<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
Medi-Ject Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) 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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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] 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 of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
MEDI-JECT CORPORATION
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
612-475-7700
April 5, 1999
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 14, 1999 at the Company's offices located at
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, Minnesota.
The Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement which follow describe the
matters on which action will be taken. During the meeting we will also review
the activities of the past year and items of general interest about the Company.
The only matters scheduled for vote by the shareholders at the meeting are the
election of two members of the Board of Directors and the approval of the
independent auditors.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote for the two
proposals.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
We hope you will join us on May 14th for our Annual Meeting, but we know that
every shareholder may not be able to do so. Whether or not you plan to attend,
please return your signed proxy as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
/s/ Franklin Pass
Franklin Pass, M.D.,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
MEDI-JECT CORPORATION
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
_______________________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 14, 1999
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Medi-Ject
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, will be held on Friday, May 14, 1999 at
10:30 a.m. at the offices of the Company located at 161 Cheshire Lane, Plymouth,
Minnesota, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two (2) directors.
2. To ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors
for the Company.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
All shareholders of record on the transfer books of the Company as of the close
of business on Tuesday, March 16, 1999, will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
Your attention is directed to the enclosed Proxy. Whether or not you intend to
be present at the meeting, please complete, sign and return the Proxy in the
enclosed envelope.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Mark S. Derus
Mark S. Derus
Secretary
Dated: April 5, 1999
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT OF
MEDI-JECT CORPORATION
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
___________________________________
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
May 14, 1999
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Directors of Medi-Ject Corporation (the "Company") to be used at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on May 14, 1999.
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy were
first sent or given to shareholders was April 5, 1999. Each shareholder who
signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement may
revoke the same at any time prior to use by giving notice of such revocation to
the Company in writing or in open meeting. Unless so revoked, the shares
represented by such proxy will be voted at the meeting and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof in the manner specified. If no direction is made, the proxy
will be voted for the election of the nominees for directors named in this Proxy
Statement and for the ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent auditors. Presence at the meeting of a shareholder who has signed a
proxy does not alone revoke the proxy. Only shareholders of record at the close
of business on March 16, 1999 will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any
adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Each item of business properly presented at a meeting of shareholders generally
must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
voting power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote
on that item of business. However, if the shares present and entitled to vote on
that item of business would not constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at the meeting, then the item must be approved by a majority of the
voting power of the minimum number of shares that would constitute such a
quorum. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
will be tabulated by the election inspectors appointed for the meeting and such
inspectors will determine whether or not a quorum is present. The election
inspectors will treat abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and in tabulating
votes cast on proposals presented to shareholders for a vote but as unvoted for
purposes of determining the approval of the matter from which the shareholder
abstains. Consequently, an abstention will have the same effect as a negative
vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary
authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will
not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.
As of the close of business on the record date, March 16, 1999, 1,424,729 shares
of Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is
entitled to one vote. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not
permitted. All share and per share figures in this proxy statement have been
adjusted for a one-for-five reverse stock split effective January 28, 1999.
1
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)
The Company's Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that
the Board of Directors be divided into three classes of directors of as nearly
equal size as possible. The members of each class are elected to serve a three-
year term, and the terms are staggered. The terms of Franklin Pass, Stanley
Goldberg and Norman Jacobs will expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders; the terms of, Kenneth Evenstad and Karl Groth will expire at the
2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and the terms of Geoffrey Guy and Fred
Shapiro expire at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Vacancies on the
Board of Directors and newly created directorships can be filled by the vote of
a majority of the directors then in office.
The Board of Directors has nominated and recommended that Franklin Pass and
Stanley Goldberg be elected as Directors at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, each to hold office until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in
the year 2002 or until his respective successor is duly elected and qualified.
Mr. Jacobs has indicated that he will not stand for re-election when his term
expires at the next meeting.
Each of the nominees is currently a member of the Company's Board of Directors
and has indicated a willingness to serve as a director if elected. In case any
nominee is not a candidate for any reason, the proxies named in the enclosed
form of proxy may vote for a substitute nominee in their discretion, unless an
instruction to the contrary is indicated on the proxy. The Company has no reason
to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve as a director if elected.
The accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of the election of the nominees of
directors, unless the shareholder giving the proxy indicates to the contrary on
the proxy.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the director
nominees.
