| 3,214 | | |
| — | |
Anand Varadan(2) | |
| 116 | | |
| * | | |
| — | | |
| 116 | | |
| — | |
Teofilo Raad | |
| 73,085 | | |
| 2.11 | % | |
| — | | |
| 73,085 | | |
| — | |
Michelle S. Siegert | |
| 11,415 | | |
| * | | |
| 60 | | |
| 11,355 | | |
| — | |
All directors and executive officers as a group of nine persons | |
| 91,548 | | |
| 2.63 | % | |
| 85 | | |
| 91,463 | | |
| — | |
5% Stockholders | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Sabby Volatility Warrant Master Fund, Ltd(3) c/o Ogier Fiduciary Services (Cayman)
Limited
89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman KY1-9007 Cayman Islands | |
| 180,853 | | |
| 5.34 | % | |
| 180,853 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
* |
Less than 1%. |
(1) |
Beneficial ownership as
reported in the above table has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and is not necessarily
indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. The number of shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned includes
shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of series A convertible preferred stock and the exercise of stock options and
warrants that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within sixty (60) days of April 18, 2022. |
(2) |
Mr. Varadan was appointed
to the Board on July 26, 2021. |
(3)
|
This
information is based on the information reported on the Schedule 13G filed on January 5, 2022 by Sabby Volatility Warrant Master
Fund, Ltd., Sabby Management, LLC, and Hal Mintz, and other information available to the Company. Sabby Volatility Warrant
Master Fund, Ltd (“Sabby”) is the beneficial owner of 180,853 shares of common stock. As of April 18, 2022, Sabby owns
warrants that would be exercisable up to 260,411 additional shares of common stock, except for a limitation set forth in the warrant
agreements that restricts Sabby’s ability to exercise the warrants if such exercise would result in Sabby Volatility Warrant
Master Fund, Ltd owning more than 4.99% of the Company’s currently outstanding number of shares of common stock. The principal
address of Sabby is 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman KY1-9007 Cayman Islands. |
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions
with related persons are governed by our Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy, which applies to all of our associates,
as well as each of our directors and certain persons performing services for us. This code covers a wide range of potential activities,
including, among others, conflicts of interest, self-dealing and related party transactions. Waiver of the policies set forth in this
code will only be permitted when circumstances warrant. Such waivers for directors and executive officers, or that provide a benefit
to a director or executive officer, may be made only by our Board, as a whole, or the Audit Committee and must be promptly disclosed
as required by applicable law or regulation. Absent such a review and approval process in conformity with the applicable guidelines relating
to the particular transaction under consideration, such arrangements are not permitted. All related party transactions for which disclosure
is required to be provided herein were approved in accordance with our Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy.
During
the period since January 1, 2021, there were no transactions with related persons. As of April 29, 2022, there are no proposed transactions
with related persons.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Executive
Officers
The
following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our executive officers as of April 29, 2022:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position
with the Company |
Teofilo Raad |
|
52 |
|
Chief Executive Officer
and Director |
Michelle S. Siegert. |
|
61 |
|
Vice President, Finance |
Peter Ludlum |
|
66 |
|
Interim Chief Financial Officer (as of April 18, 2022) |
Margaret Wasilewski |
|
64 |
|
Chief Medical Officer (as of March 1, 2022) |
Please
see biography of Mr. Raad on page 7 of this Proxy Statement.
Michelle
S. Siegert. Ms. Siegert has served as the Vice President, Finance since November 2019. She is responsible for the corporate finance
function. Since Ms. Siegert joined the company in 2010, she has progressed
through numerous roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as Vice President, Corporate Controller. She began her finance career
at W.R. Grace & Co. and has completed more than 25 years of financial, transactional, and operational experience in both private
and public companies. Ms. Siegert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management with a concentration in Accounting from Simmons University.
Peter
Ludlum. Mr. Ludlum has served as our interim Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer and principal financial
officer since April 2022, and since December 2021, he has served as our Strategic Advisor – Finance, both pursuant to a
November 30, 2021 consulting agreement between the Company and Danforth. Mr. Ludlum has served as an employee with Danforth
Advisors, LLC (“Danforth”), a provider of strategic and operational finance and accounting for life science companies,
since December 2021. Prior to Danforth, Mr. Ludlum has worked as an independent financial consultant. Previously, Mr. Ludlum served
in several executive roles at Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. (n/k/a EMI Holding, Inc.), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company,
including Co-President, Chief Business Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, during his tenure from April
2012 until May 2017. Mr. Ludlum previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Energy and Power Solutions, Inc., an energy
intelligence company, from April 2008 to December 2011. He received a B.S. in Business and Economics with a major in accounting from
Lehigh University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Fullerton.
Margaret Wasilewski, M.D. Dr.
Wasilewski brings extensive experience across different stages of pharmaceutical drug development in various therapeutic areas. She
leverages over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug development. Dr. Wasilewski held various leadership roles at Eli Lilly
and Company, Targanta Therapeutics, Shire, and Summit Therapeutics. As President of ID Remedies LLC, Dr. Wasilewski has provided
scientific, medical, and clinical development consultation to various biopharmaceutical companies. Her clinical development
experience includes bacterial and viral infections, sepsis, neurology, and rare disease. Dr. Wasilewski received a medical degree
from Tufts University School of Medicine and is board certified in Internal Medicine and completed fellowships in Infectious
Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of California-San Francisco. Dr. Wasilewski received an MBA from Indiana
University, Kelly School of Business; a master’s degree in Nutrition from the University of California-Berkeley and an
undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth the names and positions of: (i) each person who served as our Principal Executive Officer during the year
ended December 31, 2021; and (ii) our most highly compensated executive officer, other than our principal executive officer, who was
serving as an executive officer, as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, as of December 31,
2021, with compensation of $100,000 or more (collectively our “Named Executive Officers ”):
Name and Principal Position | |
Year | |
Salary ($) | | |
Bonus ($) | | |
Option Awards ($)(1) | | |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | | |
All Other Compensation ($) | | |
Total ($) | |
Teofilo Raad (Chief Executive Officer) | |
2021 | |
| 479,723 | | |
| - | | |
| 668,448 | | |
| 223,061 | | |
| 10,722 | (2) | |
| 1,381,954 | |
| |
2020 | |
| 463,500 | | |
| - | | |
| 1,470,800 | | |
| 231,750 | | |
| 7,722 | (3) | |
| 2,173,772 | |
Michelle S. Siegert | |
2021 | |
| 286,902 | | |
| 2,000 | (6) | |
| 108,610 | | |
| 72,041 | | |
| 10,722 | (4) | |
| 480,275 | |
(Vice President, Finance) | |
2020 | |
| 277,200 | | |
| 22,500 | (7) | |
| 255,755 | | |
| 83,160 | | |
| 7,482 | (5) | |
| 646,097 | |
(1) |
In accordance with SEC rules, this column reflects
the aggregate fair value of the option awards granted during the respective fiscal year computed as of their respective grant dates
in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 for share-based compensation transactions.
