<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [ ] FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
PolyMedica Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
PolyMedica Corporation
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
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:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
POLYMEDICA CORPORATION
11 STATE STREET
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801
NOTICE OF 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 10, 1998
The 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PolyMedica Corporation (the
"Company") will be held at the offices of Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, on Thursday, September 10, 1998, at 9:00 a.m.,
local time, to consider and act upon the following matters:
1. To elect two Class I Directors for the ensuing three years.
2. To approve the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan.
3. To ratify the selection by the Board of Directors of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent accountants for
the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 1998 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. The stock transfer books of
the Company will remain open for the purchase and sale of the Company's Common
Stock.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Eric G. Walters
-----------------------------------
ERIC G. WALTERS, Clerk
Woburn, Massachusetts
August 13, 1998
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND PROMPTLY MAIL IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN
ORDER TO ASSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES AT THE MEETING. NO POSTAGE NEED BE
AFFIXED IF THE PROXY CARD IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
<PAGE> 3
POLYMEDICA CORPORATION
11 STATE STREET
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 10, 1998
GENERAL MATTERS
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of PolyMedica Corporation (the "Company" or
"PolyMedica") for use at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
Thursday, September 10, 1998, and at any adjournment or adjournments of that
meeting. All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained
therein, and if no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of
the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. Any proxy may be
revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is exercised by delivery of
written revocation to the Clerk of the Company.
The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 is
being mailed to stockholders with the mailing of this Notice and Proxy Statement
on or about August 13, 1998.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH
31, 1998, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WITHOUT
EXHIBITS, WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST TO THE TREASURER, POLYMEDICA CORPORATION, 11 STATE STREET, WOBURN, MA
01801.
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTES REQUIRED
On July 20, 1998, the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting, there were outstanding and
entitled to vote an aggregate of 8,792,856 shares of Common Stock of the
Company, $.01 par value per share ("Common Stock"). Each share of Common Stock
is entitled to one vote.
The holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of Common Stock
present in person or represented by proxy (including shares which abstain or do
not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder
approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at
the Annual Meeting.
The affirmative vote of holders of a plurality of votes cast by the
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the election
of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock present, or represented, and entitled to vote on the matter is
required to approve the proposal to approve the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
present, or represented, and entitled to vote on the matter is required for the
approval of the ratification of the selection of the Company's accountants.
Shares which abstain from voting as to a particular matter, and shares held
in "street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that they
do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular
matter, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter, and will also not
be counted as votes cast or shares voting on such matter. Accordingly,
abstentions and "broker non-votes" will have no effect on the voting on a matter
that requires the affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes cast or
shares voting on a matter. However, abstentions are considered in determining
the number of votes required to attain a majority of the shares present, or
represented.
<PAGE> 4
SECURITY OWNERSHIP AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information, as of June 30, 1998,
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i)
each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock; (ii) each director and nominee for director;
(iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table under the
heading "Compensation of Executive Officers" below and (iv) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group.
The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each director or
executive officer is determined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial
ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes
any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or
investment power and also any shares which the individual has the right to
acquire within 60 days after June 30, 1998 through the exercise of any stock
option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole
investment and voting power (or shares such power with his or her spouse) with
respect to the shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion herein of
any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of
beneficial ownership of those shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
OF SHARES OF SHARES
BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(1) OWNED
- ------------------------------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Safeco Corporation(2)....................................... 894,500 10.2%
Safeco Plaza
Seattle, WA 98185
The TCW Group, Inc.(3)...................................... 665,400 7.6%
865 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(4)................................. 611,800 7.0%
790 North Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company(5)............... 543,464 5.8%
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
Steven J. Lee(6)............................................ 693,281 7.4%
Arthur A. Siciliano, Ph.D.(7)............................... 410,775 4.5%
Eric G. Walters(8).......................................... 241,223 2.7%
Mark A. Libratore(9)........................................ 122,602 1.4%
Thomas S. Soltys(10)........................................ 80,125 *
Randy L. Sloan(11).......................................... 49,459 *
Daniel S. Bernstein, M.D.(12)............................... 33,237 *
Marcia J. Hooper(13)........................................ 26,288 *
Frank W. LoGerfo, M.D.(14).................................. 20,250 *
Peter K. Hoffman(15)........................................ 2,260 *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(11 persons)(16)............................................ 1,892,738 18.5%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents holdings of less than one percent.
(1) The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to the
information contained in the footnotes to this table. Amounts shown include
shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60
days after June 30, 1998.
(2) Based upon a Schedule 13G filed by Safeco Corporation ("Safeco") on April
10, 1998 pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") and the rules promulgated
2
<PAGE> 5
thereunder. Safeco disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares
reported. The reported shares are owned beneficially by registered
investment companies for which a subsidiary of Safeco serves as advisor.
(3) Based upon a Schedule 13G filed by The TCW Group, Inc. on February 12, 1998
pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. The TCW
Group, Inc. disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(4) Based upon a Schedule 13G filed by Heartland Advisors, Inc. on February 2,
1998 pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder.
Heartland Advisors, Inc. disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(5) Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a currently
exercisable stock purchase warrant at an exercise price of $5.18 per share
issued in connection with the sale by a subsidiary of the Company of $25
million 10.9% Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due January 31, 2003, to John
Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.
(6) Includes 67,887 shares held by a family trust for which Mr. Lee, his spouse
and family are beneficiaries and 578,437 shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding stock options held by Mr. Lee that are exercisable within 60
days after June 30, 1998. See "Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
(7) Includes 341,788 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Dr. Siciliano that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30,
1998. See "Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
(8) Includes 220,932 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Mr. Walters that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30,
1998. See "Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
(9) Includes 45,102 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Mr. Libratore that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30,
1998. See "Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
(10) Includes 10,125 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Mr. Soltys that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30, 1998.
(11) Includes 37,931 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Mr. Sloan that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30, 1998.
See "Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
(12) Includes 25,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30, 1998, and 4,620 shares
held by Dr. Bernstein in an IRA account.
(13) Includes 25,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Ms. Hooper that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30, 1998.
(14) Includes 20,250 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Dr. LoGerfo that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30,
1998.
(15) Includes 2,260 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options
held by Mr. Hoffman that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30,
1998.
(16) Includes 1,448,840 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock
options that are exercisable within 60 days after June 30, 1998. See
"Fiscal Year-End Option Table" below.