Certain information concerning the nominees and other directors follows:
Nominations for Election at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Age
---
Franklin Pass, M.D. 62 Dr. Pass joined the Company as a director and
consultant in January 1992 and has served as the
Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors since February
1993. From 1990 to 1992, Dr. Pass served as President
of International Agricultural Investments, Ltd., an
agricultural technology consulting and investment
company. Dr. Pass, a physician and scientist, was
Director of the Division of Dermatology at Albert
Einstein College of Medicine from 1967 to 1973, the
Secretary and Treasurer of the American Academy of
Dermatology from 1978 to 1981 and the co-founder and
Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Genetics, Inc.,
now named MGI Pharma, Inc., from 1979 to 1986. He is
the author of more than 40 published medical and
scientific articles. Dr. Pass also serves on the
board of directors of Verdant Brands, Inc. (formerly
Ringer Corporation), a leading manufacturer of garden
pesticides.
2
<PAGE>
Stanley Goldberg 52 Mr. Goldberg joined the Board of Directors in
February 1998 and is a member of the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors. Mr. Goldberg has been the
Chairman of Verdant Brands, Inc. (formerly Ringer
Corporation) since 1996, Chief Executive Officer
since 1993 and its President since September 1992.
From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Goldberg was Vice President
and General Manager of Thomson, S.A., World Wide
Audio Division, and, from 1988 to 1990, General
Manager of Thomson S.A., Audio Americas Operations.
Thomson, S.A. is a defense and electronics company.
From 1986 to 1988, Mr. Goldberg was Manager of
Product Development for General Electric Company, a
consumer and industrial products and defense company.
Mr. Goldberg also held various positions in marketing
and management at General Electric. Mr. Goldberg also
is a director of Destron-Fearing.
Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Kenneth Evenstad 55 Mr. Evenstad joined the Board of Directors in May
1993 and is a member of the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors. Since 1969, Mr. Evenstad has been
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., a private
pharmaceutical company specializing in branded
generic cardiovascular drugs. Mr. Evenstad is a
trained pharmacist.
Karl E. Groth 51 Mr. Groth joined the Board of Directors in February
1998 and is a member of the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors. Mr. Groth is the
President/Chief Executive Officer of First Circle
Medical Inc., a medical device company that produces
equipment related to the treatment of AIDS and
hepatitis using hyperthermia. From 1996 to 1997, he
was the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Browne Medical Systems, Inc., a medical device
company that produces equipment for the urodynamic
market. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Groth was the Director
of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs & Vice President
Sales and Marketing of InStent Inc., a medical
products company. He also has held positions with
Medtronic, Inc., the University of Minnesota and
Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company.
Directors Whose Terms Continue Until the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Geoffrey Guy, M.D. 44 Dr. Guy joined the Board of Directors in November
1993 and is a member of the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors. In 1985, Dr. Guy founded
Ethical Holdings plc ("Ethical"), a company that
develops new transdermal and oral drug delivery
systems and was its Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer until December 1997. Dr. Guy is a director of
GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a pharmaceutical company
located in the U.K and he holds a Diploma of
Pharmaceutical Medicine from the British Royal
College of Physicians.
3
<PAGE>
Fred L. Shapiro, M.D. 64 Dr. Shapiro joined the Board of Directors in
September 1992. He is Chairman of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. Dr. Shapiro was
president of Hennepin Faculty Associates, an
organization of the medical staff of the Hennepin
County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from
1983 until his retirement in 1995. Dr. Shapiro is a
nephrologist who has authored or co- authored more
than 100 published medical and scientific articles.
Dr. Shapiro was also a co-founder of Minntech, a
company that designs and manufactures medical
equipment. He has been a director of Minntech since
its incorporation in 1974.
None of the above directors are related to one another or to any executive
officer of the Company.
Information Concerning the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors met eight times during 1998. The Board of Directors acted
by written action three times during 1998. The Board of Directors has an Audit
and a Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee, consisting of Mr. Evenstad, Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Jacobs met
two times during 1998. The Audit Committee reviews the results and scope of the
audit and other services provided by the Company's independent auditors, as well
as the Company's accounting principles and its systems of internal controls, and
reports the results of its review to the full Board of Directors and to
management.