The assumptions made in the valuation of the share-based payments are contained in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
(2) |
Represents Company 401(k) plan contributions of $8,700,
payment made by the Company for life, AD&D and LTD premiums in the amount of $522 and cell phone reimbursement of $1,500. |
(3) |
Represents Company 401(k) plan contributions of $5,700
and payment made by the Company for life, AD&D and LTD premiums in the amount of $522 and cell phone reimbursement of $1,500. |
(4) |
Represents Company 401(k) plan contributions of $8,700,
payment made by the Company for life, AD&D and LTD premiums in the amount of $522 and cell phone reimbursement of $1,500. |
(5) |
Represents Company 401(k) plan contributions of $5,700,
payment made by the Company for life, AD&D and LTD premiums in the amount of $522 and cell phone reimbursement of $1,260. |
(6) |
Represents a spot bonus which was paid on February
26, 2021. |
(7) |
Represents a retention bonus which was paid on December
31, 2020. |
Narrative
Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Executive
Employment Agreements
We
have entered into executive employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The executive employment agreements provide
for “at will” employment and set forth the terms and conditions of employment, including annual base salary, discretionary
bonus opportunities, benefits and eligibility to participate in our employee benefit plans and programs. As a condition of their employment,
our Named Executive Officers were each required to execute our standard proprietary information, inventions, and non-competition agreement.
The material terms of these executive employment agreements are summarized below.
Retirement
Plans
As
part of our overall compensation program, we provide all full-time employees, including our named executive officers, with the opportunity
to participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan. Our 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue
Code so that employee pre-tax contributions and income earned on such contributions are not taxable to employees until withdrawn. Employees
may elect to defer up to 100 percent of their eligible compensation (not to exceed the statutorily prescribed annual limit) in the form
of elective deferral contributions to our 401(k) plan. Our 401(k) plan also has a “catch-up contribution” feature for employees
aged 50 or older (including those who qualify as “highly compensated” employees) who can defer amounts over the statutory
limit that applies to all other employees.
Employee
Benefits and Perquisites
During
their employment, Mr. Raad, Ms. Siegert, and Ms. Wasilewski are eligible to participate in our health and welfare
plans, including medical and dental benefits, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
No
Tax Gross-Ups
We
do not make gross-up payments to cover our executives’ personal income taxes that may pertain to any of the compensation or perquisites
paid or provided by us.
Mr.
Raad
On
May 16, 2019, the Board appointed Mr. Raad to serve as Chief Executive Officer and a Class II director. On June 28, 2019, we and Mr.
Raad entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “Raad Agreement”), with Mr. Raad to serve as our President
and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Raad’s employment with us is “at-will,” and the Raad Agreement does not include a
specified term. As consideration for his services as Chief Executive Officer, the Raad Agreement provided that Mr. Raad would receive
(i) an annual base salary of $450,000 and (ii) a target annual cash bonus equal to 45% of his base salary. Both Mr. Raad’s salary
and bonus are subject to review and adjustment by the Board or an appropriate committee thereof. The actual bonus amount is based on
both the Company’s, and Mr. Raad’s individual performance during the year. Effective as of January 1, 2021, after taking
into consideration previous increases, Mr. Raad’s base salary was increased to $479,723 and the target annual cash bonus equaled
to 50% of the base salary. Effective as of January 1, 2022, Mr. Raad’s base salary was increased to $525,272 and the target annual
cash bonus remained at 50% of the base salary.
We
initially agreed in the Raad Agreement to grant Mr. Raad an option to purchase 6,831 shares of our common stock, subject to the terms
and conditions of the Amended and Restated 2013 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”)
and our standard form of stock option agreement, as soon as practicable upon execution of the Raad Agreement. On January 9, 2020, after
taking into consideration the results of a compensation survey, the Compensation Committee of the Board made various compensation adjustments,
which included a grant to Mr. Raad, in lieu of the option to purchase 6,831 shares of our commons stock, of (i) an option to purchase
23,572 shares, of which 3,437 optioned shares were fully vested and exercisable as of January 9, 2020, and the remaining optioned shares
to vest and become exercisable in 41 equal monthly installments on the 16th day of each of the 41 calendar months following January 2020,
and (ii) an option to purchase 39,089 shares of common stock, 1/48th of the optioned shares to vest and become exercisable on each of
the 48 monthly anniversaries of January 9, 2020. On April 2, 2020, Mr. Raad was granted an option to purchase 499 shares of common stock,
1/48th of the optioned shares to vest and become exercisable on each of the 48 monthly anniversaries of April 2, 2020. On January 28,
2021, Mr. Raad was granted an option to purchase 28,274 shares of common stock, 2.08333% of the optioned shares to vest and become exercisable
on each of the 48 monthly anniversaries of grant date. On January 27, 2022, Mr. Raad was granted an option to purchase 37,500 shares
of common stock, 2.08333% of the optioned shares to vest and become exercisable on each of the 48 monthly anniversaries of grant date.
Prior
to Mr. Raad’s appointment as the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raad served as our Chief Business Officer pursuant to an employment
agreement, dated April 28, 2017, which provided for a base salary of $340,000 and a target annual performance bonus equal to 35% of his
base salary. The bonus amount was to be determined by the Board or an appropriate committee thereof in its sole discretion.
Termination
Benefits
Pursuant
to the Raad Agreement, if Mr. Raad’s employment is terminated (i) by us without cause or (ii) by Mr. Raad for good reason, then
the Company must pay Mr. Raad, in addition to any then-accrued and unpaid obligations owed to him, (a) twelve (12) months of his then-current
base salary, (b) a pro-rated bonus in an amount equal to the target annual performance bonus to which Mr. Raad may have been entitled
for the year in which the termination occurs, (c) a separation bonus equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the target annual performance
bonus to which Mr. Raad may have been entitled for the year in which the termination occurs, and (d) up to twelve (12) months of COBRA
health insurance premiums at the Company’s then-normal rate of contribution. In addition, all unvested equity awards held by Mr.
Raad that would have vested during the twelve (12) months following the termination date will immediately vest and become exercisable.
