<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:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to S 240.14a-11(c) or S 240.14a-12
SIMULATIONS PLUS, 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):
[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:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transactions:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] 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:
2) Form, schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed.
<PAGE>
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be Held February 25, 2000
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Simulations Plus, Inc. (the
"Company"), will be held on February 25, 2000, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, at
1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four directors to the Company's Board of Directors;
2. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Option Plan") to increase the number of shares available for
issuance upon exercise of options issuable under the Plan to
1,000,000 shares.
3. To ratify the selection of Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP
as the Company's Independent Accountants.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting, although
only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 30, 1999, will
be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. A list of shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to inspection by the
shareholders at the Company's principal office, 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster,
California, for a period of 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting and at the
Annual Meeting itself.
Shares can only be voted at the meeting if the holder is present in person
or represented by proxy. We urge you to date and sign the enclosed proxy and
return it in the accompanying envelope promptly so that your shares may be voted
in accordance with your wishes and the presence of a quorum may be assured. We
encourage you to do so even if you plan to attend the meeting in person. The
prompt return of your signed proxy, regardless of the number of shares you hold,
will aid the Company in reducing the expense of additional proxy solicitation.
The giving of such proxy does not affect your right to vote in person in the
event you attend the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Virginia Woltosz,
Secretary
Lancaster, California
January 21, 2000
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR PROXY
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID ENVELOPE.
SHOULD YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE GIVEN
A PROXY. THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL BE OF GREAT HELP IN PREPARATION
FOR THE MEETING.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
1220 W. AVENUE J
LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA 93534-2902
PROXY STATEMENT
Solicitation, Exercise and Revocability of Proxy
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Simulations
Plus, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on February 25, 2000, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the
"Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time,
at 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California. It is anticipated that this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will first be mailed to the
shareholders of the Company on or about January 21, 2000. The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster,
California, 93534 and its telephone number at those offices is (661) 723-7723.
A proxy is revocable at any time before it is voted by written notice to
the Company, the giving of a subsequent proxy, or attending the meeting and
voting in person. Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy, all
shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and
not properly revoked before they are voted) will be voted as follows: 1) for the
election of the four nominees to the Board of Directors named elsewhere herein;
(2) for approval of the amendment to the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Option Plan") to increase the number of shares available for issuance upon
exercise of options issuable under the Plan to 1,000,000 shares; (3) for
retention of Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP as the Company's
Independent Accountants; and (4) in the discretion of the Board of Directors as
to such other business as may properly come before the meeting. In the event a
shareholder specifies a different choice on his or her proxy, his or her shares
will be voted in accordance with the specifications so made.
Cost of Solicitation
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company.
Voting
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 30, 1999,
will be entitled to vote at the meeting. On that date, there were 3,383,531
shares of the Common Stock issued and outstanding. Shareholders are entitled to
one vote per share on all matters being submitted to shareholders at the
meeting, other than with respect to the election of directors, for which
cumulative voting is currently required under certain circumstances by
applicable provisions of California Law. Under cumulative voting, each
shareholder may give any one candidate whose name is placed in nomination prior
to the commencement of voting a number of votes equal to the number of directors
to be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which the shareholder's
shares are normally entitled, or distribute such number of votes among as many
candidates as the shareholder sees fit.
<PAGE>
The effect of cumulative voting is that the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock may not be able to elect all of the Company's
directors. No shareholder will be entitled to cumulate votes for a candidate,
however, unless that candidate's name has been placed in nomination prior to the
voting and the shareholder, or any other shareholder, has given notice at the
meeting, prior to the voting, of an intention to cumulate votes. A favorable
vote consists of a simple majority of the shares entitled to vote at the
meeting. The Company believes that as of December 30, 1999 the approximate
number of shareholders of record of its common stock was 3,383,531 and that
there were approximately 750 beneficial owners. This includes shares held in
nominee or "street" accounts.
The Board of Directors knows of only two shareholders who owned more than
five percent of the outstanding voting securities of the Company as of the
record date: Walter S. Woltosz and Virginia E. Woltosz. See "Beneficial
Ownership of Common Stock."
COMPANY STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
The stock price performance graph below is required by the SEC and shall
not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed
soliciting material or filed under such Acts.
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
Common Stock of the Company from the last day of the first month of trading of
the Company's Common Stock upon the Company's initial public offering (June 30,
1997) to December 31, 1999 with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000
Index, and the S&P 600 Small Cap Index (assuming the investment of $100 in the
Company's Common Stock and in each of the indices on June 30, 1997, and
reinvestment of all dividends).
<PAGE>
[Performance Graph Here]
The above graph was plotted using the following data:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Performance: 12/31/99
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simulations
DATE Russell 2000 S&P 600 Plus, Inc.
---- ------------ ------- ----------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
6/30/97 396.370 100.000 161.550 100.000 5.000 100.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/31/97 423.430 106.827 175.810 108.827 5.250 105.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/97 429.920 108.464 177.710 110.003 5.250 105.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/28/98 461.830 116.515 193.280 119.641 7.188 143.760
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/31/98 456.620 115.200 191.110 118.298 4.500 90.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/31/98 337.950 85.261 142.560 88.245 1.500 30.000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/98 397.750 100.348 166.840 103.275 1.234 24.680
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/28/99 392.26 98.963 159.14 98.508 3.625 72.500
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/31/99 438.68 110.674 175.65 108.728 2.375 47.500
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/31/99 427.83 107.937 175.57 108.678 1.516 30.320
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/99 454.08 114.560 182.97 113.259 1.123 22.460
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/31/99 504.75 127.343 197.79 122.433 1.875 37.500
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
INFORMATION RELATING TO VARIOUS PROPOSALS
PROPOSALS FOR VOTING
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election
as directors of the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Vote Required
In order to be elected as a director, a nominee will have to receive a
majority of the votes cast for that nominee, assuming a quorum (which consists
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting) is present at the
meeting. See "Voting," above.
At the time of the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will consist of
four incumbent members who are seeking to be elected at the meeting to hold
office until the next meeting of shareholders and until their successors are
elected and qualified. The Company's By-laws presently provide for a Board of no
less than three and no more than five directors, with the number of directors
currently fixed at four.
Walter S. Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio, and Dr.
Richard R. Weiss, all of whom are incumbent directors, have been nominated by
the Board of Directors for election as directors of the Company. All of the
nominees have informed the Company that they are willing to serve, if elected,
and management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be
unavailable. In the event a nominee for director should become unavailable for
<PAGE>
election, the persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of any other
person who may be recommended and nominated by the Board for the office of
director. Information regarding director nominees and directors is set forth
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY DIRECTOR SINCE
---- --- ------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR
NOMINEES:
Walter S. Woltosz 54 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and 1996
President of the Company and Words+.