3
<PAGE> 6
ITEM ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company has a classified Board of Directors consisting of two Class I
Directors, two Class II Directors, and two Class III Directors. The Class I,
Class II, and Class III Directors will serve until the annual meetings of
stockholders to be held in 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively, and until their
respective successors are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, one class of directors is elected for a full term of three years
to succeed the class whose term is expiring.
The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote to elect Frank W.
LoGerfo, M.D. and Marcia J. Hooper, the nominees named below, as Class I
Directors, unless the proxy is marked otherwise. Dr. LoGerfo and Ms. Hooper are
currently Class I Directors of the Company.
Dr. LoGerfo and Ms. Hooper will be elected to hold office until the 2001
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. Dr. LoGerfo and Ms. Hooper have indicated their willingness to serve,
if elected; however, if Dr. LoGerfo or Ms. Hooper should be unable to serve, the
proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of
Directors. It is not presently contemplated that either of the nominees will be
unavailable to serve.
The following table sets forth the name, age, length of service as a
director of each member of the Board of Directors, including the nominees for
Class I Directors, information given by each concerning all positions he or she
holds with the Company, his or her principal occupation and business experience
for the past five years and the names of other publicly-held companies of which
he or she serves as a director. Information with respect to the number of shares
of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by him or her on June 30,
1998, and the percentage of all outstanding shares of Common Stock owned by him
or her on such date, appears above under "Security Ownership and Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management."
NOMINEES FOR TERM
TO EXPIRE IN 1998
(CLASS I DIRECTORS)
--------------------
FRANK W. LOGERFO, M.D., age 57, has been a director since 1994.
Dr. LoGerfo has been Attending Surgeon, Associate Chairman for Research,
Department of Surgery, and Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery, Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center since 1987. Dr. LoGerfo has served as William V.
McDermott Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School since 1991.
MARCIA J. HOOPER, age 44, has been a director since 1991.
Ms. Hooper served as General Partner of three venture capital funds of
Ampersand Ventures from 1985 to 1993 and is a limited partner of the general
partner of three venture capital funds of Ampersand Ventures. Ms. Hooper
served as General Partner of Viking Partners Capital Limited Partnership from
1993 to 1996. Currently, she is Vice President of Advent International
Corporation.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM
EXPIRES IN 1999
(CLASS II DIRECTORS)
---------------------
THOMAS S. SOLTYS, age 50, has been a director since March 1996.
Mr. Soltys has served as President of Boston Special Risks Insurance Agency,
Inc. since 1988 and as sole owner since 1994.
4
<PAGE> 7
STEVEN J. LEE, age 51, has been a director since 1990.
Mr. Lee has served as Chairman since June 1996 and Chief Executive Officer and
a director of the Company since 1990. He served as President of the Company
from 1990 through June 1996. He served as manager in the Mergers and
Acquisitions practice at Coopers & Lybrand from March 1990 to May 1990.
Previously, he was President and a director of Shawmut National Ventures from
November 1987 to March 1990, and served as President, Chief Executive Officer
and a director of RepliGen Corporation from 1984 to 1986. Currently he is a
director of Commonwealth BioVentures, Inc. and Fibersense Technology
Corporation.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM
EXPIRES IN 2000
(CLASS III DIRECTORS)
----------------------
DANIEL S. BERNSTEIN, M.D., age 71, has been a director since 1992.
Dr. Bernstein has been a physician at Brigham Medical Associates, Boston,
Massachusetts, since 1993; a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, since 1993; and Clinical Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Boston
University School of Medicine since 1973.
PETER K. HOFFMAN, age 49, has been a director since June 1997.
Mr. Hoffman has been President of Commercial Operations, for the Duracell
North Atlantic Group of The Gillette Company since January 1998. He served as
Senior Vice President, Business Management, for the North Atlantic Group of
The Gillette Company since 1988. Mr. Hoffman joined The Gillette Company in
1972 and has held a variety of product management positions.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Company has a standing Audit Committee of the Board of Directors which
provides the opportunity for direct contact between the Company's independent
public accountants and the Board. The Audit Committee has responsibility for
recommending the appointment of the Company's independent public accountants,
reviewing the scope and results of audits and reviewing the Company's internal
accounting control policies and procedures. In the year ended March 31, 1998,
the Audit Committee included Richard Bard (who resigned from the Board of
Directors in April 1998) and Ms. Hooper and held one meeting.
The Company also has a standing Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors which provides recommendations to the Board regarding executive and
employee compensation programs of the Company. The Compensation Committee also
administers the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. In the year ended March 31,
1998, the Compensation Committee included Ms. Hooper and Drs. Bernstein and
LoGerfo and held two meetings.
The Company also has a standing Executive Committee which provides
assistance to the Board of Directors. In the year ended March 31, 1998,
Executive Committee members included Messrs. Lee and Bard and Ms. Hooper. As the
full Board of Directors had frequent meetings, no meetings of the Executive
Committee were held in the year ended March 31, 1998.
The Board of Directors held seven meetings during the year ended March 31,
1998. All directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the
Board of Directors held during their service as directors, except for Ms.
Hooper, who attended five of seven meetings, or 71% of such meetings, Dr.
LoGerfo, who attended five of seven meetings,or 71% of such meetings, and Mr.
Bard, who attended four of seven meetings, or 57% of such meetings.
There are no family relationships between or among any officers or
directors of the Company.
5
<PAGE> 8
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Non-employee directors receive $12,500 in annual cash compensation for
attending Board and Committee Meetings. Directors who are officers or employees
of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for their services as
directors.
Non-employee directors are entitled to participate in the 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan, which, among other things, provides for discretionary grants of
non-qualified stock options to members of the Company's Board of Directors who
are not employees of the Company.
Under the Company's 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan, which expired in
January 1998, Drs. Bernstein and LoGerfo, Ms. Hooper, and Messrs. Bard and
Soltys each were granted an option to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock
(exercisable at $13.50 per share) on September 30, 1997. Mr. Hoffman was granted
an option to purchase 2,260 shares of Common Stock (exercisable at $7.00 per
share) upon his appointment to the Board of Directors in June 1997.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to the annual and long-term compensation for each of
the last three fiscal years of the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer and the Company's other four most highly compensated executive officers
who were serving as executive officers on March 31, 1998:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------
------------------------------------ SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR $ (1)($) ($) (2)(3) (#) (4) (6)
------------------ ---- -------- -------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Steven J. Lee 1998 $261,492 $144,167 $2,634 40,000 $1,895
Chairman and 1997 240,408 90,000 4,469 359,961 1,058
Chief Executive Officer 1996 246,181 142,000 4,500 30,000 1,043
Arthur A. Siciliano, Ph.D. 1998 229,577 78,167 2,715 30,000 1,668
President 1997 215,447 50,000 4,728 236,094 1,457
1996 183,414 59,000 4,561 22,000 1,283
Eric G. Walters 1998 143,729 49,166 3,281 25,000 555
Chief Financial Officer, 1997 133,406 37,500 4,207 144,839 300
Treasurer and Clerk 1996 135,432 50,000 4,579 16,000 295
Mark A. Libratore (5) 1998 144,519 22,942 4,272 25,000 538
President, Liberty 1997 65,604 -- 1,010 44,035 160
Supply, Inc.
