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
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
Akorn, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Board of Directors of Akorn, Inc.
(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 transaction:
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:
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3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
Akorn
100 Akorn Drive
Abita Springs, Louisiana 70420
______________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held February 28, 1997
______________________________
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF AKORN, INC.:
The annual meeting of shareholders of Akorn, Inc. (the "Company) will be
held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Friday, February 28, 1997 on the 52nd Floor
of Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana for the
following purposes, more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:
1. To elect a board of four directors.
2. To consider a vote upon a proposal to amend the Company's Articles
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common
stock, no par value per share, from 20 million shares to 40 million
shares.
3. To consider a vote upon a proposal to amend the Company's Articles of
Incorporation to authorize five million shares of preferred stock
issuable at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
4. To consider and vote upon amendments to the Amended and Restated Akorn,
Inc. 1988 Incentive Compensation Program.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on January 6,
1997 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and all adjournments thereof.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please mark, date and
sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed stamped
envelope. Furnishing the enclosed proxy will not prevent you from voting in
person at the meeting should you wish to do so.
By Order of the Board of Directors
George S. Ellis, M.D.
Secretary
Abita Springs, Louisiana
January ___, 1997
AKORN, INC.
100 Akorn Drive
Abita Springs, Louisiana 70420
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To be Held February 28, 1997
This proxy statement is furnished to shareholders of Akorn, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the
Company's Board of Directors for use at its annual meeting of shareholders to
be held at the date, time and place set forth in the accompanying notice and
at any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"). The date of this Proxy Statement
is December 12, 1996.
On January 6, 1997, the record date for determining shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting, the Company had outstanding
16,582,073 shares of common stock (the Company's only class of authorized
capital stock), each of which is entitled to one vote on all matters to be
considered at the Meeting.
Shares represented by all properly executed proxies on the enclosed form
received in time for the Meeting will be voted at the Meeting. A proxy may be
revoked at any time before it is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the
Company an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Unless revoked, the
proxy will be voted as specified and, if no specifications are made, will be
voted in favor of the proposed nominees as described herein.
The cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by the
Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by
personal interview, telephone, telefax and telegraph. Banks, brokerage houses
and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the shares of common stock
of the Company; upon request, the Company will reimburse such persons for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. The
Company has retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies from brokers, banks, nominees and individuals, for
which it will be paid a fee of $4,500 and will be reimbursed for certain out-
of-pocket expenses.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Effective at the time of the Meeting the Company's by-laws will provide
for a Board of four directors and only four directors can be elected at the
Meeting. The Board of Directors has nominated four candidates for election at
the Meeting and recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of all four
nominees.
Proxies cannot be voted for more than four candidates. In the absence
of contrary instructions, the proxy holders will vote for the election of the
four nominees listed below. In the unanticipated event that one or more of
such persons is unavailable as a candidate for director, the persons named in
the accompanying proxy will vote for another candidate nominated by the Board
of Directors.
The following table sets forth as of June 30, 1996 the age, principal
occupation and employment, position with the Company, directorships in other
public corporations, year first elected a director of the Company, and
beneficial ownership of shares of Company common stock of each nominee for
election as director at the coming meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, each
nominee has been engaged in the principal occupation or occupations shown for
more than the past five years.
Principal Occupation
and Directorships in
Name and Age Other Public Corporations Director Since
- -------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------
Floyd Benjamin, 53 Executive Vice President of 1996
the Company and President of
Taylor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(a subsidiary of the Company)
since May 1996; president of
Pasadena Research Laboratories,
Inc. ("PRL") from October 1994
to May 1996 and consultant to
PRL from October 1993 to
October 1994; president and
chief executive officer of
Neocrin, Inc. (biomedical
venture capital company) from
February 1992 to October 1993;
prior to October 1993, chief
operating officer of Lyphomed,
Inc. (injectable pharmaceuticals)
Daniel E. Bruhl, M.D., 54 Ophthalmologist; director of 1983
Surgical Care Affiliates,
Inc. (physicians' group
practice management)
Doyle S. Gaw, 65 Private investor 1975
John N. Kapoor, Ph.D., 53 Chief Executive Officer of 1991
the Company since May, 1996;
Chairman of the Board of the
Company since May 1995 and
from December 1991 to January
1993, and acting Chairman of
the Board of the Company from
April 1993 to May 1995;
chairman of the board of
Option Care, Inc. (infusion
services and supplies); chief
executive officer of Option
Care, Inc. from August 1993
to April 1996; president of E
J Financial Enterprises, Inc.
since April 1990; director of
Unimed, Inc. and NeoPharm,
Inc. (specialty pharmaceutical
companies)
_____________________________
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Board of Directors of
the Company held four meetings. The Board of Directors has an Audit
Committee, of which Mr. Gaw, Dr. Ellis and Dr. Turner are members, and a
Compensation Committee, of which Drs. Bruhl, Cunningham and Yannuzzi are
members. The Board of Directors does not have a Nominating Committee. The
Audit Committee, which met once during fiscal 1996, is responsible for
consulting with the independent auditors with regard to the plan of audit,
reviewing the plan and the results of audits of the Company by its independent
auditors and discussing audit recommendations with management and reporting
the results of its reviews to the Board of Directors. The Compensation
Committee met twice during fiscal 1996 to review various compensation matters
with respect to executive officers and directors. The Composition of Board
committees is reviewed and redetermined each year at the initial meeting of
the Board after the annual meeting of shareholders.