Virginia E. Woltosz 48 Senior Vice President, Secretary and Director of the 1996
Company and Words+.
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio 49 Director and Consultant to the Company 1997
Dr. Richard R. Weiss 64 Director 1997
</TABLE>
Walter S. Woltosz is a co-founder of the Company and has served as its
Chief Executive Officer and President and as Chairman of the Board of Directors
since its incorporation in July 1996. Mr. Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+
and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and President since its
incorporation in 1981.
Virginia E. Woltosz is a co-founder of the Company and has served as
its Senior Vice President and Secretary since its incorporation in July
1996. Mrs. Woltosz is also a co-founder of Words+ and has served as its Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer since its incorporation in 1981. Virginia
E. Woltosz is the wife of Walter S. Woltosz.
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio started to serve as a Director of the Company in
June 1997. He is currently Professor and Chairman of Biomedical Engineering at
the University of Southern California ("USC"), and has been on the faculty at
USC since 1979. He also serves as the Co-Director of the Biomedical Simulations
Resource Project at USC, a project funded by the National Institutes of Health
since 1985.
<PAGE>
Dr. Richard R. Weiss started to serve as a Director of the Company in
June 1997. From October 1994 to the present, Dr. Weiss has acted as a
consultant to a number of aerospace companies and to the U.S. Department of
Defense through his own consulting entity, Richard R. Weiss Consulting
Services. From June 1993 through July 1994, Dr. Weiss was employed by the
U.S. Department of Defense as its Deputy Director, Space Launch & Technology.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT ALSO DIRECTORS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY OFFICER SINCE
---- --- ------------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald F. Creeley 48 Vice President, Marketing and Sales of the Company 1996
Momoko A. Beran 47 Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Words+ 1997
</TABLE>
Ronald F. Creeley joined the Company in February 1997 as its Vice
President, Marketing and Sales. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Creeley had
been Marketing Director at Union Pen Company, Time Resources, and New England
Business Services, Inc., with experience in marketing and research.
Momoko A. Beran joined Words+ in June 1993 as Director of Accounting and
was named the Company's Chief Financial Officer in July 1996. In February 1999,
Mrs. Beran assumed the additional temporary duties of Vice President,
Operations, for Words+, Inc. The Board of Directors approved this position on a
permanent basis at its meeting on November 18, 1999.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation
paid or accrued for the fiscal year ended August 1999, 1998 and 1997 by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Company's President. No other executive
officers of the Company received total annual compensation for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 that exceeded $100,000. As permitted under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, no amounts are shown in the
table below with respect to any perquisites paid to named officer because the
aggregate amount of such perquisites (e.g., auto allowance) did not exceed the
lessor of (i) $50,000 or (ii) 10% of the total annual salary and bonus of a
named officer.
<PAGE>
Name and Paid Accrued Fiscal
Principal Position Salary Salary Year
------------------ ------ ------ ----
Walter S. Woltosz................... $ 34,000 116,000 1999
President and Chief Executive Officer $143,750 6,250 1998
$300,000* 0 1997
*Includes $150,000 accrued but unpaid compensation paid from proceeds of the
Company's Initial Public Offering.
EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
The Company has an employment agreement with Walter Woltosz commencing
September 1, 1999 that extends until August 31, 2002. The agreement provides for
an annual salary of $150,000. Pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Woltosz is
entitled to such health insurance and other benefits that are not inconsistent
with that which the Company customarily provides to its other management
employees and to reimbursement of customary, ordinary and necessary business
expenses incurred in connection with the rendering of services to the Company.
The agreement also provides that the Company may terminate the agreement upon 30
days written notice if termination is without cause and that the Company's only
obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be for a payment equal to the greater of (i) 12
months of salary or (ii) the remainder of the term of the employment agreement
from the date of notice of termination. Further, the agreement provides that the
Company may terminate the agreement for cause (as defined) and that the
Company's only obligation to Mr. Woltosz would be limited to the payment of Mr.
Woltosz' salary and benefits through and until the effective date of any such
termination.
Commencing with the Company's fiscal year ending 1997 and for each fiscal
year thereafter, Walter and Virginia Woltosz are entitled to receive bonuses not
to exceed $150,000 and $60,000, respectively, equal to 5% of the Company's net
annual income before taxes. In addition, if the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock averages in excess of $10 per share for a period of 20 consecutive
trading days during any fiscal year, then the Company will grant to each of Mr.
and Mrs. Woltosz options under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, exercisable for five
years, to purchase 50 shares of Common Stock for each $1,000 of net income
before taxes that the Company earns with respect to such fiscal year (up to a
Maximum of 60,000 options each until August 31, 2002) at an exercise price equal
to the market value per share as of the date of grant.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of December 20, 1999 by (i) each
person who is known to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares
of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors and
executive officers, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group:
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER (1)(2) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
----------------------- -------------------- ----------
Walter S. and Virginia E. Woltosz 2,198,000 64.96%
Momoko Beran(3) 10,900 *
Ronald F. Creeley(4) 10,200 *
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio(5) 220 *
Dr. Richard R. Weiss(6) 1,220 *
All current directors and officers as a 2,220,540 65.63%
- ----------
* Less than 1%
(1) Such persons have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of Common Stock shown as being beneficially owned by them,
subject to community property laws, where applicable, and the
information contained in the footnotes to this table.
(2) The address of each director and executive officer named is c/o the
Company, 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California 93534.
(3) Represents 10,900 shares of Common Stock underlying an option
exercisable within the next 60 days. Does not include stock options for
89,600 shares which are not exercisable within the next 60 days.
(4) Represents 10,200 shares of Common Stock underlying an option
exercisable within the next 60 days. Does not include a stock option for
89,800 shares which are not exercisable within the next 60 days.
(5) Represents 220 shares of Common Stock underlying an option exercisable
within the next 60 days. Does not include a stock option for 1,383
shares which are not exercisable within the next 60 days.
(6) Represents 1,000 shares plus 220 shares of Common Stock underlying an
option exercisable within the next 60 days. Does not include a stock
option for 1,383 shares which are not exercisable within the next 60
days.
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS
The following table discloses certain information regarding the options
held at November 30, 1999 by the Chief Executive Officer and each other named
executive officer. No options were exercised by such persons.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Options at Value of Options at
November 30, 1999 November 30, 1999
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Walter S. Woltosz 0 0 0 0
Virginia E. Woltosz 0 0 0 0
Momoko Beran 10,900 89,600 13,450 $ 110,566(1)
Ronald F. Creeley 10,200 89,800 12,587 $ 110,813(1)
Dr. David Z. D'Argenio 220 1,383 271 $ 1,707(1)
Dr. Richard R. Weiss 1,220 1,383 1,505 $ 1,707(1)
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Based on a per share price of $1.234 at November 30, 1999 less applicable
option exercise prices.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the Board of Directors held
three meetings. The Board has an Audit Committee and does not have a
Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee consists of Dr. D'Argenio, Dr. Weiss and Mr. Woltosz.