Randy M. Sloan (5) 1998 153,192 11,500 3,902 15,000 364
Vice President, Marketing 1997 71,539 11,000 -- 46,975 58
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) These amounts were either paid or accrued in the year shown.
(2) Other compensation in the form of perquisites and other personal benefits
has been omitted in those instances where such perquisites and other
personal benefits constituted less than the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the
total salary and bonus for each named executive officer for such year.
(3) Represents the Company's matching cash contribution paid and/or accrued
under the Company's 401(k) Plan.
(4) Represents options granted under the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan.
(5) Messrs. Libratore and Sloan commenced employment with the Company on August
30, 1996 and October 1, 1996, respectively. Therefore, no information is
provided for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.
(6) Represents the taxable portion of group term life insurance paid by the
Company.
6
<PAGE> 9
Option Grant Table. The following table sets forth certain information
regarding options granted during the year ended March 31, 1998 by the Company to
the executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
PERCENT OF AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL OPTIONS STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM(4)
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------------
NAME OPTIONS(#)(1) YEAR 1998 ($/SH)(2) DATE(3) 5% 10%
---- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Steven J. Lee.............. 40,000 17.27% 11.8750 09/11/07 $298,725 $757,028
Arthur A. Siciliano,
Ph.D..................... 30,000 12.95% 11.8750 09/11/07 224,044 567,771
Eric G. Walters............ 25,000 10.79% 11.8750 09/11/07 186,703 473,142
Mark A. Libratore.......... 25,000 10.79% 11.8750 09/11/07 186,703 473,142
Randy M. Sloan............. 15,000 6.48% 11.8750 09/11/07 112,022 283,885
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) These grants vest over twelve equal quarterly installments, commencing with
the date of grant.
(2) The exercise price is equal to the fair market value of the Company's common
stock on the date of grant.
(3) Options expire at the end of the option term, which is ten years from the
date of grant.
(4) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for options if
exercised at the end of the option term. These gains are based on assumed
rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the
date options are granted.
Fiscal Year-End Option Table. The following table sets forth certain
information regarding stock options exercised during the year ended March 31,
1998 and stock options held as of March 31, 1998 by the executive officers named
in the Summary Compensation Table:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES VALUE FISCAL YEAR END (#) FISCAL YEAR END ($)(1)
ACQUIRED ON REALIZED --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ------------ -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Steven J. Lee............. 0 $0 567,662 72,949 $4,586,868 $361,189
Arthur A. Siciliano,
Ph.D.................... 0 0 332,581 60,300 2,667,471 314,463
Eric G. Walters........... 0 0 215,106 37,871 1,716,641 160,694
Mark A. Libratore......... 0 0 41,565 27,470 285,261 77,955
Randy M. Sloan............ 0 0 33,872 28,103 227,780 124,894
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Total value of "in-the-money" unexercised options is based on the difference
between the last sales price of the Company's Common Stock on the American
Stock Exchange on March 31, 1998 ($12.3125 per share) and the exercise price
of "in-the-money" options, multiplied by the number of shares subject to
such options.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company entered into employment agreements in 1990 with Mr. Lee and Dr.
Siciliano, in 1991 with Mr. Walters, and in 1996 with Messrs. Libratore and
Sloan, pursuant to which each individual agreed to serve as an officer of the
Company. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreements, the officer
receives a base salary which is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.
Each officer is entitled to receive an annual bonus payment in an amount, if
any, to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
The employment agreements, as amended to date, extend to November 30, 2000 for
Mr. Lee, to May 31, 2000
7
<PAGE> 10
for Dr. Siciliano and Mr. Walters, to August 29, 1999 for Mr. Libratore and to
September 30, 1998 for Mr. Sloan.
The term of the employment agreements will also be deemed to continue on a
month-to-month basis if not expressly extended while each officer remains
employed by the Company. Both the officer and the Company have the right to
terminate an employment agreement at any time with or without cause upon 30
days' prior written notice. In the event that the Company terminates an
employment agreement without cause or an officer terminates his employment for
good reason (as defined in the agreement) following a change of control (as
defined in the agreement), such officer will be entitled to receive his base
salary at termination for the longer of one year or the remainder of his
employment period up to a maximum of eighteen months. In the event of a change
in control, following which an executive's employment is terminated other than
for cause including, without limitation, the failure to renew an employment
contract within two years following such change in control (as defined in the
agreement), such executive will receive 2.99 times his annual compensation. Each
officer has also agreed not to compete with the Company for one year following
termination of his employment.
Pursuant to these agreements, Mr. Lee, Dr. Siciliano, and Messrs. Walters,
Libratore, and Sloan currently receive a base salary of $276,000, $235,000,
$151,000, $225,000 and $155,000, respectively.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by a standing
Compensation Committee composed of three non-employee directors. All decisions
by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the Company's
executive officers are reviewed by the full Board of Directors. The Company's
executive compensation program is designed to retain and reward senior
executives who will lead the Company and achieve business objectives within the
markets in which the Company competes.
Compensation Philosophy
The objectives of the Company's compensation programs are to align business
objectives with a combination of base pay, bonuses and stock options tailored
toward individual performance. In a competitive environment, it is important
that the Company be able to attract, retain and reward executive officers who
contribute to the long-term success of the Company. The Company's executive
compensation philosophy is based upon the following principles:
I. Competitive and Fair Compensation
With respect to fiscal 1998 compensation, the Company based
compensation decisions in part on a 1993 study performed for the Company
by the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, which reviewed the
compensation structure for the Company's executive officers and made
recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to base
salary, performance-based bonuses and stock-based compensation, with the
intention of ensuring that the Company's executive officers were
compensated in the highest quartile of comparable entities.