The Compensation Committee, consisting of Dr. Shapiro, Dr. Guy and Mr. Groth,
met two times during 1998. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations
concerning executive salaries and incentive compensation for employees and
administers the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan"). The Board of
Directors as a whole administers the Company's 1996 Incentive and Stock Option
Plan (the "1996 Plan") and the 1998 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(the "Directors Plan").
During 1998, each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number
of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Committees on which he serves
with the exception of Stanley Goldberg who attended 71% of the Board of
Directors meetings held during the year.
Under an agreement between the Company and Becton Dickinson, so long as Becton
Dickinson controls, directly or indirectly, no less than 5% of the capital stock
of the Company, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to nominate and
elect to the Board of Directors a person designated by Becton Dickinson and has
also agreed that the Board of Directors shall consist of at least a majority of
members who are not employed by the Company. In the event that a person
nominated by Becton Dickinson is not a member of the Board of Directors, Becton
Dickinson shall be entitled to notice of and to attend all meetings of the Board
of Directors and its committees and shall receive all information distributed to
the directors at the same time as the directors and shall receive the same
notice of meetings as the directors. Mr. Jacobs, whose term expires at the
Annual Meeting, was elected to the Board as the designee of Becton Dickinson.
Becton Dickinson has not nominated a replacement for Mr. Jacobs.
Compensation of Directors
The Company has not in the past paid directors' fees. All directors may be
reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in attending meetings of the Board of
Directors and its committees. In the past, the Board of Directors has made
annual discretionary grants of options to purchase shares of Common Stock under
the Company's 1993 Plan and the Company's 1996 Plan to certain members of the
Board of Directors. The size of these grants has varied from year to year. In
accordance with the Directors' Plan, eligible non-employee directors will
receive an automatic grant of an option to purchase 1,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock as of the first business day of each calendar year. The
Directors' Plan also provides for an initial option grant of 2,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock on the day that the director is first elected to the
Board of Directors.
4
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Overview
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing compensation policies
for all executive officers of the Company, including the three most highly
compensated executive officers named in the accompanying tables (the "Named
Executives Officers"). The members of the Compensation Committee are Dr.
Shapiro, Dr. Guy and Mr. Groth. The Compensation Committee establishes the total
compensation for the executive officers in light of these policies. The
Compensation Committee is composed entirely of outside Directors.
The objectives of the Company's executive compensation program are:
1. to attract and retain superior talent and reward individual
performance;
2. to support the achievement of the Company's financial and strategic
goals; and
3. through stock based compensation, align the executive officers'
interests with those of the shareholders of the Company.
The following report addresses the Company's executive compensation policies and
discusses factors considered by the Compensation Committee in determining the
compensation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and other
executive officers for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Compensation Policies for Executive Officers
The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to
provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Company's
annual and long term performance goals, reward above average corporate
performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the
Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives. To that end, the
Compensation Committee has established certain parameters of corporate
performance that must be met before the discretionary features of its executive
compensation plans apply. These discretionary features include stock option
grants and performance bonuses based upon an executive officer's base salary.
Absent the discretionary features, the Company's executive officers are paid
base salaries that are subject to annual cost-of-living increases, along with
periodic adjustments to make such salaries competitive with other similar sized
companies in the drug delivery industry. The Company's executive officers are
also given the opportunity to participate in certain other broad-based employee
benefit plans. As a result of the Company's emphasis on tying executive
compensation to corporate performance, in any particular year the Company's
executives may be paid more or less than the executives of other companies in
the drug delivery industry. The Company's use of stock option grants as a key
component of its executive compensation plans reflects the Compensation
Committee's position that stock ownership by management and stock based
compensation arrangements are beneficial in aligning management's and
shareholders' interests to enhance shareholder value.
The annual salary of each of the executive officers, other than the Chief
Executive Officer, was increased in 1998 by 3% pursuant to the terms of the
executive officers' employment agreements.
Bonuses
Cash bonuses are used to reward executive officers for achievement of financial
and technical milestones, as well as for individual performance. No bonuses were
awarded to executive officers during 1998.
5
<PAGE>
Stock Options
Stock options awarded under the Company's 1996 Plan are intended as incentive
compensation and have historically been granted annually to officers and other
key employees based on the Company's financial performance and achievement of
technical and regulatory milestones. During 1998, stock options to purchase a
total of 35,908 shares held by two executive officers, other than the Chief
Executive Officer, and options to purchase a total of 68,396 shares held by 39
other employees were cancelled and reissued at an exercise price of $7.20 per
share (see report on repricing of options below). In addition, stock options
totaling 8,600 and 43,300 were granted to three consultants and 48 employees
respectively, during 1998. These grants were made to provide ongoing incentives
to the Company's consultants and employees.
