<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A)OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant /x/
File 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 Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14A-12
ABAXIS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
$125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or
14a-6(i)(2).
$500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
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:(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
---------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined.
/X/ 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
ABAXIS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 26, 1996
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
Please take notice that the annual meeting of the shareholders of Abaxis,
Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), will be held on November 26,
1996, at 10:00 a.m. at the offices of the Company, located at 1320 Chesapeake
Terrace, Sunnyvale, California, for the following purposes:
1. To elect six directors to hold office for the ensuing year.
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the Company's Articles of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock
authorized for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 from 20,000,000 to
35,000,000.
3. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent public accountants
for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 14, 1996, are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournment or
postponement.
By order of the Board of Directors
-----------------------------------------
Ting W. Lu, Secretary
Sunnyvale, California
October 25, 1996
IMPORTANT: Please fill in, date, sign and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card
in the accompanying post-paid envelope to assure that your shares are
represented at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may choose to vote in
person even if you have previously sent in your proxy card.
<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
SOLICITATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES..................................... 1
INFORMATION ABOUT ABAXIS............................................... 2
Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management... 2
Director Nominees............................................. 4
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS............................... 6
Summary Compensation Table.................................... 6
Stock Options Granted in Fiscal 1996.......................... 7
Option Exercises and Fiscal 1996 Year-End Values.............. 8
Compensation of Directors..................................... 8
Change of Control Arrangements................................ 8
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance....... 9
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS................................................... 9
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE................................... 10
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RETURN....................................... 11
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.................................................. 12
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION........................ 12
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.......... 13
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING........... 14
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS.......................................... 14
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 4
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of
Abaxis, Inc., a California corporation ("Abaxis" or the "Company"), for use at
its annual meeting of shareholders to be held on November 26, 1996, or any
adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The date of this Proxy
Statement is October 25, 1996, the approximate date on which this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were first sent or given to
shareholders.
SOLICITATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to soliciting shareholders by mail through its regular employees, the
Company will request banks and brokers, and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries, to solicit their customers who have stock of the Company registered
in the names of such persons and will reimburse them for their reasonable,
out-of-pocket costs. The Company may use the services of its officers, directors
and others to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional
compensation.
On October 14, 1996 the Company had outstanding 9,878,553 shares of its
Common Stock held by 268 shareholders of record, all of which are entitled to
vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. The
Company's Bylaws provide that a majority of all of the shares of the stock
entitled to vote, whether present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Each share
of Common Stock is entitled to one vote, except that in the election of
directors each shareholder has cumulative voting rights and is entitled to as
many votes as equal the number of shares held multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected (six), which votes may be cast for a single candidate or
distributed among any or all of the candidates. No shareholder is entitled to
cumulate votes with respect to a candidate unless the candidate's name has been
placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder or any other
shareholder has given notice, at the meeting and prior to the voting, of his or
her intention to cumulate his or her votes.
The persons authorized to vote shares represented by executed proxies
(if authority to vote for the election of directors is not withheld) will have
full discretion and authority to vote cumulatively and to allocate votes among
any and all nominees as they may determine or, if authority to vote for a
specified candidate or candidates has been withheld, among those candidates for
whom authority to vote has not been withheld. If an executed proxy is submitted
without any instruction for the voting of such proxy, the proxy will be voted in
favor of the proposals described, but votes may be cumulated for less than all
of the nominees for director.