The Company seeks to achieve a balance of the compensation paid to a
particular individual with the contribution made by that individual in
the achievement of the Company's objectives.
II. Business Plan and Goals
The Company holds strategic planning sessions to review its strategic
and business plan goals. This review includes the analysis of such
factors as achievement of operating budgets, licensing, development of
alliances with third parties, introduction of new processes and
products, manufacturing efficiencies, raising of capital, potential
acquisitions and overall performance relative to its competitors. The
performance of each officer is evaluated by the Board with respect to
how the executive has contributed to achieving the business plan and
goals.
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<PAGE> 11
III. Executive Compensation Program
Annual compensation for executive officers consists of the following
three fundamental elements:
- A base salary within an established competitive salary range that is
determined by individual contributions and sustained performance.
- An annual bonus structure tied to the achievement of corporate
financial performance measures as well as the achievement of
individual business-related objectives.
- A long-term incentive program afforded by stock options.
Prior to determining base salary, cash bonuses and stock options for
fiscal 1998, the Compensation Committee reviewed the extent to which each
executive officer had achieved certain business objectives and analyzed its
recommendations in light of companies at comparable stages of development
and similar capitalization. Each of these three elements of compensation is
discussed below.
Base Salary. The Compensation Committee has reviewed salary amounts
since the 1993 study by Coopers & Lybrand and has adjusted salaries based
on its assessment of each executive's individual performance and increases
in salaries paid by competitors.
Bonuses. The Company's 1998 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
(the "Incentive Plan") provided for a cash pool to be paid out on the basis
of achievement of specified individual, financial and strategic targets and
objectives of the Company, including appreciation of the Company's stock,
profitability and revenue targets, and new product introductions. Bonuses
could be earned through the achievement of a combination of these targets
and objectives.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The Company's long-term incentive
compensation program is implemented through the periodic grant of stock
options. The Company's stock option program promotes a long-term congruity
of interest between the Company's employees and its stockholders and
assists in the retention of executives. The number of shares to be granted
to each participant generally reflects the position of the executive within
the Company and his or her contributions to the Company's achievement of
the business plan and goals. Stock options are granted at the current
market price and generally vest over a three-year period to encourage key
employees to continue in the employ of the Company.
Benefits. The Company's executive officers are entitled to receive
medical benefits and life insurance benefits. They participate in the
Company's 401(k) plan, to which the Company will make matching cash
contributions, and the 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which allows
participants to purchase shares at a discount of approximately 15% from the
fair market value at the beginning or end of the applicable purchase
period. The above benefits are also available to all of the Company's
employees.
Summary of Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. In fiscal 1998,
the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Steven J. Lee, received
salary and bonus compensation of $405,659, including base salary, beginning
on April 1, 1997, at the annual rate of $235,872, adjusted on August 1,
1997 to an annual rate of $276,000, and bonus compensation of $144,167,
which was paid from the Incentive Plan and from discretionary amounts
determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has
set Mr. Lee's total annual compensation including compensation derived from
the Incentive Plan and the grant of stock options under the 1990 Plan at a
level it believes to be competitive. Mr. Lee's bonus compensation for
fiscal 1998 reflected the achievement of a combination of the Company's
financial and strategic goals.
Compensation Committee
Daniel S. Bernstein, M.D.
Frank W. LoGerfo, M.D.
Marcia J. Hooper
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<PAGE> 12
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Ms. Hooper and Drs.
Bernstein and LoGerfo. No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time
during fiscal 1998, or formerly, an officer or employee of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company, nor has any member of the Compensation Committee had
any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE
The comparative stock performance graph below compares the cumulative
stockholder return on the Common Stock of the Company for the period from March
31, 1993, and through the years ended March 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998
with the cumulative total return on (i) the American Stock Exchange Composite
Index (U.S. Companies) (the "AMEX Composite Index") and (ii) a peer index
determined by the Company (the "Peer Group"). The graph assumes the investment
of $100 in the Company's Common Stock, the AMEX Composite Index, and the Peer
Group on March 31, 1993, and reinvestment of all dividends. Measurement points
are on March 31, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The Peer Group consists of Chattem, Inc., Curative Health Services, Inc.,
Del Laboratories Inc., Health Management Systems, Inc., KV Pharmaceutical
Company, Suburban Ostomy Supply Co., Transworld Healthcare, Inc., Universal Self
Care, Inc., and Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. In January 1998, Suburban Ostomy
Supply Co. was acquired by Invacare Corporation. The share price of Invacare
Corporation is included in the Peer Group as of March 31, 1998, and replaced
Suburban Ostomy Supply Co. as of January 1998. In January 1998, Universal Self
Care, Inc. sold its operations to a private purchaser and became Tadeo Holdings,
Inc. The share price of Tadeo Holdings, Inc. is included in the Peer Group as of
March 31, 1998, and replaced Universal Self Care, Inc. as of January 1998.
Effective March 30, 1995, the Company's Common Stock commenced trading on
the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PM." The Company's Common Stock
had previously been traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMEX Composite PolyMedica
Index Peer Group Corporation
<S> <C> <C> <C>
3/31/93 100 100 100
3/31/94 105 101 51
3/31/95 113 169 71
3/31/96 139 239 88
3/31/97 136 199 72
3/31/98 188 366 177
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 13
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors,
executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of the registered
class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") initial reports of ownership and reports of changes
in beneficial ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the
Company.
Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required
by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
reports they file.
Based on a review of its records, the Company believes that all directors,
executive officers and ten percent stockholders filed timely reports under
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in fiscal 1998.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In December 1994 and January 1997, certain officers of the Company
purchased in the aggregate 100,000 and 100,000 shares, respectively, of the
Company's Common Stock on the open market, which purchases were valued at an
aggregate of $405,000 and $607,000, respectively.
These purchases were funded by interest-free notes issued by the Company to
each officer on the respective date. The terms of the notes provide for each
executive to repay the Company within five years from the date of the note with
Company shares having a market value equal to the original principal of the
note. As required by the Internal Revenue Code, an annual amount equal to the
market rate of interest at the time each note was issued is imputed to each
officer. Total current amounts loaned and outstanding to Mr. Lee, Dr. Siciliano,
Messrs. Walters, Libratore, Sloan, and Robert J. Zappa, President of the
Company's subsidiary, PolyMedica Healthcare, Inc., were $229,969, $188,128,
$140,861, $66,768, $66,768, and $95,340, respectively.