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation
Compensation for Dr. Franklin Pass during 1998, as reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 11 herein, consisted of base compensation, the
repricing of stock options and certain employee benefits. Dr. Pass's base
compensation for 1998 was increased 3% from his base salary in 1997 pursuant to
the terms of his employment contract, which was effective in January 1997. The
stock option repricing reflected the Committee's judgment as to Dr. Pass's
individual performance and the overall performance of the Company during 1998
and the appropriate incentives for Dr. Pass in the future.
At this time the Committee has no formal written plan for CEO compensation
separate and apart from the Company's general compensation philosophy. Until a
plan specific to the CEO is developed, CEO compensation will be based on
corporate and individual performance, consistent with guidelines applicable to
all key employees.
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Fred Shapiro Karl Groth Geoffrey Guy
6
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers
The Company has written employment agreements with Franklin Pass, M.D., Mark
Derus and Peter Sadowski.
Employment Agreement with Dr. Pass. Dr. Pass' employment agreement with the
Company became effective as of January 1, 1997 (the "1997 Agreement").
The 1997 Agreement provides for a base salary of $210,000 for 1997 and, as to
subsequent years, for a base salary to be mutually agreed upon prior to the
beginning of each year but, in no event, shall his salary for subsequent years
be less than his 1997 salary as adjusted for inflation. Pursuant to the terms of
the 1997 Agreement, the Company granted to Dr. Pass an option to purchase 80,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to $26.90 per share. The
option vests in equal monthly installments over a period of four years. The
option shall become 100% vested upon Dr. Pass's death or disability or upon a
change in control (as such terms are defined in the 1997 Agreement). The 1997
Agreement also contains provisions regarding participation in benefits plans,
repayment of expenses, participation as a director or consultant to other
companies (which is permitted provided that such participation does not
materially detract from his obligations to the Company or violate the terms of
the 1997 Agreement), protection of confidential information, noncompetition and
ownership of intellectual property. In addition, the 1997 Agreement contains
covenants that Dr. Pass will devote substantially all of his time to the Company
during the term of his employment. The 1997 Agreement has an initial term
through December 31, 2000, which term automatically shall be extended for
successive one-year periods unless either party objects by written notice at
least 90 days prior to the end of the current term. The 1997 Agreement may be
terminated prior to the end of the initial term or any extension thereof upon,
among other things, (i) at least 90 days' prior written notice of the Company's
intent to terminate the 1997 Agreement or (ii) a material breach by the Company
of the 1997 Agreement. In the event that Dr. Pass's employment is terminated
based upon events described in (i) or (ii) above, the Company shall pay Dr. Pass
severance pay equal to the lesser of (a) his then-current salary for a period of
two years or (b) the salary he would otherwise receive for the remainder of the
initial four-year term of the 1997 Agreement.
Employment Agreements with Mark Derus and Peter Sadowski. Messrs. Derus and
Sadowski entered into employment agreements with the Company as of January 1,
1997 (each, an "Employment Agreement"). The Employment Agreements provided for
1997 base salaries of $120,000, and $112,000 for Messrs. Derus and Sadowski,
respectively, and, as to subsequent years, provides for a base salary to be
mutually agreed upon prior to the beginning of each year but, in no event, shall
the salary for subsequent years be less than the 1997 salary as adjusted for
inflation. The Employment Agreements also contain provisions regarding
participation in benefits plans, repayment of expenses, participation as a
director or consultant to other companies (which is permitted provided that such
participation does not materially detract from their respective obligations to
the Company or otherwise violate the terms of their Employment Agreements),
protection of confidential information and ownership of intellectual property.
In addition, the Employment Agreements contain covenants not to compete and
covenants with respect to non-solicitation and non-interference with the
Company's customers, suppliers or employees. The Employment Agreements each have
one-year terms which automatically shall be extended for successive one- year
periods unless either party objects by written notice at least 90 days prior to
the end of the current term. The Employment Agreements may be terminated upon 90
days' notice by the Company. Mr. Derus voluntarily terminated his employment
with the Company effective as of April 2, 1999.