If Mr. Raad’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company without cause or (ii) by Mr. Raad for good reason, within twelve (12)
months following a change in control, then Mr. Raad shall be entitled to receive, in addition to any then-accrued and unpaid obligations
owed to him, (a) a lump sum payment equal to eighteen (18) months of his then-current base salary, (b) a pro-rated bonus in an amount
equal to the target annual performance bonus to which Mr. Raad may have been entitled for the year in which the termination occurs, (c)
a separation bonus equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the target annual performance bonus to which Mr. Raad may have been entitled
for the year in which the termination occurs, and (d) up to twelve (12) months of COBRA health insurance premiums at the Company’s
then-normal rate of contribution. In addition, in that case, all unvested equity awards will immediately vest and become exercisable.
Receipt of Mr. Raad’s severance and other termination benefits is subject to his execution of a release of claims and his compliance
with the restrictive covenants contained in his agreements with the Company.
Under
Mr. Raad’s employment agreement, “good reason” is defined as (i) relocation of Mr. Raad’s principal business
location to a location more than fifty (50) miles from his then-current business location; (ii) a material diminution in Mr. Raad’s
duties, authority, responsibilities, or reporting lines in a manner whereby Mr. Raad no longer reports to the Board; or (iii) a material
reduction in Mr. Raad’s base salary; provided that (A) Mr. Raad provides the Company with written notice that he intends to terminate
his employment for good reason within thirty (30) days of such circumstance occurring, (B) if such circumstance is capable of being cured,
the Company has failed to cure such circumstance within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such written notice, and (C) Mr.
Raad terminates his employment within sixty five (65) days from the date that good reason first occurs.
Ms.
Siegert
On
November 13, 2019, the Board appointed Ms. Siegert to serve as Vice President, Finance, and as the Principal Accounting Officer and the
Principal Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of November 16, 2019. As of April 18, 2022, Ms. Siegert no longer serves
as the Principal Accounting Officer and the Principal Financial Officer. Ms. Siegert’s employment with us is “at-will”
with no specified term, subject to an offer letter dated November 7, 2019 (the “Offer Letter”). As consideration for her
services as Vice President, Finance, the Offer Letter provided that Ms. Siegert would receive (i) an annual base salary of $240,000 and
(ii) a target annual cash bonus equal to 25% of her base salary, to be determined by the Chief Executive Officer at his or her sole discretion.
Both Ms. Siegert’s salary and bonus are subject to review and adjustment by the Board or an appropriate committee thereof. The
actual bonus amount is based on both the Company’s, and Ms. Siegert’s individual performance during the year. Effective January
1, 2021, after taking into consideration previous increases, Ms. Siegert’s base salary was increased to $286,902 and the target
annual cash bonus equaled to 30% of the base salary. Effective January 1, 2022, Ms. Siegert’s base salary was increased to $299,700
and the target annual cash bonus remained at 30% of the base salary.
Termination
Benefits
In
the event that a change of control occurs and within a period of one (1) year following the change of control, if Ms. Siegert’s
employment is terminated other than for cause, or if Ms. Siegert terminates her employment for good reason, Ms. Siegert would receive
(a) a lump sum amount equal to six (6) times the sum of her monthly base salary plus the monthly COBRA premium for health care insurance
at the time of termination, and (b) all equity awards outstanding shall become fully vested as of the date of termination.
Ms. Wasilewski
On March 1, 2022, the Company appointed Ms.
Wasilewski to serve as Chief Medical Officer. Ms. Wasilewski’s employment with us is “at-will,” pursuant to an employment
agreement (the “Wasilewski Agreement”). As consideration for her services as Chief Medical Officer, the Wasilewski Agreement
provided that Ms. Wasilewski would receive (i) an annual base salary of $442,000 and (ii) a target annual cash bonus equal to 40% of
her base salary. Both Ms. Wasilewski’s salary and bonus are subject to review and adjustment by the Board or an appropriate committee
thereof. The actual bonus amount is based on both the Company’s, and Ms. Wasilewski’s individual performance during the year.
We agreed in the Wasilewski Agreement to grant
Ms. Wasilewski an option to purchase 21,060 shares of our common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan and
our standard form of stock option agreement, as soon as practicable upon execution of the Wasilewski Agreement.
Termination Benefits
Pursuant to the Wasilewski Agreement, if Ms.
Wasilewski’s employment is terminated (i) by us other than cause or (ii) by Ms. Wasilewski for good reason, then the Company must
pay Ms. Wasilewski, in addition to any then-accrued and unpaid obligations owed to her, the following (i) severance in the amount equal
to six (6) months of her base salary, less all customary and required taxes and employment-related deductions, paid in equal installments
commencing on the first payroll date following the date on which the release of claims referenced above becomes effective and non-revocable,
provided that, if the release consideration period plus the revocation period spans two taxable years, payments will commence in the
later taxable year; (ii) payment for any approved, but unpaid bonus for the year immediately preceding the year her employment terminates,
less all customary and required taxes and employment-related deductions; (iii) payment of a pro-rated bonus in an amount equal to her
target bonus to which she may have been entitled for the year in which her employment terminates, less all customary and required taxes
and employment-related deductions; (iv) up to twelve (12) months of COBRA health insurance premiums at the Company’s then-normal
rate of contribution. and (v) she shall become fully vested in any and all equity awards outstanding as of the date of her termination.
In the event that a change of control occurs
and within a period of one (1) year following the change of control, either her employment is terminated by the Company other than for
cause or she terminates her employment for good reason, in exchange for her execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, she
shall receive the payments and benefits set forth above, provided that the severance shall be for twelve (12) months (rather than six
(6) months).
Mr. Ludlum
On April
14, 2022, the Company appointed Peter Ludlum as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective as of April 18, 2022. Since December 2021,
Mr. Ludlum has served as a consultant with Danforth Advisors, LLC (“Danforth”), a provider of strategic and operational finance
and accounting for life science companies, and, since December 2021, Mr. Ludlum has served as the Company’s Strategic Advisor –
Finance pursuant to a November 30, 2021 consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) between the Company and Danforth.
Pursuant
to the Consulting Agreement, Danforth will receive cash compensation at a rate of $400 per hour for Mr. Ludlum’s services. Each
month Danforth and the Company shall evaluate jointly the current fee structure and scope of Services. Danforth reserves the right to
an annual increase in consultant rates of up to 4%, effective January 1 of each year. Upon termination of the Consulting Agreement, no
compensation or benefits of any kind shall be payable or issuable to Danforth after the effective date of such termination. In addition,
the Company will reimburse Danforth for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses, including but not limited to travel and parking,
incurred by Danforth in performing the services, upon submission by Danforth of supporting documentation reasonably acceptable to the
Company. Any such accrued expenses in any given three (3) month period that exceed $1,000 shall be submitted to the Company for its prior
written approval.