Boston Special Risks Insurance Agency, Inc, of which Mr. Soltys, a Director
of the Company, is President and Owner, is the Company's agent for corporate
insurance. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company paid
approximately $484,000 in premiums in connection with these insurance policies.
ITEM TWO
APPROVAL OF 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On June 11, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, subject to
stockholder approval, the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1998 Plan"). Up to
315,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock
splits and other similar events) may be issued pursuant to awards granted under
the 1998 Plan.
The 1998 Plan is intended to replace the Company's 1990 Stock Option Plan
(the "1990 Plan"), which expires by its terms in November 2000, and the
Company's 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan"), which expired by
its terms in January 1998. As of June 30, 1998, options to purchase 1,473,540
shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 1990 Plan and an additional
11,169 shares were reserved for future option grants. As of the expiration date
of the 1992 Plan, options to purchase 111,760 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding and an additional 85,615 shares were reserved for future option
grants. The Board of Directors has determined that no additional option grants
may be made under the 1990 Plan.
The Board of Directors believes that the future success of the Company
depends, in large part, upon the ability of the Company to maintain a
competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating directors, officers
and other key personnel. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES ADOPTION
OF THE 1998 PLAN IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS
AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
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<PAGE> 14
SUMMARY OF THE 1998 PLAN
The following is a brief summary of the 1998 Plan.
Description of Awards
The 1998 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to
qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock awards and other
stock-based awards, including the grant of shares based upon certain conditions,
the grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock
appreciation rights (collectively "Awards").
Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options. Optionees receive
the right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a
specified option price and subject to such other terms and conditions as are
specified in connection with the option grant. Subject to the limitations
described below, Options may be granted at an exercise price which may be less
than, equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. Under present law, however, incentive stock options and options
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of
the Code may not be granted at an exercise price less than the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date of grant (or less than 110% of the fair market
value in the case of incentive stock options granted to optionees holding more
than 10% of the voting power of the Company). Options may not be granted for a
term in excess of ten years. The 1998 Plan permits the Board to determine the
manner of payment of the exercise price of options, including through payment by
cash, check or in connection with a "cashless exercise" through a broker, by
surrender to the Company of shares of Common Stock, by delivery to the Company
of a promissory note, or by any other lawful means.
Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock Awards entitle recipients to
acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to the right of the Company to
repurchase all or part of such shares from the recipient in the event that the
conditions specified in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end
of the applicable restriction period established for such Award.
Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the 1998 Plan, the Board has the right to
grant other Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions
as the Board may determine, including the grant of shares based upon certain
conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant
of stock appreciation rights.
Eligibility to Receive Awards
Officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and
its subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Awards under the 1998 Plan. Under
present law, however, incentive stock options may only be granted to employees.
The maximum number of shares with respect to which an Award may be granted to
any participant under the 1998 Plan may not exceed 100,000 shares per calendar
year.
As of June 30, 1998, approximately 488 persons were eligible to receive
Awards under the 1998 Plan, including the Company's six executive officers and
five non-employee directors. The granting of Awards under the 1998 Plan is
discretionary, and the Company cannot now determine the number or type of Awards
to be granted in the future to any particular person or group.
On June 30, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Company's Common
Stock on the American Stock Exchange was $9.00.
Administration
The 1998 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board has the
authority to adopt, amend and repeal the administrative rules, guidelines and
practices relating to the 1998 Plan and to interpret the provisions of the 1998
Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the 1998 Plan, the Board of Directors may
delegate authority under the 1998 Plan to one or more committees of the Board,
and subject to certain limitations, to one or more executive officers of the
Company. The Board has authorized the Compensation Committee to administer
certain aspects of the 1998 Plan, including the granting of options to executive
officers. Subject to
12
<PAGE> 15
any applicable limitations contained in the 1998 Plan, the Board of Directors,
the Compensation Committee, or any other committee or executive officer to whom
the Board delegates authority, as the case may be, selects the recipients of
Awards and determines (i) the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
options and the dates upon which such options become exercisable, (ii) the
exercise price of options, (iii) the duration of options, and (iv) the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any restricted stock or other stock-based
Awards and the terms and conditions of such Awards, including conditions for
repurchase, issue price and repurchase price.
The Board of Directors is required to make appropriate adjustments in
connection with the 1998 Plan and any outstanding Awards to reflect stock
dividends, stock splits and certain other events. If any Award expires or is
terminated, surrendered, canceled or forfeited, the unused shares of Common
Stock covered by such Award will again be available for grant under the 1998
Plan.
Consequences of Acquisition Events or Change in Control
In the event of a merger, liquidation or other Acquisition Event (as
defined in the 1998 Plan), the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for
outstanding Options or other stock-based Awards to be assumed or substituted
for, to accelerate the Awards to make them fully exercisable prior to
consummation of the Acquisition Event or to provide for a cash out of the value
of any outstanding options. In the case of a Change in Control of the Company
(as defined in the 1998 Plan), which is a merger, liquidation or other similar
event that is not approved by a majority of Disinterested Directors (as defined
in the 1998 Plan), Awards outstanding under the 1998 Plan will be automatically
accelerated to make them fully exercisable immediately prior to such event.
Amendment or Termination
No Award may be made under the 1998 Plan after June 11, 2008, but Awards
previously granted may extend beyond that date. The Board of Directors may at
any time amend, suspend or terminate the 1998 Plan, except that no Award
designated as subject to Section 162(m) of the Code by the Board of Directors
after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested
(to the extent such amendment was required to grant such Award) unless and until
such amendment shall have been approved by the Company's stockholders.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax
consequences that generally will arise with respect to Awards granted under the
1998 Plan and with respect to the sale of Common Stock acquired under the 1998
Plan.
Incentive Stock Options
In general, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant
or exercise of an incentive stock option. Instead, a participant will recognize
taxable income with respect to an incentive stock option only upon the sale of
Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the option ("ISO Stock"). The
exercise of an incentive stock option, however, may subject the participant to
the alternative minimum tax.
Generally, the tax consequences of selling ISO Stock will vary with the
length of time that the participant has owned the ISO Stock at the time it is
sold. If the participant sells ISO Stock after having owned it for at least two
years from the date the option was granted (the "Grant Date") and one year from
the date the option was exercised (the "Exercise Date"), then the participant
will recognize long-term capital gain in an amount equal to the excess of the
sale price of the ISO Stock over the exercise price.