7
<PAGE>
Transactions with Affiliates
Becton Dickinson and Company. On January 25, 1996, the Company and Becton
Dickinson entered into a Preferred Stock, Option and Warrant Purchase Agreement
pursuant to which Becton Dickinson purchased 761,615 shares of Series C
Convertible Preferred Stock for aggregate consideration of $3 million. These
Series C Convertible Preferred shares were subsequently converted into 152,323
shares of common stock in connection with the Company's initial public offering.
Becton Dickinson also received, for no additional consideration, an option (the
"Becton Dickinson Option") to purchase 76,161 shares of Common Stock at $23.00
per share and purchased, for $125,000, a warrant (the "Becton Dickinson
Warrant") to purchase 380,807 shares of Common Stock at $29.55 per share.
At the same time, the Company and Becton Dickinson entered into a Development
and License Agreement relating to the further development of the Company's
needle-free injection systems and Becton Dickinson's development of certain
disposables for use with the Company's systems. The terms of the Development and
License Agreement include the grant to Becton Dickinson during the term of the
agreement of an exclusive, world-wide license to (i) sell and use certain of the
Company's needle-free injection systems that are not designed or calibrated for
use with a specific drug made by a specific drug company and that are not
intended to be distributed primarily through pharmacies for non-professional use
and (ii) make, have made, use, sell and import single-use or multiple-use
disposable needle-free syringes or other related drug-containing or drug-
contacting components for use with certain of the Company's needle-free
injection systems.
On February 8, 1999, the Company executed an agreement with Becton Dickinson to
restructure their relationship under the Development and Licensing Agreement.
The revised agreement is based upon the realization of both parties that the
Company's MJ-7 product and its disposable components would not fulfill the
marketing or manufacturing requirements of Becton Dickinson. Under the terms of
the new agreement, the Company is free to market the MJ-7 insulin injector and
manufacture disposables in exchange for a small royalty on sales. Becton
Dickinson retains an option that allows it, for a limited time, to negotiate for
marketing rights for a future generation MJ-8 injector and a similar option to
negotiate for the right to manufacture disposables under certain conditions. The
revised agreement had no impact on Becton Dickinson's equity ownership or its
rights with respect to the Becton Dickinson Warrant or the Becton Dickinson
Option.
8
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information concerning beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock of the Company as of March 16, 1999 with respect
to (i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than
5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, (ii) each director of the
Company, (iii) each Named Executive Officer, and (iv) all directors and
executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Percentage of
Beneficially Outstanding
Name of Beneficial Owner Owned(1) Shares
<S> <C> <C>
Becton Dickinson and Company (2) 609,292 32.4%
Franklin Pass, M. D. (3)(4) 104,714 6.9%
Fred L. Shapiro, M. D. (3)(5) 18,410 *
Kenneth Evenstad (3)(6) 5,678 *
Geoffrey Guy, M.D. (3)(7) 6,884 *
Norman A. Jacobs (3)(8) 0 *
Karl Groth (3)(9) 3,000 *
Stanley Goldberg (3)(10) 3,000 *
Mark Derus (3)(11) 18,873 *
Peter Sadowski (3)(12) 13,574 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) (13) 174,133 10.9%
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes generally voting power
and/or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock
subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days of March 16, 1999, are deemed outstanding for computing the
percentage of the person holding such options but are not deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as
indicated by footnote, the Company believes that the persons named in this
table, based on information provided by such persons, have sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated.
(2) Includes 456,969 shares of Common Stock issuable to Becton Dickinson upon
the exercise of outstanding options and warrants. The address of Becton
Dickinson is 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417.
(3) The director's or officer's address is 161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100,
Plymouth, MN 55441.
(4) Includes 84,589 shares of Common Stock issuable to Dr. Pass upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(5) Includes 3,623 shares of Common Stock issuable to Dr. Shapiro upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(6) Includes 3,623 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Evenstad upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(7) Includes 6,123 shares of Common Stock issuable to Dr. Guy upon the exercise
of outstanding options.
(8) Mr. Jacobs is the Vice President, Business Development, Worldwide Injection
Systems of Becton Dickinson.
(9) Includes 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Groth upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(10) Includes 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Goldberg upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(11) Includes 16,588 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Derus upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(12) Includes 13,574 shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Sadowski upon the
exercise of outstanding options.