The Audit Committee, which meets periodically with management and the Company's
independent auditors, reviews the internal accounting procedures of the Company
and reviews the services provided by the Company's independent auditors. The
Audit Committee met one time during fiscal 1999.
During fiscal 1999, each Board member attended 75% or more of the
aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he served,
held during the period for which he was a director or committee member,
respectively.
<PAGE>
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company pays its independent directors, Dr. D'Argenio and Dr. Weiss,
an annual fee of $2,500 per year for their service in that capacity and $500 for
each Board of Directors or committee meeting attended. Each director receives
stock options for 500 shares of Simulations Plus, Inc., Common Stock at the end
of each fiscal year. In addition, Dr. D'Argenio and Dr. Weiss are reimbursed for
expenses for the costs of attending Board of Director and committee meetings.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the
reelection of the four incumbent directors described above under "Information
Relating to Various Proposals: Election of Directors."
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY'S 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN (THE
"OPTION PLAN") TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES UNDERLYING OPTIONS THAT MAY BE
GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN FROM 500,000 TO 1,000,000
The Board of Directors has approved, and recommends that shareholders
approve, an amendment to the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Option
Plan") that would increase the number of shares of Common Stock underlying
options that may be granted under the Option Plan from its present number of
500,000 shares to 1,000,000 shares.
Shareholders are being asked to approve an amendment to the Company's 1996
Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") to provide for an increase in the number
of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 500,000 shares,
from 500,000 shares to 1,000,000 shares. As of November 30, 1999, there were no
shares available for grant under the Option Plan. The Board believes that adding
shares to the Option Plan is in the best interests of the Company because it
will permit the Company to attract and retain employees by providing them with
appropriate equity incentives. The Option Plan plays an important role in the
Company's efforts to attract and retain employees of outstanding ability.
The Option Plan was adopted by the Board in September 1996 and approved by
the shareholders of the Company in September 1996. The Board approved the
proposed amendment to the Option Plan on November 18, 1999, to be effective upon
shareholder approval. Set forth below is a summary of the principal features of
the Option Plan, which summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
terms and conditions of the Option Plan. The Company will provide, without
charge, to each person to whom a Proxy Statement is delivered, a copy of the
Option Plan. Any such request should be directed as follows: Secretary,
Simulations Plus, Inc., 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California, 93534-2902;
telephone number (661) 723-7723; facsimile (661) 723-5524.
<PAGE>
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION PLAN. The stock subject to issuance under the
Option Plan consists of shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Common
Stock. The Board reserved an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock for
issuance under the Option Plan. Shares subject to an option granted pursuant to
the Option Plan that expires or terminates for any reason without being
exercised or shares subject to an award granted pursuant to the Option Plan that
are forfeited or are repurchased by the Company at the original issue price or
are subject to an award granted pursuant to the Option Plan that otherwise
terminates without shares being issued, will again become available for grant
and issuance pursuant to awards under the Option Plan. This number of shares is
subject to proportional adjustment to reflect stock splits, stock dividends and
other similar events. If the Company's shareholders adopt this Proposal, the
maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Option Plan will be
1,000,000 shares.
ELIGIBILITY. Employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent
contractors and advisors of the Company (and of any subsidiaries and affiliates)
are eligible to receive awards under the Option Plan (the "Participants"). No
Participant is eligible to receive more than 75,000 shares of Common Stock in
any calendar year under the Option Plan. As of November 30, 1999, approximately
32 persons were in the class of persons eligible to participate in the Option
Plan, no shares had been issued upon exercise of options and 499,981 shares were
subject to outstanding options. As of that date, no shares were available for
future grant. The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the Over the
Counter Bulletin Board was 2.0 per share as of December 29, 1999, the last
trading day before the Record Date.
Over the term of the Option Plan through November 30, 1999, the following
executive officers have been granted the following options to purchase shares
under the Option Plan: Momoko Beran (Chief Financial Officer)--100,500, and
Ronald F. Creeley (Vice President--Marketing and Sales)--100,000.
During this period, the Corporation's executive officers as a group have
been granted options to purchase an aggregate of 200,500 shares under the Option
Plan, and all employees as a group (excluding executive officers) have been
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 299,481 shares under the Option
Plan. During this period, each of the Company's current directors have been
granted options under the Option Plan.
ADMINISTRATION. The Option Plan is administered by the Board of Directors
(the "Board") of the Company. Subject to the terms of the Option Plan, the Board
determines the persons who are to receive awards, the number of shares subject
to each such award, and the terms and conditions of such awards. The Board also
has the authority to construe and interpret any of the provisions of the Option
Plan or any awards granted thereunder.
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS. The Option Plan permits the granting of options that are
intended to qualify either as Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") or Non-qualified
Stock Options ("NQSOs"). ISOs may be granted only to employees (including
officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company. The option exercise price for each ISO share must be
no less than 100% of the "fair market value" (as defined in the Option Plan) of
a share of Common Stock at the time the ISO is granted. The per share exercise
price of an ISO granted to a 10% shareholder must be no less than 110% of the
fair market value of a share of Common Stock at the time the ISO is granted. The
option exercise price for each NQSO share must be no less than 85% of the fair
market value of a share of Common Stock at the time of grant. The Company has
not granted options under the Option Plan at less than fair market value and
does not intend to do so in the foreseeable future.
The exercise price of options granted under the Option Plan may be paid as
approved by the Board at the time of grant: (1) in cash (by check); (2) by
cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant; (3) by surrender
of shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by the Participant for at least
six months and having a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the
aggregate exercise price of the option; (4) by tender of a full recourse
promissory note; (5) by waiver of compensation due to or accrued by the
Participant for services rendered; (6) by a "same-day sale" commitment from the
Participant and a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
broker; (7) by a "margin" commitment from the Participant and a NASD broker; or
(8) by any combination of the foregoing.
TERMINATION OF OPTIONS. Except as provided below, each option expires ten
years after the date of grant. Options granted to a 10% shareholder expire five
years after the date of grant. In the event an optionee's relationship with the
Company is terminated for any reason, including death or disability, the
optionee will have the right to exercise the option at any time within six
months (or such shorter or longer time period not exceeding five years as may be
determined by the Board) after such termination to the extent the right to
exercise such option has accrued and had not previously been exercised at the
date of termination, but in any event no later than the option expiration date.