If the participant sells ISO Stock for more than the exercise price prior
to having owned it for at least two years from the Grant Date and one year from
the Exercise Date (a "Disqualifying Disposition"), then all or a portion of the
gain recognized by the participant will be ordinary compensation income and the
remaining gain, if any, will be a capital gain. This capital gain will be a
long-term capital gain if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than
one year prior to the date of sale.
13
<PAGE> 16
If a participant sells ISO Stock for less than the exercise price, then the
participant will recognize capital loss equal to the excess of the exercise
price over the sale price of the ISO Stock. This capital loss will be a
long-term capital loss if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than
one year prior to the date of sale.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
As in the case of an incentive stock option, a participant will not
recognize taxable income upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option. Unlike
the case of an incentive stock option, however, a participant who exercises a
nonstatutory stock option generally will recognize ordinary compensation income
in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock
acquired through the exercise of the option ("NSO Stock") on the Exercise Date
over the exercise price.
With respect to any NSO Stock, a participant will have a tax basis equal to
the exercise price plus any income recognized upon the exercise of the option.
Upon selling NSO Stock, a participant generally will recognize capital gain or
loss in an amount equal to the excess of the sale price of the NSO Stock over
the participant's tax basis in the NSO Stock. This capital gain or loss will be
a long-term gain or loss if the participant has held the NSO Stock for more than
one year prior to the date of the sale.
Restricted Stock Awards
A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a
restricted stock Award, unless the participant makes an election under Section
83(b) of the Code (a "Section 83(b) Election"). If the participant makes a
Section 83(b) Election within 30 days of the date of the grant, then the
participant will recognize ordinary income, for the year in which the Award is
granted, in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of
the Common Stock at the time the Award is granted and the purchase price paid
for the Common Stock. If a Section 83(b) Election is not made, the participant
will recognize ordinary income, at the time that the forfeiture provisions or
restrictions on transfer lapse, in an amount equal to the difference between the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such lapse and the original
purchase price paid for the Common Stock. The participant will have a basis in
the Common Stock acquired equal to the sum of the price paid and the amount of
ordinary compensation income recognized.
Upon the disposition of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to a restricted
stock Award, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between the sale price of the Common Stock and the participant's
basis in the Common Stock. The gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if
the shares are held for more than one year. For this purpose, the holding period
shall begin just after the date on which the forfeiture provisions or
restrictions lapse if a Section 83(b) Election is not made, or just after the
Award is granted if a Section 83(b) Election is made.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The tax consequences associated with any other stock-based Award granted
under the 1998 Plan will vary depending on the specific terms of such Award.
Among the relevant factors are whether or not the Award has a readily
ascertainable fair market value, whether or not the Award is subject to
forfeiture provisions or restrictions on transfer, the nature of the property to
be received by the participant under the Award and the participant's holding
period and tax basis for the Award or underlying Common Stock.
Maximum Income Tax Rates on Capital Gain and Ordinary Income
Long-term capital gain will be taxable at a maximum rate of 20% if
attributable to Common Stock held for more than eighteen months and at a maximum
rate of 28% if attributable to Common Stock held for more than one year but not
more than eighteen months. Short-term capital gain and ordinary income will be
taxable at a maximum rate of 39.6%. Phaseouts of personal exemptions and
reductions of allowable itemized deductions at higher levels of income may
result in slightly higher marginal tax rates. Ordinary compensation income will
also be subject to a medicare tax and, under certain circumstances, a social
security tax.
14
<PAGE> 17
Tax Consequences to the Company
The grant of an Award under the 1998 Plan will have no tax consequences to
the Company. Moreover, in general, neither the exercise of an incentive stock
option nor the sale of any Common Stock acquired under the 1998 Plan will have
any tax consequences to the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a
business-expense deduction, however, with respect to any ordinary compensation
income recognized by a participant under the 1998 Plan, including in connection
with a restricted stock Award or as a result of the exercise of a nonstatutory
stock option or a Disqualifying Disposition. Any such deduction will be subject
to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company will have a
withholding obligation with respect to any ordinary compensation income
recognized by participants under the 1998 Plan who are employees or otherwise
subject to withholding in connection with a restricted stock Award or the
exercise of a nonstatutory stock option.
ITEM THREE
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Subject to ratification by the stockholders, the Board of Directors, on the
recommendation of its Audit Committee, has selected the firm of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") as the Company's independent public
accountants for the current year. PwC has served as the Company's independent
public accountants since 1990.
Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and
will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of PwC as the Company's
independent public accountants, the selection of such accountants will be
reconsidered by the Board of Directors.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which may come
before the meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented to the
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to
vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to solicitations by mail, the Company's directors, officers and regular
employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone,
telegraph and personal interviews and the Company reserves the right to retain
outside agencies for the purpose of soliciting proxies. Brokers, custodians and
fiduciaries will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the owners
of stock held in their names, and the Company will reimburse them for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the distribution
of proxy materials.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at its principal office
in Woburn, Massachusetts not later than April 15, 1999, for inclusion in the
proxy statement for that meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Eric G. Walters
ERIC G. WALTERS, Clerk
August 13, 1998
15
<PAGE> 18
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENCOURAGES STOCKHOLDERS TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. A PROMPT RESPONSE WILL
GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE
APPRECIATED. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THIS MEETING MAY VOTE THEIR STOCK
PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES.
16
<PAGE> 19
Appendix 1
----------
POLYMEDICA CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS -- SEPTEMBER 10, 1998
The undersigned, having received notice of the meeting and management's
Proxy Statement therefor, and revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint(s)
Steven J. Lee, Arthur A. Siciliano and John K.P. Stone III, and each of them
(with full power of substitution), as proxies of the undersigned to attend the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PolyMedica Corporation (the "Company") to be
held on Thursday, September 10, 1998 and any adjourned sessions thereof, and
there to vote and act upon the following matters in respect of all shares of
Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote or
act upon, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present.
Attendance of the undersigned at the meeting or at any adjourned
session thereof will not be deemed to revoke this proxy unless the undersigned
shall affirmatively indicate thereat the intention of the undersigned to vote
said shares in person. If the undersigned hold(s) any of the shares of the
Company in a fiduciary, custodial or joint capacity or capacities, this proxy is
signed by the undersigned in every such capacity as well as individually.
IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE NAMED PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH
OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, OR ANY ADJOURNMENT
THEREOF.
1. To elect the following two individuals as Class I
Directors of the Company to serve for a three-year term ending at the 2001
Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Frank W. LoGerfo, M.D. and Marcia J. Hooper.
FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ]
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
To withhold authority with respect to a
particular nominee, write his or her name in
the space provided above.
