<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 [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-2.
[ ] Confidential for the Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
</TABLE>
i-STAT Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-12.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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<PAGE> 2
i-STAT CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 24, 2000
------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF i-STAT CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
i-STAT Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("i-STAT" or the "Company"), will be
held at i-STAT Corporation, located at 104 Windsor Center Drive, East Windsor,
New Jersey, on Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at 10:30 A.M., local time, for the
following purposes:
I. To elect five members of the Board of Directors, each to serve
until the next annual meeting.
II. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent accountants to audit the Company's 2000 financial statements.
III. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed April 14, 2000 as the record date
for determining the holders of the Company's Common Stock entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting. Consequently, only holders of Common Stock of record
on the transfer books of the Company at the close of business on April 14, 2000
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
We invite all stockholders to attend the meeting. TO ENSURE THAT
YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED AT THE MEETING, HOWEVER, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY. If you attend the meeting, you
may vote in person, even though you have
sent in your proxy.
East Windsor, New Jersey Esteban A. Ferrer
April 27, 2000 Secretary
<PAGE> 3
i-STAT CORPORATION
104 WINDSOR CENTER DRIVE
EAST WINDSOR, NEW JERSEY 08520
PROXY STATEMENT
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of
i-STAT Corporation (the "Company") for use at the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2000. Copies of this proxy
statement and the accompanying proxy are being mailed on or about April 27,
2000, to the holders of record of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.15 per
share ("Common Stock"), as of April 14, 2000. The proxy may be revoked by a
stockholder at any time prior to its use by giving written notice of such
revocation to the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the
meeting. The expense of this solicitation will be paid by the Company. Some of
the directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may, without
additional remuneration, solicit proxies personally and by telephone or mail.
The Company has retained Morrow & Co., Inc. to assist in the solicitation at a
cost of $5,000 to the Company, excluding the expenses and disbursements of that
firm.
The persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote as set forth
under "Election of Directors" with respect to the election of directors. With
respect to the other subjects referred to in this proxy statement, the persons
named in the accompanying proxy will vote as stated in the proxy. If no
specification as to the election of directors or the other subjects is made,
shares represented by duly executed and unrevoked proxies in the enclosed form
will be voted for the election as directors of the nominees listed herein, and,
with respect to any other matter that may properly come before the meeting, in
the discretion of the persons voting such proxies.
Holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on April
14, 2000 will be entitled to one vote per share held of record on all business
of the meeting. On April 14, 2000, there were 18,233,608 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date will
constitute a quorum to conduct business at the meeting. Proxies submitted which
are marked "abstain" or "withhold authority" will be deemed present at the
meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum to conduct business
at the meeting.
If a quorum is present, the election of directors will be decided by
a plurality of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at
the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Under Delaware law, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, shares represented by proxies as to
which a stockholder abstains or withholds authority from voting on the election
of directors, and shares as to which a broker indicates that it does not have
discretionary authority to vote (referred to herein as non-votes by brokers)
with respect to any or all nominee(s) for director, will not be deemed present
for purposes of voting on the election of any or all such nominee(s) for
director and therefore will have no impact on the vote on any or all such
nominee(s).
The approval of all other matters scheduled to be brought before the
meeting will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common
Stock represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote
thereon. Under Delaware law, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws, shares represented by proxies which are marked "for", "against" or
"abstain" with respect to these other matters will be counted for purposes of
determining the vote required for approval of these other matters, and the total
number of votes cast "for" each of these other matters will determine whether
sufficient affirmative votes have been cast. An abstention from voting on these
other matters will have the same legal effect as a vote against the matter.
Shares represented by proxies which are marked "withhold authority" (including
non-votes by brokers) will not be counted for purposes of determining whether
these other matters have been approved and therefore will have no impact on the
vote on any such matter.
1
<PAGE> 4
PROPOSAL I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors are to be elected at the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until
their respective successors are elected and qualify. The persons named in the
accompanying proxy intend to vote for the election of the nominees identified
below unless authority to vote for one or more of such nominees is specifically
withheld in the proxy.
The Board of Directors is informed that all of the nominees are
willing to serve as directors, but if any of them should decline to serve or
become unavailable for election as a director at the meeting, an event which the
Board of Directors does not anticipate, the persons named in the proxy will vote
for such nominee or nominees as may be designated by the Board of Directors,
unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of directors accordingly.
The nominees for election to the Company's Board of Directors are:
MR. WILLIAM P. MOFFITT. Mr. Moffitt, 53, is the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. He has held various offices since he joined
the Company as Executive Vice President in July 1989. He has served as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since February 1993, as President since
November 1991 and as a director since May 1990.
J. ROBERT BUCHANAN, M.D. Dr. Buchanan, 72, has served as Chairman of
the Company's Board of Directors since February 1999, and as a director since
February 1995. From June 1994 to November 1996, he was Chairman and Chief
Executive of World Care, a corporation established by Massachusetts General
Hospital that specializes in the transmission of clinical images between
healthcare facilities. He was General Director of Massachusetts General Hospital
from June 1982 through June 1994. He currently is a director of Premier Practice
Management, Inc. Dr. Buchanan serves on the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan
University, Karachi, Pakistan. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of
the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Buchanan holds his M.D. from Cornell
University Medical School.
MR. STEPHEN D. CHUBB. Mr. Chubb, 56, has served as a director of the
Company since February 1999. He is a founder of Matritech, Inc., a company
engaged in the development and commercialization of cancer diagnostic products,
and has been its Chairman since October 1993 and a director and its Chief
Executive Officer since Matritech's founding in 1987. He currently serves as a
director of Charles River Laboratories, as a trustee of Mt. Auburn Hospital, and
as a director of several privately held companies. Mr. Chubb is a Certified
Public Accountant.
MR. LIONEL N. STERLING. Mr. Sterling, 62, has served as a director
of the Company since May 1990. From July 1988 to 1992, he was Managing Partner
of Whitehead/Sterling, an investment management firm, and since January 1987 he
has been President of Equity Resources, Inc., a private investment company. He
currently is a director of Specialty Chemical Resources, Inc. and several
privately held companies. Mr. Sterling holds an M.B.A. in Finance from New York
University.
MS. ANNE M. VANLENT. Ms. VanLent, 51, has served as a director of
the Company since July 1999. Since October 1997, Ms. VanLent has served as Vice
President of Ventures and Licensing for Sarnoff Corporation, which is engaged in
the discovery and development of innovative electronics-based technologies.