AMENDMENT OF THE OPTION PLAN. The Board may at any time terminate or amend
the Option Plan, including amending any form of award agreement or instrument to
be executed pursuant to the Option Plan. However, the Board may not amend the
Option Plan in any manner that requires shareholder approval pursuant to the
Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder, or pursuant to the Exchange Act
or rule 16b-3 (or its successor) promulgated thereunder.
<PAGE>
TERM OF THE OPTION PLAN. Unless terminated earlier as provided in the
Option Plan, the Option Plan will expire in September 2006, ten years from the
date the Option Plan was adopted by the Board.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION. THE FOLLOWING IS A GENERAL SUMMARY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE
COMPANY AND PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE OPTION PLAN. FEDERAL TAX LAWS MAY CHANGE AND
THE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR ANY SUCH PARTICIPANT WILL
DEPEND UPON HIS OR HER INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. EACH PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN AND
IS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE OPTION PLAN.
Incentive Stock Options. A Participant will recognize no income upon grant
of an ISO and incur no tax on its exercise (unless the Participant is subject to
the alternative minimum tax ("AMT")). If the Participant holds shares acquired
upon exercise of an ISO (the "ISO Shares") for more than one year after the date
the option was exercised, and for more than two years after the date the option
was granted, the Participant generally will realize long-term capital gain or
loss (rather than ordinary income or loss) upon disposition of the ISO Shares.
The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount realized
upon such disposition and the amount paid for the ISO Shares.
If the Participant disposes of ISO Shares prior to the expiration of
either required holding period (a "disqualifying disposition"), the gain
realized upon such disposition, up to the difference between the fair market
value of the ISO Shares on the date of exercise (or, if less, the amount
realized on a sale of such shares) and the option exercise price, will be
treated as ordinary income. Any additional gain will be long-term or short-term
capital gain, depending upon the amount of time the ISO Shares were held by the
Participant.
Alternative Minimum Tax. The difference between the fair market value of
the ISO Shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price is an adjustment
to income for purposes of AMT. The AMT (imposed to the extent it exceeds the
taxpayer's regular tax) is 26% of an individual taxpayer's alternative minimum
taxable income (28% in the case of alternative minimum taxable income in excess
of $175,000). Alternative minimum taxable income is determined by adjusting
regular taxable income for certain items, increasing that income by certain tax
preference items (including the difference between the fair market value of the
ISO Shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price), and reducing this
amount by the applicable exemption amount ($45,000 in case of a joint return,
subject to reduction under certain circumstances). If a disqualifying
<PAGE>
disposition of the ISO Shares occurs in the same calendar year as exercise of
the ISO, there is no AMT adjustment with respect to those ISO Shares. Also, upon
a sale of ISO Shares that is not a disqualifying disposition, alternative
minimum taxable income is reduced in the year of sale by the excess of the fair
market value of the ISO Shares at exercise over the amount paid for the ISO
Shares.
Nonqualified Stock Options. A Participant will not recognize any taxable
income at the time an NQSO is granted. However, upon exercise of an NQSO, the
Participant must include in income as compensation an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise
and the Participant's exercise price. The included amount must be treated as
ordinary income by the Participant and may be subject to withholding by the
Company (either by payment in cash or withholding out of the Participant's
salary.) Upon resale of the shares by the Participant, any subsequent
appreciation or depreciation in the value of the shares will be treated as
capital gain or loss.
Tax Treatment of the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a
deduction in connection with the exercise of an NQSO by a Participant to the
extent that the Participant recognizes ordinary income and the Company withholds
tax. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in connection with the
disposition of ISO Shares only to the extent that the Participant recognizes
ordinary income on a disqualifying disposition of the ISO Shares.
ERISA. The Option Plan is not subject to any the provisions of ERISA and
is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
The amounts of future option grants under the Option Plan are not
determinable because, under the terms of the Option Plan, such grants are made
in the discretion of the Board. Future option exercise prices are not
determinable because they are based upon fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant.
<PAGE>
Need for Shareholder Approval of the Amendment to the Option Plan
In order to allow the options that have been issued as incentive stock
options to receive the favorable tax treatment such options are allowed, as well
as to obtain certain exemptions from Exchange Act Section 16 "short-swing
profits" rules that would otherwise apply, shareholders of the Company must
approve the amendment to the Option Plan within twelve months of the date it was
adopted by the Board of Directors.
Vote Required
Approval of the amendment to the Option Plan requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a
quorum is present.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 2.
PROPOSAL 3: TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF SINGER, LEWAK, GREENBAUM & GOLDSTEIN LLP
AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board has selected Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP,
independent public accountants, as independent auditors for the Company for
2000. A resolution is being submitted to shareholders at the meeting for
ratification of such selection and the accompanying proxy will be voted for such
ratification, unless instructions to the contrary are indicated therein.
Although ratification by shareholders is not a legal prerequisite to the Board's
selection of Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants, the Company believes such ratification to be
appropriate. If the shareholders do not ratify the selection of Singer, Lewak,
Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP, the selection of independent public accountants will
be reconsidered by the Board; however, the Board may select Singer, Lewak,
Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP, notwithstanding the failure of the shareholders to
ratify its selection.
The Board expects that representatives of Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum &
Goldstein LLP will be present at the meeting, will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP has been the Company's
independent public accountants since 1996. For the fiscal year ended August 31,
1999, Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP performed audit and other
services for the Company including consultations during the year on matters
related to accounting, financial reporting and the review of financial and
related information that was included in filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>
The appointment of auditors is approved annually by the Board.
Vote Required.
Approval of Proposal 3 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock present and voting at a meeting if a quorum is present.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal 3.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be
presented at the annual meeting other than those described above. However, if
any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that any
shares voted by proxy will be voted in the discretion of the Board of Directors.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), any proposal of a shareholder intended to be presented at the Company's
2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company, to the
attention of the Secretary, at 1220 W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California,
93534-2902 by August 20, 2000, in the form and subject to the other requirements
of the applicable rules of the SEC, in order for the proposal to be considered
for inclusion in the Company's notice of meeting, proxy statement and proxy
relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting. If the Company elects to move the date of
the 2001 Annual Meeting more than 30 days from the date of the 2000 Annual
Meeting, such proposals must be received by a reasonable time prior to such
meeting.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the
"Exchange Act") requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who
own more than ten percent of its Common Stock to file reports of ownership and
changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such persons
are also required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file.
Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of those forms received
by the Company, or written representations from such persons that no Forms 5
were required to be filed, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing
requirements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999 were met, except that
Momoko A. Beran and Ronald Creeley, the Company's Chief Financial Officer and
Vice President, Marketing and Sales, respectively, inadvertently failed to file
a Form 4 on a timely basis with respect to the grant of options to purchase
shares of Common Stock representing three transactions.