Pursuant
to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Ludlum will provide services to the Company under the Consulting Agreement as an independent contractor
and employee of Danforth. The term of the Consulting Agreement will continue until such time as either party has given notice
of termination. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto: (a) with cause (as defined in the Consulting Agreement)
upon written notice to the other party; or (b) without cause upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table sets forth information concerning the outstanding equity awards that have been previously awarded to each of our Named
Executive Officers and which remain outstanding as of December 31, 2021 (amounts have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-20 reverse
stock split effected by the Company on February 28, 2022):
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table |
|
2021 Option Awards |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Name | |
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable | | |
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable | | |
Option exercise price ($) | | |
Option expiration date |
Teofilo Raad | |
| 1,651 | | |
| — | | |
| 540.00 | | |
05/01/2027 |
| |
| 3,704 | | |
| — | | |
| 93.60 | | |
06/05/2028 |
| |
| 10,331 | (1) | |
| 5,668 | | |
| 21.20 | | |
05/16/2029 |
| |
| 18,733 | (1) | |
| 20,356 | | |
| 30.80 | | |
01/09/2030 |
| |
| 15,223 | (1) | |
| 8,349 | | |
| 30.80 | | |
01/09/2030 |
| |
| 218 | (1) | |
| 281 | | |
| 25.60 | | |
04/02/2030 |
| |
| 6,479 | (1) | |
| 21,795 | | |
| 29.40 | | |
01/28/2031 |
Michelle S. Siegert | |
| 22 | | |
| — | | |
| 406.00 | | |
06/08/2022 |
| |
| 15 | | |
| — | | |
| 376.00 | | |
10/11/2023 |
| |
| 54 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,360.00 | | |
06/16/2025 |
| |
| 8 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,200.00 | | |
06/24/2025 |
| |
| 75 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,182.00 | | |
08/13/2025 |
| |
| 66 | | |
| — | | |
| 560.00 | | |
02/03/2026 |
| |
| 33 | | |
| — | | |
| 556.00 | | |
03/20/2027 |
| |
| 904 | | |
| — | | |
| 93.60 | | |
06/05/2028 |
| |
| 808 | (1) | |
| 442 | | |
| 21.20 | | |
05/16/2029 |
| |
| 3,696 | (1) | |
| 4,003 | | |
| 30.80 | | |
01/09/2030 |
| |
| 1,682 | (1) | |
| 1,543 | | |
| 30.80 | | |
01/09/2030 |
| |
| 1,056 | (1) | |
| 3,538 | | |
| 29.40 | | |
01/28/2031 |
(1) |
Each of these options vests
over a four (4) year period, with 2.08333% vesting on each monthly anniversary subsequent to the date of grant for a total of forty-eight
(48) months. |
Incentive
Plans
We
sponsor the Amended and Restated 2013 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, or the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan
was amended and restated as of June 15, 2015 to, among other things, (i) increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized
under the plan, (ii) comply with the requirements imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code, and (iii) provide an increase in the number
of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Incentive Plan’s “evergreen” provision. Under the Incentive
Plan, the Company initially reserved a total of 17,252 shares of common stock of the Company for issuance pursuant to awards. The Incentive
Plan included an “evergreen” provision whereby the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan would
automatically increase on January 1st of each year, starting on January 1, 2016 and continuing through January 2, 2023, by the lesser
of (i) 4,518 shares of common stock; (ii) 5% of the number of outstanding shares of common stock on such date; or (iii) an amount
determined by the Board (the “Original Evergreen Provision”). As a result of the Original Evergreen Provision, effective
January 1, 2017, 3,712 shares of common stock were added to the total number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the
Incentive Plan, and effective January 1, 2018, 4,518 shares of common stock were added to the total number of shares of common stock
reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan.
At
the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders held on June 5, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved amendments to the Incentive
Plan to (i) increase the number of shares of common stock authorized to be issued as awards under the Incentive Plan by 37,018 to a
total of 62,500 shares and (ii) modify the Original Evergreen Provision by removing the cap on the number of shares that may be
reserved for issuance as awards under the Incentive Plan, so that on January 1st of each year, commencing on January 1, 2019, the
number of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan would automatically increase by 5% of the number of outstanding
shares of common stock on such date (the “Revised Evergreen Provision”).
Pursuant
to the Revised Evergreen Provision, on January 1, 2019, 12,331 shares of common stock were added to the total number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance as awards under the Incentive Plan, so that 74,831 shares of common stock were available for issuance pursuant
to awards under the Incentive Plan.
Effective
as of March 11, 2019, the Board further amended the Incentive Plan to remove the annual share award limit in any fiscal year, which was
previously a requirement to avoid certain negative tax consequences to the Company on compensation paid to certain individuals in excess
of $1,000,000 that constituted qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”).
At
the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders held on September 6, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment to the Incentive
Plan to increase the total number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under such plan from 74,831 to 203,000 shares. The
Board had determined that, if the amendment were approved, for the 2020 calendar year, no additional shares will be reserved pursuant
to the Revised Evergreen Provision.
Pursuant
to the Revised Evergreen Provision, on January 1, 2021, 90,262 shares of common stock were added to the total number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance.
As
of December 31, 2021, the Incentive Plan provided for the grant of up to 293,262 shares of our common stock, of which 93,481 shares remained
available for future grant. Pursuant to the Revised Evergreen Provision, on January 1, 2022, 161,101 shares of common stock were added
to the total number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance. As of April 18, 2022, 165,962 shares were available for future
issuance. The Incentive Plan will expire by its terms ten (10) years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by our Board and its
approval by our stockholders.
Amended
and Restated 2013 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan
Purpose.
The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to provide an incentive for certain key employees, consultants, and directors of the Company
and its affiliates to remain in the service of the Company or its affiliates, to extend to them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary
interest in the Company so that they will apply their best efforts for the benefit of the Company and its affiliates, and to aid the
Company in attracting able persons to enter the service of the Company and its affiliates. The Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance
of stock grants (including “restricted stock”), stock options (including “incentive stock options” and “non-qualified
stock options”), and grants of equity awards or other equity-based awards (including “restricted stock units” and “stock
appreciation rights”).
Effective
Date and Expiration. The Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on June 10, 2015 and approved by the Company’s
stockholders on June 12, 2015. The Incentive Plan will terminate on June 10, 2025. The Incentive Plan may be terminated at an earlier
date by vote of the stockholders of the Company or the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall
not affect any awards issued prior to the effective date of such termination. No award may be made under the Incentive Plan after its
termination date, but awards made prior thereto may extend beyond that date.