All valid proxies received before the meeting will be exercised. A
shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time
before the time it is exercised by delivering to the Secretary of the Company a
written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later
date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
1
<PAGE> 5
INFORMATION ABOUT ABAXIS
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth as of September 30, 1996, certain
information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common
Stock by (i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of
more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, (ii) each director
and director-nominee of the Company, (iii) the persons named in the Summary
Compensation Table, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company
as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF
ABAXIS
NUMBER COMMON STOCK
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OF SHARES OUTSTANDING(2)
- --------------------------- --------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Robert J. Kunze(3) ............................. 395,952 4.0%
Gary H. Stroy(4) ............................... 390,463 3.9%
Vladimir Ostoich(5) ............................ 183,711 1.8%
Daniel Wong(6) ................................. 44,167 *
Ting W. Lu(7) .................................. 40,912 *
Prithipal Singh(8) ............................. 13,668 *
Clinton H. Severson ............................ 10,000 *
Ernest S. Tucker, III, M.D.(9) ................. 7,875 *
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.(10) .................... 666 *
Brenton G. A. Hanlon ........................... -- *
Executive officers and directors
as a group (11 persons)3-10, 11 .............. 1,089,914 10.7%
</TABLE>
- --------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially
owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and
to the information contained in the footnotes to this table. Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the beneficial
owners listed is Abaxis, Inc., 1320 Chesapeake Terrace, Sunnyvale, CA
94089.
(2) The percentages shown in this column are calculated from the 9,878,553
shares of Common Stock actually outstanding on September 30, 1996 in
addition to options held by that person that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 1996 which are
deemed outstanding in accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(3) Includes 666 shares subject to options exercisable by Mr. Kunze within
sixty days of September 30, 1996. Also, includes 14,923 shares
beneficially owned by Hamco Capital Corporation, 199,205 shares
beneficially owned by H&Q Life Science Technology Fund I, 171,241
shares beneficially owned by H&Q Life Science Ventures, 8,879 shares
beneficially owned by H&Q London Ventures
2
<PAGE> 6
and 1,038 shares beneficially owned by H&Q Ventures Partners.
Hambrecht & Quist is affiliated with each of these funds. Mr. Kunze
is associated with Hambrecht & Quist.
(4) Includes an aggregate of 30,000 shares held by Mr. Stroy's son's IRA,
the Gary H. Stroy IRA, and the LeAnn Stroy IRA. Also includes 93,750
shares subject to stock options exercisable by Mr. Stroy within sixty
days of September 30, 1996.
(5) Includes (i) 6,564 shares held of record by Dr. Ostoich as trustee for
the benefit of his son, (ii) an aggregate of 58,000 shares held by Dr.
Ostoich's IRA, (iii) 20,000 shares held by Mrs. Ostoich's IRA and (iv)
32,618 shares held of record by the Vladimir Ostoich and Liliana
Ostoich Trust Fund, for the benefit of Dr. Ostoich and his wife. Also
includes 66,029 shares subject to stock options exercisable by Dr.
Ostoich within sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(6) Includes 44,167 shares subject to options exercisable by Dr. Wong
within sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(7) Includes 40,912 shares subject to options exercisable by Ms. Lu within
sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(8) Includes 13,668 shares subject to options exercisable by Dr. Singh
within sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(9) Includes 875 shares subject to options exercisable by Dr. Tucker within
sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(10) Includes 666 shares subject to options exercisable by Dr. Bastiani
within sixty days of September 30, 1996.
(11) Includes 2,500 shares held by an executive officer not listed in this
table.
3
<PAGE> 7
DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
This section sets forth the ages and backgrounds of the individuals
nominated to be elected to serve as directors of the Company at this annual
meeting of shareholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION DIRECTOR
NAME WITH THE COMPANY AGE SINCE
- ---- ---------------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Clinton H. Severson President, Chief Executive Officer 48 1996
and Director
Gary H. Stroy Chairman of the Board of Directors 53 1989
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D. Director 53 1995
Brenton G. A. Hanlon Director Nominee 50 N/A
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D. Director 57 1992
Ernest S. Tucker, III, M.D. Director 63 1995
</TABLE>
Mr. Severson has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company since June 1996. From February 1989 to May 1996, Mr.
Severson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MAST Immunosystems,
Inc., a medical diagnostic company. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Severson was employed
by 3M Diagnostic Systems, an in-vitro allergy test system manufacturer, last
serving as General Manager. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Severson was employed by Syva
Company, a medical diagnostic testing company, in various sales and marketing
management positions.