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A copy of the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB (including
Amendment 1 thereto), including financial statements for the years ended August
31, 1999 and 1998, is being mailed to all shareholders herewith. Except for any
portion of the Form 10-KSB which is specifically incorporated by reference into
this Proxy Statement, the Form 10-KSB is not to be regarded as proxy
solicitation material or as a communication by means of which any solicitation
is being made. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE ANY SHAREHOLDER WITH A COPY OF ANY
EXHIBIT TO THE FORM 10-KSB/A PURSUANT TO THE REQUEST PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE
FORM 10-KSB.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Virginia E. Woltosz
Secretary
Dated: December 30, 1999
Appendix 1: Form of Proxy Card
<PAGE>
Simulations Plus, Inc.
Exhibits to Proxy Statement for the
2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
A. 1996 Amended Stock Option Plan, as Proposed to be Further Amended
(Relating to Proposal 2)
Exhibit A
Proxy Statement
of
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
AMENDED 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this Amended 1996 Stock Option
Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide
additional incentive to the Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to
promote the success of the Company's business and to enable the Employees to
share in the growth and prosperity of the Company by providing them with an
opportunity to purchase stock in the Company.
Options granted hereunder may be either Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options, at the discretion of the Board and as reflected in
the terms of the written stock option agreement.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "AFFILIATE" shall mean any entity that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under
common control with, the Company.
(b) "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time. References in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be
deemed to include any amendment or successor provisions to such section and any
regulations issued under such section.
(d) "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of the Company.
<PAGE>
(e) "COMPANY" shall mean Simulations Plus, Inc., a California
corporation.
(f) "COMMITTEE" shall mean the Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan, if one is appointed.
(g) "CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT" or "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE"
shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of employment or
service as an Employee by or to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company which now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by or acquires
the Company. Continuous Employment shall not be considered interrupted in the
case of sick leave, military leave or any other leave of absence approved by the
Board or in the case of transfers between locations of the Company or between
the Company, its Parent, or any of its Subsidiaries or its successors.
(h) "DISABILITY" shall mean the inability of the Optionee to engage
in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has
lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
months. In determining the Disability of an Optionee, the Board may require the
Optionee to furnish proof of the existence of Disability and may select a
physician to examine the Optionee. The final determination as to the Disability
of the Optionee shall be made by the Board.
(i) "DISINTERESTED PERSON" shall mean an administrator of the Plan
who, during the one year prior to service as an administrator of the Plan, has
not been granted or awarded and, during such service, is not granted or awarded
stock, stock options or stock appreciation rights pursuant to the Plan or any
other plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates entitling the participants
therein to acquire stock, stock options or stock appreciation rights of the
Company or any Affiliates, except for any plan under which the award of stock,
stock options or stock appreciation rights is not subject to the discretion of
any person or persons. The term "Disinterested Person" shall be interpreted in a
manner consistent with the meaning of such term under Rule 16b-3 promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.
(j) "EMPLOYEE" shall mean any person, including officers and
directors, employed by the Company, its Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or its
successors as an employee, as a consultant or otherwise.
<PAGE>
(k) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" shall mean an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code.
(m) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" shall mean an Option which is not an
Incentive Stock Option.
(n) "OPTION" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan
evidencing the grant of a right to an Employee pursuant to the Plan to purchase
a specified number of Shares at a specified exercise price.
(o) "OPTION AGREEMENT" shall mean a written agreement substantially
in one of the forms attached hereto as Exhibit A, or such other form or forms as
the Board (subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan) may from time to
time approve, evidencing and reflecting the terms of an Option.
(p) "OPTIONED STOCK" shall mean the Common Stock subject to an
Option.
(q) "OPTIONEE" shall mean an Employee who is granted an Option.
(r) "PARENT" shall mean a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Sections 424(e) and (g) of the Code.
(s) "PLAN" shall mean this 1996 Stock Option Plan.
(t) "SHARE" or "SHARES" shall mean the shares of the Common Stock,
as adjusted in accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.
(u) "STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean an agreement substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, or such other form or forms as the
Board (subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan) may from time to time
approve, which is to be executed as a condition of purchasing Optioned Stock
upon exercise of an Option.
<PAGE>
(v) "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a subsidiary corporation, whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code.
(w) "TERMINATION FOR CAUSE" shall mean termination of employment as
a result of (i) any act or acts by the Optionee constituting a felony under any
federal, state or local law; (ii) the Optionee's willful and continued failure
to perform the duties assigned to him or her as an Employee (iii) any material
breach by the Optionee of any agreement with the company concerning his or her
employment or other understanding concerning the terms and conditions of
employment by the Company; (iv) dishonesty, gross negligence or malfeasance by
the Optionee in the performance of his or her duties as an Employee or any
conduct by the Optionee which involves a material conflict of interest with any
business of the Company or Affiliate; or (v) the Optionee's taking or knowingly
omitting to take any other action or actions in the performance of Optionee's
duties as Employee without informing appropriate members of management to whom
such Optionee reports, which action or actions, in the determination of the
Board, have caused or substantially contributed to the material deterioration in
the business or financial condition of the Company or any Affiliate, taken as a
whole.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 10
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold pursuant to the exercise of Options under the Plan is 1,000,000 Shares. The
Shares may be authorized, but unissued or reacquired Shares.
If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason
without having been exercised in full or if the Company repurchases Shares from
the Optionee pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement, the
unpurchased or repurchased Shares, respectively, which were subject thereto
shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, return to the Plan and become
available for other Options under the Plan.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PROCEDURE. The Plan shall be administered by the Board. Members
of the Board who are eligible for Options or have been granted Options may vote
on any matters affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of any
Options pursuant to the Plan, except that no such member shall act upon the
granting of an Option to himself or herself, but any such member may be counted
in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board or
Committee during which action is taken with respect to the granting of Options
to him or her.
The Board may at any time appoint a Committee consisting of not less
than two persons to administer the Plan on behalf of the Board, subject to such
terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe. Members of the Committee shall
serve for such period of time as the Board may determine. From time to time the
Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members
thereto, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in
<PAGE>
substitution therefor, fill vacancies however caused, or remove all members of
the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan. In the event the
Company has a class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act and unless the Board determines otherwise, from the effective date
of such registration until six months after the termination of such
registration, all grants of Options to persons subject to the provisions of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act during any and all periods of time when all
members of the Board do not qualify as Disinterested Persons shall be made by,
or only in accordance with the recommendations of, a Committee of two or more
persons having full authority to act in the matter and all of whom are
Disinterested Persons.