Share
Authorization. Subject to certain adjustments, as of January 1, 2021, the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock
that have been reserved and may be issued pursuant to awards under the Incentive Plan is 203,000 shares. On January 1st of each year,
the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan will automatically increase by 5% of the number of outstanding shares
of common stock on such date pursuant to its Revised Evergreen Provision. Shares to be issued may be made available from authorized but
unissued shares of common stock, shares of common stock held by the Company in its treasury, or shares of common stock purchased by the
Company on the open market or otherwise. During the term of the Incentive Plan, the Company will at all times reserve and keep enough
shares available to satisfy the requirements of the Incentive Plan.
Administration.
The administrator of the Incentive Plan (the “Administrator”) will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the
Board of Directors delegates its authority to a committee of the Board of Directors, which members shall be non-employee directors as
defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors has designated the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
as the Administrator. The Administrator will administer the Incentive Plan and may take appropriate actions with respect to the administration
of the Incentive Plan, including, without limitation, determining the persons to whom awards are to be made, determining the type, size
and terms of awards, amending any term or condition of any outstanding awards, interpreting the Incentive Plan, establishing and revising
rules and regulations relating to the Incentive Plan and making any other determinations that it believes necessary for the administration
of the Incentive Plan.
Eligibility.
Employees (including any employee who is also a director or an officer), consultants, and directors of the Company or its affiliates
whose judgment, initiative and efforts contributed to or may be expected to contribute to the successful performance of the Company are
eligible to participate in the Incentive Plan. The Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, select the employees, consultants, and
directors who will participate in the Incentive Plan. As of April 18, 2022, the Company (including its affiliates) had approximately
27 employees and 5 non-employee directors who would be eligible for awards under the Incentive Plan.
Financial
Effect of Awards. The Company will receive no monetary consideration for the issuance of stock grant awards under the Incentive Plan,
unless otherwise provided when granting such awards. The Company will receive no monetary consideration other than the exercise price
for shares of common stock issued to participants upon the exercise of their stock options and the Company will receive no monetary consideration
upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights.
Stock
Options. The Administrator may grant either incentive stock options qualifying under Section 422 of the Code or non-qualified stock
options, provided that only employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries that are not corporations) are eligible
to receive incentive stock options. Stock options may not be granted with an exercise price less than 100% of the fair market value of
a share of common stock on the date the stock option is granted. If an incentive stock option is granted to an employee who owns or is
deemed to own more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary), the exercise
price shall be at least 110% of the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant. The Administrator will determine the terms
of each stock option at the time of grant. The maximum term of each option, the times at which each option will be exercisable, the vesting
terms, and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options at or following termination of employment or service generally are
fixed by the Administrator, except that the Administrator may not grant stock options with a term exceeding 10 years.
A
stock option (or any part or installment thereof) may be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form
acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate purchase
price for the shares of common stock as to which such option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set
forth in the applicable option agreement. Such written notice shall be signed by the person exercising the stock option (which signature
may be provided electronically), shall state the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the stock option is being exercised
and shall contain any representation required by the Incentive Plan or the option agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the shares
of common stock as to which such option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check; (b) at the
discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of common stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative
accounting treatment) having a fair market value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number
of shares of common stock as to which the option is being exercised; (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company
retain from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the option, a number of shares having a fair market value equal as of the
date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of shares of common stock as to which the Option is being exercised;
(d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm
and approved by the Administrator; (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above; or
(f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an incentive stock option as is permitted by Section 422
of the Code.
Stock
Appreciation Rights. The Administrator is authorized to grant stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). A SAR is the right
to receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a common share on the date of exercise over the exercise price.
The exercise price may be equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. A SAR granted
in tandem with a stock option will require the holder, upon exercise, to surrender the related stock option with respect to the number
of shares as to which the SAR is exercised. The Administrator will determine the terms of each SAR at the time of the grant, including
without limitation, the methods by or forms in which the value will be delivered to participants (whether made in shares, in cash or
in a combination of both). The maximum term of each SAR, the times at which each SAR will be exercisable, and provisions requiring forfeiture
of unexercised SARs at or following termination of employment or service generally are fixed by the Administrator, except that no freestanding
SAR may have a term exceeding 10 years and no tandem SAR may have a term exceeding the term of the option granted in conjunction with
the tandem SAR.
Stock
Grants. The Administrator is authorized to issue stock grant awards. Stock grants may consist of shares of restricted stock that
are subject to substantial risk of forfeiture and that may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed
of by the participant, and that may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment or service prior to the end of the
restriction period specified by the Administrator. The Administrator determines the eligible participants to whom, and the time or times
at which, grants of stock will be made, the number of shares to be granted, the price to be paid, if any, the time or times within which
the shares covered by such grants will be subject to forfeiture, the time or times at which the restrictions will terminate, and all
other terms and conditions of the grants. Restrictions or conditions could include, but are not limited to, the attainment of Performance
Goals (as described below), continuous service with the Company, the passage of time or other restrictions or conditions.
Restricted
Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant restricted stock units. Restricted stock units are the right to receive shares
of common stock at a future date in accordance with the terms of such grant upon the attainment of certain conditions specified by the
Administrator. The Administrator determines the eligible participants to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of restricted stock
units will be made, the number of units to be granted, the price to be paid, if any, the time or times within which the units covered
by such grants will be subject to forfeiture, the time or times at which the restrictions will terminate, and all other terms and conditions
of the grants. Restrictions or conditions could include, but are not limited to, the attainment of Performance Goals (as described below),
continuous service with the Company, the passage of time or other restrictions or conditions. The value of the restricted stock units
may be paid in shares, cash, or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.
Other
Stock-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant other forms of awards payable in cash or shares of common stock if the Administrator
determines that such other form of award is consistent with the purpose and restrictions of the Incentive Plan. The terms and conditions
of such other form of award shall be specified by the grant. Such other awards may be granted for no cash consideration, for such minimum
consideration as may be required by applicable law, or for such other consideration as may be specified by the grant.
Performance
Awards. The Administrator may grant performance awards that are earned or payable at the end of a specified performance period, upon
achieving pre-established Performance Goals (as discussed below) by the end of the performance period. The Administrator will determine
the length of the performance period, the maximum payment value of an award, and the minimum performance goals required before payment
will be made, so long as such provisions are not inconsistent with the terms of the Incentive Plan, and to the extent an award is subject
to Section 409A of the Code, are in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any applicable regulations
or guidance. With respect to a performance award, if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion that the established performance
measures or objectives are no longer suitable because of a change in the Company’s business, operations, corporate structure, or
for other reasons that the Administrator deems satisfactory, the Administrator may modify the performance measures or objectives and/or
the performance period.