<PAGE> 20
2. To approve the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. To ratify the selection of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP
as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending March 31,
1999.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO ANY ELECTION TO OFFICE OR
ANY PROPOSAL SPECIFIED ABOVE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR SUCH ELECTION TO
OFFICE OR PROPOSAL.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COMPANY.
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Signature(s)
Dated: _____________________________________
Please sign name(s) exactly as appearing hereon. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator or other fiduciary, please give your full
title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. If a corporation, sign
in full corporate name, by authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name, by authorized person.
<PAGE> 21
Appendix 2
----------
POLYMEDICA CORPORATION
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") of
PolyMedica Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), is to
advance the interests of the Company's shareholders by enhancing the Company's
ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to
make) important contributions to the Company by providing such persons with
equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives and thereby
better aligning the interests of such persons with those of the Company's
shareholders. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Company"
shall include any present or future subsidiary corporations of PolyMedica
Corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code").
2. ELIGIBILITY
All of the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and
advisors are eligible to be granted options, restricted stock, or other
stock-based awards (each, an "Award") under the Plan. Any person who has been
granted an Award under the Plan shall be deemed a "Participant".
3. ADMINISTRATION, DELEGATION
(a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Plan will be
administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Board
shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such
administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall
deem advisable. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or
reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the
sole and final judge of such expediency. No member of the Board shall be liable
for any action or determination relating to the Plan. All decisions by the Board
shall be made in the Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on
all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No
director or person acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board shall
be liable for any action or determination under the Plan made in good faith.
(b) DELEGATION TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Board may delegate to one or more executive officers of the
Company the
<PAGE> 22
power to make Awards and exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board
may determine, provided that the Board shall fix the maximum number of shares
subject to Awards and the maximum number of shares for any one Participant to be
made by such executive officers.
(c) APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan
to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee"). For so
long as the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common
Stock") is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"), the Board shall appoint one such Committee of not less than two members,
each member of which shall be an "outside director" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code and a "non-employee director" as defined in Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act." All references in the Plan to the
"Board" shall mean a Committee or the Board or the executive officer referred to
in Section 3(b) to the extent that the Board's powers or authority under the
Plan have been delegated to such Committee or executive officer.
4. STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
(a) NUMBER OF SHARES. Subject to adjustment under Section 4(c),
Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 315,000 shares of Common Stock. If
any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been
fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part or results in any Common
Stock not being issued, the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall
again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan, subject, however, in
the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined), to any limitation
required under the Code. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in
part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b) PER-PARTICIPANT LIMIT. Subject to adjustment under Section
4(c), for Awards granted after the Common Stock is registered under the Exchange
Act, the maximum number of shares with respect to which an Award may be granted
to any participant under the Plan shall be 100,000 per calendar year. The
per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b) shall be construed and
applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code.
(c) ADJUSTMENT TO COMMON STOCK. In the event of any stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other similar change
in capitalization or event, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other
than a normal cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available
under this Plan, (ii) the number and class of security and exercise price per
share subject to each outstanding
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Option, (iii) the repurchase price per security subject to each outstanding
Restricted Stock Award, and (iv) the terms of each other outstanding stock-based
Award shall be appropriately adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may
be made, if applicable) to the extent the Board shall determine, in good faith,
that such an adjustment (or substitution) is necessary and appropriate. If this
Section 4(c) applies and Section 8(e)(1) also applies to any event, Section
8(e)(1) shall be applicable to such event, and this Section 4(c) shall not be
applicable.
5. STOCK OPTIONS
(a) GENERAL. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock
(each, an "Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions
relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers
necessary or advisable. An Option which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock
Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a "Nonstatutory Stock
Option".
(b) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. An Option that the Board intends to
be an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an
"Incentive Stock Option") shall only be granted to employees of the Company and
shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant,
or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to be
an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(c) EXERCISE PRICE. The Board shall establish the exercise price
at the time each Option is granted and specify it in the applicable option
agreement.
(d) DURATION OF OPTIONS. Each Option shall be exercisable at such
times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the
applicable option agreement.
(e) EXERCISE OF OPTION. Options may be exercised only by delivery
to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person
together with payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of
shares for which the Option is exercised.
(f) PAYMENT UPON EXERCISE. Common Stock purchased upon the
exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
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(2) except as the Board may otherwise provide in an Option
Agreement, (i) by delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a
creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay
the exercise price, or delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of
irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver
promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price,
(ii) by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at
the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock on the date of grant as
determined in good faith by the Board (the "Fair Market Value"), which Common
Stock was owned by the Participant at least six months prior to such delivery,
or (iii) by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may
determine;
(3) to the extent permitted by the Board and explicitly
provided in an Option Agreement (i) by delivery of a promissory note of the
Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Board together with an
amount in cash at least equal to the aggregate par value per share of the shares
being purchased; or
(4) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.
6. RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) GRANTS. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to
acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to the right of the Company to
repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or
formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost)
from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the
applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable
restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award (each,
"Restricted Stock Award").
(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The Board shall determine the terms and
conditions of any such Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for
repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any. Any stock certificates
issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of
the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the
Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or
its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the
Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to
such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the
beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to
receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the
Participant's death (the "Designated Beneficiary"). In the absence of an
effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the
Participant's estate.
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<PAGE> 25
7. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
The Board shall have the right to grant other Awards based upon the
Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Board may determine,
including the grant of shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of
securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock appreciation
rights.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
(a) TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. Except as the Board may otherwise
determine or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are
granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws
of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be
exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent
relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.
(b) DOCUMENTATION. Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by
a written instrument in such form as the Board shall determine. Each Award may
contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.
(c) BOARD DISCRETION. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan,
each type of Award may be made alone in addition or in relation to any other
type of Award. The terms of each type of Award need not be identical, and the
Board need not treat Participants uniformly.
(d) TERMINATION OF STATUS. The Board shall determine the effect on
an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or
other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent
to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant's legal
representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise
rights under the Award.
(e) EXTRAORDINARY CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
(1) CHANGE IN CONTROL. A "Change of Control of the Company"
(as defined in Section 9) shall have the effects set forth in Section 9.
