SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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 Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, 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):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated
and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.
6304 Spine Road, Unit A
Boulder, Colorado 80301
-----------------------------------
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on May 28, 1998
-----------------------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, will be held on
May 28, 1998, at 9:00 A.M. at the conference center at the Raintree Plaza Hotel,
1850 Industrial Circle, Longmont, Colorado, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two Class II directors to serve until the 2001 annual meeting
of stockholders;
2. To approve the issuance of 20% or more of the Company's voting common
stock, $0.0075 par value ("Common Stock"), at discounts of up to 10% from its
market value as of certain dates in connection with each of the Company's
currently outstanding Senior Convertible Notes and Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock;
3. To approve an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock;
4. To approve an amendment to the Company's 1994 Long-Term Performance
Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
thereunder;
5. To ratify the selection by the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Company's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 1998; and
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 2, 1998 as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. TO ENSURE
YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, HOWEVER, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO MARK, SIGN,
DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. A POSTAGE PREPAID
ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. ANY STOCKHOLDER ATTENDING THE MEETING MAY
VOTE IN PERSON EVEN IF THAT STOCKHOLDER HAS RETURNED A PROXY.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Patricia A. Pilia, Ph.D.
Secretary
Boulder, Colorado
April 27, 1998
<PAGE>
NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.
6304 Spine Road, Unit A
Boulder, Colorado 80301
PROXY STATEMENT
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc. (the "Company" or "NaPro") for use at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on May 28, 1998, at 9:00 A.M. (the "Annual Meeting")
at the conference center at the Raintree Plaza Hotel, 1850 Industrial Circle,
Longmont, Colorado, or at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting, for
the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting. This Proxy
Statement is being furnished to holders of the Company's voting common stock,
$0.0075 par value per share ("Common Stock"), as of April 2, 1998. Unless the
context otherwise requires, the terms, "Company" and "NaPro" include the Company
and each of its subsidiaries.
This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy is being mailed on or about
April 29, 1998 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
Annual Report
The Annual Report to Stockholders covering the year ended December 31, 1997
including audited financial statements is enclosed herewith. This Annual Report
to Stockholders does not form any part of the material for the solicitation of
proxies.
Stockholder Proposals
Proposals by stockholders that are intended to be presented at the
Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Secretary
of the Company not later than December 31, 1998, in order to be included in the
proxy statement and proxy relating to the 1999 Annual Meeting.
Voting Securities, Revocability of Proxy
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 2, 1998 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of April
2, 1998, there were 14,776,287 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each such
share is entitled to one vote. There is no other class of voting securities
outstanding. Abstentions and broker votes are counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.
For Proposal 1, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the
Annual Meeting. Approval of Proposal 2, which would approve the issuance of 20%
or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock at discounts of
up to 10% from its market value as of certain dates in connection with each of
the Company's currently outstanding Senior Convertible Notes Due 2000 (the
"Convertible Notes") and Series C Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (the
"Convertible Preferred Stock"), requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the total votes cast on the proposal in person or by proxy. Approval of Proposal
3, which would approve an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") increasing the
authorized number of shares of Common Stock, requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date.
Approval of Proposal 4, which would approve an amendment to the Company's 1994
Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan") increasing the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder from 875,000 to 1,575,000, and
Proposal 5, which would ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the
Company's independent auditors, each requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the total votes cast on such proposal in person or by proxy. All votes will
be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will
separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, and broker non-votes. Broker
non-votes are not counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter has
been approved.
Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it any time before
it is exercised. Proxies may be revoked by filing with the Secretary of the
Company at the principal executive office of the Company, 6304 Spine Road, Unit
A, Boulder, Colorado, 80301, a written notice of revocation, or a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date. Proxies may also be revoked by attendance at the
Annual Meeting and an election to vote in person.
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Company. Copies of
solicitation material will be furnished to brokers, fiduciaries, and custodians
to forward to beneficial owners of Common Stock held in their names. The Company
will reimburse brokers and other persons representing beneficial owners of
shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial
owners. Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by
telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by directors, officers or other
regular employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid to
those persons for such services. In addition, the Company has engaged MacKenzie
Partners, Inc. ("MacKenzie Partners") to assist in the solicitation of proxies
for the Annual Meeting. MacKenzie Partners may contact holders of the Common
Stock in person, by telephone or by use of the mails to encourage their vote in
favor of the proposals presented. The Company anticipates that the cost of
engaging MacKenzie Partners will approximate $10,000.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 2, 1998,
regarding ownership of the Common Stock by (i) persons believed by the Company
to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of its outstanding Common
Stock; (ii) by each director and nominee for director and by the officers of the
Company named in the Summary Compensation Table (the "Named Executive
Officers"); and (iii) by all current executive officers and directors of the
Company as a group. Unless otherwise noted, all addresses are care of: NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc., 6304 Spine Road, Unit A, Boulder, Colorado 80301.
Number of
Name of Director, Officer or Shares of Percent of
Beneficial Owner (1) Common Stock Class
- ------------------------------ ----------------- -----------
Sterling K. Ainsworth 1,070,152 (2) 7.2%
Leonard P. Shaykin 699,215 4.7%
Patricia A. Pilia 281,676 (3) 1.9%
Gordon H. Link, Jr. 34,401 (4) *
James D. McChesney 625 *
Arthur H. Hayes, Jr. 0 *
Mark B. Hacken 0 *
Randolph C. Steer 0 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a 2,089,369 (5) 14.1%
Group (10 persons)
D&N Holding Company 1,126,398 (6) 7.6%
c/o IVAX Corporation
8800 Northwest 36th Street
Miami, Florida 33178
State of Wisconsin Investment Board 1,069,500 (7) 7.2%
P.O. Box 7842
Madison, Wisconsin 53707
- ----------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes that all persons named in the
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by them.
(2) Includes 16,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock
options held by Dr. Ainsworth and 42,550 shares of Common Stock gifted by
Dr. Ainsworth to relatives and certain other persons that Dr. Ainsworth may
be deemed to beneficially own by virtue of holding powers of attorney to
vote and take certain other actions with respect to such shares. Dr.
Ainsworth, who is engaged to be married to Dr. Pilia, disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Dr. Pilia and
the gifted shares over which Dr. Ainsworth holds powers of attorney.
(3) Includes 10,800 shares of Common Stock gifted by Dr. Pilia to relatives and
certain other persons that Dr. Pilia may be deemed to beneficially own by
virtue of holding powers of attorney to vote and take certain other actions
with respect to such shares. Dr. Pilia disclaims beneficial ownership of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Dr. Ainsworth and the gifted
shares over which Dr. Pilia holds powers of attorney. See note (2) above.
(4) Includes 13,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock
options held by Mr. Link.
(5) Includes an aggregate of 29,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding stock options held by such persons.
(6) Information as to beneficial ownership of Common Stock by IVAX Corporation
("IVAX") and D&N Holding Company ("D&N") is based upon filings on Schedule
13G made by IVAX. Such shares are held directly by D&N. Under a Termination
Agreement, dated March 20, 1998, among the Company, IVAX, Baker Norton
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of IVAX ("BNP"), and D&N, BNP
transferred these shares to the Company on April 9, 1998.
(7) Information in the table as to beneficial ownership of Common Stock by the
State of Wisconsin Investment Board is based upon filings on Schedule 13G
made by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors currently consists of six persons, namely:
Leonard P. Shaykin (Chairman); Sterling K. Ainsworth, Ph.D.; Patricia A. Pilia,
Ph.D.; Arthur H. Hayes, Jr., M.D.; Mark B. Hacken; and Randolph C. Steer, M.D.,
Ph.D. These directors are divided into three classes. Drs. Pilia and Steer are
Class II directors, with terms of office expiring at the Annual Meeting. Dr.
Ainsworth and Mr. Hacken are Class III directors, with terms of office expiring
at the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Shaykin and Dr. Hayes
are Class I directors, with terms of office expiring at the Company's 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Two Class II directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term
expiring at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Drs. Pilia and Steer are
nominated for these board seats. The nominees have agreed to serve if elected,
and management has no reason to believe that the nominees will be unavailable
for service. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority
to do so is not withheld, for the election of the nominees. If either nominee
should become unavailable for election due to an unexpected occurrence, such
shares will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee as the current
Board of Directors may propose.