“Performance
Goals” means performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: (i) pre-tax income or after-tax income; (ii) income
or earnings including operating income, earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, amortization, and/or extraordinary or
special items; (iii) net income excluding amortization of intangible assets, depreciation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
and/or excluding charges attributable to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements; (iv) earnings or book value per share (basic
or diluted); (v) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, return on invested capital or return on equity;
(vi) return on revenues; (vii) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided
by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital; (viii) economic value created; (ix) operating margin or profit margin; (x)
stock price or total stockholder return; (xi) income or earnings from continuing operations; (xii) cost targets, reductions and savings,
expense management, productivity and efficiencies; (xiii) operational objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based on achieving
progress in research and development programs or achieving regulatory milestones related to development and or approval of products;
and (xiv) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration or market share
of one or more products or customers, geographic business expansion, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management,
supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and similar transactions.
Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of a relative measure against a set of identified peer group companies,
attaining a specified level of the particular criterion or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criterion,
and may be applied to one or more of the Company or an affiliate of the Company, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company,
all as determined by the Administrator. The Performance Goals may include a threshold, target and maximum level of performance. The Administrator
shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting
the Company or any affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, in response to changes in applicable laws or
regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence
or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles.
Vesting
of Awards. Except as otherwise provided below, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that an award will be immediately
vested in whole or in part, or that all or any portion may not be vested until a date, or dates, subsequent to its date of grant, or
until the occurrence of one or more specified events, subject in any case to the terms of the Incentive Plan.
Forfeiture
of Awards; Termination of Service. The Administrator may impose on any award, such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator
determines, including terms requiring forfeiture of awards in the event of a participant’s termination of service. The Administrator
will specify in an award agreement the circumstances under which awards may be forfeited in the event of a termination of service by
a participant. If the Administrator does not specify the treatment of an award in the event of a termination of service in the award
agreement, such award will be subject to forfeiture and/or termination in accordance with the default provisions governing such award
as set forth in Sections 14 through 22 of the Incentive Plan.
Assignment.
Awards granted to a participant shall not be transferable by the participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution or (ii) as otherwise approved by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable award agreement, provided that no award
may be transferred by a participant for value. The designation of a beneficiary of an award by a participant, with the prior approval
of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a prohibited transfer. Except as provided
above, an award shall only be exercisable or may only be accepted, during the participant’s lifetime, by such participant (or by
his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise)
and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other
disposition of any award or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of the Incentive Plan, or the levy of any attachment
or similar process upon any award or of any rights granted thereunder, shall be null and void.
Adjustments.
In the event that any dividend or other distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, exchange of shares or other securities of the Company, sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or other
similar corporate transaction, the Administrator or the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to
outstanding awards to preserve the fair value of such awards, in accordance with the terms of the Incentive Plan. Any adjustments made
in accordance with the Incentive Plan shall be conclusive and binding.
Amendment
of the Incentive Plan or Awards. The Incentive Plan may be amended by the stockholders of the Company. The Incentive Plan may also
be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding awards granted
under the Incentive Plan or awards to be granted under the Incentive Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded
incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code (including deferral of taxation upon exercise), or to the extent necessary to qualify
the shares issuable upon exercise or acceptance of any outstanding award granted, or awards to be granted, under the Incentive Plan for
listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. Any amendment
approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires stockholder approval shall be subject to
obtaining such stockholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Incentive Plan shall not, without the consent of a participant,
adversely affect his or her rights under an award previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the participant affected, the
Administrator may amend outstanding award agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the participant but which is not inconsistent
with the Incentive Plan.
No
Repricing of Stock Options. Subject to the “Adjustments” discussed above, the Administrator may not without stockholder
approval reduce the exercise price of a stock option or cancel any outstanding stock option in exchange for a replacement option having
a lower exercise price, any other award or for cash. In addition, the Administrator may not take any other action that is considered
a direct or indirect “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or
inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of common stock are listed, including any other action that is treated as a repricing
under generally accepted accounting principles.
Clawback.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Incentive Plan, the Company may recover from a participant any compensation
received from any award (whether or not settled) or cause a participant to forfeit any award (whether or not vested) in the event that
the Company’s Clawback Policy then in effect is triggered.
Old
Pulmatrix Equity Plans
At
the effective time of the merger with Pulmatrix Operating, we assumed Pulmatrix Operating’s 2013 Employee, Director and Consultant
Equity Incentive Plan (the “Original 2013 Plan”) and Pulmatrix Operating’s 2003 Employee, Director, and Consultant
Stock Plan (the “2003 Plan”) and terminated the Original 2013 Plan as to future awards. The 2003 Plan expired on August 1,
2013; however, awards previously granted and outstanding prior to that date continue to remain in full force and effect according to
their respective terms. A total of 32 and 31 shares of our common stock may be delivered under options outstanding as of December 31,
2021 under the Original 2013 Plan and the 2003 Plan, respectively, however, no additional awards may be granted under the Original 2013
Plan or the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan and Original 2013 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans.”
2003
Plan and Original 2013 Plan
On
August 1, 2003, Pulmatrix Operating adopted the 2003 Plan, which provided for awards of stock options and shares of Pulmatrix Operating
common stock to certain employees, directors, and consultants who were selected for participation by the 2003 Plan’s administrator.
The 2003 Plan expired on August 1, 2013; however, awards previously granted and outstanding prior to that date continued to remain in
full force and effect according to their respective terms. As of April 18, 2022, 31 shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant
to outstanding stock options under the 2003 Plan and no additional awards may be granted under the 2003 Plan.
On
August 26, 2013, Pulmatrix Operating adopted the Original 2013 Plan, which provides for awards of stock options, stock grants, and other
stock-based awards to certain employees, directors, and consultants who were selected for participation by the Original 2013 Plan’s
administrator. Immediately prior to the adoption of the Incentive Plan, we terminated the Original 2013 Plan as to future awards. As
of April 18, 2022, 32 shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options under the Original 2013 Plan and
no additional awards may be granted under the Original 2013 Plan.
The
Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans are administered by our compensation committee, which has been delegated to act on the Board’s behalf.
The administrator has discretion to, among other things, interpret the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans and make all rules and determinations
necessary to administer the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans, select those persons eligible to receive awards under the Old Pulmatrix Equity
Plans, determine the number of shares of our stock subject to, and the terms and conditions of, awards under the Old Pulmatrix Equity
Plans, amend outstanding awards and adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of a specified jurisdiction in order to comply with or
take advantage of such jurisdiction’s tax or other applicable laws.