(b) POWERS OF THE BOARD. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Board shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to grant Incentive Stock
Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options; (ii) to determine, upon review of
relevant information and in accordance with Section 7 of the Plan, the fair
market value per Share; (iii) to determine the terms and conditions of vesting
of Options, the exercise price of the Options and the consideration to be paid
for shares upon the exercise of Options (which exercise price and consideration
shall be determined in accordance with Section 7 of the Plan); (iv) to determine
the Employees to whom, and the time or times at which, Options shall be granted,
and the number of Shares to be subject to each Option; (v) to prescribe, amend
and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (vi) to determine the
terms and provisions of each Option Agreement and each Stock Purchase Agreement
(each of which need not be identical with the terms of other Options and Stock
Purchase Agreements) and, with the consent of the holder thereof, to modify or
amend each Option and Stock Purchase Agreement; (vii) to determine whether a
stock repurchase agreement or other agreement will be required to be executed by
any Employee as a condition to the exercise of an Option, and to determine the
terms and provisions of any such agreement (which need not be identical with the
terms of any other such agreement) and, with the consent of the Optionee, to
amend any such agreement; (viii) to interpret the Plan, the Option Agreements,
the Stock Purchase Agreements or any agreement entered into with respect to the
grant or exercise of Options; (ix) to authorize any person to execute on behalf
of the Company any instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Option
previously granted by the Board or to take such other actions as may be
necessary or appropriate with respect to the Company's rights pursuant to
Options or agreements relating to the grant or exercise thereof; and (x) to make
such other determinations and establish such other procedures as it deems
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
<PAGE>
(c) EFFECT OF THE BOARD'S DECISION. All decisions, determinations
and interpretations of the Board shall be final and binding on all Optionees and
any other holders of Options.
5. ELIGIBILITY. Options may be granted only to Employees (including
employees of the Company who are also directors of the Company and directors of
the Company that are not employees). An Employee who has been granted an Option
may, if such Employee is otherwise eligible, be granted additional Options.
6. TERM OF PLAN. Effectiveness of the Plan shall be subject to approval
by the shareholders of the Company within 12 months before or after the date the
Plan is adopted; provided, however, that Options may be granted pursuant to the
Plan prior to such shareholder approval subject to subsequent approval of the
Plan by such shareholders. Shareholder approval shall be obtained by the
affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of voting shares of the Company's
capital stock present and entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders duly
held in accordance with the laws of the State of California or by such other
means authorized under law. The Plan shall continue in effect for a term of ten
years unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of
the Plan.
7. OPTION PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price per Share for the Shares to
be issued pursuant to the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not
less than 85% of the "fair market value" per Share, as described below. The
exercise price per Share for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of
an Incentive Option shall be the fair market value per Share. However, with
respect to both Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options, the
exercise price shall be 110% of the fair market value per Share on the date of
grant in the case of any Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns
stock (as determined under Section 424(d) of the Code) possessing more than 10%
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its
Parent or Subsidiaries.
(b) FAIR MARKET VALUE. The fair market value per Share on the date
of grant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, exercised in
good faith; provided, however, that where there is a public market for the
Common Stock, the fair market value per Share shall be the average of the
closing bid and asked prices of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise
reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
("Nasdaq") System), or in the event the Common Stock is listed on a stock
exchange or, on The Nasdaq Stock Market, the fair market value per Share shall
be the closing price on the exchange or on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board
as of the date of grant of the Option, as reported in The Wall Street Journal.
<PAGE>
(c) PAYMENT OF CONSIDERATION. The consideration to be paid for the
Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment,
shall be determined by the Board in its discretion on the date of grant and may
consist of cash, check, promissory notes or other forms of legally permitted
consideration if authorized by the Board in connection with the grant of an
Option.
8. OPTIONS.
(a) TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF OPTIONS. As provided in Section 4 of
this Plan and subject to any limitations specified herein, the Board shall have
the authority to determine the terms and provisions of any Option granted under
the Plan or any agreement required to be executed in connection with the grant
or exercise of an Option. Each Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall be
evidenced by an Option Agreement. Options granted under the Plan are conditioned
upon the Company obtaining any required permit or order from appropriate
governmental agencies, authorizing the Company to issue such Options and Shares
issuable upon exercise thereof.
(b) NUMBER OF SHARES. Each Option Agreement shall state the number
of Shares to which it pertains and whether such option is intended to constitute
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The maximum number of
Shares which may be awarded as Options under the Plan during any calendar year
to any Optionee is 75,000 Shares. If an Option held by an Employee is canceled,
the canceled Option shall continue to be counted against the maximum number of
Shares for which Options may be granted to such Employee and any replacement
Option granted to such Employee shall also count against such limit.
(c) TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option may be up to ten years
from the date of grant thereof, as determined by the Board upon the grant of the
Option and specified in the Option Agreement, except that the term of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Parent
or Subsidiaries, shall not exceed five years from the date of grant thereof.
(d) EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(i) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option
shall vest and become exercisable at such times, in such installments and under
such conditions as may be determined by the Board, specified in the Option
Agreement and as shall be permissible under the terms of the Plan, including
performance criteria with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee as may be
determined by the Board.
<PAGE>
An Option may be exercised in accordance with the provisions
of this Plan as to all or any portion of the Shares then exercisable under an
Option, from time to time during the term of the Option. An Option may not be
exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written
notice of such exercise has been given to the Company at its principal business
office in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement by the person
entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the Shares with respect to
which the Option is exercised has been received by the Company, accompanied by
an executed Stock Purchase Agreement (including the attachments thereto)
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and as may be modified by the
Board from time to time, and any other agreements required by the terms of the
Plan and/or the Option Agreement. Full payment may consist of such consideration
and method of payment allowable under Section 7 of the Plan. Until the Option is
properly exercised in accordance with the terms of this Section 8(d), no right
to vote or to receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend
or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Option is
exercised, except as provided in Section 10 of the Plan.
As soon as practicable after any proper exercise of an
Option in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, the Company shall, without
transfer or issue tax to the Optionee, deliver to the Optionee at the principal
executive office of the Company or such other place as shall be mutually agreed
upon between the Company and the Optionee, a certificate or certificates
representing the Shares for which the Option shall have been exercised. The time
of issuance and delivery of the certificate(s) representing the Shares for which
the Option shall have been exercised may be postponed by the Company for such
period as may be required by the Company, with reasonable diligence, to comply
with any applicable listing requirements of any national or regional securities
exchange or any law or regulation applicable to the issuance or delivery of such
Shares. No Option may be exercised unless the Plan has been duly approved by the
Shareholders of the Company in accordance with applicable law. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement
required to be executed and delivered in connection with the exercise of an
Option may require the certificate or certificates representing the Shares
purchased upon the exercise of an Option to be delivered and deposited with the
Company as security for the Optionee's faithful performance of the terms and
conditions of his or her Stock Purchase Agreement.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a
decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for
purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as
to which the Option is exercised.