(13) Includes 134,120 shares of Common Stock issuable to all directors and
executive officers as a group upon the exercise of outstanding options.
9
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation
The following table provides certain summary information concerning compensation
paid or accrued by the Company to or on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer
and the three other most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named
Executive Officers") as of the year ended December 31, 1998 for services in all
capacities as well as compensation earned by such person for the previous two
fiscal years (if the person was an executive officer during any part of such
fiscal year):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
----------------------------------- -------------
Name and Other Annual Stock
Principal Fiscal Salary Bonus Compensation Options
Position Year ($) ($) ($)(1) (#)
- -------------------------------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Franklin Pass, M.D., 1998 216,300 -- 21,958 80,000(2)
Chairman, President 1997 210,000 -- 15,698 80,000
and Chief Executive 1996 192,500 57,500 7,967 26,285
Officer
Mark Derus, Executive Vice 1998 123,600 -- 5,000 16,693(2)
President, Finance, 1997 120,000 -- 5,000 3,000
Chief Financial 1996 98,450 33,950 -- 9,123
Officer and Secretary
Peter Sadowski, Executive Vice 1998 115,360 -- -- 19,215(2)
President, Chief Technical 1997 112,000 -- -- 3,000
Officer 1996 98,450 18,950 4,700 6,923
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents premiums paid for disability and life insurance policies with
coverage limits in excess of those provided under the Company's standard
employee insurance policies.
(2) All options granted to named executives in 1998 represent options issued at
an exercise price of $7.20 following the cancellation of an equal number of
options issued in previous years. See "Report on Repricing of Options".
10
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS
Option Grants During 1998
The table below sets forth individual grants of stock options made to the Named
Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 1998. Each of the options
granted were issued following the cancellation of a similar option with a higher
exercise price.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Percent of Annual Rates
Number of Total Options Exercise of Stock Price
Securities Granted to Price or Appreciation
Underlying Employees Base for Option Term (1)
Options During Price/sh. Expiration --------------------
Name Granted(#) the Year(%) ($) Date 5%($) 10%($)
- ------------------- ---------- ------------- --------- ---------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Franklin Pass(2) 80,000 35.2 7.20 2/21/07 283,779 683,669
Mark Derus(3) 3,000 1.3 7.20 12/17/07 12,586 31,361
Mark Derus(4) 7,600 3.3 7.20 10/22/06 27,118 65,405
Mark Derus(5) 1,523 0.7 7.20 1/1/06 4,816 11,367
Mark Derus(6) 4,570 2.1 7.20 1/1/00 2,402 4,854
Peter Sadowski(3) 3,000 1.3 7.20 12/17/07 12,586 31,361
Peter Sadowski(4) 5,400 2.4 7.20 10/22/06 19,224 46,472
Peter Sadowski(5) 1,523 0.7 7.20 1/1/06 4,816 11,367
Peter Sadowski(6) 3,808 1.7 7.20 1/1/00 2,001 4,045
Peter Sadowski(7) 5,484 2.4 7.20 12/01/03 11,806 26,336
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price appreciation
are mandated by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not
represent the Company's estimate or projection of the Company's future
Common Stock prices.
(2) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Incentive and
Stock Option Plan on December 8, 1998. This option represents the
replacement of an option with an exercise price of $26.90 that was
originally issued on February 21, 1997. This option vests in equal monthly
installments over 48 months beginning on February 21, 1997.