Stock
options granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans could either be “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code or “nonqualified stock options.” Incentive stock options may not have an exercise price per share of less
than 100% (110% in the case of a participant who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of Pulmatrix or an affiliate (a “10%
Stockholder”)) of the fair market value of a share of our stock on the date of grant or a term longer than ten years (five years
in the case of a 10% Stockholder). The exercise price per share of a nonqualified stock option granted under the Original 2013 Plan may
not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our stock on the date of grant, unless the option complies with Section
409A of the Code or is granted to a consultant to whom Section 409A of the Code does not apply. A stock grant awarded under the Old Pulmatrix
Equity Plans will state the purchase price per share, if any, and may include the right for us to restrict or reacquire the shares covered
by the award, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement. Other stock-based awards permitted under the Original
2013 Plan include securities convertible into our stock, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards and stock units, and are intended
to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code.
Participants
in the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans do not have any voting or other rights as a stockholder of Pulmatrix until the exercise of the award,
payment of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, and registration of the acquired shares in the participant’s name.
Except as otherwise permitted by the administrator, awards granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans are transferable only by will
or through the laws of descent and distribution and are exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant (or
his or her legal representative).
Except
as otherwise provided in an award agreement, if a participant’s employment with us or an affiliate is terminated for any reason,
all unvested stock options granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans will expire and be forfeited and all stock grants and stock-based
awards granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans that have not been accepted by the participant, and the purchase price, if any, not
paid, shall terminate. If the participant’s employment with us or an affiliate is terminated for any reason other than by us for
cause or due to the participant’s death or total and permanent disability, then vested stock options granted under the Old Pulmatrix
Equity Plans remain exercisable for the duration of the term specified in the award agreement, which cannot exceed three months in the
case of an incentive stock option, and all stock grants under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans that remain subject to forfeiture or our
repurchase rights shall be cancelled or repurchased, as applicable. If the termination of employment is due to the participant’s
death or total and permanent disability (or the participant dies or becomes disabled within three months of the participant’s termination
of employment other than for cause), then outstanding, vested stock options granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans may be exercised
for up to one year following the participant’s termination date and the forfeiture provisions of, or our repurchase rights in,
outstanding stock grants under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans shall lapse, provided that, to the extent such forfeiture provisions or
repurchase rights otherwise lapse over time, such provisions or rights shall lapse only as to the pro rata number of shares of stock
subject to such provisions or rights, based on the number of days in the relevant time period prior to the date of death or total and
permanent disability. If a participant’s employment with us or an affiliate is terminated for cause, or a participant subsequently
commits an act constituting cause, then all outstanding, unexercised stock options granted under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans will
be immediately forfeited and any shares of stock subject to any stock grant under the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans, whether or not then
subject to forfeiture or right of repurchase, shall be immediately subject to repurchase by us, with the repurchase price determined
as provided in the 2003 Plan or the Original 2013 Plan, as applicable.
Pursuant
to the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans, all unexercised stock options and any stock grants or stock-based awards that have not been accepted
by the participant, to the extent required by the applicable award agreement, will terminate immediately prior to our dissolution or
liquidation. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator or specifically provided in the applicable award agreement, all outstanding
stock-based awards shall immediately terminate upon our dissolution or liquidation.
In
the event of a “Corporate Transaction” (as defined in the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans), all outstanding stock options shall
be (i) substituted, on an equitable basis, for stock options in the successor or acquiring entity, (ii) terminated, if not exercised
by the participant upon receiving advance written notice that such options, to the extent exercisable or made exercisable at the discretion
of the administrator, must be exercised by a specific date or (iii) terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration
payable upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction for the number of shares covered by the stock options then exercisable or made
exercisable at the discretion of the administrator, less the stock options’ aggregate exercise price. In the event of a Corporate
Transaction, all outstanding stock grants shall either be (x) substituted for stock grants, with the same terms and conditions, but in
securities of the successor or acquiring entity or (y) terminated in exchange for a payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable
upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction for the number of shares covered by the stock grant that are no longer subject to any
forfeiture or repurchase rights, whether by their terms or that were waived in the administrator’s discretion. In the event of
a Corporate Transaction, the administrator or the Board of the successor or acquiring entity shall determine the specific adjustments
to be made to any outstanding stock-based awards, which determination shall be conclusive.
The
administrator or our stockholders may amend the Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans, provided that no such amendment shall adversely affect the
rights of any participant without the participant’s consent.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information regarding the number of securities to be issued under the Incentive Plan and Old Pulmatrix Equity
Plans, the weighted-average exercise price of options issued under the Incentive Plan and Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans and the number of
securities remaining available for future issuance under the Incentive Plan and Old Pulmatrix Equity Plans, in each case as of December
31, 2021:
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(3) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | |
| 196,006 | | |
$ | 52.72 | | |
| 93,481 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total | |
| 196,006 | | |
$ | 52.72 | | |
| 93,481 | |
(1) |
Represents shares available
for issuance under the Incentive Plan. |
(2) |
Excludes 63 shares of our
common stock issuable upon outstanding options granted under equity compensation plans granted under the Original 2013 Plan and the
2003 plan. No additional awards may be issued under the Original 2013 Plan nor the 2003 Plan. As of December 31, 2021, there were
32 options with a weighted average exercise price of $367.69 per share outstanding pursuant to the Original 2013 Plan. As of December
31, 2021, there were 31 options with a weighted average exercise price of $404.39 per share outstanding pursuant to the 2003 Plan. |
(3) |
The number of authorized
shares under the Incentive Plan is subject to annual increases based upon an “evergreen” provision, which allows for
an annual increase in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the plan on the first day of each fiscal
year. Pursuant to the “evergreen” provision currently in effect, the annual increase in the number of shares shall be
equal to five percent (5%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of such date. |
AUDIT
COMMITTEE MATTERS
Audit
Committee Report
The
Audit Committee assists the Board in its general oversight of the Company’s financial reporting processes. The Audit Committee
Charter describes in greater detail the full responsibilities of the Audit Committee. During each fiscal year, the Audit Committee reviews
the Company’s financial statements, management reports, internal control over financial reporting and audit matters. In connection
with these reviews, the Audit Committee meets with management and independent public accountants at least once each quarter. The Audit
Committee schedules its meetings with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. These meetings include,
whenever appropriate, executive sessions in which the Audit Committee meets separately with the independent public accountants, financial
management personnel and legal counsel.
As
part of its review of audit matters, the Audit Committee supervises the relationship between the Company and its independent registered
public accountants, including: having direct responsibility for their appointment, compensation and retention; reviewing the scope of
their audit services; approving audit and non-audit services; and confirming the independence of the independent public accountants.
Together with senior members of the Company’s financial management team, the Audit Committee reviewed the overall audit scope and
plans of the independent public accountants, the results of external audit examinations, and evaluations by management of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting and the quality of the Company’s financial reporting.