Mr. Stroy, a co-founder of the Company, has been an employee and
director of the Company since the Company was founded in 1989. Mr. Stroy has
served as Chairman of the Board since January 1996, and previously served as
Chairman of the Board from the Company's inception until May 1992. Mr. Stroy
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from March 1992
until June 1996, and served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from
December 1991 until March 1992. From 1983 to 1989, Mr. Stroy served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Biotrack, Inc., a diagnostic test company which
he co-founded. From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Stroy served as Executive Vice President
of LifeScan, a diagnostic test company which he co-founded. Mr. Stroy currently
serves on the Board of Directors of ChemTrak, Inc., a diagnostic test company.
Dr. Bastiani joined the Company's Board of Directors in September 1995.
Dr. Bastiani has served as President of Activated Cell Therapy, a biotechnology
company, since September 1995. From February 1991 to June 1995 he served as
President of Syva Company, a medical diagnostic company. From 1971 to February
1991, Dr. Bastiani held various positions with Syva Company, including Vice
President of Marketing and Sales from 1984 until February 1991. Dr. Bastiani
received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Michigan State University.
Mr. Hanlon has served as Vice President and General Manager of
Tri-Continent Scientific, a medical diagnostic company and a wholly owned
subsidiary of MAST Immunosystems, since 1989. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Hanlon was
President of Corus Medical, a medical products company. From 1980 to 1984 he
held various marketing positions with Syva Company, a medical diagnostic
company.
Dr. Singh joined the Company's Board of Directors in June 1992. Dr.
Singh is a founder of ChemTrak, Inc., a manufacturer of medical diagnostic
equipment, serving as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of ChemTrak, Inc. since September 1988. From 1985 to August 1988, Dr.
Singh was a Senior Vice President of Idetek, Inc. From April 1970 to January
1985, Dr. Singh held a number of positions with Syva Company.
4
<PAGE> 8
Dr. Tucker joined the Company's Board of Directors in September 1995.
Dr. Tucker has served as Chairman of Pathology at Scripps Clinic and Research
Foundation since 1992. From 1989 to 1992, Dr. Tucker was Chairman of Pathology
at California Pacific Medical Center. From 1977 to 1988, Dr. Tucker served as
the Director of Immunology Reference Lab of the Research Institute of Scripps
Clinic.
Meetings of the Board of Directors. During the fiscal year ended March
31, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company held nine meetings, the
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors held two meetings, the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors held one meeting and the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors held three meetings. No director attended
fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of
the Committees of the Board on which such director served during fiscal 1996
except Mr. Heinrichs who attended 56% of the meetings.
Mr. Kunze, Mr. Bastiani and Mr. Stroy were members of the Company's
Executive committee during fiscal 1996. Unless otherwise determined by the Board
of Directors, the Executive Committee is generally vested with all the powers of
the Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee cannot take action
to acquire another company, liquidate the Company, sell all or substantially all
of the Company's assets, merge the Company with another company where the
Company is not the surviving entity, or take any other action not permitted to
be delegated to a committee under California law or the Company's Bylaws.
Mr. Jean Deleage and Mr. Theodor Heinrichs were members of the
Company's Audit Committee until August 1995. Dr. Tucker and Mr. Kunze were the
members of the Audit committee during the remainder of fiscal 1996. The
functions of the Audit Committee include recommending to the Board the retention
of independent public accountants, reviewing and approving the planned scope of
the annual audit, proposed fee arrangements and the results of the annual audit,
reviewing the adequacy of accounting and financial controls and reviewing the
independence of the Company's independent public accountants.