<PAGE>
(ii) TERMINATION OF STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE. If an Optionee ceases
to serve as an Employee for any reason other than death, Disability or
Termination for Cause, and thereby terminates his or her Continuous Status As An
Employee, to the extent that such Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option
at the date of such termination, such Optionee shall have the right to exercise
the Option at any time within 30 days subsequent to the last day of such
Optionee's Continuous Status As An Employee (unless at the time of grant of such
Option the Board specified a longer period, not to exceed 90 days, provided,
however, that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of the term
set forth in the Option Agreement. To the extent that such Optionee was not
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of the terminating event, or if such
Optionee does not exercise such Option (which such Optionee was entitled to
exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. In the
event that an Optionee's Continuous Status As An Employee terminates due to
death or Disability, to the extent that such Optionee was entitled to exercise
the Option at the date of such termination, the Option may be exercised any time
within 180 days subsequent to the death or Disability of the Optionee (unless at
the time of grant of such Option the Board specified a longer period, not to
exceed one year), provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable after
the expiration of the Option term set forth in the Option Agreement. To the
extent that such Optionee was not entitled to exercise such Option at the date
of his or her termination due to death or Disability or if such Option is not
exercised (to the extent it could be exercised) within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate. If an Optionee's Continuous Employment with
the Company terminates due to his her Termination for Cause, his or her Option
shall terminate as of the date of such Termination for Cause to the extent not
exercised as of such date.
(e) LIMIT ON VALUE OF OPTIONED STOCK. To the extent that the
aggregate fair market value (determined at the time an Incentive Stock Option is
granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year under all
incentive stock option plans of the Company, its Parent or its Subsidiaries, if
any, exceeds $100,000, the Options in excess of such limit shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(f) EXPIRATION OF OPTION. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan,
including but not limited to the provisions set forth in this Section 8, an
Option may not be exercised, under any circumstances, after the expiration of
its terms.
9. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. Options granted under this Plan may
not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, gifted, transferred or disposed of
in any manner, either voluntarily or involuntarily by operation of law, other
than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution or as a transfer between
spouses incident to a divorce, and any such attempt may result, at the
discretion of the Board, in the termination of such Options. During the lifetime
of the Optionee, his or her Option may be exercised only by such Optionee or his
or her legal guardian.
<PAGE>
10. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION OR MERGER.
(a) Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the
Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option, and the number
of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which
no Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon
cancellation or expiration of an Option or repurchase of Shares from an Optionee
upon termination of employment or service, as well as the exercise price per
Share covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a
stock split, reverse stock split, combination, recapitalization or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or the payment of a stock dividend (but
only on the Common Stock) or any other increase or decrease in the number of
issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company (other than stock bonuses to Employees or directors); provided, however,
that the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be
deemed to have been effected without receipt of consideration. Such adjustment
shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to the Plan or an
Option.
(b) In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
(other than in the ordinary course of business), or the merger, consolidation or
reorganization of the Company with or into another corporation as a result of
which the Company is not the surviving corporation as a result of which the
outstanding Shares are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or
securities not of the Company, the Board shall (i) make provision for the
assumption of all outstanding Options by the successor corporation or a Parent
or a Subsidiary thereof, or (ii) declare that outstanding Options shall
terminate as of a date fixed by the Board which is at least 30 days after the
notice thereof to the Optionee (unless such 30-day period is waived by the
Optionee) and shall give each Optionee the right to exercise his or her option
as to all or any part of the Shares underlying such Option, including shares as
to which such Options would not otherwise be exercisable, provided such exercise
does not violate Section 8(d)(ii) of the Plan.
(c) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issuable on
account of any action described in this Section, and the aggregate number of
shares into which Shares then covered by the Option, when changed as the result
of such action, shall be reduced to the largest number of whole shares resulting
from such action, unless the Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine to
issue scrip certificates in respect to any fractional shares, which script
certificates, in such event, shall be in a form and have such terms and
conditions as the Board in its discretion shall prescribe.
<PAGE>
11. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date on which the Board makes the determination granting
such Option; provided, however, that if the Board determines that such grant
shall be as of some future date, the date of grant shall be such future date.
Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee to whom an Option is
so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
12. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may amend or terminate the
Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable and
shall make any amendments which may be required so that Options intended to be
Incentive Stock Options shall at all times continue to be Incentive Stock
Options for the purpose of the Code, except that, without approval of the
holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's capital stock represented
or present and entitled to vote at a valid meeting of the Company's shareholders
at which action is taken on an amendment or revision, no such amendment or
revision shall:
(i) Increase the number of Shares subject to the Plan, other
than in connection with an adjustment under Section 10
of the Plan;
(ii) Materially change the designation of the class of
Employees eligible to be granted Options;
(iii) Remove the administration of the Plan from the Board
except to a Committee;
(iv) Materially increase the benefits accruing to
participants under the Plan; or
(v) Extend the term of the Plan.
(b) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 10, any amendment or termination of the Plan shall not
affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in full force and
effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually
agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Company, which agreement must be
in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
13. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
(a) Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an
Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such
Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applicable state securities laws,
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any
stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
<PAGE>
(b) As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Board may
require the person exercising such Option to execute an agreement with, and/or
may require the person exercising such Option to make any representation and
warranty to, the Company as may in the judgment of counsel to the Company be
required under applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to a
representation and warranty that the Shares are being purchased only for
investment and without any present intention to sell or to distribute such
Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
appropriate under any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
14. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
shall at all times reserve and keep available, such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy requirements of the Plan.
The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall use its best
efforts to seek to obtain from appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite
authorization in order to issue and to sell such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. The inability of the Company
to obtain from any such regulatory agency having jurisdiction the requisite
authorization(s) deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary for the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, or the inability of the Company to
confirm to its satisfaction that any issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder
will meet applicable legal requirements, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect to the failure to issue or to sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
15. STOCK OPTION AND STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Options shall be
evidenced by written Option Agreements in such form or forms as the Board shall
approve from time to time. Upon the exercise of an Option, the Optionee shall
sign and deliver to the Company a Stock Purchase Agreement in such form or forms
as the Board shall approve from time to time.
16. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective
upon shareholder approval as provided in Section 17 of the Plan. The Plan shall
continue in effect for a term of ten years unless sooner terminated under
Section 12 of the Plan.
17. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within 12 months before or after the
date the Plan is adopted by the Board. If such shareholder approval is obtained
at a duly held shareholders' meeting, it may be obtained by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company represented or present
and entitled to vote thereon. All Options granted prior to shareholder approval
of the Plan are subject to such approval, and if such approval is not obtained
within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board all
such Options shall expire and shall be of no further force or effect.