For services as Chairman of the Board and as a consultant to the
Company, Dr. Kapoor receives a fee of $50,000 per year. Each other director
who is not a salaried officer or consultant of the Company receives a fee for
his services as a director of $1,000 per regular meeting of the Board of
Directors, $250 per telephone meeting and $500 per committee meeting, plus
reimbursement of his expenses related to those services. In addition, the
chairman of each committee (other than Dr. Kapoor) receives an annual fee of
$2,500.
All directors of the Company participate in the Company's Stock Option
Plan for Directors, pursuant to which each director of the Company is granted
an option to acquire 5,000 shares of Company common stock on the day after
each annual meeting of shareholders at which he is elected to serve as a
director. Any director appointed between annual meetings is entitled to
receive a pro rata portion of an option to acquire 5,000 shares. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant an option to purchase up to
100,000 shares to a person who is not already a director and who becomes a
director at any time; no member of the Committee is eligible to be granted
such an option and any director who has been granted such an option is not
permitted to serve on the Committee for one year after such grant. Options
granted under the plan expire five years from the date of grant. The option
exercise price is the fair market value of the shares covered by the option at
the time of the grant.
Pursuant to the agreement under which Pasadena Research Laboratories,
Inc. was acquired by the Company in May 1996, Mr. Benjamin was appointed a
director of the Company for a term expiring at the Meeting.
Under agreements between the Company and the John N. Kapoor Trust dated
September 20, 1989, the Trust is entitled to designate two individuals to be
nominated and recommended by the Company's Board of Directors for election as
a director. The Trust has designated only Dr. Kapoor for this purpose and is
not expected to designate a second individual for nomination as a director
prior to the Meeting.
During 1996, Dr. Campbell, a director of the Company, failed to file
timely with the Securities and Exchange Commission two Forms 4 to report three
transactions, as required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and Mr. Gaw, also a director, failed to file timely two Forms 4 to
report four such transactions. All such transactions have been reported on
amended annual statements on Form 5.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS
As of December 12, 1996, the following persons were directors or named
executive officers with beneficial ownership. Dr. Kapoor is the only person
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of the
Company's common stock. His address is 225 East Deerpath, Suite 250, Lake
Forest, Illinois, 60045. The information set forth below has been determined
in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based
upon information furnished by the persons listed.
Beneficial Owner Shares Beneficially Owned(1) Percent of Class
- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------
Directors and Nominees
Floyd Benjamin 479,167(2) 2.89%
Daniel E. Bruhl, M.D. 290,517(3) 1.75%
J. Ed Campbell, M.D. 193,691(3) 1.17%
George S. Ellis, M.D. 284,260(3) 1.71%
Doyle S. Gaw 175,824(3) 1.06%
John N. Kapoor, Ph.D. 4,280,485(4) 24.28%
David H. Turner, M.D. 249,650(3) 1.50%
Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, M.D. 200,883(3) 1.21%
Named Executive Officers(5)
Harold O. Koch 127,107 0.76%
Tim J. Toney 179,967 1.08%
Directors and officers as
a group (11 persons) 6,519,276(6) 36.09%
____________________
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(2) Mr. Benjamin's shares are held by a trust of which Mr. Benjamin and his
wife are trustees and their child is beneficiary. Includes 12,500 shares
issuable pursuant to options granted by the Company directly to Mr.
Benjamin.
(3) These numbers contain options to purchase shares. The following directors
and officers have options to purchase 35,000 shares: Dr. Bruhl, Dr.
Campbell, Dr. Ellis, Mr. Gaw, Dr. Turner, and Dr. Yannuzzi. Furthermore,
several directors' shares are owned partially by family members and
pensions. The following shows the family members and pensions of each
such director and their amounts: Dr. Bruhl's pension - 64,266; and Dr.
Ellis' wife - 101,500.
(4) Of such 4,280,485 shares, (i) 3,204,000 are owned directly by the John N.
Kapoor Trust dated September 20, 1989 (the "Trust") of which Dr. Kapoor is
the sole trustee and beneficiary, (ii) 1,000,000 are issuable pursuant
to a warrant issued to the Trust in 1992, (iii) 30,000 are owned by a
trust, the trustee of which is Dr. Kapoor's wife and the beneficiaries of
which are their children, and (iv) 46,485 are issuable pursuant to options
granted by the Company directly to Dr. Kapoor.
(5) Mr. Benjamin and Dr. Kapoor are named executive officers of the Company,
and information regarding their beneficial ownership is included in this
table under the section, "Directors and Nominees."
(6) Of such 6,519,276 shares, 1,268,985 are not presently outstanding, but are
issuable pursuant to option and warrant rights described in the preceding
footnotes and 213,950 are issuable pursuant to options held by three
officers of the Company who are not also directors.
______________________________
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation paid by the Company for
services rendered during the fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996
to each person who, during fiscal 1996, served as the chief executive officer
of the Company and to each other executive officer of the Company whose total
annual salary and bonus for fiscal 1996 exceeded $100,000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
----------------------------------- ---------------
Year Ended Number of All Other(1)
Name and Principal Position June 30 Salary Bonus Options Awarded Compensation
- --------------------------- ------- ------ ----- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John N. Kapoor, Ph.D.(2) 1996 $10,000(3) --- --- $40,000(3)
Chief Executive Officer
Barry D. LeBlanc(4) 1996 $210,000 --- --- $2,100
President and Chief 1995 207,731 --- 34,000 2,310
Executive Officer 1994 184,362 $24,667 50,000 2,310
Harold O. Koch(5) 1996 $125,000 --- --- $938
Senior Vice President 1995 122,247 --- 58,000 1,530
1994 105,602 $16,444 25,000 791
Tim J. Toney (6) 1996 $120,000 --- --- $1,800
Vice President- 1995 117,292 --- 10,000 2,018
Operations, Taylor 1994 115,000 $17,250 --- 359
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
____________________
</TABLE>
(1) Represents contributions to the Company's Savings and Retirement Plan,
except as indicated in note (3).