Information concerning the Nominees
Patricia A. Pilia, Ph.D., 49, a co-founder of the Company, has served as a
director of the Company since its inception. She was appointed Secretary of the
Company in November 1991, Treasurer of the Company in October 1992 and Vice
President of BioResearch and Toxicology in March 1993. In 1990, she co-founded,
with Dr. Ainsworth, Pacific Biotechnology, Inc. (a predecessor of the Company)
and served as its Vice President and Director of Biotechnology. From 1983 to
1991, Dr. Pilia was an Assistant Professor of Pathology in the College of
Medicine and Dental Medicine and the College of Graduate Studies at the Medical
University of South Carolina ("MUSC"). Dr. Pilia served as the Assistant
Director of the MUSC Immunopathology Diagnostic and Research Laboratories from
1985 to 1991. Since 1984 she has been a consultant to industry on the design and
development of biomedical devices and treatment modalities and the design and
performance of clinical trials. Dr. Pilia received a Bachelor's degree in 1970
from Boston University, a Master's degree in Immunology/Microbiology in 1978 and
a Doctoral degree in Pathology in 1980 from MUSC. Dr. Pilia is engaged to marry
Dr. Ainsworth, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D., 48, was elected a director of the Company
by the Board in February 1998. He has been an independent pharmaceutical
consultant since 1989. Dr. Steer was Senior Vice President of Physicians World
Communications Group from 1985 to 1989 and President and Chief Executive Officer
of Advanced Therapeutics Communications International from 1988 to 1989. In
addition, Dr. Steer served as Chairman of Advanced Therapeutics Communications
International from 1985 to 1989. Dr. Steer was Medical Director of Ciba Consumer
Pharmaceuticals from 1984 to 1985 and Associate Director of Medical Affairs for
Marion Laboratories, Inc., from 1982 to 1984. Dr. Steer received his M.D. from
Mayo Medical School and his Ph.D. (Pathobiology) from the University of
Minnesota. Dr. Steer received his B.A. (Physiology) from University of Minnesota
in 1971.
Management and the Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR each
nominee.
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 1999
Sterling K. Ainsworth, Ph.D., 56, a co-founder of the Company, has served
as an executive officer and director of the Company since its inception, as
Chief Executive Officer since November 1991 and as President since October 1992.
In 1990, he co-founded, with Dr. Pilia, Pacific Biotechnology, Inc. and served
as Chairman and President of such company until the Company's inception. From
1972 until 1990, Dr. Ainsworth held various levels of professorships of
Pathology with tenure in the College of Medicine and Dental Medicine and
Graduate Studies at MUSC, where he established, developed and directed MUSC's
Immunopathology Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Ainsworth received a Bachelor's
degree from the University of Mississippi in 1963. He received a Master's degree
in Medical Microbiology in 1965 and a Doctoral degree in Medical Science in 1969
from the University of Mississippi Medical School. He completed his
post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Pathology at Harvard Medical
School from 1970 to 1972. Dr. Ainsworth is engaged to marry Dr. Pilia, also
director and executive officer of the Company.
Mark B. Hacken, 62, was appointed a director of the Company in March 1996.
Mr. Hacken served as President and Chief Executive Officer of To Life!, L.L.C.
(a privately held nutritional supplement company) from August 1996 to February
1998, and is a director of G.G.G. Inc. He was President of MBH International, a
retail and health care consulting company from March 1995 to August 1996. He is
the former Chief Executive Officer of FHP International Corporation ("FHP
International"), which was, prior to its sale in 1997, a $4 billion HMO with
members in 11 states, and its operating subsidiary, FHP Incorporated ("FHP
Incorporated"), a diversified health care services company. Prior to his
appointment to the Office of the Chief Executive in October 1993, he served on
the boards of directors of FHP International and of FHP Incorporated for two
years and seven years, respectively. He was co-founder and President of Elliott
Drugs, and President of Drug King after the firm was acquired from DART
Industries. After Drug King was sold to Thrifty Corporation, he was instrumental
in converting them to the Thrifty Jr. drug store concept and he was President of
that division. Mr. Hacken received a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of
Florida.
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2000
Leonard P. Shaykin, 54, has served as Chairman of the Board since June
1993. Pursuant to his Executive Agreement, Mr. Shaykin is not required to devote
more than 20 hours in any week nor more than 80 hours in any month to the
Company's affairs. In 1995, Mr. Shaykin founded Shaykin & Company, a private
investment holding firm. Prior to founding Shaykin & Company, Mr. Shaykin served
as a founding and a managing partner in Adler & Shaykin, an equity investment
partnership organized to sponsor leveraged buyouts. Prior thereto, Mr. Shaykin
was Vice President, director and a member of the Investment Committee of
Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and Citicorp Capital Investors, Inc., the venture
capital and equity investment subsidiaries of Citicorp and Citibank. Mr. Shaykin
is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kimeragen, Inc., a privately held gene
repair company; a director of Avigen, a public gene therapy company; Chairman of
the Neuroblastoma Foundation; and a director of the Jerusalem Post, an
English-language offshore newspaper. Mr. Shaykin is also a governing trustee of
The Jackson Laboratories, a privately held genetic research institute, and a
trustee of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Shaykin is
a graduate of the University of Chicago (B.A., M.A., M.B.A.).
Arthur H. Hayes, Jr., M.D., 63, was appointed a director of the Company in
March 1996. He is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of MediScience
Associates, Inc. ("MediScience"), a pharmaceutical consulting company and is a
Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College and Pennsylvania State
University College of Medicine. From 1981 to 1983, Dr. Hayes served as the
Commissioner of the FDA. From 1986 to 1991, he was President and Chief Executive
Officer of EM Pharmaceuticals, as well as a member of the board of directors.
Dr. Hayes served as Provost & Dean at New York Medical College from 1983 to
1986, and served as the Director of the Institute of Human Values in Medical
Ethics, International Health and Biomedical Sciences, the latter of which he
also served as Chairman. Dr. Hayes has held several posts with Pennsylvania
State University which included Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology from 1977
to 1981, Dean of Admissions from 1976 to 1979 and Associate Professor of
Medicine and Pharmacology and Director of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology
from 1972 to 1977. Dr. Hayes currently serves on the board of directors of
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (a genomic research and pharmaceutical company), Celgene
Corporation (a pharmaceutical company), and Premier Research Worldwide. Dr.
Hayes received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, and also
attended Cornell's Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Department of
Pharmacology. He undertook premedical studies, and attended medical school at
Georgetown University. Dr. Hayes received his M.S. (Philosophy, Politics and
Economics) from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and his A.B.
(Philosophy) from Santa Clara University in 1955.
Other Executive Officers
The Company has the following executive officers in addition to those who
serve as directors:
Gordon H. Link, Jr., 44, a certified public accountant and a certified
management accountant, joined the Company as Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer in September 1993. Prior thereto, Mr. Link served concurrently
as Corporate Controller of Synergen, Inc. and of the Syntex-Synergen
Neuroscience Joint Venture. From February 1991 until April 1993, Mr. Link was
Treasurer of Synergen Development Corporation. From October 1983 through May
1990, Mr. Link practiced as a certified public accountant, most recently in the
position of Audit Manager with Deloitte & Touche. He received undergraduate
degrees in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1976 and in
accounting from Metropolitan State College in 1983.
David L. Denny, 44, has served as Vice President, Operations of the Company
since September 1995, except for a nine month period during 1997 when he served
as Vice President, Quality Assurance. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Denny served as
Vice President of Operations for Somatogen, Inc. Prior thereto, Mr. Denny served
in manufacturing and quality assurance capacities with Miles Pharmaceutical,
Abbott Laboratories and Kabi-Pharmacia. He received a B.S. in Biological
Sciences from Tennessee Technological University in 1972 and attended graduate
school at the same institution from 1972 to 1974.
James D. McChesney, Ph.D., 58, joined the Company as Vice President of
Natural Products Chemistry in January 1996. From 1987 until June 1995, he served
as Director of the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the
University of Mississippi, specializing in natural product pharmaceutical
research and development. In July 1993, Dr. McChesney was named Frederick A.P.
Barnard Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of
Mississippi. Dr. McChesney joined the School of Pharmacy at the University of
Mississippi in 1978 as Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacognosy.
After graduating with honors from Iowa State University in 1961 with a B.S. in
Chemical Technology, he earned degrees in Botany (M.A. 1964) and Natural
Products Chemistry (Ph.D. 1965) at Indiana University. He has been a Fulbright
Lecturer in Brazil and a Visiting Professor at several South American
universities.
William D. Fairbairn, R.A.C, 59, was appointed Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs in 1996. Prior thereto, he was a consultant to NaPro and the
pharmaceutical industry. From 1988 to 1994 Mr. Fairbairn was Vice President of
Regulatory Affairs and Compliance at Synergen, Inc. He was Director of
Regulatory Affairs at Allergan Pharmaceuticals where he also held other
positions from 1963 to 1988. He has worked more 30 years in the pharmaceutical
business with 20 years in regulatory affairs and the remainder in clinical and
preclinical research. Mr. Fairbairn received a B.S. from California State
Polytechnic University, an M.A. from the University of California at Los
Angeles, and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. From 1987 to 1993, he served
on the Board of Directors of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. In
1991 Mr. Fairbairn received his Certification as a Regulatory Affairs
Professional.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors held twelve meetings during 1997, including both
regularly scheduled and special meetings.
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Strategic Planning Committee. It does not have a Nominating
Committee. The Audit Committee, which consists of Mr. Hacken, Chairman, and Dr.
Steer, meets periodically with representatives of the Company's independent
auditors and the Company's management to obtain an assessment of the Company's
financial condition and results of operations, the results and scope of the
annual audit and other services provided by the Company's independent auditors,
and reports to the full Board of Directors with respect thereto. The Audit
Committee, then consisting of Mr. Hacken and a former director, met two times
during 1997. The Compensation Committee, which consists of Dr. Hayes, Chairman,
Dr. Steer and Mr. Hacken, meets periodically to review and to recommend to the
full Board of Directors compensation arrangements for senior management and
directors. In addition, the Compensation Committee is responsible for
administering the Company's existing stock option plans. The Compensation
Committee, then consisting of two former directors, met three times during 1997.
The Strategic Planning Committee, which currently consists of Mr. Shaykin, Dr.
Ainsworth and Dr. Hayes, meets periodically to review the Company's strategic
plans in connection with product development and marketing, regulatory
approvals, clinical testing and other matters. The Strategic Planning Committee
did not meet during 1997. Each director attended more than 75% of the aggregate
number of board and/or applicable committee meetings in 1997.
<PAGE>
Compensation of Executive Officers
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth compensation paid to the Named Executive
Officers during the years indicated:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards
------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------
Securities Under- All Other
Name and Principal Restricted Stock lying Options Compensa-
Position Year Salary ($)(1) Bonus($) Awards($) /SARs(#) tion ($)(8)
- ------------------------------ ------------- -------- ---------------- ------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sterling K. 1997 $178,631 0 0 100,000(2)(3) $1,000
Ainsworth 1996 $159,000 $20,000 0 50,000 $1,000
President and C.E.O. 1995 $152,077 $20,000 $20,000 40,000 0
Leonard P. Shaykin 1997 $158,999 0 0 100,000(2)(4) $1,000
Chairman of the 1996 $159,000 $20,000 0 50,000 0
Board 1995 $152,077 $20,000 $20,000 100,000 0
Patricia A. Pilia 1997 $127,972 0 0 50,000(2)(5) $1,000
Vice President, 1996 $121,900 $20,000 0 25,000 $1,000
Secretary and 1995 $116,592 $15,000 $15,000 20,000 0
Treasurer
Gordon H. Link, Jr. 1997 $119,005 0 0 35,000(2)(6) $1,000
Chief Financial 1996 $109,156 $13,370 0 20,000 $1,000
Officer 1995 $101,385 $10,000 $10,000 10,000 0
James D. McChesney 1997 $138,098 0 0 15,000(2)(7) $1,000
Vice President, 1996 $101,538 $10,000 10,000 0
Natural Product 1995 0 0 25,000 0
Chemistry
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) In order for the Company to conserve cash, each of the Named Executive
Officers agreed to defer a portion of his or her compensation payable subsequent
to August 7, 1997. Salary for 1997 includes the following amounts of
compensation that has been so deferred: $7,404 for Dr. Ainsworth, $6,727 for Mr.
Shaykin, $5,711 for Dr. Pilia, $4,933 for Mr. Link and $4,933 for Dr. McChesney.
(2) As more fully described below, in March 1998, as part of a plan to
restructure the Company's outstanding options (the "Option Restructuring Plan")
the Company offered holders of options an opportunity to exchange options having
an exercise price above $3.00 (the "Covered Options") for new options. Employees
could elect to have their Covered Options canceled and replacement options
granted for 80% of the number of shares covered by the canceled options. These
replacement options were granted on March 27, 1998 and have an exercise price of
$1.81, the last sale price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market on the date of grant. The replacement options granted to
employees vest on the same schedule as the canceled options, 25% on each of the
first four anniversaries of the date of the replacement grant.
(3) This option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to
Dr. Ainsworth in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr.
Ainsworth's election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this
option was canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Dr. Ainsworth was issued a
replacement option to purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock.
(4) This option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to
Mr. Shaykin in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Mr. Shaykin's
election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this option was
canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Mr. Shaykin was issued a replacement option to
purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock.
(5) This option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Dr.
Pilia in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr. Pilia's
election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan this option was
canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Dr. Pilia was issued a replacement option to
purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock.
(6) Includes an option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock granted in
October 1997 and an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock which was
granted in June 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Mr. Link's election
to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, these options were canceled,
and on March 27, 1998, Mr. Link was issued a replacement option to purchase a
total of 28,000 shares of Common Stock.
(7) This option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock was granted in
October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr. McChesney's election to
participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this option was canceled, and on
March 27, 1998, Dr. McChesney was issued a replacement option to purchase 12,000
shares of Common Stock.
(8) Represents the Company's 401(k) plan matching contributions for each of
the Named Executive Officers.
The following table sets forth each grant of options to purchase Common
Stock made during the year ended December 31, 1997 to the Named Executive
Officers:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value at Assumed Annual
Number of % of Total Rates of Stock Price
Securities Options Appreciation for
Underlying Granted to Exercise or Base Option Terms ($)(4)
Options Employees in Price Per Share Expiration
Name Granted Fiscal Year(2) ($/sh) Date(3) 5% 10%
(#)(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sterling K. Ainsworth 100,000(5) 16.32% $8.313 10/20/07 $522,769 $1,324,798
Leonard P. Shaykin 100,000(6) 16.32% $8.313 10/20/07 $522,769 $1,324,798
Patricia A. Pilia 50,000(7) 8.16% $8.313 10/20/07 $261,384 $662,399
Gordon H. Link, Jr. 10,000(8) 1.63% $7.125 6/10/05 $34,019 $81,481
25,000(9) 4.08% $8.313 10/20/07 $130,692 $331,200
James D. McChesney 15,000(10) 2.45% $8.313 10/20/07 $78,415 $198,720
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Options become exercisable at the rate of 25% of the shares subject to
the option one year after the date of grant and 25% of the shares subject to the
option each year thereafter.
(2) Based on an aggregate of 612,750 options granted to employees of the
Company, including the Named Executive Officers, in 1997.
(3) Options are subject to earlier termination upon death, disability or
termination of employment.
(4) The potential realizable value is calculated based on the term of the
option at its date of grant assuming that the stock price on the date of grant
appreciates at the indicated annual rate compounded annually for the entire term
of the option and that the option is exercised and sold on the last day of its
term for the appreciated stock price. No gain to the optionee is possible unless
the stock price increases over the option term, which will benefit all
stockholders.
(5) This option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to
Dr. Ainsworth in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr.
Ainsworth's election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this
option was canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Dr. Ainsworth was issued a
replacement option to purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock.
(6) This option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to
Mr. Shaykin in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Mr. Shaykin's
election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this option was
canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Mr. Shaykin was issued a replacement option to
purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock.
(7) This option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Dr.
Pilia in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr. Pilia's
election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this option was
canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Dr. Pilia's was issued a replacement option to
purchase 40,000 shares of Common Stock.
(8) This option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr.
Link in June 1997. Upon Mr. Link's election to participate in the Option
Restructuring Plan, this option was canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Mr. Link
was issued a replacement option to purchase 8,000 shares of Common Stock.
(9) This option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr.
Link in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Mr. Link's election
to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this option was canceled, and
on March 27, 1998, Mr. Link was issued a replacement option to purchase 20,000
shares of Common Stock.
(10) This option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to
Dr. McChesney in October 1997, subject to stockholder approval. Upon Dr.
McChesney's election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, this
option was canceled, and on March 27, 1998, Dr. McChesney was issued a
replacement option to purchase 12,000 shares of Common Stock.
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding options
held by each of the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 1997.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Options/SARs at Fiscal Year in-the-Money Options/SARs at Fiscal Year
End(#) End($)(1)
Name Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Sterling K. Ainsworth 155,167 / 157,500(2)(3) $283,667 / $0
Leonard P. Shaykin 62,500 / 187,500(2)(4) $0 / $0
Patricia A. Pilia 53,050 / 78,750(2)(5) $85,100 / $0
Gordon H. Link, Jr. 49,167 / 59,167(2)(6) $47,167 / $167
James D. McChesney 15,000 / 35,000(2)(7) $0 / $0
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1)Represents the difference between the option exercise price and the last
sale price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on
December 31, 1997 ($2.50), multiplied by the corresponding number of
underlying shares.
(2)As more fully described below, in March 1998, as part of the Option
Restructuring Plan the Company offered holders of options an opportunity to
exchange Covered Options for new options. Employees could elect to have their
Covered Options canceled and replacement options granted for 80% of the
number of shares covered by the canceled options. These replacement options
were granted on March 27, 1998 and have an exercise price of $1.81, the last
sale price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on
the date of grant. The replacement options granted to employees vest on the
same schedule as the canceled options, 25% on each of the first four
anniversaries of the date of the replacement grant.
(3)A total of 190,000 options held by Dr. Ainsworth on December 31, 1997 were
Covered Options, and, upon Dr. Ainsworth's election to participate in the
Option Restructuring Plan, these 190,000 options were canceled and
replacement options to purchase 152,000 shares of Common Stock were granted
to Dr. Ainsworth.
(4)All 250,000 options held by Mr. Shaykin on December 31, 1997 were Covered
Options, and, upon Mr. Shaykin's election to participate in the Option
Restructuring Plan, these 250,000 options were canceled and replacement
options to purchase a total of 200,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to
Mr. Shaykin.
(5)A total of 95,000 options held by Dr. Pilia on December 31, 1997 were
Covered Options, and, upon Dr. Pilia's election to participate in the Option
Restructuring Plan, these 95,000 options were canceled and replacement
options to purchase a total of 76,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to
Dr. Pilia.
(6)A total of 75,000 options held by Mr. Link on December 31, 1997 were Covered
Options, and, upon Mr. Link's election to participate in the Option
Restructuring Plan, these 75,000 options were canceled and replacement
options to purchase a total of 60,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to
Mr. Link.
(7)All 50,000 options held by Dr. McChesney were Covered Options, and, upon Dr.
McChesney's election to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan, these
50,000 options were canceled and replacement options to purchase a total of
40,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to Dr. McChesney.
Compensation of Directors
Pursuant to the 1994 Plan, non-employee directors automatically are granted
each year, on the date of the Company's annual meeting of stockholders,
non-qualified options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition,
any non-employee director who is first appointed or elected other than at an
annual meeting of stockholders automatically receives non-qualified options to
purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock upon such appointment or election. The
1994 Plan also provides for automatic annual grants of non-qualified stock
options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock to directors who serve as
chairs of the Audit, Compensation and Strategic Planning Committees of the Board
of Directors. In addition, the 1994 Plan permits the discretionary grant by the
Board of Directors of non-qualified options to non-employee directors under
certain circumstances. All such options are exercisable at an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and are
subject to certain vesting schedules. Upon the election by Dr. Hayes and Mr.
Hacken to participate in the Company's Option Restructuring Plan, options to
purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock held by Dr. Hayes and options to purchase
45,000 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Hacken were canceled and replacement
options to purchase 20,000 and 36,000 shares were granted to Dr. Hayes and Mr.
Hacken, respectively.
Directors are reimbursed for their costs incurred in attending Board of
Directors meetings.
The Company and MediScience are parties to a consulting agreement (the
"MediScience Agreement") whereby Dr. Hayes, who is President and Chief Operating
Officer of MediScience, provides the Company with consulting services in a
variety of areas, including clinical research planning, strategic positioning
and regulatory guidance. The Company makes quarterly payments to MediScience
under the MediScience Agreement of $12,500 for such services. Dr. Hayes is
obligated to provide consulting services under the MediScience Agreement
indefinitely, but the MediScience Agreement is terminable by the Company or
MediScience at any time with 90 days prior notice.
Dr. Steer, who was appointed as a director of the Company in February 1998,
provides consulting services as part of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board
and under a separate consulting agreement. The Company annually grants to each
member of the Scientific Advisory Board an option to purchase 1,000 shares of
Common Stock and pays its members $1,000 per day plus expenses for attendance at
meetings. In addition, Dr. Steer provides consulting services to the Company
under a separate consulting agreement. During 1997 Dr. Steer was paid $12,300 by
the Company for these consulting services.
Employment Agreements
The Company entered into an Employment and Executive Stock Agreement with
each of Mr. Shaykin and Drs. Ainsworth and Pilia (collectively, the "Senior
Executives"), effective as of June 7, 1993, and amended and restated effective
as of May 31, 1994 (collectively, the "Executive Agreements"). Each Executive
Agreement provides for an initial five-year employment term that expires June 7,
1998 (the "Initial Term"), and is renewable each year thereafter (each, a
"Renewal Term") unless either party gives notice of termination to the other
party at least 180 days prior to the commencement of any Renewal Term. No such
notice of termination has been given by any of the Senior Executives. The
Executive Agreements provide for annual base salaries for Mr. Shaykin and Drs.
Ainsworth and Pilia of $150,000, $150,000, and $115,000 respectively. Under the
Executive Agreements, the Senior Executives may be granted annual bonuses at the
discretion of the Board's Compensation Committee. Mr. Shaykin is a part-time
employee of the Company, and is not required under his Executive Agreement to
spend more than 20 hours in any week or 80 hours per month on the Company's
affairs.
Each Executive Agreement provides for certain benefits if, prior to the end
of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, a Senior Executive's employment is
terminated either by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in the
Executive Agreements) or by the Senior Executive for Good Reason (as defined in
the Executive Agreements). In general, each Senior Executive would be entitled
to (i) a continuance of his or her respective salary and bonus, if any, through
the end of the Initial Term (but in no event for longer than three years in the
case of Mr. Shaykin) or the then-current Renewal Term, if applicable, and (ii)
health and welfare benefits as in effect immediately prior to termination for a
maximum of 18 months following termination. The foregoing benefits would be
limited by the amount deductible for income tax purposes under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
The Executive Agreements also contain provisions (i) prohibiting disclosure
of confidential information, (ii) granting to the Company rights to intellectual
property developed by the Senior Executives that relate to the Company's
business or developed in the course of employment with the Company (or that
otherwise relate in any way to health care or pharmaceuticals, in the case of
Drs. Ainsworth and Pilia) and (iii) prohibiting competition with the Company
during and for five years after the Senior Executive's employment.
Under his Executive Agreement, Mr. Shaykin acquired 150,428 shares of
Common Stock (the "Executive Stock"). The purchase price for such shares was
$1.50 per share and was represented by a promissory note in favor of the Company
(the "Executive Note"). Commencing in 1995, Mr. Shaykin became able to repay all
or part of the outstanding principal and interest on his Executive Note by
remitting to the Company shares of his Executive Stock, to be valued for such
purposes in an amount equal to the average of the last reported sales price of
the Common Stock for the five trading days prior to remittance multiplied by the
number of shares remitted. During 1997, Mr. Shaykin remitted shares of Common
Stock to the Company in exchange for extinguishment of the debt represented by
his Executive Note. See " Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), the Company's directors and certain of its officers, and
persons holding more than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock are required
to file forms reporting their beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock
and subsequent changes in that ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). Such persons are also required to furnish the Company
copies of forms so filed. Based solely upon a review of copies of such forms
filed with the Company, Mr. Bewkes, a former director of the Company who
resigned in December 1997, and Dr. Hayes were late in filing one Form 5, on
which they reported one transaction, and Dr. Steer was late in filing one Form
3. No other directors or officers were late in filing any reports on Forms 3, 4
or 5.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Currently, the Compensation Committee consists of Drs. Steer and Hayes and
Mr. Hacken. From January 1994 to March 1998, Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr. also
served on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Pfenniger served as Chief Operating
Officer of IVAX and held various other executive positions with certain IVAX
subsidiaries during 1997. See " Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general
statement incorporating by reference this report into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under the Exchange
Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this
information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such
Acts.
Goals. The Committee implements the Company's executive compensation
policies. The Company is committed to executive compensation policies that
promote and support the Company's goals and that inspire executives to make a
significant contribution to the financial performance of the Company. The
Company's overall compensation philosophy for executive officers has the
following objectives: (i) the attraction and retention of qualified personnel
whose participation is important to the short-term and long-term success of the
Company; and (ii) the creation of a mutual interest between executive officers
and stockholders that permits executive officers to share in the risks and
rewards of strategic decision-making.
The Company has established its executive compensation policies using the
above objectives as its foundation. The Committee's current practice is to
review the compensation of the five highest paid employees of the Company, all
employees earning at least $75,000 per year and any other executive officers of
the Company that are named in any required disclosure documents under applicable
securities laws. The Committee also administers all annual bonuses and
equity-based incentive compensation including grants of stock options and
restricted stock. The following describes the three primary components of the
Company's current executive compensation program.
Base Salary. For fiscal year 1997, the base salary compensation of the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ainsworth, and certain other senior
executives, was primarily determined by such officers' employment agreements
with the Company. The Compensation Committee believes that the current base
salaries of the Company's executive officers are justified by such officers'
performance and value to the Company, and take into account the market and
competitive conditions affecting the demand for the skills and expertise of such
executive officers.
Annual Bonus. Due to the Company's financial position, no bonuses were
granted to the Company's executive officers during fiscal year 1997.
<PAGE>
Equity-based Incentives. The Company considers equity-based incentives to
be an integral part of executive compensation. The Committee believes that the
grant of restricted stock awards, stock options and other awards pursuant to the
1993 Stock Option Plan and 1994 Plan has been, and will continue to be, an
effective method for the creation of a mutual interest between the Company's
employees and the Company's stockholders. During 1997, stock options were
granted to seven executive officers. These grants were recommended to the
Committee by the Chairman of the Board and the President. Factors considered in
the grant of restricted stock awards and stock options include recommendations
made to the Committee by the Chairman of the Board and the President of the
Company and the Committee's own subjective evaluation of the individual
executive's performance and the performance of the Company, taking into account
the goal and overall compensation philosophy stated above. The recommendations
of such grants to the Committee and the Committee's approval of such
recommendations were not based on any specific formulas.
For fiscal year 1997 the total compensation (including bonuses and
equity-based incentives) of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Dr.
Ainsworth, and other senior executives, was assessed in light of such
executives' performance and the progress of the Company. Factors taken into
account included various achievements by the Company in scaling up its
manufacturing activities, securing raw material resources, and other steps taken
by the Company to support the manufacture, registration, and marketing of the
Company's primary product, paclitaxel.
On March 25, 1998 the Compensation Committee reviewed the status of the
Company's outstanding options. The Compensation Committee determined that as a
result of the drop in the value of the Common Stock at the end of 1997 and
beginning of 1998, which was the result of regulatory issues not within the
control of the grantees, the existing options did not effectively serve their
purpose of helping to retain directors, officers, employees and consultants and
to closely align the interests of these groups with those of the Company. In
order to renew these incentives, on March 25, 1998 the Compensation Committee
approved and recommended to the Board of Directors the Option Restructuring
Plan. The Option Restructuring Plan gave holders of the Company's options the
opportunity to surrender their existing options having a price above $3.00 (the
"Covered Options") in exchange for replacement options issued on March 27, 1998.
If the holder of Covered Options chose to participate in the Option
Restructuring Plan, such holder was required to give up 20% or 50% of their
Covered Options, depending upon the option holder's relationship with the
Company, and the replacement options were granted as of March 27, with new
vesting beginning as of that date. In addition, for Covered Options held by
former directors and former consultants, the period during which the options
could be exercised was shortened.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Dr. Arthur H. Hayes, Jr.
Dr. Randolph C. Steer
Mark B. Hacken
Stock Price Performance Graph
The Stock Price Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this report into
any filing under the Securities Act, or under the Exchange Act, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference,
and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
The graph below compares the cumulative return of the Company's Common
Stock against the Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Market (U.S.) and a peer
group which is comprised of the companies listed on the NASDAQ Pharmaceutical
Stock Index. The cumulative return presented is based upon an initial investment
of $100 over the period August 1, 1994 (the date of the Company's initial public
offering) through December 31, 1997. The stock price performance on the graph is
not necessarily an indicator of future price performance. The cumulative return
of the Company's Common Stock is based upon its initial public offering price of
$5.00 and the last reported sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market System on December 31, 1997, the last trading day of 1997
($2.50). The indices assume the reinvestment of all dividends.
[graph appears here]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
August 1, December 30, December 29, December 31, December 31,
1994 1994 1995 1996 1997
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NaPro (NPRO) $100 $120.00 $187.50 $212.50 $50.00
NASDAQ Market (U.S.) $100 $104.38 $147.63 $181.55 $222.80
Peer Group
(NASDAQ Pharmaceutical $100 $102.46 $187.40 $188.01 $194.16
Index)
</TABLE>
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
In June 1993, the Company entered into a strategic alliance (the "IVAX
Agreement") with BNP, a subsidiary of IVAX, one of the largest generic
pharmaceutical companies in the United States, which provided for certain
exclusive and non-exclusive rights for IVAX to develop and market the Company's
paclitaxel. During 1997, the Company's sales of paclitaxel to IVAX were
$2,275,000, or 60% of the Company's revenues during such period. Until April
1998, IVAX, through D&N, beneficially owned 1,126,398 shares of the Common
Stock, representing beneficial ownership of approximately 7.6% of the
outstanding Common Stock as of the Record Date.
On March 20, 1998, NaPro and IVAX entered into an agreement (the
"Termination Agreement") terminating the IVAX Agreement. Under the Termination
Agreement, NaPro is obligated to sell a fixed quantity of paclitaxel to IVAX, at
a fixed price, in installments with the final installment due in the first
quarter of 1999. In addition, the Termination Agreement grants IVAX a
royalty-free, limited, non-exclusive license for one of NaPro's pending patents
(the "Pending Patent") in the United States, Europe, and certain other world
markets. As consideration for this licence, NaPro received $6,070,000,
$2,000,000 of which was placed in escrow to be released in installments
corresponding to delivery of paclitaxel to IVAX, and 1,126,398 shares of its
Common Stock formerly beneficially owned by IVAX. In addition, NaPro received an
additional $3,750,000 based upon issuance of the Pending Patent in the United
States, and IVAX has agreed to pay the Company $2,610,000 upon issuance of the
Pending Patent in the European Patent Office, subject to certain limitations. In
connection with the Termination Agreement, Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr. resigned
from the NaPro Board of Directors. Mr. Pfenniger, who served as a director of
the Company from June 1993 until March 1998, served as Chief Operating Officer
of IVAX from April 1994 until March 1997.
On the same day the Termination Agreement was executed, the Company, IVAX
and Mr. Shaykin entered into an agreement relating to a warrant (the "Warrant")
to purchase 111,111 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.075 per
share. Mr. Shaykin acquired the Warrant from IVAX in 1996. Pursuant to the
agreement, Mr. Shaykin paid $100,000 to IVAX and IVAX forgave the indebtedness
represented by a promissory note in the principal amount of $944,443 that had
represented the original purchase price of the Warrant by Mr. Shaykin. In
exchange for remission of the Warrant to the Company by Mr. Shaykin, the Company
agreed to indemnify IVAX for any loss associated with such transaction.
On January 27, 1997, Mr. Shaykin remitted to the Company 74,550 shares of
Common Stock in payment of the debt represented by his Executive Note of
$989,640.72 owed to the Company by Mr. Shaykin. This payment was effected in
accordance with the terms of Mr. Shaykin's Executive Agreement with the Company.
See " Employment Agreements." The Common Stock was valued for such purpose at
$13.275 per share, an amount equal to the average of the last reported sales
price of the Common Stock for the five trading days prior to the remittance, in
accordance with the provisions of the Executive Agreement.
Vaughn D. Bryson, a director of the Company until December 1997, is a
principal of Life Science Advisors ("LSA"), a health care consulting firm that
was party to a consulting agreement (the "LSA Agreement") whereby LSA provided
consulting services to the Company in the area of pharmaceutical development in
1997. The Company made payments to LSA under the LSA Agreement in the amounts of
$1,800 per eight-hour person day ($225 per person hour) for the services of the
principals of LSA and $1,500 per eight-hour person day ($187.50 per person hour)
for the services of the associates of LSA. In addition, LSA received 1500
options for each eight-hour person day of service provided by the principals and
600 options for each eight-hour person day of services provided by associates of
LSA. These options have an exercise price of $7.25 and have a term of ten years.
LSA earned and was granted 49,785 options under the LSA Agreement, of which Mr.
Bryson was granted 15,162 options The LSA Agreement was terminated in January
1998. As part of the Option Restructuring Plan that the Company initiated in
March 1998, the members and associates of LSA were given the opportunity to
surrender the options that had been granted to them in exchange for new options
for 50% fewer shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.81, the fair
market value of the Common Stock on March 27, 1998. Each of the members and
associates of LSA elected to participate in the Option Restructuring Plan. As a
result, the members and associates of LSA surrendered the options for 49,785
shares of Common Stock in exchange for options to purchase a total of 24,893
shares of Common Stock.
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF 20% OR MORE OF THE OUTSTANDING
COMMON STOCK AT DISCOUNTS OF UP TO 10% FROM ITS MARKET VALUE
AS OF CERTAIN DATES
Background
In June and December 1997, the Company issued the Convertible Notes and the
Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively. The Convertible Notes and the
Convertible Preferred Stock are referred to as the "Convertible Securities." The
conversion price for each was fixed at $10.00 per share through the 119th day
after initial issuance, but thereafter became a discount from the trading price
of the Common Stock. On the trading day immediately prior to issuance of the
Convertible Notes, the last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $9.25 and on the trading day immediately prior to
issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock was $6.50. At the time of issuance
of the Convertible Securities, the trading price of the Common Stock had not
been below $6.25 for at least two years. Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 4460(i), which
is applicable to issuers whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq National
Market (the "Nasdaq Rule"), requires stockholder approval of transactions other
than a public offering involving the sale or issuance of common stock (or
securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) equal to 20% or
more of the common stock or voting power outstanding before the issuance at a
price less than the greater of book or market value. Given the initial
conversion price of the Convertible Securities and the then current trading
price of the Common Stock, its was not necessary to obtain stockholder approval
of these transactions. The conversion right of the holders of the Convertible
Securities was structured so that each transaction would comply with the Nasdaq
Rule by limiting the number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued upon
conversion. If the trading price of the Common Stock declined to a level such
that a portion of the Convertible Notes and Convertible Preferred Stock became
inconvertible as a result such limitation, at the option of the holders of the
Convertible Securities the Company would be obligated to redeem for cash that
portion of the Convertible Securities that could not be converted because of the
limitation unless and until the Company obtained stockholder approval as
contemplated by the Nasdaq Rule to permit the issuance of shares of Common Stock
in accordance with the original terms of the instruments. Such a decline
occurred in December 1997 and January 1998. As a result, certain material
provisions relating to the Convertible Notes and the Convertible Preferred Stock
were amended to, among other things, suspend such redemption right pending
approval of this Proposal. See " Terms of the Convertible Securities The January
Amendments" and " The March Amendments." The amendments (except those changing
the conversion price and lowering the exercise price of warrants issued in
connection with the original issuance of the Convertible Securities) terminate
if the stockholder approval sought by this Proposal 2 has not been received by
June 1, 1998.
The Board of Directors has determined that authorizing under the Nasdaq
Rule the issuance of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or voting power
at discounts of up to 10% from its market value as of certain dates to the
holders of the Convertible Securities is advisable and in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders and recommends adoption of Proposal 2. The
Company and the holders of the Convertible Notes and the Convertible Preferred
Stock are party to agreements dated January 28, 1998 (the "January Amendments")
that require the Company to seek stockholder approval of such issuance and of an
amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation increasing the number of
authorized shares as reflected by Proposal 3. If such approvals are not
obtained, the January Amendments terminate except for certain provisions
favorable to the holders of the Convertible Securities.
As of April 20, 1998, approximately $7.7 million in principal amount of the
Convertible Notes and 4,615 shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock
(representing approximately $4.6 million of initial liquidation value) remained
outstanding. Based upon the conversion price applicable as of such date to each
and without regard to the limitations on issuance of Common Stock imposed by the
Nasdaq Rule, an aggregate of 4,901,537 shares of Common Stock would be issuable
upon conversion of such Convertible Securities. If Proposals 2 and 3 are not
approved by stockholders by June 1, 1998, and assuming no additional conversion
of Convertible Securities and no change in the conversion price from that
effective on April 20, 1998, (i) the holder of the Convertible Preferred Stock
would be entitled to require the Company to redeem up to 1,359 shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock for an aggregate redemption price of approximately
$1,563,000, including any applicable redemption premium, and (ii) the holders of
the Convertible Notes will be entitled to require the Company to redeem up to
$7,158,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes for an aggregate redemption
price of approximately $8,748,000, including any applicable redemption premium.
Description of the Proposal
The Nasdaq Rule provides that a company with securities listed on the
Nasdaq National Market must obtain stockholder approval of a sale or issuance by
the company of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for
common stock) equal to 20 % or more of the common stock outstanding prior to the
issuance if the sale price for such securities is less than the greater of book
or market value. Approval of this proposal by stockholders would satisfy the
stockholder approval requirements of the Nasdaq Rule for both the Convertible
Notes and the Convertible Preferred Stock and allow the Company to issue 20% or
more of the Company's Common Stock outstanding to the holders of the Convertible
Notes and the holder of the Convertible Preferred Stock, in each case upon the
conversion of those securities. Approval of Proposals 2 and 3 by the
stockholders is intended to prevent severe depletion of the Company's available
cash upon redemption of the Convertible Notes and the Convertible Preferred
Stock.
Terms of the Convertible Securities
The terms of the Convertible Securities are very complex. Any summary
thereof will be general in nature and must be qualified by reference to the
actual agreements attached as exhibits to the Company's Current Reports on Form
8-K referred to below. Stockholders desiring a more complete understanding of
the Convertible Securities and their operation are urged to refer to such
exhibits.
The Convertible Notes. On June 4, 1997 NaPro privately issued $10.3 million
of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes mature in June 2000 and bear
interest at a rate of 5% per year. Interest may be paid in Common Stock or cash
at the Company's option. Beginning 120 days after initial issuance, the
Convertible Notes were convertible into Common Stock at discounts (ranging from
5% to 10%) from the market price of the Common Stock during specified periods
prior to the conversion. In the event that, on five days during a period of ten
consecutive trading days, conversion of the outstanding principal amount of the
Convertible Notes would result in the issuance of Common Stock in an amount
exceeding the amount allowable under the Nasdaq Rule (a "Note Maximum Share
Amount Inconvertibility"), the Company could be required by holders of the
Convertible Notes to redeem for cash that portion of the Convertible Notes that
may not be converted, such redemption to be at a premium (ranging from 11% to
13% depending on the time of such redemption) from the principal amount of the
Convertible Note to be redeemed. A Note Maximum Share Amount Inconvertibility
occurred in January 1998. At that time, the Company redeemed $397,000 in note
principal and paid $53,000 premium and interest in connection with the
redemption.
The Convertible Preferred Stock. On December 8, 1997 NaPro privately issued
the Convertible Preferred Stock for an aggregate consideration of $5 million
(5,000 shares at $1,000 per share). The Convertible Preferred Stock accrues
dividends at 5% per annum payable quarterly in Common Stock or cash at the
Company's option. Beginning 120 days after initial issuance, the Convertible
Preferred Stock were convertible into Common Stock at a 5% discount from the
average of the two lowest closing trading prices to occur during the 15 trading
days immediately preceding the conversion date. In the event that, on five days
during a period of ten consecutive trading days, conversion of the outstanding
Convertible Preferred Stock would result in the issuance of Common Stock in an
amount which would exceed the amount allowable under the Nasdaq Rule (a "Stock
Maximum Share Amount Inconvertibility"), the Company could be required by the
holder of the Convertible Preferred Stock to redeem for cash that portion of the
Convertible Preferred Stock that may not be converted, such redemption to be at
a 15% premium.
The January Amendments. As a result of substantial decreases in the trading
price of the Common Stock during December 1997 and January 1998, a Note Maximum
Share Amount Inconvertibility occurred for the Convertible Notes, and a Stock
Maximum Share Amount Inconvertibility would have occurred for the Convertible
Preferred Stock if the trading price of the Common Stock remained at January
levels. The Company entered into the January Amendments in order to (i) obtain
relief from the redemption obligations, (ii) provide a ceiling on the amount of
Common Stock which may be issued to holders of the Convertible Securities prior
to January 1, 1999 and the potential dilution of the Common Stock which would
result and (iii) give the Company the opportunity to redeem the Convertible
Securities for cash at a 30% premium in the event the Company obtained
sufficient funds. The January Amendments were filed with the SEC as exhibits to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 1998, to which
reference is hereby made. Under the January Amendments, holders of the
Convertible Securities agreed to waive their right to require redemption of the
Convertible Securities due to a Note or Stock Maximum Share Amount
Inconvertibility until December 31, 1998, so long as the Company is in
compliance with its obligations to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock
and the Convertible Notes and Proposals 2 and 3 are approved by stockholders by
June 1, 1998. In addition, the January Amendments set a limit on the principal
amount of the Convertible Notes which may be converted into Common Stock and on
the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of the
Convertible Preferred Stock prior to December 31, 1998. No limitation applies
after such date. The January Amendments also established a maximum conversion
price for the Convertible Securities based upon the trading price of the Common
Stock prior to March 1 and June 1, 1998. Based on the trading price prior to
March 1, 1998, the maximum conversion price of Convertible Securities will not
exceed $1.92385 per share.
Under the January Amendments, the Company agreed, among other things, to
(i) seek stockholder approval of an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation which would increase the number of shares of Common Stock
authorized for issuance from 19,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares and (ii)
seek stockholder approval of the issuance by the Company of 20% or more of the
Common Stock outstanding on December 8, 1997 to the holders of the Convertible
Preferred Stock and stockholder approval of issuance by the Company of 20% or
more of the Common Stock outstanding on June 4, 1997 to the holders of the
Convertible Notes (together the "Required Proposals"). See "Proposal 3: Approval
of an Amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation." If the
stockholders approve the amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance to 30,000,000 shares
but do not approve Proposal 2, the Company is required to seek waiver by the
Nasdaq Stock Market of the Nasdaq Rule.
The March Amendments. The Company and the holders of the Convertible
Securities agreed to further amend the Convertible Securities on March 20 and
March 31, 1998 (the "March Amendments"). Pursuant to the March Amendments, the
premium for optional redemption by the Company of the Convertible Securities was
reduced from 30% to 10% through about July 29, 1998. The March Amendments were
filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
March 20, 1998, to which reference is hereby made.
As a result of the January and March Amendments, were the Company to have
the cash available to do so, it could redeem the Convertible Securities at a 10%
premium though about July 29, 1998 and at a 30% premium through December 31,
1998. During such periods the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to the
holders of the Convertible Securities is limited to 450,000 per month. After
December 31, 1998, the holders of the Convertible Securities would be able to
convert the Convertible Securities into Common Stock without limitation at the
then applicable conversion price, which would not exceed $1.9235 per share.
There can be no assurance that the Company will ever have sufficient cash to
redeem any outstanding Convertible Securities.
Reasons for Proposal
The Board of Directors of the Company believes that the termination of the
January Amendments and resulting reinstatement of the right of the holders of
the Convertible Preferred Stock and Convertible Notes to require the Company to
redeem their Convertible Securities has the potential to severely diminish the
Company's existing working capital. As a result, the Board of Directors believes
it is in the best interest of the stockholders to approve this Proposal and
Proposal 3 as described in this Proxy Statement. If stockholder approval of the
Required Proposals is not received by June 1, 1998, the January Amendments will
terminate, subject to certain limited exceptions, and the Company will lose its
benefits associated with those amendments.
Vote Required for Approval of the Proposal
Under the Nasdaq Rule, approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the total votes cast on the proposal in person or by proxy. As
noted above, termination of the January Amendments would also result from the
failure of stockholders to approve Proposal 3, which requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record
Date. The practical benefits of Proposal 2 will not be realized unless Proposal
3 is also approved.
Management and the Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR this Proposal to
approve the issuance of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock at discounts
of up to 10% from its market value as of certain dates
PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Background
The Company's Board of Directors has determined that amending the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation in the manner described below is advisable and is
in the best interest of stockholders and recommends that the Company's
stockholders approve and adopt the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment
would increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock
from 19,000,000 to 30,000,000.
The proposed amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation is
being recommended as required by the January Amendments between the Company and
the holders of the Convertible Securities, which require the Company to seek
stockholder approval of such an amendment by June 1, 1998. In addition, the
proposed amendment is being recommended because the Board of Directors believes
having shares authorized and available for issuance will provide the Company
with greater flexibility in pursuing funding to meet the Company's capital needs
in the future.
Description of the Proposal
The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation will increase
the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock from 19,000,000 to
30,000,000. As of April 2, 1998, 14,776,287 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding, leaving only 4,223,713 shares authorized but unissued, an amount
insufficient to satisfy its obligations for shares formally reserved for
issuance upon exercise or conversion of outstanding options, warrants and other
convertible securities and shares that could be issuable to the holders of the
Convertible Securities upon the approval of Proposal 2. After giving effect to
the return by Mr. Shaykin of the Warrant exercisable for 111,111 shares of
Common Stock and the return by IVAX of 1,126,398 shares of Common Stock in
connection with the Termination Agreement, the number of authorized but unissued
shares would still be insufficient as of such date.
The purpose of the proposed amendment to the current Certificate of
Incorporation is to comply with the requirements of the January Amendments and
to provide the Company with additional options for securing financing in the
future. The Board of Directors believes that adoption of this amendment is
necessary to preserve the Company's resources and allow flexibility in seeking
further funding for the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors believes
that adoption of this amendment is necessary to prevent the holders of the
Convertible Securities from being able to seek redemption of the Convertible
Securities in amounts which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's working capital, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect
on the Company's operations.
If Proposal 3 is approved, the newly authorized shares of Common Stock
would have all of the rights and privileges of the shares of Common Stock now
authorized. The Common Stock has no preemptive rights. Once shares of Common
Stock are authorized, the Board of Directors can issue shares of Common Stock
without stockholder approval, except as may be required by law or regulations or
by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company's securities may then be
listed.
Although the Board of Directors would issue additional shares based on its
judgment as to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, the
issuance of additional shares would have the effect of diluting the relative
voting power per share and could have the effect of diluting the book value per
share of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
If Proposal 3 is approved, Article Four of the Certificate of Incorporation
will be amended, in pertinent part, to read as follows:
ARTICLE FOUR
I. AUTHORIZED SHARES
The Corporation shall have authority to issue 33,000,000 shares
of capital stock, 30,000,000 of which shall be Common Stock, with a par
value of $.0075 per share, 1,000,000 of which shall be Nonvoting Common
Stock, with a par value of $.0075 per share, and 2,000,000 of which shall
be Preferred Stock, with a par value of $.001 per share.
Vote Required and Board Recommendation
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote at the meeting is required to approve the proposed amendment.
If the amendment is not approved by the stockholders, the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation, which authorizes the issuance of 19,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, will remain unchanged.