(3) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Incentive and
Stock Option Plan on July 21, 1998. This option represents the replacement
of an option with an exercise price of $10.95 that was originally issued on
December 17, 1997. This option vests in five equal installments on December
17 of each of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
(4) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Incentive and
Stock Option Plan on July 21, 1998. This option represents the replacement
of an option with an exercise price of $25.00 that was originally issued on
October 22, 1996. This option vests in five equal installments on October
22 of each of 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
(5) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Option
Plan on July 21, 1998. This option represents the replacement of an option
with an exercise price of $19.70 that was originally issued on March 14,
1996. This option vested in full on December 31, 1996.
(6) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Option
Plan on July 21, 1998. This option represents the replacement of an option
with an exercise price of $16.40 that was originally issued on January 3,
1995. This option vested in full on December 31, 1996.
(7) Incentive stock option granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Option
Plan on July 21, 1998. This option represents the replacement of an option
with an exercise price of $8.25 that was originally issued on February 28,
1994. This option vested in full on February 28, 1997.
11
<PAGE>
Aggregated Option Exercises in 1998 and Year End Option Values
The following table provides information concerning stock option exercises and
the value of unexercised options at December 31, 1998 for the Named Executive
Officers:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Value of
Shares Securities Underlying Unexercised
Acquired Unexercised In-The-Money Options
on Value Options at Year End(#) at Year End($)
Exercise Realized --------------------------- ---------------------------
Name (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---------------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Franklin Pass 0 0 76,256 54,400 0 0
Mark Derus 0 0 16,587 6,961 0 0
Peter Sadowski 0 0 13,575 5,639 0 0
</TABLE>
(This space intentionally left blank)
12
<PAGE>
Report on Repricing of Options
In July 1998, after a significant decrease in the price of the Company's Common
Stock, the Board of Directors determined that options to purchase an aggregate
of 35,908 shares of Common Stock previously granted to two executive officers of
the Company, Mark Derus and Peter Sadowski, no longer provided a meaningful
incentive as originally intended. These option agreements had been granted on
five separate occasions between February 28, 1994 and December 17, 1997, had
original exercise prices ranging from $8.25 to $25.00 per share, and were
granted pursuant to either the Company's 1996 Incentive and Stock Option Plan or
its 1993 Stock Option Plan. In light of the Company's financial performance in
1998, and the Compensation Committee's desire to provide meaningful incentives
to the Company's executive officers in the future, the Board of Directors
canceled these option agreements and then reissued then at an exercise price of
$7.20 per share, the market price on the day of the reissue. All of the other
terms and conditions of the original option agreements, including the vesting
periods, were unchanged following reissue.
In December 1998, the Board of Directors determined that an option agreement to
purchase an aggregate of 80,000 shares of Common Stock previously granted to Dr.
Pass pursuant to the 1996 Incentive and Stock Option Plan, no longer provided a
meaningful incentive, as initially intended. This agreement had an exercise
price of $26.90 per share. In light of the Company's financial performance in
1998, and the Compensation Committee's desire to provide meaningful incentives
to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors canceled this option and
then granted a new option agreement to purchase the same number of shares at a
price of $7.20 per share. The price of $7.20 was substantially above the market
closing price of $3.15 on the date of the grant, and was instead based on the
price at which the executive officers' options were repriced in July 1998.
Except for the reduction in price, all other terms of the original option
agreement with Dr. Pass remained the same. This option vests monthly over 48
months and will be fully vested on December 31, 2000. Additional detail is
provided in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Years
Price Remaining
Number of of Exercise in Original
Underlying Stock at Price at New Option Term
Shares Time of Time of Exercise on Date of
Name Date Repriced Repricing Repricing Price Repricing
- -------------- -------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Franklin Pass 12/08/98 80,000 $3.15 $26.90 $7.20 8.2
Peter Sadowski 07/21/98 3,000 $7.20 $10.95 $7.20 9.0
Peter Sadowski 07/21/98 5,400 $7.20 $25.00 $7.20 7.9
Peter Sadowski 07/21/98 1,523 $7.20 $19.70 $7.20 7.1
Peter Sadowski 07/21/98 3,808 $7.20 $16.40 $7.20 1.1
Peter Sadowski 07/21/98 5,484 $7.20 $ 8.25 $7.20 5.0
Mark Derus 07/21/98 3,000 $7.20 $10.95 $7.20 9.0
Mark Derus 07/21/98 7,600 $7.20 $25.00 $7.20 7.9
Mark Derus 07/21/98 1,523 $7.20 $19.70 $7.20 7.1
Mark Derus 07/21/98 4,570 $7.20 $16.40 $7.20 1.1
</TABLE>
- ----------
13
<PAGE>
Performance Graph
The graph below provides an indication of cumulative total shareholder returns
("Total Return") for the Company as compared with the Nasdaq Composite Index and
the Nasdaq Non-Financial Stock Index weighted by market value at each
measurement point.