Mr. Deleage, Dr. Galen and Mr. Heinrichs were members of the Company's
Compensation Committee until August 1995. Dr. Singh and Dr. Bastiani were the
members of the Company's Compensation Committee for the remainder of fiscal
1996. The Compensation Committee reviews and determines compensation criteria
for corporate officers. For additional information about the Compensation
Committee, see "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS" and "REPORT OF THE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE" below.
5
<PAGE> 9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation
during the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1994
of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company during fiscal 1996 and the three
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company in fiscal 1996:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
NAME AND ANNUAL COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION FISCAL YEAR COMPENSATION($) AWARDS
- -------------------------------- ------------- -------------------------- ------------
OPTIONS
SALARY BONUS (SHARES)
---------------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GARY H. STROY(1) 1996 209,185 -0- -0-
President and 1995 185,584 12,960 -0-
Chief Executive Officer 1994 173,654 -0- -0-
DANIEL WONG(2) 1996 129,815 -0- 15,000
Vice President of 1995 123,717 57,590 25,000
Development and
Consumables Manufacturing
VLADIMIR E. OSTOICH 1996 142,248 -0- 15,000
Vice President of 1995 139,754 9,864 15,000
Engineering and Instrument 1994 132,170 -0- 10,625
Manufacturing
TING W. LU(3) 1996 116,738 -0- 15,000
Vice President of Finance, 1995 91,799 4,462 25,000
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------
(1) In June 1996, Clinton H. Severson succeeded Gary H. Stroy as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Stroy remains an employee of
the Company and continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company.
(2) Dr. Wong has served as an executive officer of the Company since May 1994.
(3) Ms. Lu has served as an executive officer of the Company since May 1994.
6
<PAGE> 10
STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED IN FISCAL 1996.
The following table provides the specified information concerning
grants of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock made during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996, to the persons named in the Summary Compensation
Table.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS IN FISCAL 1996 OPTION TERM(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
% OF TOTAL
OPTIONS
GRANTED TO
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE
GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME (#)(2) YEAR ($/SH) (3) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Daniel Wong 15,000 5.0 5.625 11/28/05 53,063 134,472
Vladimir E. Ostoich 15,000 5.0 5.625 11/28/05 53,063 134,472
Ting W. Lu 15,000 5.0 5.625 11/28/05 53,063 134,472
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------
(1) Potential gains are net of exercise price, but before taxes associated
with exercise. These amounts represent certain assumed rates of
appreciation only, based on the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the
future performance of the Common Stock, overall market conditions and the
option holders' continued employment through the vesting period. The
amounts reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.
(2) All options granted in fiscal 1996 were granted pursuant to the Company's
1989 Stock Option Plan. These options vest and become exercisable at the
rate of one-half on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 1/24
per month thereafter for each full month of the optionee's continuous
employment by the Company. Under the Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan, the
Board retains discretion to modify the terms, including the price, of
outstanding options. For additional information regarding options, see
"Change of Control Arrangements."
(3) All options were granted at market value on the date of grant.
7
<PAGE> 11
OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL 1996 YEAR-END VALUES.
The following table provides the specified information concerning
exercises of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1996, and unexercised options held as of March 31, 1996, by the
persons named in the Summary Compensation Table.
OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL 1996
YEAR-END VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED MONEY OPTIONS AT
----------------
SHARES OPTIONS AT 3/31/96 3/31/96($)(2)
---------------------------- ---------------------------
ACQUIRED ON VALUE
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE(1) UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gary H. Stroy........... 0 0 41,250 53,750 136,650 93,750
Daniel Wong............. 0 0 26,666 33,334 25,781 19,219
Vladimir E. Ostoich..... 0 0 50,092 30,533 149,625 13,125
Ting W. Lu ............. 0 0 25,078 31,172 29,004 15,059
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------
(1) Company stock options generally vest one-fourth on the first anniversary
of the date of grant and 1/48 per month thereafter for each full month of
the optionee's continuous employment by the Company. However, each of Ms.