Previously, Ms. VanLent served as President of AMV Associates, an emerging
growth healthcare consulting firm from March 1994 through August 1997, and as
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Liposome Company, Inc.,
a biotechnology company, from 1985 through 1993. She currently serves on the
board of directors of Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co., a public company engaged in
the research, development and commercialization of novel drug delivery systems,
and she also serves as a director of several private emerging growth companies.
2
<PAGE> 5
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of the
Company's stockholders and until the election and qualification of their
successors, or their earlier resignation or removal. Each director who is not
also an employee of the Company (an "Outside Director") receives an annual
retainer of $33,333, payable in quarterly installments of approximately $8,333
each, for serving on the Board of Directors. In recognition of the increased
services and time commitment required of a director who also serves as Chairman
of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an
additional annual retainer of $10,000. In addition, Outside Directors are also
awarded compensation in the form of restricted shares of Common Stock
("Restricted Shares") and options to purchase shares of Common Stock ("Options"
and collectively with Restricted Shares, the "Awards") under the Company's
Equity Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). Under the terms of the Incentive
Plan, Outside Directors are automatically awarded, upon their election or
re-election as Outside Directors, non-statutory Options to purchase that number
of shares of Common Stock ("Shares") which results in an Options value of
approximately $33,333 (using a commonly used valuation model and certain
Company-specific assumptions), and a number of Restricted Shares which, when
divided by the then fair market value (determined under the Incentive Plan) of a
Share, have a fair market value of approximately $33,333. These Awards are pro
rated for Outside Directors who are elected between annual stockholder meetings.
The Options are exercisable and the Restricted Shares are fully vested the day
that is the later of 30 days after the award date or the day immediately
preceding the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which they are
awarded. The Options expire after five years.
Directors who are employees also may receive awards in their
capacity as Company employees, as described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
RICHARD HODGSON
On March 4, 2000, Richard Hodgson, a director of the Company since
1989, was killed in an automobile accident. Mr. Hodgson, in addition to his many
other accomplishments in a business career that spanned over 60 years, was a
co-founder of Intel Corporation and Fairchild Semiconductor, and at the time of
his death had been providing valuable guidance to the Company, particularly in
manufacturing and strategic issues facing the Company. Mr. Hodgson was a member
of the Audit, Nominating and Executive Committees of the Board of Directors of
the Company during 1999. It had been the intention of the Board of Directors to
nominate Mr. Hodgson for re-election at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Company's directors wish to express their sorrow over Mr. Hodgson's passing,
and to acknowledge his innumerable contributions to the Company and Board of
Directors. It is the intention of the Board to elect an Outside Director as soon
as a suitable candidate is identified.
3
<PAGE> 6
The following table sets forth the number of restricted shares of
Common Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock subject to options granted
under the Incentive Plan to each of the Company's current Outside Directors
during the year ended December 31, 1999, and the exercise price per share for
such options.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES
NUMBER OF DOLLAR SUBJECT TO EXERCISE PRICE
NAME RESTRICTED SHARES VALUE OPTIONS PER SHARE
- ---- ----------------- ------ ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Robert Buchanan(1)
(Chairman of the Board)............ 3,603 $33,327.75 5,000 $9.78
5,475 $9.25
Stephen D. Chubb(2)................ 3,603 $33,327.75 20,000 $9.78
5,475 $9.25
Lionel N. Sterling................. 3,603 $33,327.75 5,475 $9.25
Anne M. VanLent(3)................. 3,091 $30,137.25 4,876 $9.75
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors held eleven regular meetings and two special
meetings during 1999. Each of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of
the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and committees of which he was a
member held during the period he served thereon.
The standing committees of the Board of Directors are the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee and the
Executive Committee.
The Audit Committee, which met on four occasions during 1999, has
responsibility for reviewing the Company's annual and quarterly financial
results and financial position, the scope and results of independent accountant
reviews and audits of the Company's financial statements, and the accounting
standards and principles followed in preparing the Company's financial
statements; evaluating the Company's system of internal accounting controls;
recommending to the Board the appointment of the independent accountants; and
reviewing the Company's financial reporting activities. The members of the Audit
Committee during 1999, of which Mr. Sterling is the Chairman, were Messrs.
Chubb, Hodgson and Sterling. Mr. Chubb was elected to the Audit Committee on
March 3, 1999.
The Compensation Committee, which met on ten occasions during 1999,
has responsibility for (i) reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of
Directors with respect to executive officer compensation, Company performance
objectives applicable to long-term and annual incentive compensation programs,
compensation for Outside Directors and employee compensation policies generally;
and (ii) administering the Incentive Plan and the Company's 1985 Stock Option
Plan. The members of the Compensation
- -------------------
(1) Dr. Buchanan was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors on February 2,
1999, was granted an option upon his election as Chairman under the Company's
prior compensation policy for Outside Directors, and was granted options and
restricted shares upon his re-election to the Board of Directors on June 10,
1999 in accordance with the Company's current compensation policy for Outside
Directors.
(2) Mr. Chubb was elected to the Board of Directors on February 2, 1999, was
granted an option upon such election under the Company's prior compensation
policy for Outside Directors, and was granted options and restricted shares upon
re-election to the Board of Directors on June 10, 1999 in accordance with the
Company's current compensation policy for Outside Directors.
(3) Ms. VanLent was first elected to the Board of Directors on July 14, 1999
and, accordingly, the options and restricted shares that were awarded to her
under the Company's current compensation policy for Outside Directors were
pro-rated.
4
<PAGE> 7
Committee during 1999, of which Dr. Buchanan is the Chairman, are Dr. Buchanan
and Messrs. Chubb and Sterling. Mr. Chubb was elected to the Compensation
Committee on March 3, 1999.
The Nominating Committee, which met on two occasions in 1999, has
responsibility for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding
Board composition and structure and the nature and duties of Board committees;
establishing criteria for membership on the Board and its committees;
recommending to the Board qualified persons to be nominated for election or
re-election as directors and officers of the Board, and for election as
committee members and committee chairpersons; reviewing the Chief Executive
Officer's nomination of corporate officers and making recommendations to the
Board with respect to such persons; reviewing and making recommendations to the
Board with respect to the executive management needs of the Company; and
considering suggestions for Board membership submitted by stockholders in
accordance with the notice provisions and procedures set forth in Section 12 of
Article II of the Company's By-laws, a copy of which may be obtained upon
request of the Company at the address listed herein. The members of the
Nominating Committee during 1999 were Dr. Buchanan and Mr. Hodgson.