(2) Dr. Kapoor became Chief Executive Officer effective May 3, 1996.
(3) During fiscal 1996, Dr. Kapoor received $50,000 for his services as
Chairman of the Board of the Company, $40,000 of which was waived in
exchange for other consideration, as described under, "Transactions with
Shareholders and Directors."
(4) Mr. LeBlanc ceased being Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective
May 3, 1996.
(5) Mr. Koch became an executive officer of the Company in February 1993 and
became Senior Vice President in January 1995.
(6) Mr. Toney ceased being an executive officer of the Company in May 1996.
______________________________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock Option Exercises
Aggregate Option Exercises in Fiscal 1996 and
Option Values as of June 30, 1996
No. of Unexercised Value of Unexercised
No. of Shares Options at In-the-Money Options
Acquired Value June 30, 1996 at June 30, 1996
Name on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John N. Kapoor 0 $ 0 0 0 $ 0 $ 0
Barry D. LeBlanc 143,500 121,075 328,469 0 399,462 0
Harold O. Koch 0 0 118,700 29,300 86,654 15,091
Tim J. Toney 0 0 45,000 5,000 27,500 0
</TABLE>
______________________________
Employment Agreements
In January 1996 the Company entered into employment agreements with
Messrs. LeBlanc, Koch and Toney calling for annual salaries of, respectively,
$210,000, $125,000 and $120,000, increased annually by the percentage increase
in the consumer price index (and, in the case of Mr. LeBlanc, by specified
increments conditioned on certain increases in the trading price of the
Company's common stock) plus bonuses determined by the Board of Directors in
its discretion. Messrs. LeBlanc and Koch were provided with the use of an
automobile.
The agreements terminate one year after notice of termination is given
by the Company or the employee. If the employee's employment is otherwise
terminated by the Company without "cause" (as defined in the agreement) or by
the employee for "good reason" (as defined in the agreement), the employee is
entitled to a lump sum payment equal to his annual salary plus any
performance-based bonus and options to which the employee would have been
entitled had the performance goals been met. In the event of a change of
control of the Company, the employee is entitled upon termination of his
employment by the Company for "cause" (as defined in the agreement) or by the
employee for "good reason" (as defined in the agreement), to a lump sum
payment equal to his annual salary until the later of the second anniversary
of the change of control or one year after the notice of termination, plus any
performance-based bonus and options to which the employee would have been
entitled had the performance goals been met. If any such payments are
considered "excess parachute payments" under Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1996, the employee is entitled to such additional amounts as
would be necessary to place him in the same position after payment of federal,
state and local taxes as he would have been in if such provisions had not been
applicable to him.
The Company and Mr. LeBlanc entered into a separation agreement
effective as of July 3, 1996 under which Mr. LeBlanc's employment by the
Company and all of his rights under his employment agreement were terminated
in consideration of payment to him of $213,045 in four equal installments of
principal, plus interest, in July and October of 1996 and January and April of
1997, plus accrued but unpaid vacation and sick leave of $23,423.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Drs. Campbell, Bruhl and Yannuzzi, who comprise the Compensation
Committee, are all independent, non-employee directors of the Company.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews, analyzes
and makes recommendations related to compensation packages for the Company's
executive officers, evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer
and administers the grant of stock options under the Company's Incentive
Compensation Plan. The committee awards all stock options. As to other
matters the committee makes recommendations that are presented to the full
Board for final approval.
The Company's executive compensation policies are designed to (a)
provide competitive levels of compensation to attract and retain qualified
executives, (b) reward achievements in corporate performance, (c) integrate
pay with annual and long-term performance goals, and (d) align the interests
of executives with the goals of shareholders.
Compensation paid to Company executives consists of salaries, annual
cash incentive bonuses and long-term incentive opportunities in the form of
stock options.
Salary
Dr. John N. Kapoor, the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors,
has served as chief executive officer of the Company since May 3, 1996.
During fiscal 1996 Dr. Kapoor received no additional compensation for serving
as the Company's chief executive officer. The salaries of Mr. Barry D.
LeBlanc, who served as president and chief executive officer of the Company
until May 3, 1996, and the other executive officers named in the table under
Summary of Executive Compensation, were fixed in their employment agreements,
which are described above under "Employment Agreements." Such amounts were
determined after considering the executive compensation policies noted above,
the impact the executive has on the Company, the skills and experience the
executive brings to the job, competition in the marketplace for those skills
and the potential of the executive in the job.
Incentive Bonus
Annual incentive compensation for executive officers during fiscal 1996
was based on corporate net earnings as compared to pre-established objectives
set at the beginning of the fiscal year. Based on the Company performance in
relation to such objectives, no incentive bonus was granted to any of the
executive officers or any other officer of the Company for fiscal 1996.
Mr. Floyd Benjamin, was hired as Executive Vice President of the Company
and president of the Company's injectable subsidiary effective May 31, 1996.
Pursuant to the three year contract with Mr. Benjamin, he is eligible for
bonuses each fiscal year beginning June 30, 1997 based on certain performance
criteria.
Stock Options
The Committee's practice with respect to stock options has been to grant
options based upon the attainment of Company performance goals and that vest
based on the passage of time. Based on the Company performance in relation to
pre-established objectives, no stock option awards were made to executive
officers in fiscal 1996.
It is the responsibility of the Committee to address the issues raised
by tax laws under which certain non-performance based compensation paid to
executives of public companies in excess of $1 million per year is non-
deductible to the Company and to determine whether any actions with respect to
this limit should be taken by the Company. It is not currently anticipated
that any executive officer of the Company will receive any such compensation
in excess of this limit in the near future. The Committee will continue to
monitor this situation and will take appropriate action if it is warranted in
the future.