This graph covers the period beginning October 3, 1996, when the Company's
Common Stock was first traded on the Nasdaq National Market, through December
31, 1998. The graph assumes $100 was invested in each of the Company's Common
Stock, the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Non-Financial Stock Index on
October 3, 1996 (based upon the closing price of each). Total Return assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
October 3, December 31, December 31, December 31,
1996 1996 1997 1998
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Medi-Ject $100.00 $ 69.05 $ 38.10 $ 7.14
Nasdaq Composite Index 100.00 104.47 128.20 180.09
Nasdaq Non-Financial Stocks 100.00 103.41 121.35 177.52
14
<PAGE>
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
(Item 2 on the Proxy Card)
At the meeting, a vote will be taken on a proposal to ratify the appointment of
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG") as independent auditors of the Company for the
year ending December 31, 1999. KPMG has audited the Company's financial
statements since 1995.
A representative of KPMG is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to make
a statement if he or she so desires and to respond to appropriate questions. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock, represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is necessary to
ratify the appointment of KPMG as independent auditors of the Company.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's
Common Stock, represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, is
necessary for approval of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
auditors for the Company. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the above
proposal to select KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors for the
Company.
OTHER MATTERS
Solicitation
The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy,
Proxy Statement, annual report and other material which may be sent to the
shareholders in connection with this solicitation. Brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward soliciting
material to the beneficial owners of stock, in which case they will be
reimbursed by the Company for their expenses in doing so. Proxies are being
solicited primarily by mail but, in addition, officers of the Company may
solicit proxies personally by telephone or special letter, but such persons will
not receive extra compensation from the Company for doing so.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors, certain officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Forms 4 or 5 with the SEC. Such
officers, directors and ten percent shareholders are also required by the SEC's
rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Specific due dates for such reports have been established by the SEC and the
Company is required to disclose in this Proxy Statement any failure to file
reports by such dates. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports
received by it or by written representations from certain reporting persons, the
Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 1998, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and ten percent
shareholders were complied with, except for the filing of a report describing
the issuance of a stock option to the Chief Executive Officer in February, 1997.
A report detailing this transaction was filed in February 1999.
Other Matters
The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the Annual Meeting any
matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters that may
be presented to the meeting by others. However, if other matters come before the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of
proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
15
<PAGE>
The Company is including with this Proxy Statement its Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998, which includes an audited
balance sheet as of that date and the related statements of earnings, cash flows
and stockholders' equity, as well as other financial information relating to the
Company, including Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations. Shareholders may receive, without charge, a copy of
the Company's 1998 Form 10-K Report as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by writing to Medi-Ject Corporation, 161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100,
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
The proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit shareholders,
after timely notice to issuers, to present proposals for shareholder action in
issuer proxy statements where such proposals are consistent with applicable law,
pertain to matters appropriate for shareholder action, and are not properly
omitted by company action in accordance with proxy rules. Shareholder proposals
for the 2000 Annual Meeting must be prepared in accordance with the proxy rules
and received by the Company on or before December 16, 1999 in order to be
eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials.
16
<PAGE>
Please mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid
envelope provided.
Please detach here
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.
1.Election of directors: [ ] Vote [ ] Vote
01 Franklin Pass FOR WITHHELD
02 Stanley Goldberg all from all
nominees nominees
(Instructions: To withhold
authority to vote for any indicated
nominee, write the number(s) of the
nominee(s) in the box provided to
the right.)
2. Ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick [_] [_] [_]
LLP as independent auditors of For Against Abstain
thecompany for year ending December
31, 1999.
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are
authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF
NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH ITEM.
Address Change? Mark Box [_]
Indicate changes below: Date ______________
------------------------------
Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your name(s)
appear on Proxy. If held in joint ten-
ancy, all persons must sign. Trustees,
administrators, etc., should include
title and authority. Corporations
should provide full name of corpora-
tion and title of authorized officer
signing the Proxy.
<PAGE>
Medi-Ject Corporation
ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, May 14, 1999
10:30 a.m. local time
At the Company
161 Cheshire Lane, #100
Plymouth, Minnesota
Medi-Ject Corporation
161 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, MN 55441 Proxy
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
By signing this proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Franklin Pass
and Lawrence M. Christian, or either one of them, as Proxies, each with the
power to appoint his substitute and to act without the other, and authorize
each of them to represent and to vote, as designated herein, all shares of
common stock of Medi-Ject Corporation held of record by the undersigned on
March 16, 1999, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held
on May 14, 1999 or any adjournment thereof.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted "FOR" Items 1 and 2.
See reverse for voting instructions.