The Executive Committee has responsibility for ensuring the ability
of the Board to deliberate on all matters, except certain major corporate
events, during intervals between meetings of the Board. It did not meet during
1999. The members of the Executive Committee during 1999, of which Dr. Buchanan
is the Chairman, were Dr. Buchanan, Messrs. Hodgson and Moffitt.
SECTION 16 (a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") requires directors and executive officers and persons, if any, owning more
than ten percent of a class of the Company's equity securities ("10%
Stockholders") to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the
Company's equity and equity derivative securities. Based solely upon a review of
the copies of such reports furnished to the Company, or written representations
from reporting persons, the Company believes that during 1999 all filing
requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and 10%
Stockholders were met.
5
<PAGE> 8
PROPOSAL II
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Subject to stockholder ratification, the Board of Directors has
appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants to
audit the Company's financial statements for 2000. If the stockholders do not
ratify this appointment, the appointment will be reconsidered by the Board of
Directors.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited the Company's financial
statements since the inception of the Company. Services provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the year ended December 31, 1999 included: audit
of the Company's financial statements, review of the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and consultation on matters related to
accounting, taxation, transfer pricing and financial reporting. Representatives
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, at which they will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE "FOR" SUCH RATIFICATION
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any
business other than the matters described in this proxy statement. If any other
matter is presented to the meeting which under applicable proxy regulations need
not be included in this proxy statement or of which the Board of Directors did
not know a reasonable time before this solicitation would be presented, the
persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote proxies with respect to such
matter in accordance with their best judgment.
6
<PAGE> 9
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Dear Stockholders:
Responsibility for determining compensation of the Company's
executive officers for services rendered during 1999 rested with the Company's
Board of Directors, which in making its decisions relied in part upon the
recommendations of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee
currently consists of three outside directors: Dr. Buchanan and Messrs. Chubb
and Sterling. The Committee held ten meetings during 1999.
In determining the compensation of the Company's executive officers,
the Board has adopted a compensation strategy which seeks to attract and retain
executives of high caliber who are capable of leading the Company in a complex,
competitive and changing industry, by rewarding superior performance and
emphasizing equity participation in order to align the interests of Company
management with those of its stockholders. The principal components of the
Company's executive officers' compensation are salary, annual incentive bonuses
(cash and stock options and/or restricted stock) and a long-term incentive
component (stock options and/or restricted stock). Salaries of the Company's
executive officers are set at levels intended to be competitive with salaries
for executives with comparable responsibilities at comparable companies. Stock
option and restricted stock grants and cash bonuses are employed to enhance the
competitiveness of compensation packages, to reward outstanding performance and
to provide incentive for reaching further performance goals. From time to time,
the Compensation Committee employs compensation consultants to assist it in
designing the components of the Company's executive officer compensation
packages and in determining the competitiveness of such packages.
In 1997, the Board of Directors established an annual incentive
program ("AIP"), pursuant to which stock option grants and cash bonuses for all
of the Company's employees, including executive officers, are awarded based on
achievement of certain objective and subjective targets, some of which relate to
Company performance and others of which relate to the performance of the
individual employee and/or the performance of functional units. The Company
performance targets are selected by the Board of Directors, based on
recommendations made by the Compensation Committee. Awards to the Company's
Chief Executive Officer are based solely on achievement of the Company
performance targets. Awards to the other executive officers are based on
achievement of both Company and individual and functional unit performance
targets. Individual and functional unit performance targets are set by the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, who also evaluates performance against such
targets. The performance of all executive officers against the applicable
targets is reviewed with the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors.
In 1997, the Board of Directors also established a long-term
incentive program ("LTIP"), pursuant to which stock options have been awarded to
all of the Company's employees, including executive officers, at the beginning
of each fiscal year, in order to tie a significant portion of the employees'
long-term compensation to the continued growth of the Company and appreciation
in the Company's Common Stock.
Upon the recommendation of compensation consultants employed by the
Compensation Committee, the AIP and LTIP were amended in 1999 to enable the
Committee and the Board to make awards of restricted stock, in addition to stock
options and cash. The Committee and the Board believe that awards of restricted
stock offer different advantages than stock options, including providing
recipients with a direct equity interest in the Company and a tangible, easily
measurable value on their award date. This action necessitated several
amendments to the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan, including renaming it the
"i-STAT Corporation Equity Incentive Plan," which amendments were approved at
the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In addition, in the case of
executive officers, the LTIP was further amended so that no awards would be made
at the beginning of the Company's 2000 fiscal year unless certain Company,
individual and unit performance targets were met during 1999.
7
<PAGE> 10
Objective and subjective performance targets selected by the
Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors under the AIP and
LTIP for 1999 included gross profit, net income, earnings (loss) per share,
total shareholder return (as measured against a peer group of companies),
effective management of the Company's new strategic relationship with Abbott
Laboratories, progress in the rate of market penetration of the Company's
products, progress in new product development, expansion of the Company's senior
management team, improvements in manufacturing operations and identification of
new strategic initiatives. While the Committee was on the whole very satisfied
with the performance of the executive officer group during 1999 against the
subjective targets, the objective targets were not met. Accordingly, no awards
were made to any executive officer under the AIP or LTIP in respect of 1999
performance. However, in recognition of performance against the subjective
targets, as well as individual and functional unit performance, the Board
authorized the payment of an aggregate of $50,000 in bonuses to the executive
officer group (excluding the Chief Executive Officer).
With respect to the compensation of William P. Moffitt, the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, his 1999 base salary was set at
$335,000, which represents no increase from his base salary in 1998. In setting
his 1999 salary, the Committee determined that Mr. Moffitt's salary was
competitive with salaries for officers at Mr. Moffitt's level at comparable
companies, and the Board concurred with this determination.
As discussed in last year's proxy statement, in early 1999, based in
part upon the recommendations of compensation consultants, the Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors took several steps to improve the
competitiveness of the Company's equity compensation package, to align the
interests of the Company's employees with the new strategic direction of the
Company represented by the alliance with Abbott Laboratories entered into in
late 1998, and to recognize the contributions of certain employees to the
successful conclusion of this alliance. Included among these steps was the award
to Mr. Moffitt, under the Equity Incentive Plan, of 250,000 restricted shares of
Common Stock. Of these, 200,000 shares are subject to forfeiture if, prior to
February 2002, Mr. Moffitt ceases to be employed by the Company (except in
certain limited circumstances). In addition, subject to certain exceptions, Mr.