<PAGE>
18. TAXES, FEES, EXPENSES AND WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.
(a) The Company shall pay all original issue and transfer taxes
(but not income taxes, if any) with respect to the grant of Options and/or the
issue and transfer of Shares pursuant to the exercise thereof, and all other
fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith,
and will from time to time use its best efforts to comply with all laws and
regulations which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, shall be
applicable thereto.
(b) The grant of Options hereunder and the issuance of Shares
pursuant to the exercise thereof is conditioned upon the Company's reservation
of the right to withhold, in accordance with any applicable law, from any
compensation or other amounts payable to the Optionee, any taxes required to be
withheld under federal, state or local law as a result of the grant or exercise
of such Option or the sale of the Shares issued upon exercise thereof. To the
extent that compensation or other amounts, if any, payable to the Optionee are
insufficient to pay any taxes required to be so withheld, the Company may, in
its sole discretion, require the Optionee, as a condition of the exercise of an
Option, to pay in cash to the Company an amount sufficient to cover such tax
liability or otherwise to make adequate provision for the Company's satisfaction
of its withholding obligations under federal, state and local law.
19. LIABILITY OF COMPANY. The Company, its Parent or any Subsidiary
which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to
an Optionee or other person if it is determined for any reason by the Internal
Revenue Service or any court having jurisdiction that any Options intended to be
Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder do not qualify as incentive stock
options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
20. INFORMATION TO OPTIONEE. The Company shall provide without charge
at least annually to each Optionee during the period his or her Option is
outstanding a balance sheet and income statement of the Company. In the event
that the Company provides annual reports or periodic reports to its shareholders
during the period in which an Optionee's Option is outstanding, the Company
shall provide each Optionee a copy of each such report.
21. INDEMNIFICATION. No member of the Committee or of the Board shall
be liable for any act or action taken, whether of commission or omission, except
in circumstances involving actual bad faith, or for any act or action taken,
whether of commission or omission, by any other member or by any officer, agent,
or Employee. In addition to such other rights of indemnification they may have
as members of the Board, or as members of the Committee, the Committee shall be
indemnified by the Company against reasonable expenses, including attorneys'
fees actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any
action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which
they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken, by commission
or omission, in connection with the Plan or any Option taken thereunder, and
against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement
is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by
them in satisfaction of a judgment in any action, suit or proceeding, except in
relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or
proceeding that such Committee or Board member is liable for actual bad faith in
the performance of his or her duties; provided that within 60 days after
institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, a Committee or Board member
shall in writing offer the Company the opportunity, at its own expense, to
handle and defend the same.
<PAGE>
22. NOTICES. Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the
provisions of this Plan shall be given in writing, addressed to the Company in
care of its Secretary at its principal office, and any notice to be given to an
Employee to whom an Option is granted hereunder shall be delivered personally or
addressed to him or her at the address given beneath his or her signature on his
Option Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement or at such other address as such
Optionee or his or her transferee (upon the transfer of the Optioned Stock) may
hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice shall be deemed
duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as
aforesaid, registered or certified, and deposited, postage and registry or
certification fee prepaid, in a post office or branch post office regularly
maintained by the United States Postal Service. It shall be the obligation of
each Optionee and each transferee holding Shares purchased upon exercise of an
Option to provide the Secretary of the Company, by letter mailed as provided
hereinabove, with written notice of his or her direct mailing address.
23. NO ENLARGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS. This Plan is purely voluntary on
the part of the Company, and the continuance of the Plan shall not be deemed to
constitute a contract between the Company and any Employee, or to be
consideration for a condition of the employment or service of any Employee.
Nothing contained in this Plan shall be deemed to give any Employee the right to
be retained in the employ or service of the Company, its Parent, Subsidiary or a
successor corporation, or to interfere with the right of the Company or any such
corporations to discharge or to retire any Employee at anytime with or without
cause and with or without notice. No Employee shall have any right to or
interest in Options authorized hereunder prior to the grant thereof to such
Employee, and upon such grant he or she shall have only such rights and
interests as are expressly provided herein, subject, however, to all applicable
provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as the same may be
amended from time to time.
24. LEGENDS ON CERTIFICATES.
(a) FEDERAL LAW. Unless an appropriate registration statement is
filed pursuant to the federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect
to the Options and Shares issuable under this Plan, each document or certificate
representing such Options or Shares shall be endorsed thereon with a legend
substantially as follows:
"THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED
FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE, TRANSFER
OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE, TRANSFER OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED
WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO OR AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED."
(b) ADDITIONAL LEGENDS. Each document or certificate representing
the Options or Shares issuable under the Plan shall also contain legends as may
be required under applicable blue sky laws or by any Stock Purchase Agreement or
other agreement the execution of which is a condition to the exercise of an
Option under this Plan.
<PAGE>
25. AVAILABILITY OF PLAN. A copy of this Plan shall be delivered to the
Secretary of the Company and shall be shown by him or her to any eligible person
making reasonable inquiry concerning it.
26. INVALID PROVISIONS. In the event that any provision of this Plan is
found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed as rendering any other
provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other
provisions shall be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the
invalid or unenforeceable provision was not contained herein.
27. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of the Plan is found
to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed as rendering any other
provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other
provisions shall be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the
invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.
28. APPLICABLE LAW. To the extent that federal laws do not otherwise
control, this Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of California without regard to the conflict of laws
principles thereof.
[END OF PLAN]
<PAGE>
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PROXY
SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - FEBRUARY 25, 2000
The undersigned hereby appoints Walter S. Woltosz and Momoko Beran, or
either of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to
represent and vote, as designated below, all shares of stock of Simulations
Plus, Inc., a California Corporation, held of record by the undersigned on
December 30, 1999, at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held at 1220
W. Avenue J, Lancaster, California at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on
February 25, 2000, or at any adjournment or postponement of such meeting, in
accordance with and as described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and Proxy Statement. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR
Proposals 1, 2, 3, and 4 and in the discretion of the proxy as to such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.
[X] Please mark the votes as in this example.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote for Proposals 1, 2, and 3.
1. Election of Directors
Nominees: Walter S. Woltosz, Virginia E. Woltosz, Dr. David Z. D'Argenio
and Dr. Richard R. Weiss
FOR [ ] WITHHELD [ ]
----------------------------------------------------
FOR all nominees except as stated on line above
2. Approval of Amendment to the company's 1996 Stock Option Plan
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. Ratification of Selection of Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP as
Auditors
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote
upon or act with respect to such stock and hereby ratifies all that the proxies,
their substitutes, or any of them, may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the address label affixed hereto. If
acting as attorney, executor, trustee or in other representative capacity, sign
name and title.
Date:
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Signature:
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Signature if held jointly:
