<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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:
[_] 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-12
Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[_] $125 per Exhange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or item
22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exhange 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:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.]
February 10, 1997
Dear Shareholder:
You are hereby notified of the Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Special Meeting of
Shareholders, to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 1997, at the
Company's offices at 201 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle, Washington. Information
concerning the business to be conducted at the meeting is included in the
accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
At this Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider a proposal to
authorize a conditional amendment to the Company's charter which would effect a
reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock. This proposal will be voted
upon by both Common and Convertible Preferred Shareholders voting together as a
single class. Your management and the Board of Directors unanimously recommend
that you vote FOR this proposal.
---
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, regardless of the number of shares you own.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is important that your shares
be represented. Therefore, we urge you to sign, date and promptly return the
enclosed proxy in the enclosed postage paid envelope. All of the shares of cti
capital stock that you hold may be voted by a single proxy. There is no need to
complete separate proxies for shares of Common Stock and shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock. If you attend the meeting, you will, of course, have the right
to vote in person. Shareholders who plan to attend the meeting in person are
requested to promptly return the enclosed postage paid attendance card to
provide us with an estimate of the number of persons to expect for the Special
Meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management, I would like to express our
appreciation for your interest in cti.
Sincerely,
James A. Bianco
President & Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
201 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98119
Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders
Monday, March 3, 1997
To the Shareholders of Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of Cell
Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company"), a Washington corporation, will be held at
10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 3, 1997, at the Company's offices at 201 Elliott
Avenue West, Seattle, Washington for the following purposes:
(1) To consider and act upon a proposal to authorize a conditional
amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation,
pursuant to which a reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split") of
the outstanding shares of common stock, without par value ("Common
Stock"), would be effected on the basis of one new share of common
stock, without par value ("New Common Stock"), for every three and
one-half outstanding shares of Common Stock; and
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Special Meeting, and all adjournments and postponements thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on January 17, 1997 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Kennedy
-------------------------------------------
Michael J. Kennedy
Secretary
Seattle, Washington
February 10, 1997
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. ACCORDINGLY, YOU ARE URGED TO
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
201 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98119
--------------------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
--------------------------------------------
Information Regarding Proxies
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are furnished in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Cell
Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Special Meeting of
Shareholders (the "Special Meeting"), to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March
3, 1997, at the Company's offices at 201 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle,
Washington 98119, and at any adjournment thereof. Only shareholders of record
on the books of the Company at the close of business on January 17, 1997 (the
"Record Date") will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to authorize a
conditional amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation to
effect a Reverse Stock Split.
It is anticipated that these proxy solicitation materials will be sent to
shareholders on or prior to February 10, 1997.
This proxy statement is accompanied by one form of proxy card, which is to
be used to vote all shares of capital stock of the Company held by each
shareholder. If the accompanying form of proxy is properly executed and
returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the
instructions specified therein. In the absence of instructions to the contrary
on a returned proxy, such shares will be voted FOR the proposal set forth
therein. Any shareholder executing a proxy has the power to revoke it at any
time prior to the voting thereof on any matter (without, however, affecting any
vote taken prior to such revocation) by delivering written notice to Michael J.
Kennedy, Secretary of the Company, at the Company's principal executive offices,
by executing and delivering another proxy dated as of a later date or by voting
in person at the meeting.
Voting Securities
Each share of common stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), of the
Company outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote per share at the
Special Meeting. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, without
par value, and Series B
<PAGE>
Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value (collectively, the "Convertible
Preferred Stock"), outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote per
share of Common Stock into which such share of Convertible Preferred Stock could
have been converted on the Record Date. At the conversion price of $3.35 per
share on the Record Date, each outstanding share of Convertible Preferred Stock
was convertible into 100 shares of Common Stock, and is therefore entitled to
100 votes per share at the Special Meeting. The votes cast by the holders of
the Convertible Preferred Stock shall be counted together with the votes cast by
the holders of the Common Stock and not separately as a class. Fractional votes
by the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock shall not, however, be permitted
and any fractional voting rights shall (after aggregating all shares into which
shares of Convertible Preferred Stock held by each holder could be converted) be
rounded to the nearest whole number. The Common Stock and the Convertible
Preferred Stock (on such as-converted basis), voting together as a single class
as set forth above, shall be referred to herein as the "Voting Stock."
On the Record Date, there were issued and outstanding 33,412,848 shares of
Voting Stock, consisting of 17,300,984 outstanding shares of Common Stock and
16,111,864 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the
146,193.2723 outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the
14,925.373 outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at the
conversion price of $3.35 per share on the Record Date. The presence at the
Special Meeting in person or by proxy of holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding Voting Stock is required to constitute a quorum for the transaction
of all business at the Special Meeting. Abstentions are counted as present for
the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum for the transaction of
business, but they will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal I. All
votes will be tabulated by the Inspector of Election appointed for the Special
Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes and
abstentions.
2
<PAGE>
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of Common Stock, as of January 15, 1997 (after giving effect to an
assumed conversion of all outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock at
January 15, 1997 into Common Stock at the conversion price of $3.35 per share on
January 15, 1997), by (i) each shareholder known by the Company to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of its outstanding shares of Common Stock,
(ii) each of the Company's Directors and certain of its executive officers, and
(iii) all Directors and executive officers as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Number of Shares Percentage of Shares
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned (1) Beneficially Owned (1)
- ------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Kummel Investments Limited (2) 4,338,285 12.98%
c/o Morningside Group
1188 Centre Street
Newton Center, MA 02159
The International 3,731,343 11.17%
Biotechnology Trust plc. (3)
c/o Rothschild Asset
Management Limited
Five Arrows House
St. Swithen's Lane
London, England EC4N 8NR
Collinson Howe Venture 3,308,433 9.89%
Partners (4)
1055 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901
Biotechnology Investment 2,849,254 8.53%
Group, L,L,C. (5)
c/o Collinson Howe Venture
Partners
1055 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901
James A. Bianco, M.D.** (6) 1,257,309 3.73%
Jack L. Bowman **(7) 23,334 *
Jeremy L. Curnock Cook ** (8) 3,748,010 11.21%
Wilfred E. Jaeger, M.D. ** (9) 22,667 *
Max E. Link, Ph.D. ** (10) 36,667 *
David W. Martin ** (11) 16,667 *
Terrence M. Morris ** (12) 16,667 *
Phillip M. Nudelman, Ph.D. ** (13) 21,334 *
Jack W. Singer, M.D. ** (14) 755,805 2.26%
Louis A. Bianco (15) 511,626 1.52%
Maurice J. Schwarz, Ph.D. (16) 53,334 *
Robert A. Lewis (17) 10,000 *
All Directors and Executive 6,549,028 19.16%
Officers as a group (15
persons) (18)
- ------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Less than 1%
** Denotes director of the Company(1)
3
<PAGE>
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock
subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or
exercisable or convertible within 60 days of January 15, 1997, are deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such option
or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of
any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and
pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned.
(2) Includes 4,253,731 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
42,537.3142 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
(3) Consists of 3,731,343 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
37,313.434 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock beneficially owned
by The International Biotechnology Trust plc, a company formed under the
laws of England ("IBT") managed by Rothschild Asset Management Limited
("Rothschild"). Rothschild has or shares voting and investment power with
respect to the shares held by IBT and may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of such shares. Mr. Curnock Cook is a director of IBT and Rothschild,
and may be deemed to be beneficial owner of any shares beneficially owned by
each of IBT and Rothschild. Mr. Curnock Cook disclaims beneficial ownership
of shares beneficially owned by IBT and Rothschild except to the extent of
his proportionate interest therein. See footnote (8) below.
(4) Collinson Howe Venture Partners ("CHVP") is a venture capital investment
management firm which is the managing member of Biotechnology Investment
Group, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("BIG"), and is the
investment advisor to Schroder Ventures Limited Partnership ("SVLP"),
Schroder Ventures U.S. Trust ("SVUST") and Schroders Incorporated ("SI").
As such, CHVP has or shares voting and investment power with respect to the
shares held by BIG, SVLP, SVUST and SI and may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of such shares. The shares listed above consist of (i)
2,849,254 shares of Common Stock (including 149,254 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of 1,492.5374 shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock) held by BIG, 231,642 shares of Common Stock (including
71,642 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 716.418 shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock) held by SVLP, 57,910 shares of Common
Stock (including 17,910 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
179.1045 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock) held by SVUST and
124,627 shares of Common Stock (including 74,627 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of 746.2687 shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock) held by SI, and (ii) an additional 28,800, 7,200 and 9,000
shares of Common Stock issuable upon excise of options beneficially owned by
SVLP, SVUST and SI, respectively, pursuant to an agreement with Dr. Jaeger.
See footnotes (5) and (9) below.
(5) BIG is a limited liability company which was created to acquire, hold,
protect, manage and dispose of equity, debt and derivative securities of
biotechnology and other companies. 2,700,000 of the shares of Common Stock
held by BIG were acquired in January 1995 from The Edward Blech Trust
("EBT"). The sole beneficiary of EBT is the minor child of David Blech, a
founder, former director and shareholder of the Company. The present
members of BIG are (i) the managing member, CHVP, an investment management
firm of which Jeffrey J. Collinson is President, sole director and majority
shareholder, (ii) EBT, and (iii) Wilmington Trust Company ("WTC"), as voting
trustee under a voting trust agreement (the "Voting Trust Agreement") among
WTC, BIG and BIO Holdings L.L.C. ("Holdings"). The managing member of BIG
is CHVP. The members of BIG share voting and investment power with respect
to all shares held of record by BIG. All of the shares held of record by
BIG have been pledged as collateral to Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") to secure
indebtedness owed to such bank. Each of Citibank and Holdings has the right
pursuant to the Voting Trust Agreement to direct certain actions of WTC as a
member of BIG. WTC, as a member holding a majority interest in Holdings,
has the right to direct the actions of Holdings under the Voting Trust
Agreement. Citibank, pursuant to a separate voting trust agreement among
WTC, David Blech and Holdings, has the right to direct the actions of WTC as
a member of Holdings with respect to the rights of Holdings under the Voting
Trust Agreement. By virtue of their status as members of BIG, each of CHVP
and EBT may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares held of
record by BIG. By virtue of his status as the majority owner and
controlling person of CHVP, Jeffrey J. Collinson may also be deemed the
beneficial owner of all shares held of record by BIG. Each of CHVP, EBT and
Mr. Collinson disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by BIG except to
the extent of such person's proportionate interest therein.
(6) Includes 299,509 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997. Does not
include 483,333 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet vested.
183,333 of such options vest in equal installments on December 5, 1997 and
1998, and 300,000 of such options vest in equal installments on November 19,
1997, 1998 and 1999.
(7) Consists of 23,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 day of January 15, 1997.
Does not include 13,333 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet
vested. Such options vest in equal installments on May 22, 1997 and 1998.
(8) Includes 3,731,343 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by IBT. IBT is
managed by Rothschild and Rothschild has or shares voting and investment
power with respect to the shares held by IBT and may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of such shares. Mr. Curnock Cook is a director of IBT and
Rothschild and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares
4
<PAGE>
beneficially owned by each of IBT and Rothschild. Mr. Curnock Cook
disclaims beneficial ownership of shares beneficially owned by IBT and
Rothschild except to the extent of his proportionate interest therein. Also
includes an immediately exercisable option of purchase 16,667 shares of
Common Stock. See footnote (3) above.
(9) Consists of 22,667 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997.
Does not include 45,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options
beneficially owned by affiliates of CHVP pursuant to an agreement with Dr.
Jaeger. Dr. Jaeger, a director of the Company, is a former partner at CHVP.
Dr. Jaeger disclaims beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock
(including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock) beneficially owned by affiliates of
CHVP. See footnote (4) above.
(10) Includes an immediately exercisable option to purchase 6,667 shares of
Common Stock.
(11) Consists of an immediately exercisable option to purchase 16,667 shares of
Common Stock.
(12) Consists of an immediately exercisable option to purchase 16,667 shares of
Common Stock.
(13) Consists of 21,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997.
Does not include 13,333 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet
vested. Such options vest in equal installments on May 22, 1997 and 1998.
(14) Includes 56,685 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997. Does not
include 116,666 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet vested.
16,666 of such options vest in equal installments on December 5, 1997 and
1998, and 100,000 of such options vest in equal installments on November 7,
1997, 1998 and 1999.
(15) Includes 152,842 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997.
Does not include 115,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet
vested. 40,000 of such options vest in equal installments on December 5,
1997 and 1998, and 75,000 of such options vest in equal installments on
November 7, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
(16) Consists of 53,334 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 15, 1997.
Does not include 146,666 shares issuable upon exercise of options not yet
vested. 20,000 of such options vest on June 1, 1997, 26,666 of such
options vest in equal installments on December 5, 1997 and 1998, and
100,000 of such options vest in equal installments on November 7, 1997,
1998 and 1999.
(17) Consists of an immediately exercisable option to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock. Does not include 225,000 shares issuable upon exercise of
options not yet vested. 100,050 of such options vest on April 1, 1998,
49,950 of such options vest on April 1, 1999, and 75,000 of such options
vest in equal installments on November 7, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
(18) Includes an aggregate of 771,981 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days of January 15, 1997. See footnotes (6) through (17). Excludes, with
respect to each of Mr. Bowman, Mr. Curnock Cook, Dr. Jaeger, Dr. Martin,
Mr. Morris and Dr. Nudelman, 50,000 shares of Common Stock, and with
respect to Dr. Link, 100,000 shares of Common Stock, which will become
issuable upon exercise of outstanding options following the approval of
such option grants by the Company's shareholders at the 1997 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders.
PROPOSAL I
AMENDMENT TO RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
TO EFFECT A CONDITIONAL REVERSE SPLIT OF THE
OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
At its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 29, 1996, the Company
received shareholder approval for a proposal (the "1996 Proposal") to
conditionally amend the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the
"Articles") to effect a two-for-five reverse stock split in connection with a
proposed initial public offering of Common Stock in 1996 (the "1996 Offering").
The shareholders' approval of the 1996 Proposal was conditional
5
<PAGE>
upon the registration statement in connection with the 1996 Offering (the "1996
Registration Statement") being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") prior to December 31, 1996. The 1996
Registration Statement was withdrawn in August 1996, and the 1996 Proposal
expired on December 31, 1996 without the reverse stock split authorized thereby
having been effected.
On January 31, 1997, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1
(No. 333-20855) (the "1997 Registration Statement") with the Commission in
connection with a proposed initial public offering of Common Stock (the "1997
Offering"). In connection with the 1997 Offering, the Company has been advised
by the managing underwriters that a reverse stock split in the range of one-for-
three and one-half would be appropriate to facilitate the 1997 Offering and the
Company's general access to the public capital markets. The Company is
therefore seeking shareholder approval to effect a one-for-three and one-half
reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding Common Stock ("the Reverse
Stock Split"), which Reverse Stock Split will become effective on or prior to
the date (the "Effective Date") that the Commission declares the 1997
Registration Statement effective. The Company believes that the adoption of
Proposal I would facilitate the 1997 Offering and increase the acceptance of the
Common Stock by the financial community and the investing public.
The Board of Directors has adopted and approved, subject to the shareholder
approval solicited hereby, a proposal to conditionally amend the Articles to
effect the Reverse Stock Split on or prior to the Effective Date. The complete
text of the amendment to the Articles (the "Amendment to the Articles") for the
Reverse Stock Split is set forth in Annex A to this Proxy Statement. In the
event the Effective Date does not occur prior to December 31, 1997, the
Amendment to the Articles will not be filed with the Washington Secretary of
State, and the Reverse Stock Split will not be effected.
Reverse Stock Split
If approved by the shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company would
be authorized to effect a Reverse Stock Split of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock on the basis of one new share of common stock, without par value
("New Common Stock"), for every three and one-half outstanding shares of Common
Stock. If the Board of Directors does effect such a Reverse Stock Split, the
Amendment to the Articles will become effective at the time of its filing and
the issuance of a certificate of amendment by the Secretary of State of the
State of Washington on or prior to the Effective Date (the "Split Date").
On the Split Date, every three and one-half (3 1/2) shares of Common Stock of
the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Split Date shall
automatically become, without further action by the holder, one (1) share of New
Common Stock. As of and after the Split Date, each outstanding certificate
which, prior to the Split Date, represented shares of Common Stock shall be
deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of, and to represent, 0.2857
shares of Common Stock previously represented by the
6
<PAGE>
certificate. If a shareholder owns fewer than three and one-half shares of
Common Stock or a number of shares not evenly divisible by three and one-half,
that shareholder will be entitled to one whole share of New Common Stock in lieu
of receiving fractional shares of New Common Stock. After the Reverse Stock
Split becomes effective, the shareholders will be asked to surrender
certificates representing shares of Common Stock in exchange for certificates
representing shares of New Common Stock in accordance with the procedures set
forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by the Company.
The number of shares of capital stock authorized by the Articles and the par
value of such shares will not change as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.
The shares of New Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will
be fully paid and nonassessable. The voting and other rights that presently
characterize the Common Stock will not be altered by the Reverse Stock Split.
If the Reverse Stock Split is approved by the Company's shareholders and
effected by the Board of Directors, shareholders would not be entitled to
dissent from, and obtain payment of the value of their shares, in connection
with the proposed reverse split of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The Board of Directors may abandon the Reverse Stock Split at any time before
or after the Special Meeting and prior to the Split Date if for any reason the
Board of Directors deems it advisable to do so. The Board of Directors may
consider abandoning the Reverse Stock Split if it determines, in its sole
discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split would adversely affect the ability of
the Company to raise capital, among other things. In addition, the Board of
Directors may make any and all changes to the Amendment to the Articles that it
deems necessary to file the Amendment to the Articles with the Washington
Secretary of State and give effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Effect on Shareholders
As a result of the proposed Amendment to the Articles, the total number of
issued and outstanding shares of the Company will be reduced from 17,300,984
shares of Common Stock to approximately 4,943,475 shares of New Common Stock.
In addition, the approximately 16,111,864 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock at the conversion price of $3.35
per share on the Record Date would be reduced to approximately 4,603,352 shares
of New Common Stock at a conversion price of $11.725 per share, and the
4,502,793 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding
options and warrants would be reduced to approximately 1,286,515 shares of New
Common Stock. The Reverse Stock Split would also increase the exercise price of
such options and warrants by a factor of three and one-half. The Company would
continue to be authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of New Common Stock.
The additional authorized, unissued and unreserved shares of New Common Stock
would be available for issuance from time to time, as determined by the Board of
Directors, for acquisitions, employee benefit plans, equity financings, stock
dividends or share splits and
7
<PAGE>
other general corporate purposes. No further action or authorization by the
shareholders will be necessary prior to the issuance of additional shares unless
required by law or by any stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the
Company's shares are then listed or quoted.
The proposed Amendment to the Articles will not result in any change in the
business, management, assets, liabilities or net worth of the Company. The
proposed Amendment to the Articles will not bring about any reduction in the
capital of the Company, and undistributed retained earnings will be unaffected.
The proposed Amendment to the Articles will also not affect any rights of the
shares held by shareholders. Because each share of New Common Stock is
comparable in value, on a pro rata basis, to the shares of Common Stock, there
is no effect on the current value of share holdings held by an individual
shareholder. The Reverse Stock Split would not affect any shareholder's
percentage ownership interest in the Company or proportional voting power. The
voting and other rights that presently characterize the Common Stock will not be
altered by the proposed Amendment to the Articles. However, the Reverse Stock
Split may result in some shareholders owning "odd-lots" of less than 100 shares
of common stock. Brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd-
lots are generally higher than the cost of transactions in even multiples of 100
shares.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the material anticipated Federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to shareholders of the Company, prepared
after consultation with counsel. This summary is based on the Federal income
tax laws as now in effect and as currently interpreted; it does not take into
account possible changes in such tax laws or interpretations, including
amendments to applicable statutes, regulations and proposed regulations or
changes in judicial or administrative rulings, some of which may have
retroactive effect. This summary does not purport to address all aspects of the
possible Federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split and is not
intended as tax advice to any person. In particular, and without limiting the
foregoing, this summary does not consider the Federal income tax consequences to
shareholders of the Company in light of their individual investment
circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under the Federal
income tax laws (for example, life insurance companies, financial institutions,
tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies and foreign taxpayers).
The summary does not address any consequence of the Reverse Stock Split under
any state, local or foreign tax laws.
No ruling will be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") regarding the Federal income tax consequences to the shareholders of
the Company as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. ACCORDINGLY, EACH
SHAREHOLDER IS ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER, INCLUDING THE
APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
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The Reverse Stock Split effectively would call for shareholders of the
Company to exchange their Common Stock for an amount of whole shares of New
Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock owned immediately
prior to the Reverse Stock Split divided by three and one-half. No fractional
shares of New Common Stock will be issued. A shareholder who might be otherwise
entitled to receive a fractional share of New Common Stock as a result of the
transaction will receive, in lieu thereof, one whole share of New Common Stock.
If approved by the Company's shareholders, the Reverse Stock Split will
qualify as a "recapitalization" as described in Section 368(a)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). Consequently, no gain or loss will be
recognized by the Company and no gain or loss will be recognized by
shareholders who exchange their shares in connection with the Reverse Stock
Split. The same treatment should apply to a holder of Common Stock receiving
one whole share of New Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share. With
reference to exchanging shareholders, the aggregate basis of the shares of New
Common Stock received (including any fractional share deemed to be received)
will be the same as the aggregate basis of Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor. Similarly, the holding period for New Common Stock received as a
result of the Reverse Stock Split (including any fractional share deemed to
received) will include the holding period of the shares of Common Stock
surrendered in exchange thereof.
Vote Required, Recommendation of the Board of Directors
Washington law requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
all outstanding shares of Voting Stock to approve the proposed conditional
Amendment to the Articles. Accordingly, failure to vote for Proposal I, even by
abstaining or by failing to be represented at the Special Meeting, constitutes a
vote against Proposal I. Unless otherwise instructed, it is the intention of
the person named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote shares represented by
properly executed proxies FOR approval of the proposed conditional Amendment to
the Articles.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II OF THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF THE COMPANY.
Other Business
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management knows of no other business
that will be presented for action at the meeting. Management has not received
any advance notice of business to be brought before the meeting by any
shareholder. If other business requiring a vote of the shareholders should come
before the meeting, the person designated as your proxy will vote or refrain
from voting in accordance with his best judgment.
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Deadline for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals
A shareholder who intends to nominate a candidate for election to the Board
of Directors or to present a proposal of business at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and desires that information regarding the proposal be included in
the 1997 proxy statement and proxy materials must ensure that such information
is received in writing by the Secretary of the Company at the Company's
principal executive offices not later than January 30, 1997.
Solicitation of Proxies
This solicitation is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and employees of the Company,
none of whom will receive any additional compensation for their services.
Solicitation of proxies may be made personally, or by mail, telephone,
telegraph, facsimile or messenger. All of the costs of solicitation of proxies,
including the cost of preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy
Statement and any additional solicitation materials furnished to shareholders,
will be paid by the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Kennedy
-----------------------------------------------
Michael J. Kennedy
Secretary
Seattle, Washington
February 10, 1997
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ANNEX A
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
EFFECTING A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
Cell Therapeutics, Inc. a Washington corporation, by James A. Bianco, M.D.,
its duly elected and qualified President, hereby provides the following
information and delivers to the Secretary of State of the State of Washington
for filing these Articles of Amendment pursuant to RCW 23B.10.060.
1. Name. The name of the Corporation is Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
2. Text of Amendment. The Restated Articles of Incorporation are
hereby amended by changing Section 1 of the Article II thereof to read as
follows:
"1. Classes. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue two
-------
classes of shares of stock to be designated, respectively, "Common Stock"
and "Preferred Stock." The total number of shares which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is One Hundred Ten Million (110,000,000); the
total number of authorized shares of Common Stock shall be One Hundred
Million (100,000,000), and the total number of authorized shares of
Preferred Stock shall be Ten Million (10,000,000)."
3. Adoption. The foregoing amendment to the Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted by unanimous written consent
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation on January 23, 1997 and was duly
approved by the shareholders of the Corporation on March 3, 1997 in accordance
with the provisions of RCW 23B.10.030 and RCW 23B.10.040.
4. Effecting the Reverse Stock Split. Upon the date these Articles of
Amendment are filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, each
three and one-half shares of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of
this Corporation shall be automatically reclassified into one share of Common
Stock of this Corporation, thereby giving effect to a one-for-three and one-half
reverse stock split (the "Reverse Stock Split"). Furthermore, all outstanding
rights and obligations (including option plans, stock options and the exercise
price thereof, stock purchase warrants and the exercise prices thereof and the
conversion terms of the Corporation's shares of outstanding Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock) relating to this
Corporation's Common Stock shall be mathematically adjusted to reflect the
Reverse Stock Split so that the proportionate ratio of such rights and
obligations to the reclassified shares will be equal to
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the proportionate ratio of such rights and obligations to the shares outstanding
immediately prior to such reclassification. In lieu of the issuance of any
fractional shares that would otherwise result from the Reverse Stock Split, the
Corporation shall issue to any shareholder that would otherwise receive
fractional shares one whole share, the additional shares thereby issued being
taken from authorized but theretofore unissued shares of Common Stock.
Following the effectiveness of this Amendment, certificates representing the
shares of Common Stock to be outstanding thereafter shall be exchanged for
certificates now outstanding pursuant to procedures adopted by the Corporation's
Board of Directors and communicated to those who are to receive new
certificates.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment to
Restated Articles of Incorporation Effecting a Reverse Stock Split to be
executed as of _______________, 1997.
CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:
----------------------------------
James A. Bianco, M.D.
President
Attest:
- -------------------------------
Michael J. Kennedy
Secretary
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<PAGE>
CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
The Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
THIS PROXY IS TO BE USED TO VOTE ALL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE,
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE, AND SERIES B
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE, OF CELL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
The undersigned hereby appoints Stephen A. Faciszewski as proxy, with full
power of substitution, to represent and vote for and on behalf of the
undersigned the number of shares of Common Stock, Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. that
the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Special
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 3, 1997, or at any adjournment
thereof. The undersigned directs that this proxy be voted as follows:
1. Approval to conditionally amend the Restated Articles of Incorporation to
effect a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the
basis of one share of New Common Stock for three and one-half outstanding
shares of Common Stock.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
---- ---- ----
In his discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting. This proxy, when properly executed,
will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF
NO DIRECTION IS MADE, AND THIS PROXY IS OTHERWISE PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEM 1.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on your stock certificates. When
shares are held jointly, each person must sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
An authorized person should sign on behalf of corporations, partnerships and
associations and give his or her title.
Dated: , 1997
---------------
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Print name of shareholder Signature
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Print name and title if signing for entity Signature if held jointly
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY AND RETURN THIS
PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE MEETING.