Moffitt will be made whole by the Company for income taxes payable by him
resulting from this award. The principal terms and conditions of this award are
described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. At the time of this award, the
market price of the Company's Common Stock was approximately $8.88 per share.
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and regulations thereunder, no federal income tax deduction by a
publicly-held company is allowed for certain types of compensation paid to
certain highly compensated employees to the extent that the amount of such
compensation for a taxable year for any such individual exceeds $1 million.
Section 162(m) excludes "performance based" compensation from its deductibility
limits. The compensation realized upon the exercise of stock options is
considered "performance based" if, among other requirements, the plan pursuant
to which the options are granted has been approved by the Company's stockholders
and has a limit on the total number of shares that may be covered by options
issuable to any plan participant in any twelve-month period. Stock options
currently held by Company employees, including executive officers, were granted
under both the Company's 1985 Stock Option Plan, which does not comply with such
requirements, and the Company's Equity Incentive Plan, which does. The
limitations of Section 162(m) affected the deductibility of Mr. Moffitt's
compensation in 1999 because of the restricted stock award described previously.
However, such limitations did not affect the deductibility of compensation paid
by the Company to other employees in 1999. While the Company does not expect the
Section 162(m) limitations to affect the deductibility of any employee's
compensation during 2000, if there is a substantial increase in the market price
of the Common Stock, such expectations could be impacted by the exercise by
certain executive officers of a substantial number of their currently
outstanding stock options.
8
<PAGE> 11
The Compensation Committee believes that while tax deductibility is
an important factor, it is not the sole factor to be considered in setting
executive compensation policy. This is especially true while the Company remains
in the development stage and continues to generate operating losses, or has net
operating losses available to be applied against its taxable income.
Nevertheless, the Committee intends to continue to evaluate the Company's
compensation programs in light of the Section 162(m) requirements.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
J. Robert Buchanan, M.D. Stephen D. Chubb Lionel N. Sterling
(Chairman of the Board of
Directors; Committee Chair)
9
<PAGE> 12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following tables show for the periods indicated the compensation
paid to, or accrued for the benefit of, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
and each other executive officer of the Company whose aggregate remuneration
exceeded $100,000 for services rendered to the Company during the year ended
December 31, 1999 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION AWARDS 1/
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------
OTHER
ANNUAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES
SALARY BONUS COMPEN- STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) SATION ($) AWARDS($) OPTIONS (#) COMPENSATION
- --------------------------- ---- ------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William P. Moffitt, President and 1999 $335,000 -- -- $2,218,750 9/ 44,143 2/ $ 319 4/
Chief Executive Officer $ 9,375 6/
1998 $335,000 $47,285 3/ -- -- 47,820 2/ $ 432 4/
200,000 8/ $ 9,862 6/
1997 $335,000 $52,260 3/ -- -- 42,420 2/ $ 432 4/
Imants R. Lauks, Executive Vice 1999 $250,000 -- -- -- 34,938 2/ $ 198 4/
President and Chief Technology $322,772 7/
Officer 5/
1998 $250,000 $12,171 3/ -- -- 37,770 2/ $ 261 4/
$875,631 7/
1997 $250,000 $39,000 3/ -- -- 36,720 2/ $ 261 4/
$244,150 7/
Roger J. Mason, Vice President of 1999 $235,000 $10,000 3/ -- $177,500 9/ 19,410 2/ $ 319 4/
Finance, Chief Financial Officer and 44,000 9/
Treasurer 1998 $235,000 $27,642 3/ -- -- 22,400 2/ $ 261 4/
1997 $235,000 $33,605 3/ -- -- 21,440 2/ $ 261 4/
Michael Zelin, Senior Vice President, 1999 $196,333 $25,000 3/ -- $177,500 9/ 21,292 2/ $ 90 4/
Research and Development 36,000 9/
100,000 10/
1998 $178,000 $25,125 3/ -- -- 21,670 2/ $ 99 4/
1997 $178,000 $24,297 3/ -- -- 20,920 2/ $ 99 4/
Noah J. Kroloff, Vice President, 1999 $157,917 $15,000 3/ -- $177,500 9/ 12,775 2/ $ 90 4/
International Sales and Marketing and 33,000 9/
Corporate Development 1998 $147,500 $20,820 3/ -- -- 12,555 2/ $ 99 4/
1997 $147,500 $18,225 3/ -- -- 11,930 2/ $ 99 4/
</TABLE>
1/ The Company did not award any stock appreciation rights to the Named
Executive Officers or make any long-term incentive plan payouts in 1999.
2/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
awarded pursuant to the Company's Annual Incentive Program, Long-Term
Incentive Program or in lieu of a salary increase.
3/ Represents cash bonus awarded in respect of the year noted but not
actually received or granted until the subsequent year.
4/ Represents amounts paid by the Company for life insurance premiums.
5/ Mr. Lauks resigned his employment with the Company and became a consultant
to the Company as of September 1, 1999.
6/ Represents payment for leased automobile.
7/ Represents amounts paid by the Company under an expatriate program
maintained by the Company for certain employees located outside of the
U.S. during any portion of the year. The expatriate program provides
assistance for, among other things, foreign taxes, housing, cost of living
adjustments and periodic trips home for family members.
8/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
awarded pursuant to employment contract.
9/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
awarded as a special incentive to Executive Officers.
10/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock option
awarded in recognition of performance and election to the office of Senior
Vice President.
10
<PAGE> 13
TABLE OF OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ASSUMED RATES OF STOCK PRICE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM 1/
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
% OF TOTAL
OPTIONS OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OR
GRANTED 2/ TO EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ---- ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William P. Moffitt 22,500 (3) 2.10% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 358,461 $ 570,810
21,643 (4) 2.02% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 344,808 $ 549,068
Imants R. Lauks 18,000 (3) 1.68% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 286,769 $ 456,648
16,938 (4) 1.58% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 269,850 $ 429,706
Roger J. Mason 10,000 (3) 0.93% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 159,316 $ 253,693
9,410 (4) 0.88% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 149,917 $ 238,725
44,000 (5) 4.11% $ 8.875 2/5/09 $ 636,125 $1,012,957
Michael Zelin 10,000 (3) 0.93 % $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 159,316 $ 253,693
11,292 (4) 1.06 % $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 179,900 $ 286,470
36,000 (5) 3.36 % $ 8.875 2/5/09 $ 520,466 $ 828,783
100,000 (6) 9.35 % $ 9.780 2/2/09 $1,593,162 $2,536,932
Noah J. Kroloff 6,000 (3) 0.56% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 95,590 $ 152,216
6,775 (4) 0.63% $ 9.780 2/2/09 $ 107,937 $ 171,877
33,000 (5) 3.08% $ 8.875 2/5/09 $ 477,093 $ 759,718
</TABLE>
- -------------------
1/ The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of
calculations at the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and therefore are not intended to forecast
possible future appreciation, if any, of the stock price of the
Company. If the Company's stock price were in fact to appreciate
at the assumed 5% or 10% annual rate for the ten year term of
these options, a $1,000 investment in the Common Stock of the
Company would be worth $1,629 and $2,594, respectively, at the
end of the term.
2/ All options were granted under the Company's 1985 Stock Option
Plan (the "1985 Plan") or the Incentive Plan. The exercise
prices were based on the fair market value (as determined in
accordance with the 1985 Plan or the Incentive Plan, as the case
may be) of the shares of Common Stock at the time the options
were granted. Payment of the exercise price may be in cash or by
any other lawful means authorized by the Board of Directors.
Generally, options terminate ten years after the date of grant or
within three months following termination of the optionee's
employment, whichever occurs earlier.
3/ Represents stock options awarded pursuant to the Company's Long-Term
Incentive Program. Such stock option awards are exercisable seven years
from the date of grant and such exercisability may be accelerated if
certain Company performance goals are met.
4/ Such stock options were awarded in February 1999 pursuant to the Company's
Annual Incentive Program to recognize and reward performance in 1998. Such
stock option awards are exercisable over a three year period (50% after
the first anniversary of the date of grant and an additional 25% after
each of the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant).
5/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
awarded as a special incentive to Executive Officers. Such stock option
awards are exercisable over a three year period (33% after the first
anniversary of the date of grant and an additional 33% after each of the
second and third anniversaries of the date of grant).
6/ Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
awarded in recognition of performance and election to the Office of Senior
Vice President.
11
<PAGE> 14
OPTION YEAR-END VALUE TABLE
(1999 Fiscal Year-End Option Value)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Value Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Acquired on Realized Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options at
Name Exercise ($) Options at Fiscal Year-End Fiscal Year-End ($) 1/
- ---- -------- ------------ -------------------------- --------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William P. Moffitt 252,214 304,615 $ 623,737 $ 255,815
Imants R. Lauks 30,705 $ 92,115 2/ 222,806 25,400 $ 621,801 $ 62,235
Roger J. Mason 49,439 117,036 $ 7,911 $ 360,501
Michael Zelin 62,205 183,876 $ 70,787 $ 795,154
Noah J. Kroloff 76,586 61,669 $ 11,882 $ 245,923
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
1/ The dollar values have been calculated by determining the difference
between the closing price of the securities underlying the options at
fiscal year end and the exercise price of the options. The closing price
of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1999 was $14.50.
2/ This dollar value has been calculated by determining the difference
between the closing price of the securities underlying the options on each
date of exercise of such options and the exercise price of the options.
The Company does not have a defined benefit or actuarial pension
plan. During 1999, the Company did not have a "long-term incentive plan", and
the Company did not make any "long-term incentive awards", as such terms are
defined in Item 402 of Regulation S-K. During 1999, none of the Named Executive
Officers, except Dr. Lauks, exercised any stock options.
12
<PAGE> 15
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following is a line graph comparison of the Company's yearly
percentage change in cumulative total stockholder return for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1999, assuming an investment of $100 on January 1, 1995 and
dividend reinvestment, with that of the NASDAQ Index and the Company's Index of
Comparable Companies.
i-STAT CORPORATION STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
[LINE GRAPH OMITTED]
- ----------------
* See Appendix A for the identity of the issuers in the peer group used by the
Company for this comparison. These issuers are the companies appearing under the
Standard Industrial Classification Code 3845 for electromedical and
electrotherapeutic apparatus.
13
<PAGE> 16
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
In January 1998, the Company entered into a five-year employment
agreement (the "Employment Agreement") with Mr. Moffitt pursuant to which the
Company is obligated to pay Mr. Moffitt an annual salary of $335,000 or such
greater amount as the Company's Board of Directors may approve from time to time
("Base Salary"). If the Company's Annual Incentive Plan ("AIP") remains in
place, the Company is also required to pay Mr. Moffitt an annual bonus for each
fiscal year, consisting of between 7.5% to 25% of the Base Salary in cash, and
stock options to purchase between 11,500 and 34,500 shares of Common Stock,
assuming that the performance criteria set by the Board under the AIP with
respect to such year are met or exceeded. Upon termination of Mr. Moffitt's
employment in certain circumstances, including Mr. Moffitt's resignation
following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Employment
Agreement), the Company also is obligated to pay Mr. Moffitt a lump sum payment
of up to twice his Base Salary plus a cash bonus equal to 15% of his Base
Salary, and in such circumstances, the Company also is obligated to continue
certain of Mr. Moffitt's employment benefits for a period of time after
termination of his employment. The agreement also provides for reimbursement to
Mr. Moffitt for any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code on any
portion of his compensation or benefits payable under the Employment Agreement
in connection with a Change in Control and any such excise tax and any other
taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code or under state law on the
reimbursement for any such excise taxes. Under the Agreement, Mr. Moffitt also
was awarded an option under the Company's 1985 Stock Option Plan (the "1985
Plan") to purchase up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock. Such option is not
exercisable prior to January 2003, at which time it becomes fully exercisable,
except that, in certain circumstances involving the cessation of Mr. Moffitt's
employment with the Company, in addition to the early exercisability provisions
in the 1985 Plan described below, such option may be exercised with respect to
the greater of (i) 100,000 shares of Common Stock or (ii) that number of shares
of Common Stock which bears the same proportion to 200,000 shares of Common
Stock as the number of days elapsed since the date of the Agreement bears to its
term.
In February 1999, the Company entered into a stock award agreement
(the "Stock Award Agreement") with Mr. Moffitt under which he was awarded
250,000 shares of Common Stock under the Incentive Plan (the "Restricted
Shares"). Of the Restricted Shares, 50,000 shares immediately vested. The
remaining shares (the "Unvested Shares") will vest at the end of three years,
subject to accelerated vesting or forfeiture as described below. The Unvested
Shares will vest immediately upon (a) the termination by the Company of Mr.