(2) ACQUISITION EVENTS. Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition
Event (as defined below), or the execution by the Company of any agreement with
respect to an Acquisition Event, the Board shall take any one or more of the
following actions with respect to then outstanding Awards: (i) provide that
outstanding Options shall be
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<PAGE> 26
assumed, or equivalent Options shall be substituted, by the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that any such Options
substituted for Incentive Stock Options shall satisfy, in the determination of
the Board, the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code; (ii) upon written
notice to the Participants, provide that all then unexercised Options will
become exercisable in full and will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such Acquisition Event, except to the extent exercised by the
Participants within a specified period following the date of such notice; (iii)
in the event of an Acquisition Event under the terms of which holders of Common
Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share of
Common Stock surrendered pursuant to such Acquisition Event (the "Acquisition
Price"), provide that all outstanding Options shall terminate upon consummation
of the Acquisition Event and that Participants shall receive, in exchange
therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (A) the
Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
such outstanding Options (whether or not then exercisable), exceeds (B) the
aggregate exercise price of such Options; (iv) provide that all Restricted Stock
Awards then outstanding shall become free of all restrictions prior to the
consummation of the Acquisition Event; and (v) provide that any other
stock-based Awards outstanding (A) shall become exercisable, realizable or
vested in full, or shall be free of all conditions or restrictions, as
applicable to each such Award, prior to the consummation of the Acquisition
Event, or (B) shall be assumed, or equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by
the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof).
An "Acquisition Event" shall mean: (a) a transaction to which Section 9
does not apply AND (b) any merger or consolidation which results in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving or acquiring entity) less than 50% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving or
acquiring entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (c)
any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (d) the
complete liquidation of the Company; or (e) the acquisition of "beneficial
ownership" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of
the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities (other than through a merger or
consolidation or an acquisition of securities directly from the Company) by any
"person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act
other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
an employee benefit plan of the Company or any corporation owned directly or
indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.
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<PAGE> 27
(3) ASSUMPTION OF OPTIONS UPON CERTAIN EVENTS. The Board may
grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards
held by employees of another corporation who become employees of the Company as
a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the
Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of the employing
corporation. The substitute Awards shall be granted on such terms and conditions
as the Board considers appropriate in the circumstances.
(f) WITHHOLDING. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or
make provision satisfactory to the Board for payment of, any taxes required by
law to be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than
the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Board may allow
Participants to satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part in shares of
Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax
obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value. The Company may, to the extent
permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind
otherwise due to a Participant.
(g) AMENDMENT OF AWARD. The Board may amend, modify or terminate
any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor
another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or
realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, provided that the Participant's consent to such action shall be required
unless the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related
action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant.
(h) CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK. The Company will not be
obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to
remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i)
all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the
Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters
in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied,
including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or
stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and
delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may
consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules
or regulations.
(i) ACCELERATION. The Board may at any time provide that any
Options shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, that any
Restricted Stock Awards shall be free of all restrictions or that any other
stock-based Awards may become exercisable in full or in part or free of some or
all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as
the case may be.
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<PAGE> 28
9. CHANGE IN CONTROL
(a) ACCELERATION. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan
and except as otherwise provided in the relevant option agreement, in the event
of a "Change in Control of the Company" (as defined below), the exercise dates
of all Options (or the vesting of all Restricted Stock Awards or other stock
based Awards, as the case may be) granted to such Participant then outstanding
shall be accelerated in full and any restrictions on exercising outstanding
options or other Awards issued to such Participant pursuant to the Plan shall
terminate. For purposes of the Plan, the term "Change in Control of the Company"
shall have the following meaning: A "Change in Control of the Company" shall
occur or be deemed to have occurred only if (i) any "person", as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company,
any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan
of the Company, or any corporation owned directly or indirectly by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities; (ii) during any period of two
consecutive years ending during the term of the Plan (not including any period
prior to the adoption of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such
period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director
(other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement
with the Company to effect any transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or
(iv) of this Section 9) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination
for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at
the beginning of the period or whose election or whose nomination for election
was previously so approved (collectively, the "Disinterested Directors"), cease
for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; (iii) the
stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (B) a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company
(or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove defined) acquires
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities or (C) a merger or consolidation which has been approved by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company
approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets which, in
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<PAGE> 29
either case, has not previously been approved by a majority of the Disinterested
Directors.
(b) CONSEQUENCES OF CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. Upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, or the execution by the
Company of any agreement which results in a Change in Control of the Company,
the Board shall take any one or more of the following actions with respect to
then outstanding Awards: (i) provide that outstanding Options shall be assumed,
or equivalent Options shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding
corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that any such Options
substituted for Incentive Stock Options shall satisfy, in the determination of
the Board, the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code; (ii) in the event of
a transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company under the terms of
which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash
payment for each share of Common Stock surrendered pursuant to such transaction
(the "Acquisition Price"), provide that all outstanding Options shall terminate
upon consummation of such transaction and that Participants shall receive, in
exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which (A) the
Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
such outstanding Options (whether or not then exercisable), exceeds (B) the
aggregate exercise price of such Options; and (iii) provide that any other
stock-based Awards outstanding shall be assumed, or equivalent Awards shall be
substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate
thereof).
(c) BOARD RIGHT TO RESCIND ACCELERATION. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that the Board of Directors is advised by the Company's
independent public accountants that the acceleration of the exercised or vesting
dates of outstanding Awards pursuant to this Section 9 would prevent the
transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company from being accounted
for under the "pooling of interests" method of accounting, the Board of
Directors shall have the right to determine that Section 9(a) of the Plan shall
not apply with respect to such transaction.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER STATUS. No person shall have
any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not
be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any
other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at
any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant
free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in
the applicable Award.
(b) NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Subject to the provisions of the
applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights
as a stockholder
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<PAGE> 30
with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an
Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become
effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board. No Awards shall be
granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the earlier of (i)
the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan
was approved by the Company's shareholders, but Awards previously granted may
extend beyond that date.
(d) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate
the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, provided that no amendment shall be
made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with
any applicable tax or regulatory requirements. Amendments requiring stockholder
approval shall become effective when adopted by the Board, but no Award granted
to a Participant designated as subject to Section 162(m) by the Board shall
become exercisable, realizable or vested (to the extent that such amendment to
the Plan was required to grant such Award to a particular Participant) unless
and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company's shareholders.
(e) GOVERNING LAW. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made
hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to any applicable conflicts of
law.
(f) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. For purposes of the Plan, stockholder
approval shall mean approval by a vote of Stockholders in accordance with
Section 162(m) of the Code.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on June 11, 1998
[Approved by the Stockholders on September 10, 1998]