In
addition, the Audit Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at designing and maintaining an effective internal and disclosure
control structure. As part of this process, the Audit Committee continued to monitor the scope and adequacy of the steps taken to maintain
the effectiveness of internal procedures and controls.
In
performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts in an oversight capacity. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the quarterly
and annual consolidated financial statements with management, and the Company’s independent public accountants prior to their issuance.
In its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Company’s management, which is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, preparing the financial statements and other reports
and maintaining policies relating to legal and regulatory compliance, ethics and conflicts of interest. Marcum LLP is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial
statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit committee has reviewed and discussed
the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2021, and
the independent auditor’s report on those financial statements, with management and with our independent auditor, Marcum LLP.
The
Audit Committee has reviewed with the independent public accountants the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC including a discussion with management and the independent public accountants
of the quality (and not merely the acceptability) of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates
and judgments and the disclosures in the Company’s financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed
with Marcum LLP matters related to its independence, including a review of audit and non-audit fees and the written disclosures in the
letter from Marcum LLP to the Audit Committee required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding
the independent public accountant’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee concluded
that Marcum LLP is independent from the Company and its management.
Taking
all these reviews and discussions into account, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be
included in Pulmatrix’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2021 that was filed with the SEC.
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
|
|
Michael J. Higgins, Chairman |
|
Richard
Batycky, Ph.D.
Todd
Bazemore |
The
Report of the Audit Committee set forth in this Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be
“filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Exchange Act. In addition, it shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any statement that incorporates this Proxy Statement by
reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates this information by reference.
Fees
to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
following is a summary of the fees billed to us by Marcum LLP for professional services rendered in the years ended December 31, 2021
and 2020:
| |
2021 | | |
2020 | |
Audit Fees | |
$ | 186,121 | | |
$ | 187,819 | |
Audit-Related Fees | |
| 42,744 | | |
| 12,031 | |
Tax Fees | |
| — | | |
| — | |
All Other Fees | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total Fees | |
$ | 228,865 | | |
$ | 199,850 | |
Audit
Fees. This category includes the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, reviews of our financial statements included
in our Form 10-Qs and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with its
engagements for those years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of,
the audit or the review of our interim financial statements.
Audit-Related
Fees. This category consists of assurance and related services by our independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.”
The services for the fees disclosed under this category include consents regarding equity issuances.
Tax
Fees. This category typically consists of professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm for
tax compliance and tax advice.
All
Other Fees. This category includes aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided
by the Marcum LLP, other than the services reported in the categories above.
Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures
Under
the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit
services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. On an annual basis, the Audit Committee pre-approves a list
of services that may be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm without obtaining specific pre-approval from the
Audit Committee. In addition, the Audit Committee sets pre-approved fee levels for each of the listed services. Any type of service that
is not included on the list of pre-approved services must be specifically approved by the Audit Committee or its designee. Any proposed
service that is included on the list of pre-approved services but will cause the pre-approved fee level to be exceeded will also require
specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee or its designee.
The
Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Audit Committee chairman and any pre-approved actions by the Audit Committee
chairman as designee are reported to the Audit Committee for approval at its next scheduled meeting.
All
of the services rendered by Marcum LLP in 2021 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
PROPOSAL
2: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUM LLP AS OUR
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE 2021 FISCAL YEAR
The
Audit Committee of the Board has selected Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2022, and the Board has directed that management submit the selection of independent registered public accountants for ratification
by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise.
However, the Board is submitting the selection of Marcum LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice.
If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Marcum LLP. Even if the
selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, at its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public
accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
Required
Vote and Board Recommendation
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present cast for or against the proposal is required to ratify the appointment of Marcum
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. If your shares are held by a broker
and you do not give the broker specific instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker may vote your shares at its discretion.
Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this proposal.
The
Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm
for the 2022 fiscal year. |
Marcum
LLP Representatives at Annual Meeting
We
expect that representatives of Marcum LLP will be present telephonically at the Annual Meeting. They will be given the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so, and they will be available to respond to appropriate questions after the Annual Meeting.
OTHER
BUSINESS
The
Board knows of no other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other business should properly come before
the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the proxy in accordance with applicable law and as they may
deem appropriate in their discretion, unless directed by the proxy to do otherwise.
DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
If
two or more stockholders share an address, we may send a single copy of this proxy statement and other soliciting materials, as well
as the 2021 Annual Report to the shared address, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders sharing
the address. If a single copy has been sent to multiple stockholders at a shared address, we will deliver a separate proxy card for each
stockholder entitled to vote. Additionally, we will send an additional copy of this proxy statement, other soliciting materials and the
2021 Annual Report promptly upon oral or written request by any stockholder to our Corporate Secretary, Pulmatrix, Inc., 99 Hayden Avenue,
Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421; telephone number (781) 357-2333 or by contacting our Proxy Solicitation Agent, Kingsdale
Advisors by calling toll-free at (877) 659-1820, or via e-mail at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com. If any stockholders sharing
an address receive multiple copies of this proxy statement, other soliciting materials and the 2021 Annual Report and would prefer in
the future to receive only one copy, such stockholders may make such request to our Corporate Secretary at the same address or telephone
number.
SUBMISSION
OF FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 14a-8”), a stockholder who intends to present a proposal at our next annual meeting
of stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) and who wishes the proposal to be included in the proxy statement and form of
proxy for that meeting must submit the proposal in writing no later than December 30, 2022, after which date such stockholder proposal
will be considered untimely. Such proposal must be submitted on or before the close of business to our corporate offices at 99 Hayden
Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421, Attn: Secretary.
Stockholders
wishing to nominate a director or submit proposals to be presented directly at the 2023 Annual Meeting instead of by inclusion in next
year’s proxy statement must follow the submission criteria and deadlines set forth in our Bylaws concerning stockholder nominations
and proposals. Stockholder nominations for director and other proposals that are not to be included in such materials must be received
by our Secretary in writing at our corporate offices at 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 no earlier than February
15, 2023 and no later than the close of business on March 17, 2023. Any such stockholder proposals or nominations for director
must also satisfy the requirements set forth in our Bylaws. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials, stockholder proposals
must also comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8. Stockholders are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional advance
notice requirements, including requirements with respect to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. A proxy
granted by a stockholder will give discretionary authority to the proxies to vote on any matters introduced pursuant to the above advance
notice provisions in the Bylaws, subject to applicable rules of the SEC.
A
copy of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K is available without charge (except for exhibits, which are available upon payment
of a reasonable fee) upon written request to Pulmatrix, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 99 Hayden Avenue, Suite 390, Lexington,
Massachusetts 02421.

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