Moffitt's employment without Cause (as defined), (b) the occurrence of a Change
in Control of the Company (as defined under the Employment Agreement) or (c) the
voluntary resignation of Mr. Moffitt due to a Diminution of Responsibility (as
defined). The greater of (a) 100,000 Unvested Shares, and (b) a pro-rata portion
of the Unvested Shares (based on the number of days worked between the date of
the Stock Award Agreement and the end of its term) will vest upon Mr. Moffitt's
death or the termination by the Company of Mr. Moffitt's employment due to his
Permanent Disability (as defined) prior to the end of the three-year term of the
Stock Award Agreement. The Unvested Shares are subject to immediate forfeiture
upon Mr. Moffitt's voluntary resignation or the termination by the Company of
Mr. Moffitt's employment for Cause. The Company has agreed to loan (the "Loan")
to Mr. Moffitt, from time to time, an amount equal to the federal, state and
local income taxes payable by Mr. Moffitt in connection with the award of the
Restricted Shares. The Loan bears interest annually at the minimum applicable
federal rate and is required to be repaid over a three-year period. The
aggregate principal amount of the Loan as of April 13, 2000 was $972,786.
One-third of the Loan will be forgiven by the Company on each anniversary of the
Loan so long as Mr. Moffitt remains employed by the Company. The forgiveness of
the Loan is subject to acceleration under the same circumstances that the
vesting of the Unvested Shares will be accelerated (except that the Loan will be
forgiven upon the termination of Mr. Moffitt's employment due to death or
Permanent Disability). The Loan is payable by Mr. Moffitt prior to maturity
within 180 days after his voluntary resignation from the Company or the
termination of his employment by the Company for Cause. The Company also has
agreed to make additional payments to Mr. Moffitt to the extent he incurs any
additional federal, state or local income taxes in connection with the
forgiveness of the Loan or to the extent he faces any other tax liability as a
result of the award of the Restricted Shares. Mr. Moffitt is required to pay to
the Company any after-tax profits realized in connection with his exercise of
certain designated stock options and the sale of the Common Stock underlying
such options, up to the total amount of the Loan,
14
<PAGE> 17
whether or not forgiven.
In July 1996, Mr. Mason entered into an agreement with the Company
pursuant to which, upon Mr. Mason's termination by the Company for any reason
other than due cause (as defined in the agreement), the Company is obligated to
pay Mr. Mason's salary and continue to make health and dental benefits
contributions for a term of up to nine months if Mr. Mason has not found
employment or commenced self-employment prior to then. Any such continuing
salary payments shall be reduced to the extent Mr. Mason receives, during the
nine-month period, any payments under the Company's disability insurance
coverage.
In April 1994, Mr. Kroloff entered into an agreement with the
Company pursuant to which, upon termination of Mr. Kroloff's employment by the
Company for any reason other than gross misconduct or cause, the Company is
obligated to continue to pay Mr. Kroloff's salary for four months, with such
compensation continuing for up to a total of eight months if Mr. Kroloff has not
found employment or commenced self-employment prior to the expiration of the
first four months.
In September 1999, the Company entered into an eighteen month
consulting agreement with Dr. Imants Lauks pursuant to which Dr. Lauks agreed to
provide certain consulting services to the Company in exchange for $412,500,
payable over the full eighteen month period. Until September 1, 1999, Dr. Lauks
served as the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
Under the terms of the agreement, so long as Dr. Lauks continues to provide
consulting services to the Company, the Company will reimburse Dr. Lauks,
subject to certain limitations, for income taxes paid in Canada by Dr. Lauks in
respect of (i) any compensation paid to Dr. Lauks under the agreement, (ii) the
exercise of stock options during the term of the agreement and (iii) the sale of
shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise during the term of the
agreement.
Pursuant to the 1985 Plan and the Incentive Plan, all awards
immediately become exercisable in full, in the case of options, or fully vested
and no longer subject to any forfeiture (unless otherwise provided in the
applicable award agreement) in the case of restricted shares, (i) upon any
merger or consolidation of the Company if the stockholders of the Company
immediately before such merger or consolidation do not own, directly or
indirectly, immediately following such merger or consolidation, more than 50% of
the combined voting power of the resulting outstanding voting securities in
substantially the same proportion as their pre-merger or pre-consolidation
ownership; (ii) upon the transfer of all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company, or assets representing over 50% of the Company's
operating revenue of the Company; or (iii) if any person who was not, on April
21, 1995, a controlling person (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended) ("Controlling Person") becomes either (x) the beneficial
owner of over 50% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock or the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally or (y) a Controlling Person.
15
<PAGE> 18
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
beneficial ownership of the Company's voting stock as of April 14, 2000, by each
of the Named Executive Officers, all current directors, and all current
directors and Named Executive Officers as a group, and each person known by the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company's
voting stock, except as qualified by the information set forth in the notes to
this table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY PERCENTAGE
NAME OWNED (1) OWNED (2)
--------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Abbott Laboratories 2,000,000 11.0%
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, IL 60064
Stephen Feinberg (3) 1,738,702 9.5%
Cerberus Partners, L.P.
450 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
FMR Corp. (4) 1,635,700 9.0%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
J. Robert Buchanan (5) 26,328 *
Stephen D. Chubb (6) 21,078 *
Imants R. Lauks (7) 94,627 *
Roger J. Mason (8) 93,328 *
William P. Moffitt (9) 547,549 3.0%
Lionel N. Sterling (10) 132,321 *
Noah J. Kroloff (11) 113,230 *
Michael Zelin (12) 160,447 *
Anne M. VanLent (13) 7,967 *
All current directors and Named Executive Officers as a group (9 1,196,875 6.6%
persons) (14)
</TABLE>
- -----------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and includes shares over which the
indicated beneficial owner exercises voting and/or investment power.
Shares of Common Stock subject to options currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days, by June 13, 2000, are deemed outstanding for
purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such
securities but not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated, and subject
to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the
table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of voting stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2) The "Percentage Owned" calculations are based on the outstanding shares of
Common Stock as of April 14, 2000.
(3) Pursuant to Schedule 13D and Form 3 filed by Stephen Feinberg, dated March
16, 2000, Mr. Feinberg names himself as
16
<PAGE> 19
beneficial owner of 1,738,702 shares of Common Stock. The Company believes
that these, plus an additional 400,000 shares of Common Stock, are being
held by or for Cerberus Partners, L.P. ("Cerberus") and other investment
funds affiliated with Cerberus or Mr. Feinberg.