The Compensation Committee is currently evaluating its policies with
respect to executive compensation in light of the recent realignment of the
Company into two distinct operating divisions.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
J. Ed Campbell, M.D. Daniel E. Bruhl, M.D. Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, M.D.
Performance Graph
The graph below compares the cumulative shareholder return on the
Company's Common Stock for the last five fiscal years with the S&P Small Cap
600 Index and an index composed of a group of peer issuers. The members of
the peer group were selected by the Company based upon size and type of
business. The peer group consists of the following companies: Chesapeake
Biological, Inc.; Faulding, Inc.; Hi Tech Pharmacal Co. Inc.; Insite Vision,
Inc.; Nutramax Products, Inc.; Pharmos Corp.; and Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The graph assumes $100 was invested in June 1991 in the Company Common Stock
and the two indices presented. The cumulative total return on the Company's
Common Stock for the period presented was 50%. The cumulative returns for the
S&P Small Cap 600 and the Company's peer group were 132% and 26%,
respectively.
[Insert - Performance Graph]
TRANSACTIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
For services performed by Dr. Kapoor in connection with the Company's
acquisition of Taylor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the John N. Kapoor Trust dated
September 20, 1989 received, among other things, 125,000 shares of Company
common stock which were subject to forfeiture if the market price of the
Company common stock were not to reach $5.00 by January 15, 1996. At the time
of this issuance, the market price of Company common stock was $3.50 per
share. In August 1995, the Company, the Trust and Dr. Kapoor entered into an
agreement under which (i) the forfeiture period was extended to January 15,
1998, (ii) forfeiture would not occur in the event that persons unaffiliated
with Dr. Kapoor acquire beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the
outstanding common stock of the Company, and (iii) Dr. Kapoor waived his right
to receive $40,000 otherwise payable to him by the Company for serving as
Chairman of the Board in fiscal 1996.
In connection with the acquisition of Pasadena Research Laboratories,
Inc. ("PRL") on May 31, 1996, the Company issued to Mr. Floyd Benjamin, as a
shareholder of PRL, 466,667 shares of Company common stock. This amount was
determined by arm's length negotiation between the Company and the PRL
shareholders.
PROPOSALS TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS
TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Proposal to Amend Articles of Incorporation to Increase Authorized Shares of
Common Stock
The Company is currently authorized to issue an aggregate of 20 million
shares of capital stock, consisting of 20 million shares of common stock, no
par value per share ("Common Stock"). As of December 12, 1996, there were
16,582,073 shares of Common Stock outstanding and 2,231,407 shares of Common
Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants and options.
Accordingly, there are only 1,186,520 shares of Common Stock authorized under
the Company's articles of incorporation and available for issuance in the
future pursuant to stock incentive plans and for other purposes. For the
reasons given below the Board believes that this number of unreserved shares
of Common Stock available for issuance in the future is inadequate.
Accordingly, the Board proposes Amendment No. 1 to the Company's articles of
incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock to
40 million shares. The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
voting power present or represented at the Meeting is required to approve this
proposal. See "Other Matters -- Quorum and Voting." The text of Amendment
No. 1 is attached as part of Exhibit A and this discussion of the amendment
is qualified in its entirety by this reference to Exhibit A.
Proposal to Amend Articles of Incorporation to Authorize Shares of Preferred
Stock
The Board also believes that in order to provide the flexibility it needs to
properly manage the Company and to raise additional capital, a class of
preferred stock should be authorized. The Preferred Stock may be issued from
time to time in one or more series. Authority would be vested in the Board
to amend the articles of incorporation from time to time to fix the
preferences, limitations and relative rights as between the Preferred Stock
and the Common Stock, and to fix the variations in the preferences,
limitations and relative rights as between different series of Preferred
Stock. Accordingly, the Board proposes Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
articles of incorporation to authorize five million shares of preferred stock
(the "Preferred Stock"). The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the voting power present or represented at the Meeting is required to approve
this proposal. See "Other Matters -- Quorum and Voting." The text of
Amendment No. 2 is attached as Exhibit A and this discussion of the amendment
is qualified in its entirety by this reference to Exhibit A.
Purposes and Effects of the Proposed Amendments
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to allow the Company to make
full use of its stock-based benefit plans and to increase the Company's
flexibility to take advantage, without the need for further shareholder
approval, of transactions that require the issuance of shares of Common Stock
or Preferred Stock.
The three current benefit plans under which shares of Common Stock may
be issued are the 1991 Stock Option Plan for Directors, the Amended and
Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Amended and Restated Akorn, Inc.
1988 Incentive Compensation Program (the "Plans"). On December 12, 1996
1,231,407 shares were authorized for issuance, but not yet issued, pursuant to
the Plans or under options not yet granted pursuant to the Plans. Because the
number of shares of Common Stock that are authorized by the articles of
incorporation and available for issuance in the future is less than the number
of shares that are currently authorized for issuance under the Plans, the
Board will not be able to make full and appropriate use of the Plans unless
the number of authorized shares of Common Stock is increased, as contemplated
by one of the proposed amendments. Moreover, as described below, the Board
believes that the number of shares issuable under the Company's Amended and
Restated Incentive Compensation Program should be increased. See "Proposal to
Approve the Amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Incentive
Compensation Program."