Lu and Messrs. Wong and Ostoich received in fiscal 1996 options to
purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock which vest one-half
on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 1/24 per month
thereafter for each full month of the optionee's continuous employment by
the Company. All options are exercisable only to the extent vested.
(2) The value of the unexercised in-the-money options is based on the closing
price of the Company's Common Stock ($5.875 per share) on March 31, 1996
and is net of the exercise price of such options.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.
All non-employee directors of the Company receive compensation in the
amount of $750 per Board meeting they attend plus reimbursement of reasonable
travel expenses incurred. In addition, Dr. Tucker serves as a consultant to the
Company and receives a monthly compensation of $1,000 plus reimbursement of
expenses for attending meetings at or on behalf of the Company. Each of the
Company's non-employee directors also receives an automatic annual grant of
options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's Outside
Directors Stock Option Plan. In addition, Dr. Tucker receives an additional
annual grant of options to purchase 5,000 shares for serving as a consultant.
Gary H. Stroy and Clinton H. Severson, the directors of the Company who are also
employees of the Company, do not receive any compensation for their services as
members of the Board of Directors.
CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS.
The Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan and the Outside Directors Stock
Option Plan (the "Option Plans") provide that, in the event of a transfer of
control of the Company ("Transfer of Control"), the surviving, continuing,
successor or purchasing corporation or a parent corporation thereof, as the case
may be (the "Acquiring Corporation"), shall either assume the Company's rights
and obligations under stock option agreements outstanding under the Option Plans
(the "Options") or substitute options for the Acquiring Corporation's stock for
such outstanding Options. In the event the Acquiring Corporation
8
<PAGE> 12
elects not to assume or substitute for such outstanding Options in connection
with a merger constituting a Transfer of Control, the Company's Board shall
provide that any unexercisable and/or unvested portion of the outstanding
Options shall be immediately exercisable and vested as of a date prior to the
Transfer of Control, as the Company's Board so determines. Any Options which are
neither assumed by the Acquiring Corporation, nor exercised as of the date of
the Transfer of Control, shall terminate effective as of the date of the
Transfer of Control. Options which are assumed by the Acquiring Corporation
shall become exercisable and vested as provided under the relevant stock option
agreements under the Option Plans, unless the Acquiring Corporation terminates
the option holder under certain circumstances defined in the Option Plans. Under
such circumstances, the holder's Options shall become immediately exercisable
and vested as of the date of termination.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more
than 10% of the Company's Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such persons.
Based solely on the Company's review of such forms furnished to the
Company and written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company
believes that all filing requirements applicable to the Company's executive
officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the
Company's Common Stock were complied with during fiscal year ended March 31,
1996.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In May 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with Gary H. Stroy,
who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until
June 1996, providing Mr. Stroy with one year of salary and benefits and
immediate vesting of his outstanding stock option if his employment with the
Company terminates after August 1, 1995.
9
<PAGE> 13
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of
two non-employee directors of the Company. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for setting and administering the policies governing compensation of
the Company's employees, including its executive officers. The goals of the
Company's executive officer compensation policy is to attract, retain and reward
executive officers who contribute to the Company's success and to motivate these
executives to achieve the Company's business objectives. The Company uses
salary, stock options and incentive bonus to meet these goals.
Salaries are initially set for each executive officer with reference to
the range of salaries for similar positions in comparable companies in the
Company's industry, as reported in compensation survey information obtained by
the Company from compensation consulting firms. Salaries are generally set near
the middle of the applicable range for each position, and adjusted for
historical and expected contributions of each officer to the Company. Salaries
are reviewed annually for comparability against the industry survey and
adjustments are made if necessary to maintain competitiveness within the
industry. Salaries may also be adjusted on an individual basis during the year
as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, typically related to new job
responsibilities or assignments. In October 1995, three of the Company's
executive officers received salary adjustments ranging from 4% to 8%, based on
new job responsibilities. In April 1996, during the company-wide annual salary
review, the Compensation Committee reviewed the executive salaries and found
them to be within the proper ranges and hence no salary adjustments were made.
The Compensation Committee strongly believes that executive
compensation should be based in part on the Company's performance and has used
stock options and incentive bonus to accomplish this goal. In April 1995, the
Compensation Committee approved an executive bonus plan with target bonus levels
set at 15% to 20% of annual salaries for accomplishing certain Company
objectives. In April 1996, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company's
achievements against these goals and approved payment of 50% payout of these
targeted bonuses.
The Compensation Committee believes that equity ownership by executive
officers serves to align the officers' interests with the interests of
shareholders by providing the officers with incentive to build shareholder
value. In November 1995, the Compensation Committee approved option grants to
executive officers who had assumed new job responsibilities. Further, as part of
the annual performance review in April 1996, the Compensation Committee granted
additional incentive stock options to all officers of the Company, except those
officers with less than six-month service with the Company.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the performance and
compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. During
fiscal 1996, Gary H. Stroy served as the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company. In June 1996, Clint H. Severson succeeded Gary Stroy as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
During fiscal 1996, Mr. Stroy's compensation consisted of salary,
incentive stock options and performance based bonus. During the annual review,
the Compensation Committee found Mr. Stroy's salary to be appropriate as
compared with comparable companies within the Company's industry, based on the
compensation survey information obtained by the Company from compensation
consulting firms. In May 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr.
Stroy that provided Mr. Stroy with one year's salary and benefits and immediate
vesting of his outstanding stock options if his employment with Abaxis was
terminated after August 1, 1995. In April 1996, as part of the Company's annual
performance review, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Stroy, based on the
Company's achievements against objectives, an incentive bonus equal to 10% of
his salary.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Richard Bastiani and Prithipal Singh
10
<PAGE> 14
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RETURN
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the annual percentage change
in the cumulative total return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative
total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the Hambrecht & Quist ("H&Q") Health
Care (Excluding Biotech) Index for the period commencing on January 31, 1992,
and ending on March 31, 1996.(1)
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN FROM
JANUARY 31, 1992 THROUGH MARCH 31, 1996:(2)
ABAXIS, INC., RUSSELL 2000 INDEX AND H&Q
HEALTH CARE (EXCLUDING BIOTECH) INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HAMBRECH & QUIST
HEALTH CARE--
PERIOD ABAXIS, INC. RUSSELL 2000 EXCLUDING BIOTECH
- ------ ------------ ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1/22/92 $100 $100 $100
3/92 64 108 85
3/93 48 124 63
3/94 70 137 56
3/95 51 145 75
3/96 53 187 114
</TABLE>
(1) The Company's initial public offering was on January 22, 1992. The
market indices used are only available at the end of each month. The
Company's 1996 fiscal year ended on March 31, 1996.
(2) Assumes that $100.00 was invested on January 31, 1992 in the Company's
Common Stock, at the closing sales price, and in each index and that
all dividends were reinvested. No cash dividends have been declared on
the Company's Common Stock. Shareholder returns over the indicated
period should not be considered indicative of future shareholder
returns.
11
<PAGE> 15
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Six (6) directors of the Company are to be elected for the ensuing year
and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies cannot be voted
for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. Please see
"INFORMATION ABOUT ABAXIS - Directors" above for information concerning the
nominees.
If elected, each nominee will hold office until the next annual meeting
of shareholders or until his successor is elected and qualified unless he shall
resign or his office becomes vacant by death, removal, or other cause in
accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.
The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote the
shares represented thereby for the following nominees, but may cumulate the
votes for less than all of the nominees, as permitted by the laws of the State
of California, unless otherwise instructed. Management knows of no reason why
any of these nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve. However, if any
nominee(s) should for any reason be unable or unwilling to serve, the proxies
will be voted for the election of such other person(s) for the office of
director as the Board may recommend in the place of such nominee(s).
If a quorum is present and voting, the six nominees receiving the
highest number of votes will be elected directors.
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Under California law, Abaxis may only issue shares of Common Stock to
the extent such shares have been authorized for issuance under Abaxis's Articles
of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation currently authorizes the
issuance by the Company of up to 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par
value. As of September 30, 1996, 9,878,553 shares of Abaxis's Common Stock were
issued and outstanding, 1,058,542 unissued shares of Common Stock were reserved
for issuance under the Company's stock option and stock purchase plans and no
less than 1,025,641 unissued shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance
upon conversion of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock (with the exact number
of shares of Common Stock to be determined at the time of conversion based on
the then-current market price), leaving less than 8,037,264 shares of Common
Stock unissued and unreserved. To ensure sufficient shares of Common Stock will
be available for issuance by Abaxis, the Board of Directors on September 10,
1996 approved, subject to shareholder approval, amending the Company's Articles
of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of such Common Stock
authorized for issuance from 20,000,000 to 35,000,000.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT
The principal purpose of the proposed amendment to the Articles is to
authorize additional shares of Common Stock which will be available in the event
the Board of Directors determines that it is necessary or appropriate to issue
additional shares to raise additional capital, to acquire another company or its
business or assets, to establish strategic relationships with corporate
partners, to permit future stock dividends or stock splits, or to provide equity
incentives to employees and officers. In particular, the Company currently
believes that it will be required to issue Common Stock or securities
convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock in order to raise additional
capital to finance operations at some time during the next several months. While
the Company has had discussions with underwriters and agents about assisting the
Company to raise additional capital, these discussions have only been very
preliminary in nature and the Company currently has no commitment to any party,
other than in connection with its existing stock option and purchase plans, to
issue securities to raise additional capital. (In fact, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful at raising additional capital.)
However, the Company's Board of Directors believe it is prudent to increase the
number of authorized shares of Common Stock at this time in order to avoid the
expense and delay in seeking shareholder approval at a special shareholders
meeting held at a later date and to provide flexibility with respect to the
above mentioned matters.
12
<PAGE> 16
The increase in authorized Common Stock will not have any immediate
effect on the rights of existing shareholders. However, the Board will have the
authority to issue authorized Common Stock without requiring future shareholder
approval of such issuances, except as may be required by applicable law. To the
extent that additional authorized shares are issued in the future, they may
decrease the existing shareholders' percentage equity ownership and, depending
on the price at which they are issued, could be dilutive to the existing
shareholders. The holders of Common Stock have no pre-emptive rights.
The increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock and the
subsequent issuance of such shares could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the
shareholders. Shares of authorized and unissued Common Stock could (within the
limits imposed by applicable law) be issued in one or more transactions which
would make a change in control of the Company more difficult, and therefore less
likely. Any such issuance of additional stock could have the effect of diluting
the earnings per share and book value per share of outstanding shares of Common
Stock and such additional shares could be used to dilute the stock ownership or
voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of the Company.
The additional shares of Common Stock to be authorized pursuant to the
proposed amendment will have no par value per share and be of the same class of
Common Stock as is currently authorized under the Articles of Incorporation.
There are no outstanding preemptive rights relating to such additional shares of
Common Stock and the Board of Directors has no plans to grant such rights with
respect to any such shares.
The Board of Directors is not currently aware of any attempt to take
over or acquire the Company. While it may be deemed to have potential
anti-takeover effects, the proposed amendment to increase the authorized Common
Stock is not prompted by any specific effort or takeover threat currently
perceived by management.