(4) Pursuant to Schedule 13G/A of FMR Corp., dated February 14, 2000,
securities reported as being beneficially owned by FMR Corp. consist of
1,635,700 shares beneficially owned by its subsidiary, Fidelity Management
& Research Company ("Fidelity"), as investment adviser to various
investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Edward C. Johnson, 3d, Chairman of FMR Corp., FMR Corp.,
through its control of Fidelity, and the Fidelity funds, each has sole
investment power but the funds' Boards of Trustees have sole voting power
over such shares. The ownership of one investment company, Fa Value
Strategies Fund, consists of 866,500 shares or 5.52% of the Common Stock
outstanding.
(5) Consists of 3,603 shares held by Dr. Buchanan and 22,725 shares which Dr.
Buchanan has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the
1985 and Incentive Plans. Does not include 4,750 shares which Dr. Buchanan
has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and
Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(6) Consists of 5,603 shares held by Mr. Chubb and 15,475 shares which Mr.
Chubb has the right to acquire upon the exercise of stock options under
the 1985 and Incentive Plans. Does not include 10,000 shares which Mr.
Chubb has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the
Incentive Plan which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(7) Consists of 18,628 shares held by Dr. Lauks and 75,999 shares which Dr.
Lauks has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985
and Incentive Plans. Does not include 9,176 shares which Dr. Lauks has the
right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and Incentive
Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(8) Consists of 20,000 shares held by Mr. Mason and 73,328 shares which Mr.
Mason has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985
and Incentive Plans. Does not include 93,147 shares which Mr. Mason has
the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and
Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(9) Consists of 275,371 shares held by Mr. Moffitt and 272,178 shares which
Mr. Moffitt has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under
the 1985 and Incentive Plans. Does not include 284,651 shares which Mr.
Moffitt has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the
1985 and Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(10) Consists of 3,603 shares held by Mr. Sterling, 108,493 total shares that
Mr. Sterling has the right to acquire on an equal one-third basis from
each of John Whitehead, Peter Whitehead and Susan Whitehead, and 20,225
shares which Mr. Sterling has the right to acquire upon the exercise of
options under the 1985 and Incentive Plans. Does not include 2,250 shares
which Mr. Sterling has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options
under the 1985 and Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60
days.
(11) Consists of 20,000 shares held by Mr. Kroloff and 93,230 shares which Mr.
Kroloff has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the
1985 and Incentive Plans. Does not include 45,025 shares which Mr. Kroloff
has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and
Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(12) Consists of 48,929 shares held by Mr. Zelin and 111,518 shares which Mr.
Zelin has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985
and Incentive Plans. Does not include 137,563 shares which Mr. Zelin has
the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and
Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
(13) Consists of 3,091 shares held by Ms. VanLent and 4,876 shares which Ms.
VanLent has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the
Incentive Plan.
(14) Includes 689,554 shares which such officers and directors have the right
to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and Incentive
Plans. Does not include 586,562 shares which such officers and directors
have the right to acquire upon the exercise of options under the 1985 and
Incentive Plans which are not exercisable within 60 days.
17
<PAGE> 20
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
On September 2, 1998, the Company and Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott")
entered into agreements (the "Alliance Agreements") providing for a long-term
sales, marketing and research alliance. The Alliance Agreements comprise a
Distribution Agreement, a Research Agreement, a Stock Purchase Agreement, a
Standstill Agreement and a
Registration Rights Agreement.
Under the Distribution Agreement, Abbott has become, subject to the
existing rights of the Company's other international distributors, the exclusive
worldwide distributor of the Company's hand-held blood analyzer products
(including cartridges) and any new products the Company may develop for use in
the professionally attended human healthcare delivery market. Abbott has assumed
the Company's current product sales to U.S. customers (the "Base Business") at
no profit to Abbott, and the Company and Abbott will share in the incremental
profits derived from product sales beyond the Base Business. Abbott is obligated
to prepay to the Company a total of $25,000,000 during the first three years of
the Distribution Agreement, as guaranteed future incremental product sales. Such
prepayments must be repaid by the Company to Abbott as a credit against actual
incremental product sales. Prepayments to date of $5,000,000, $4,000,000 and
$10,800,000 were received in September 1998, January 1999 and January 2000,
respectively. Sales under the Distribution Agreement commenced in the United
States on November 1, 1998 and a subsequent international rollout commenced in
various countries during the second half of 1999. As a result of the
Distribution Agreement, the majority of the Company's revenues are now derived
from Abbott.
The Distribution Agreement expires on December 31, 2003, subject to
automatic extensions for additional one-year periods unless either party
provides the other with at least 12 months prior written notice, except that the
Company may terminate the Distribution Agreement after December 31, 2001 if
Abbott fails to achieve a three-year milestone minimum growth rate in sales of
the Company's products covered by the Distribution Agreement. If the
Distribution Agreement is terminated, other than (i) by the Company for cause or
for Abbott's failure to achieve the minimum growth rate; or (ii) by Abbott if
Abbott delivers the requisite notice terminating the Distribution Agreement
after the initial term, then the Company will be obligated to pay to Abbott a
one-time termination fee calculated to compensate Abbott for a portion of its
costs in undertaking the distribution relationship, and residual payments for
five years following termination based on a percentage of Abbott's net sales of
the Company's products during the final twelve months of the Distribution
Agreement. In the event that such termination occurs within the first three
years of the Distribution Agreement, the Company also must refund to Abbott any
prepayments made and not yet credited to Abbott at the time of such termination.
Under the terms of the Research Agreement, the Company will conduct
research and will develop products primarily to be commercialized by Abbott.
Such research and development will be funded by Abbott and Abbott will have
exclusive worldwide commercialization rights to the products developed under the
Research Agreement, subject to certain limitations. The parties have identified
two initial projects to pursue under the Research Agreement, including the
research and development of tests useful in the diagnosis and treatment of
myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The Company and Abbott will
jointly own the intellectual property which is developed during the course of
work performed under the Research Agreement. The Research Agreement terminates
upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, unless earlier
terminated as provided therein. Upon such expiration or earlier termination,
both the Company and Abbott will be permitted to distribute the products
developed under the Research Agreement in the territory covered by the
Distribution Agreement.
Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, Abbott purchased 2,000,000
shares (the "Purchased Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, at a price of
$11.35 per share, resulting in net proceeds of $20,641,000. The Purchased Shares
represent approximately 11.5% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company. The Stock Purchase Agreement, together with the Registration Rights
Agreement, contains certain terms and conditions pertaining to the voting and
transfer of the Purchased Shares.
18
<PAGE> 21
The Standstill Agreement provides for limitations on Abbott's
ability to purchase the Company's Common Stock or to propose any merger or
business combination with the Company or purchase of a material portion of the
Company's assets.