The Board further believes that the adoption of the proposed amendments
will enable the Company promptly and appropriately to respond to business
opportunities, such as opportunities to raise additional equity capital or to
finance acquisitions with Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or to declare stock
splits and stock dividends, although no such transactions are currently
planned by the Company. Given the number of shares currently available for
issuance, the Company would not be able to accomplish any of these
transactions without obtaining shareholder approval of an increase in the
authorized number of shares of Common Stock and the authorization of the
Preferred Stock. The cost, prior notice requirements and delay involved in
obtaining shareholder approval at the time that corporate action may become
desirable could prevent the accomplishment of the action or reduce the
expected benefits.
The additional shares of Common Stock proposed to be authorized, and the
Preferred Stock proposed to be created, together with existing authorized and
unissued shares, generally will be available for issuance without any
requirement for further shareholder approval, unless shareholder action is
required by applicable law or by the rules of the Nasdaq National Market or of
any stock exchange on which the Company's securities may be listed. Although
the Board will authorize the issuance of additional shares only when it
considers doing so to be in the best interest of shareholders, the issuance of
additional shares of Common Stock and the issuance of Preferred Stock may,
among other things, have a dilutive effect on earnings per share of the Common
Stock and on the voting rights of holders of shares of Common Stock. The
Company's shareholders do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for
additional shares of Common Stock that may be issued. Although the Board has
not made a determination as to whether it will adopt a shareholder rights
plan, it may do so in the future, in which case a portion of the additional
shares of Common Stock could facilitate the operation of such a plan. The
Board will be able to adopt such a plan, however, whether or not the proposed
amendments are approved by the shareholders. In addition, although the Board
has no current plans to do so, shares of Common Stock could be issued in
various other transactions that would make a change in control of the Company
more difficult or costly and, therefore, less likely. For example, shares of
Common Stock could be sold privately to purchasers who might support the Board
in a control contest or to dilute the voting or other rights of a person
seeking to obtain control. The proposed amendments are not the result of any
specific effort to obtain control of the Company by a tender offer, proxy
contest, or otherwise, and the Company has no present intention to use the
increased shares of authorized Common Stock or the newly authorized shares of
Preferred Stock for anti-takeover purposes.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR
both proposals to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED AKORN, INC.
1988 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
General
The Company's 1988 Incentive Compensation Program (the "Program") was
originally adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders
in 1988. In 1993 the Board adopted and the shareholders approved an amendment
to the Program to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder. The
Board of Directors has subsequently adopted additional amendments to the
Program.
At the Meeting, the shareholders will be requested to approve three
amendments to the Amended and Restated Akorn, Inc. 1988 Incentive Compensation
Program for the purpose of increasing the number of shares issuable under the
Program from two million shares to three million shares, changing the
eligibility requirements to allow consultants to participate, and extending
the term of the Program (the "Amendments"). The following description of the
Program and its amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Program itself, attached as Exhibit B.
Purpose of the Proposal and Prior Amendment of the Program
The Board of Directors continues to believe that the growth of the
Company depends significantly upon the efforts of its key employees. The
Board of Directors also believes that providing key employees and consultants
with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company is
crucial to stimulating individual performance while at the same time enhancing
shareholder value. The Board of Directors is proposing a one million share
increase in the number of shares issuable through the Program in order that
the Company may continue to provide an effective means to secure, motivate and
retain key personnel. The Board further believes that such increase in the
number of shares issuable under the Program, in order to be fully utilized,
must be supported by an extension of the duration of the Program. The Board
proposes increasing the duration of the Program by five years, such that
options may be issued pursuant to the Program until November 2, 2003.
Finally, the Board believes that the category of people eligible to
receive options under the Program should be broadened to include consultants
in order that the Company may attract consultants who will provide maximum
value to the Company. Former directors who serve as consultants may also be
granted options if the Amendments are approved.
The Amendments are being submitted to the shareholders for approval in
order to satisfy the requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.
Awards to be Granted
The grant of options under the Program is entirely in the discretion of
the Compensation Committee. The Committee has made a determination as to the
awards to be granted under the amendment to the Program changing the
definition of Eligible Employees, if it is approved by the shareholders.
Awards are expected to be granted to Drs. Campbell, Turner, Yannuzzi and
Ellis, who are retiring directors, as consultants to the Company. A
determination of the amount of options to be granted to each has not yet been
made.
Terms of the Program
Eligibility
The Program provides that key employees of the Company, including
directors who are also officers of the Company, will be eligible to receive
options under the Program when designated by the Compensation Committee.
Currently, there are approximately 30 key employees eligible to receive
options under the Program. Should the Amendment be approved, the number of
people eligible to receive options under the Program would increase to include
these and future consultants. The Company currently employs approximately 5
consultants.
Shares Issuable through the Program
If the Amendments are approved, a total of 1,000,000 additional shares
of Common Stock will be authorized to be issued under the Program. As of
December 12, 1996, a total of 827,093 shares were available for issuance under
the Program, and 913,490 shares were subject to outstanding options. On
December 12, 1996, the closing sale price of a share of Common Stock, as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was $1.81.
Adjustments under the Program
Proportionate adjustments will be made to the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to the Plan, including shares subject to outstanding options, in
the event of any recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares or other change in the Common Stock.
In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, or a transfer of substantially all the property or more than two-
thirds of the then outstanding shares to another corporation, notice must be
given to every participant in the Program not less than 40 days prior to the
anticipated effective date of the proposed transaction, and every option
granted under the Program shall be accelerated and become immeditately
exercisable in full prior to a date specified in such notice, not more than 10
days prior to the anticipated effective date of the proposed transaction. If
the transaction is consummated, each previously unexercised option shall
terminate. If the transaction does not occur, the options will remain
unexercised.
Terms of Stock Options
The Compensation Committee determines the number and purchase price of
the shares subject to options, the term of the options and the time or times
that the options become exercisable, provided that the purchase price may not
be less than 50% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant. The Compensation Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any
option or may determine to cancel any option in order to make a participant
eligible for the grant of an option at a lower price. The Compensation
Committee may approve the purchase by the Company of an unexercised stock
option for the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value
of the shares covered by such option.
The option exercise price may be paid in cash, in shares of Common Stock
which must have been held for at least six months, in a combination of cash
and shares of Common Stock or through a broker assisted exercise arrangement
approved in advance by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee
determines at what time or times during its term a stock option shall be
exercisable; provided, however, that no stock option granted to an officer,
director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of the Common Stock who is
subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act may be exercised within the six-month
period immediately following the date of grant.
The Committee shall determine the term of each Option granted under the
Program, but such term shall not exceed ten years and one day from the date of
grant.
Amendments to the Program
The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the Program at any time.
No amendment or discontinuance, however, may change or impair, without the
consent of the optionee, an option previously granted. Under the terms of the
Program, shareholder approval is required for an amendment if it is necessary
to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pursuant
to recent amendments to Rule 16b-3, shareholder approval of amendments is no
longer required. The Board seeks approval of the Amendments for purposes of
compliance with Nasdaq National Market rules, which require approval by
shareholders of an amendment to a compensation plan for officers or directors
that materially increases the number of shares issuable under the plan.
Shareholder approval of subsequent amendments to the Program will be sought if
required by Nasdaq National Market or other applicable rules.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Under existing federal income tax provisions, a participant who receives
non-qualified stock options will not normally realize any income, nor will the
Company normally be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes,
in the year of grant.
When a non-qualified stock option is exercised, the participant will
realize ordinary income measured by the difference between the aggregate fair
market value of the shares of Common Stock on the exercise date and the
aggregate purchase price of the shares of Common Stock as to which the option
is exercised, and, subject to compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, the
Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year the option is exercised
equal to the amount the employee is required to treat as ordinary income.
If the exercise price of an option is paid by the surrender of
previously-owned shares, the basis and the holding period of the previously-
owned shares carries over to some of the shares received in exchange therefor.
The income recognized on exercise is added to the basis of the remaining
shares received.
When the exercisability of a stock option granted under the Program is
accelerated upon a change of control, any excess on the date of the change of
control of the fair market value of the shares subject to the option over the
exercise price may be characterized as "parachute payments" (within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Code) if the sum of such amounts and any other
such contingent payments received by the employee in connection with the
change of control exceeds an amount equal to three times the "base amount" for
such employee. The base amount generally is the average of the annual
compensation of such employee for the five years preceding such change in
ownership or control. An "excess parachute payment" with respect to any
employee is the excess of the present value of the parachute payments to such
person, in the aggregate, over and above such person's base amount. If the
amounts received by an employee upon a change of control are characterized as
parachute payments, such employee will be subject to a 20% excise tax on the
excess parachute payments pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, and the
Company will be denied any deduction with respect to such excess parachute
payments.
This summary of federal income tax consequences of non-qualified stock
options does not purport to be complete. Reference should be made to the
applicable provisions of Code.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power
present or represented at the Meeting is required for the approval of the
amendments to the Program.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR
the proposal to approve the amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated
1988 Incentive Compensation Program.
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
A representative of Deloitte & Touche, the Company's independent
accountant for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, is expected to attend the
Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he wishes to do so,
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
OTHER MATTERS
Quorum and Voting
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company is necessary to constitute a quorum.
Shareholders voting, or abstaining from voting, by proxy on any issue will be
counted as present for purposes of constituting a quorum. If a quorum is
present, (i) the election of the four directors to be elected at the Meeting
will be determined by plurality vote (that is, the four nominees receiving the
largest number of votes will be elected), (ii) the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the voting power present or represented at the
Meeting is required to approve both proposals to approve the amendments to the
Company's articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares and to authorize shares of preferred stock, (iii) a majority of votes
actually cast at the Meeting is required to approve the proposal to amend the
Company's Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Program and (iv) a
majority of votes actually cast will decide any other matter properly brought
before the Meeting for a vote of shareholders. Shares for which proxy
authority to vote for any nominee for election as a director is withheld by
the shareholder and shares that have not been voted by brokers who may hold
shares on behalf of the beneficial owners ("broker non-votes") will not be
counted as voted for the affected nominee. With respect to the proposal to
approve the amendment to the Company's articles of incorporaiton, shares
abstained from voting will be considered present or represented at the Meeting
for purposes of determining whether or not two-thirds of such shares were
voted for such proposal, but shares not voted as a result of broker non-votes
will not be so considered. With respect to all other matters, shares not
voted as a result of abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered
as voted for purposes of determining whether or not a majority of votes were
cast for such matters.
Other Business
Management is unaware of any matter for action by shareholders at the
Meeting other than those described in the accompanying notice. The enclosed
proxy, however, will confer discretionary authority with respect to any other
matter that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in
accordance with their best judgment on any such matter.
Shareholder Proposals
Any shareholder who desires to present a proposal qualified for
inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held in 1998 must forward the proposal in writing to the
President of the Company at the address shown on the first page of this proxy
statement in time to arrive at the Company no later than September ___, 1997.
By Order of the Board of Directors
George S. Ellis, M.D.
Secretary
Abita Springs, Louisiana
January ___, 1997
EXHIBIT A
Set Forth Below is the Text of the Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
Increasing the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
and authorizing shares of Preferred Stock. Material to be Added as a
Result of the Amendments is Shown in Parenthesis, and Material to be Deleted
is Shown in Brackets.
AMENDMENT NO. 1
ARTICLE V
---------
CAPITAL
A. The Corporation shall have authority to issue an aggregate of [20
million] (40 million) shares of Common Stock, no par value per share.
AMENDMENT NO. 2
ARTICLE V
---------
CAPITAL
B. (The Corporation shall have authority to issue 5 million shares of
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share. Shares of Preferred Stock may
be issued from time to time in one or more series. Authority is hereby
vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation to amend these Articles of
Incorporation from time to time to fix the preferences, limitations and
relative rights as between the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, and
to fix the variations in the preferences, limitations and relative rights as
between different classes and series of Preferred Stock.)
EXHIBIT B
Set Forth Below is the Text of the Amended and Restated Akorn, Inc.
1988 Incentive Compensation Program,as Proposed to be Amended.
Material to be Added as a Result of the Amendments is Shown in
Parenthesis, and Material to be Deleted is Shown in Brackets.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AKORN, INC.
1988 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
October 26, 1996
1. Purpose. The purpose of the 1988 Incentive Compensation Program
(the "Program") of Akorn, Inc. (the "Company") is to advance the interests of
the Company by furnishing economic incentives in the form of stock options
("Options") designed to attract, retain and motivate key employees.
2. Administration.
2.1 Composition. The Program shall be administered by a
committee consisting of two or more members of the Board (the "Committee") who
are disinterested persons in accordance with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
2.2 Authority. The Committee shall have plenary authority to
award Options under the Program, to interpret the Program, to establish any
rules or regulations relating to the Program which it determines to be
appropriate, and to make any other determination which it believes necessary
or advisable for the proper administration of the Program. Its decisions in
matters relating to the Program shall be final and conclusive on the Company
and participants.
3. Eligible Employees. Key employees (and consultants) of the Company
(including officers who also serve as directors of the Company) and its
subsidiaries shall become eligible to receive Options under the Plan when
designated by the Committee. Employees may be designated individually or by
groups or categories, as the Committee deems appropriate. With respect to
participants not subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act, the Committee may
delegate to appropriate personnel of the Company its authority to designate
participants and to determine the number of Options to be received by those
participants.
4. Shares Subject to the Program.
4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 6.5, the number of shares of common stock, no par value, of the
Company ("Common Stock"), which may be issued under the Program shall not
exceed [2,000,000] (3,000,000) shares of Common Stock.
4.2 Cancellation. In the event that an Option granted hereunder
expires or is terminated or cancelled unexercised as to any shares of Common
Stock, such shares may again be issued under the Program pursuant to Options.
The Committee may also determine to cancel, and agree to the cancellation of,
Options in order to make a particular participant eligible for the grant of an
Option at a lower price than the Option to be cancelled.
4.3 Type of Common Stock. Common Stock issued under the Program
in connection with Options may be authorized and unissued shares or issued
shares held as treasury shares.
5. Options. An Option is a right to purchase shares of Common Stock
from the Company. Each Option granted by the Committee under this Program
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
5.1 Price. The Option price per share shall be determined by
the Committee but shall not be less than 50% of the fair market value on the
date of grant of the Option. "Fair Market Value" shall be determined as
follows: if the Common Stock is listed on any national exchange or any
automatic quotation system which provides sale quotations, the fair market
value shall be the average of high and low sale prices quoted on such exchange
or quotation system as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the trading day
next preceding the applicable date (i.e., date of grant, exercise or tax
withholding) or if there are no trades on such date, then on the preceding
date on which a trade did occur, subject to adjustment under Section 6.5
5.2 Number. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 6.5.
5.3 Duration and Time for Exercise. Subject to earlier
termination as provided in Section 6.5, the term of each Option shall be
determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from
the date of grant. Each Option shall become exercisable at such time or times
during its term as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant.
The Committee may accelerate the date on which an Option becomes exercisable.
5.4 Repurchase. Upon approval of the Committee, the Company may
repurchase a previously granted Option from a participant by mutual agreement
before such Option has been exercised by payment to the participant of the
amount per share by which (i) the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section
5.1) of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date of repurchase
exceeds (ii) the Option price.
5.5 Manner of Exercise. An Option may be exercised in whole or
in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of
shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase
price for such shares. The Option price shall be payable in United States
dollars upon exercise of the Option and may be paid by (i) cash; (ii)
uncertified or certified check; (iii) bank draft; (iv) delivery of shares of
Common Stock held for a period of six months in payment of all or any part of
the Option price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair
Market Value on the date such Option is exercised; (v) delivery of a properly
executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker
approved by the Company (with a copy to the Company) to promptly deliver to
the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the exercise price;
(vi) or in such other manner as may be authorized from time to time by the
Committee. In the case of delivery of an uncertified check or bank draft upon
exercise of an Option, no shares shall be issued until the check or draft has
been paid in full. Prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the
exercise of an Option, a participant shall have no rights as a shareholder.
6. General.
6.1 Effective Date. The Program will become effective upon its
approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power present or represented at a meeting of the shareholders. Unless
approved within one year after the date of the Program's adoption by the Board
of Directors, the Program shall not be effective for any purpose. Prior to
the approval of the Program by the Company's shareholders, the Board may award
Options, but if such approval is not received in the specified period, then
such awards shall be of no effect.
6.2 Duration. The Program shall remain in effect until all
Options granted under the Program have either been satisfied by the issuance
of shares of Common Stock or been terminated under the terms of the Program.
No Option may be granted under the Program after the [tenth] (fifteenth)
anniversary of the date the Program is approved by the Company's shareholders.
6.3 Non-transferability of Options. No Option may be
transferred, pledged or assigned by the holder thereof (except, in the event
of the holder's death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution) and
the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted assignment of
such rights by any participant. During a participant's lifetime, an Option
may be exercised only by him or by his guardian or legal representative.
6.4 Additional Condition. Anything in this Program to the
contrary notwithstanding: (a) the Company may, if it shall determine it
necessary or desirable for any reason, at the time of award of an Option or
the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option, require the
recipient of the Option, as a condition to the receipt thereof or to the
receipt of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise thereof, to deliver to
the Company a written representation of present intention to acquire the
Option or the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto for his own
account for investment and not for distribution; and (b) if at any time the
Company further determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing,
registration or qualification (or any updating of any such document) of any
Option or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto is necessary on
any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities or blue sky
law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is
necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with the grant of
any Option or the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise thereof,
such Option shall not be granted or such shares of Common Stock shall not be
issued, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such listing,
registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.
6.5 Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization or Control.
(a) In the event of any recapitalization, stock dividend,
stock split, combination of shares or other change in the Common Stock, the
number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Program, shall be
adjusted in proportion to the change in outstanding shares of Common Stock.
In the event of any such adjustments, the purchase price of any Option and the
shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any Option shall be adjusted as
and to the extent appropriate, in the reasonable discretion of the Committee,
to provide participants with the same relative rights before and after such
adjustment.
(a) If there is proposed a dissolution or liquidation of
the Company, or a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with
one or more corporations in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, or a transfer of substantially all the property or more than two-
thirds of the then outstanding shares of the Company to another corporation,
the Committee shall cause written notice of the proposed transaction to be
given to every participant in the Program not less than 40 days prior to the
anticipated effective date of the proposed transactions, and every Incentive
granted under the Program shall be accelerated and become immediately
exercisable in full by such participant prior to a date specified in such
notice, which date shall be not more than 10 days prior to the anticipated
effective date of the proposed transaction. The participant shall notify the
Company, in writing, that he intends to exercise his Options, in whole or in
part, and the participant may condition such exercise upon, and provide that
such exercise shall become effective at the time immediately prior to, the
consummation of the proposed transaction. If the proposed transaction is
consummated, each Option, to the extent not previously exercised prior to the
date specified in the foregoing notice, shall terminate on the effective date
of such consummation. If the proposed transaction is not consummated and the
participant has so provided, the Options shall remain unexercised.
6.6 Option Agreements. The terms of each Option shall be stated
in an agreement, the form of which has been approved by the Committee.
6.7 Withholding.
(a) The Company shall have the right to withhold from any
shares issuable under the Program or to collect as a condition of issuance,
any taxes required by law to be withheld. At any time when a participant is
required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under
applicable income tax laws upon exercise of an Option, the participant may
satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by electing (the "Election") to
have the Company withhold from the distribution shares of Common Stock having
a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The value of the shares
to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
the date that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined ("Tax
Date").
(a) Each Election must be made prior to the Tax Date. The
Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right
to make Elections, or may provide with respect to any Option that the right to
make Elections shall not apply to such Option. An Election is irrevocable.
(a) If a participant is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, then an Election is subject to the
following additional restrictions:
(1) No Election shall be effective for a Tax Date
which occurs within six months of the grant of the award.
(2) The Election either (i) must be made six months
prior to the Tax Date, (ii) must be made during a period beginning on the
third business day following the date of release for publication of the
Company's quarterly or annual summary statements of earnings and ending on the
twelfth business day following such date (a "Window Period") or (iii) may be
made in advance but must take effect during a Window Period.
6.8 No Continued Employment. No participant under the Program
shall have any right, because of his or her participation, to continue in the
employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his
or her present or any other rate of compensation.
6.9 Amendment of the Program. The Board may amend or
discontinue the Program at any time; provided, however that no such amendment
or discontinuance shall change or impair, without the consent of the recipient,
an Option previously granted; and further provided that if any such amendment
requires shareholder approval to meet the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor rule, such amendment shall be
subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company.
EXHIBIT C
[FRONT]
PROXY This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of
AKORN, INC.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints John N. Kapoor, Ph.D and
Eric Wingerter or either of them proxy for the undersigned, with full
power of substitution, to represent the undersigned and to vote, as
designated below, all of the shares of Common Stock of Akorn, Inc. (the
"Company") that the undersigned is entitled to vote held of record by the
undersigned on January 6, 1997, at the annual meeting of shareholders of
the Company to be held on February 28, 1997 (the "Annual Meeting"), and at
all adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed below.
1. Election of Directors.
FOR [ ] all nominees listed below (except as WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ] to vote
marked to the contrary below) for all nominees listed
below
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, strike a line through the nominee's name
in the list below:
Daniel E. Bruhl, M.D. Doyle S. Gaw
Floyd Benjamin John N. Kapoor, Ph.D.
2. Proposal to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase
the number of authorized shares of common stock from 20 million shares
to 40 million shares.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. Proposal to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to authorize
five million shares of preferred stock.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
4. Proposal to amend the Amended and Restated Akorn, Inc. 1988 Incentive
Compensation Program.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
5. In their discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
(Please See Reverse Side)
[REVERSE SIDE]
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this
proxy will be voted FOR the nominees and FOR the proposals listed over.
The individuals designated above will vote in their discretion on any other
matter that may properly come before the meeting.
Date:
, 1997
Signature of Shareholder
Signature if held jointly
Please sign exactly as name
appears on the certificate or
certificates representing
shares to be voted by this
proxy, as shown on the label
to the left. When signing as
executor, administrator,
attorney, trustee, or guar-
dian please give full title
as such. If a corporation,
please sign full corporation
name by president or other
authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in
partnership name by author-
ized persons.
Please mark, sign, date and return this proxy promptly using
the enclosed envelope.