VOTE REQUIRED AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum at the annual meeting of shareholders. Abstentions will
have the same effect as a negative vote on this proposal. Broker non-votes will
have no effect on the outcome of this vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF
THIS PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ABAXIS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE BY ABAXIS FROM
20,000,000 TO 35,000,000.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors of the Company has selected Deloitte & Touche
LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") as independent public accountants to audit the
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997. A
representative of Deloitte & Touche is expected to be present at the annual
meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires
to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Company's Board of Directors approved a change in the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996, from Ernst &
Young LLP ("Ernst & Young") to Deloitte & Touche on January 26, 1996, based on
the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Company. The reports of Ernst &
Young for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1994 and March 31, 1995, contained no
adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion or qualification or modification as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the fiscal years ended
March 31, 1994, and March 31, 1995, and the interim period from April 1, 1995
through January 26, 1996, there were no disagreements between the Company and
Ernst & Young on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope
13
<PAGE> 17
or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young, would
have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in
connection with its report. No event described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of Item
304 of Regulation S-K occurred within the Company's fiscal years ending March
31, 1994, or March 31, 1995, or the period from April 1, 1995 through January
26, 1996.
The Registrant did not consult with Deloitte & Touche during the fiscal
years ended March 31, 1994, and March 31, 1995, and the period from April 1,
1995 through January 26, 1996, on any matter which was the subject of any
disagreement or any reportable event or on the application of accounting
principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or
negatively at the annual meeting of shareholders at which a quorum representing
a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company is present
and voting, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this
proposal. Votes against, abstentions and "broker non-votes" will each be counted
as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Neither
abstentions nor "broker non-votes" will be counted as having been cast
affirmatively or negatively on the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE
APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1997.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the next annual
meeting of the shareholders of the Company must be received by the Company at
its offices at 1320 Chesapeake Terrace, Sunnyvale, California 94089, no later
than June 26, 1997, and satisfy the conditions established by the Securities and
Exchange Commission for shareholder proposals to be included in the Company's
proxy statement for that meeting.
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no
other business that will be conducted at the 1996 annual meeting of shareholders
of Abaxis other than as described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter
or matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment or
postponement thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with
their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
-----------------------------------
Ting W. Lu, Secretary
14
<PAGE> 18
ABAXIS, INC.
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 26, 1996
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Clinton H. Severson and Ting W. Lu, and
each of them, with full power of substitution, to represent the undersigned and
to vote all of the shares of stock in Abaxis, Inc., a California corporation
(the "Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of the Company to be held on November 26, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the offices of the Company, located at 1320 Chesapeake Terrace,
Sunnyvale, California, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (1) as
hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed on the reverse side and as more
particularly described in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated October 25,
1996 (the "Proxy Statement"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and (2)
in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY SHALL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, SUCH SHARES SHALL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 3.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE
SIDE
1
<PAGE> 19
/X/ Please mark votes as in this example.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED
TO SIGN AND PROMPTLY MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE SO THAT
YOUR SHARES MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
A vote FOR the following proposals is recommended by the Board of
Directors:
1. To elect the following six (6) persons as directors to hold office
for a one-year term and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified:
[ ] FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
listed below (except to vote for all
as marked to the nominees listed
contrary below). below.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
strike a line through that nominee's name in the list below.)
Clinton H. Severson
Richard Bastiani, Ph.D.
Brenton G. A. Hanlon
Prithipal Singh, Ph.D.
Gary H. Stroy
Ernest S. Tucker, III, M.D.
2. Consider, approve and ratify the adoption of an increase in the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Company's
Articles of Incorporation from 20,000,000 shares to 35,000,000 shares.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / /ABSTAIN
3. To consider, approve and ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as independent public accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending
March 31, 1997.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / /ABSTAIN
MARK HERE MARK HERE IF
FOR ADDRESS YOU PLAN TO
CHANGE AND ATTEND THE
NOTE AT LEFT / / MEETING / /
PLEASESIGN HERE. If shares of stock are held jointly, both or all of such
persons should sign. Corporate or partnership proxies should be signed in full
corporate or partnership name by an authorized person. Persons signing in a
fiduciary capacity should indicate their full titles in such capacity.
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
------------------------- ----------------------
Signature: Date:
------------------------- ----------------------
2