The foregoing description of the Alliance Agreements is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the actual text of such agreements, copies of which
were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibits to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30,
1998.
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
On June 23, 1995, the Company and Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP")
entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") whereby
HP purchased 2,138,702 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of $28.50
per share, for a total purchase price of $60,953,007. At the closing of the
Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company and HP also entered into a Registration
Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), License Agreement (the
"License Agreement") and a Distribution Agreement (the "Distribution
Agreement"). The Distribution Agreement was terminated in November 1999.
In October, 1999, HP assigned the License Agreement, the Stock
Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and transferred all of
its Series B Preferred Stock to Agilent Technologies, Inc., then a wholly-owned
subsidiary of HP ("Agilent"). On March 16, 2000, Agilent converted its holding
of 2,138,702 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 2,138,702 shares of Common
Stock, and sold such shares of Common Stock to Cerberus Partners, L.P.
Under the License Agreement, Agilent has a perpetual, worldwide
license under certain of the Company's intellectual property to develop and
distribute a blood analyzer (an "Integrated Analyzer") that can be integrated
with a patient monitor, ventilator or anesthesia gas machine. Agilent has no
license to use or sell Integrated Analyzers outside the field of professionally
attended human healthcare institutions. The license does not include the right
to make, use or sell the Company's cartridges and is subject to the payment of
royalties. In addition, if the Company grants to any third party a license to
make and distribute Integrated Analyzers on royalty terms more favorable to the
third party than under the License Agreement, then Agilent's royalty obligations
generally will be adjusted to such third party's rates. The Integrated Analyzer
was commercially introduced by HP/Agilent in May 1997, and the Company has been
paid royalties aggregating $535,673 since that time. The License Agreement is
scheduled to expire generally at the time of expiration of the Company's
last-to-expire patent covering the licensed technology.
LOANS TO MR. MOFFITT
In connection with a restricted stock award made to William P.
Moffitt, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, in 1999, the
Company has agreed to loan Mr. Moffitt such amounts as he may require to cover
taxes payable in respect of such award. These loan arrangements are described
more fully elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the section entitled
"Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control
Arrangements."
19
<PAGE> 22
STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
ANY PERSON FROM WHOM PROXIES FOR THE MEETING ARE SOLICITED MAY
OBTAIN, IF NOT ALREADY RECEIVED, FROM THE COMPANY, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF THE
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1999, BY WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED TO I-STAT CORPORATION, 104 WINDSOR CENTER
DRIVE, EAST WINDSOR, NEW JERSEY 08520, ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K IS NOT SOLICITING MATERIAL AND IS NOT
INCORPORATED IN THIS DOCUMENT BY REFERENCE.
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company must receive at its principal office before December 28,
2000, any proposal which a stockholder wishes to submit for the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, if the proposal is to be considered by the Board of
Directors for inclusion in the proxy materials for that meeting.
Esteban A. Ferrer
Secretary
April 27, 2000
20
<PAGE> 23
APPENDIX A
IDENTITY OF ISSUERS USED IN PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Acuson Corp. Endocare Inc. Premier Laser Systems CLA.
American Dental Tech. Inc. Endosonics Corp. Protocol Systems Inc.
Applied Biometrics Inc. Escalon Medical Corp. Q-Med Inc.
Aradigm Corporation Everest Medical Corp. Rehabilicare Inc.
Arrhythmia Research Tech Fonar Corp. Rockwell Medical Technologies
Arthrocare Corp. Healthtronics, Inc. Saint Jude Medical Inc.
Bio-Logic Systems Corp. Healthwatch Inc. Somanetics Corp.
Cambridge Heart Inc. Henley Healthcare Inc. Spacelabs Medical Inc.
Candela Corp. HIE Inc. Spectranetics Corp.
Cardiac Pathways Corp. Imatron Inc. Spectrx Inc.
Cardiodynamics Intl. Corp. Instrumentarium Corp. Surgical Laser Technologies
Cholestech Corporation Invivo Corporation TLC Laser Center Inc.
CNS Inc. Iridex Corp. Trimedyne Inc.
Colorado Medtech Inc. Laserscope Urologix Inc.
Computer Motion Inc. Lectec Corp. Uroquest Medical Corp.
Conmed Corp. Lunar Corp. Valley Forge Scientific
Criticare Systems Inc. Luxtec Corp. Vasomedical Inc.
Datascope Corp. Medstone International Inc. Vista Medical Tech. Inc.
Diametrics Medical Inc. Medtronic Inc. Visx Inc.
Dynatronics Corp. Neopath Inc. World Heart Corp.
EDAP TMS SA ADR Pharmanetics Inc. Zevex International Inc.
Elbit Medical Imaging Photoelectron Zoll Medical Corporation
Elscint Ltd. PLC Systems, Inc.
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE> 24
i-STAT CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 24, 2000
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, you are urged to
execute and return this proxy, which may be revoked at any time prior to its
use.
William P. Moffitt and Roger J. Mason, and each of them, with full
power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and to vote the shares
of Common Stock of i-STAT Corporation held of record by the undersigned on April
14, 2000, as directed on the reverse side and, in their discretion, on all other
matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held on May 24, 2000, and at any adjournments, which matters were unknown to the
Board of Directors prior to making this solicitation, as if the undersigned were
present and voting at the meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
STOCKHOLDER. WHERE NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WHEN THE DULY EXECUTED PROXY IS
RETURNED, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL ITEMS.
CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE> 25
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL ITEMS.
ITEM I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS DULY NOMINATED AND LISTED BELOW:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For All Nominees TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY Exception *
<S> <C> <C>
[ ] to vote for all nominees listed below [ ]
[ ]
</TABLE>
Nominees: J. Robert Buchanan, Stephen D. Chubb, William P. Moffitt,
Lionel N. Sterling and Anne M. VanLent
*INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s) write
that nominee's name on the space provided below and check Exception
box.
___________________________________________________________
ITEM II. RATIFICATION OF ACCOUNTANTS: Ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for 2000.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
If you have noted an address change or
comments on either side of this card, mark
here:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(NOTE: Signature should agree with the name
stenciled hereon. When signing as executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian or
attorney, please give full title as such.
For joint accounts or co-fiduciaries, all
joint owners or co-fiduciaries should sign.
For an account in the name of two or more
persons, each should sign or if one signs,
he or she should attach evidence of
authority.)
DATED ________________________, 2000
___________________________________________
Signature
___________________________________________
Signature if held jointly
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. VOTES
MUST BE INDICATED (X) IN BLACK OR BLUE INK. [ ]