Management and the Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR this Proposal to
approve an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 1994 LONG-TERM
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
Description of Proposed Amendment
Contingent upon approval by the stockholders, the Board of Directors has
adopted an amendment to the 1994 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares
of Common Stock issuable as awards under the 1994 Plan from 875,000 to
1,575,000.
Reasons for Proposed Amendment
As of April 2, 1998, stock options have been granted under the 1994 Plan to
purchase a total of 842,964 shares, leaving only 32,036 shares of Common Stock
available for additional grant under the 1994 Plan. The Board believes that it
is in the best interest of the Company to increase the number of shares
available for awards under the 1994 Plan, and to increase the maximum number of
shares that may be awarded each taxable year, in order to allow the Company to
grant awards to attract and retain new employees and to further compensate,
where appropriate, employees who previously have been awarded, or who previously
have not been awarded, options under the 1994 Plan.
1994 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan
In May 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1994 Plan which
was subsequently approved by the stockholders of the Company prior to the
Company's initial public offering in August 1994 and amended with the approval
of stockholders in 1996. The 1994 Plan, as amended, provides for granting to
employees and other key individuals who perform services for the Company
("Participants") the following types of incentive awards: stock options, stock
appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, performance units, performance
grants and other types of awards that the Compensation Committee deems to be
consistent with the purposes of the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan also provides
non-employee directors with stock option grants according to an established
formula and permits the discretionary grant of non-qualified options by the
Board of Directors to non-employee directors under certain circumstances.
The 1994 Plan affords the Company latitude in tailoring incentive
compensation to support corporate and business objectives, to anticipate and
respond to a changing business environment and competitive compensation
practices and, in the case of options granted to non-employee directors, to
strengthen further the non-employee directors' linkage with stockholder
interests.
The following is a description of the principal features of the 1994 Plan.
Shares Subject to Plan. The 1994 Plan currently allows for issuance of
875,000 shares of Common Stock as awards. Stockholder approval of Proposal 4
would increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable as awards under the
1994 Plan to 1,575,000.
Administration. The Compensation Committee has exclusive discretion to
select the Participants and to determine the type, size and terms of each award,
to modify the terms of awards, to determine when awards will be granted and
paid, and to make all other determinations which it deems necessary or desirable
in the interpretation and administration of the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan
terminates ten years from the date that it is initially approved and adopted by
the stockholders of the Company, unless extended for up to an additional five
years by action of the Board of Directors. With limited exceptions, including
termination of employment as a result of death, disability or retirement, or
except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, rights to these
forms of contingent compensation will be forfeited if a Participant's employment
or performance of services terminates within a specified period following the
award. Generally, a Participant's rights and interest under the 1994 Plan will
not be transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution.
Awards. Under the 1994 Plan, Participants are granted incentive awards
consisting of stock options, SARs, restricted stock, performance units,
performance grants and other types of awards.
Stock Options. Participants are granted stock options which include
non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options. Stock options are
rights to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a price fixed
by the Compensation Committee. The option price may not be less than the fair
market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. In
the case of purchased stock options, a specified number of non-qualified stock
options (with an option price as described above) will be offered for grant to
selected Participants in exchange for a purchase price, specified by the
Compensation Committee, which is payable at the time of grant. Options generally
will expire not later than ten years after the date on which they are granted.
Options will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as the
Compensation Committee shall determine. Payment of the option price must be made
in full at the time of exercise in such form (including, but not limited to,
cash, Common Stock or the surrender of another outstanding award or any
combination thereof) as the Compensation Committee may determine. Federal income
tax payable as a consequence of the exercise of such options is borne by the
grantee.
SARs. SARs may be granted alone, or a holder of an option or other award
may be granted a related SAR, either at the time of grant or by amendment
thereafter. Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder must surrender the SAR and
surrender, unexercised, any related option or other award, and the holder will
receive in exchange, at the election of the Compensation Committee, cash or
Common Stock or other consideration, or any combination thereof, equal in value
to (or, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, less than) the
difference between the exercise price or option price per share and the fair
market value per share of Common Stock on the last business day preceding the
date of exercise, times the number of shares subject to the SAR or option or
other award, or portion thereof, which is exercised.
Restricted Stock Awards. A restricted stock award is an award of a
specified number of shares of Common Stock which are subject to a restriction
against transfer and to a risk of forfeiture during a period set by the
Compensation Committee. During the restriction period, the Participant generally
has the right to vote and receive dividends on the shares.
Performance Grants and Other Awards. Performance grants are awards with a
final value, if any, that is determined by the degree to which specified
performance objectives have been achieved during an award period set by the
Compensation Committee, subject to such adjustments as the Compensation
Committee may approve based on relevant factors. Performance objectives are
based on various measures of performance, including, without limitation,
measures of industry, Company, unit or Participant performance, or any
combination of the foregoing, as the Compensation Committee may determine. The
Compensation Committee may make such adjustments in the computation of any
performance measure as it may deem appropriate. A target value of an award will
be established (and may be amended thereafter) by the Compensation Committee and
may be a fixed dollar amount, an amount that varies from time to time based on
the value of a share of Common Stock, or an amount that is determinable from
other criteria specified by the Compensation Committee. Payment of the final
value of an award will be made as promptly as practicable after the end of the
award period or at such other time or times as the Compensation Committee may
determine. The 1994 Plan permits the grant of any other type of incentive
compensation award determined by the Compensation Committee to be consistent
with the purposes of the 1994 Plan.
Awards to Non-Employee Directors. The 1994 Plan provides that each person
who is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and who (i) is
elected or re-elected as a director of the Company at an annual meeting of the
Company's stockholders, (ii) continues service as a director of the Company
after an annual meeting of the Company's stockholders at which the director is
not subject to re-election, or (iii) is appointed as a director of the Company
in accordance with its Bylaws following an annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders (each, an "Eligible Director"), will receive, on the next business
day following each such election or appointment, a non-qualified option to
purchase a specified number of shares of the Company's Common Stock. Currently,
non-employee directors are entitled to receive an option for 10,000 shares of
Common Stock under such automatic provisions. The 1994 Plan also provides for
automatic annual grants of options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock to
the chair of the Audit, Compensation and Strategic Planning Committees of the
Board of Directors. Each option granted to non-employee directors will have an
option price equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the
date of grant, will generally become exercisable in full on the first
anniversary following the date of grant and will have a term of 10 years from
the date of grant. The 1994 Plan also provides for the discretionary grant of
non-qualified options by the Board of Directors to non-employee directors under
certain circumstances.
Liquidation; Changes in Control; Mergers. Upon the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, all outstanding awards under the 1994 Plan will
terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such liquidation or
dissolution, unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee. Upon
certain events, including (i) any "person,"as such term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including a "group" as defined in Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act but excluding the Company and any subsidiary and any
employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary
(including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee), directly or indirectly,
becoming the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act, as amended from time to time), of securities of the Company representing
25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; (ii) individuals who at the beginning of any 12-month period
constituted the Board ceasing for any reason other than death to constitute a
majority of such Board; or (iii) approval by the Company's stockholders of a
transaction involving the acquisition of the Company by an entity other than the
Company or any subsidiary through purchase of assets, by merger, or otherwise,
(A) any SARs and any options will become immediately exercisable in full; (B)
restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any restricted stock and
other awards payable in shares of Common Stock will lapse and become immediately
exercisable in full; (C) generally, outstanding performance grants will become
vested and will be paid out based on the prorated target results for the awards
period in question; and (D) generally, the value of all outstanding options,
SARs, restricted stock, performance grants and any other type of award payable
in shares of Common Stock will be cashed out.
Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or suspend the 1994 Plan in
whole or in part at any time provided that stockholder approval is obtained
where failure to obtain such approval would adversely affect the compliance of
the 1994 Plan with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and with other applicable
law. The 1994 Plan will terminate on June 16, 2004 unless sooner terminated by
the Board. No amendment or termination of the Plan may materially affect any
rights of a Participant with respect to any award without the written consent of
the Participant except where, in the Compensation Committee's discretion, it
determines that significant changes in the Participant's position, duties or
responsibilities, or significant changes in economic, legislative, regulatory,
tax, account or cost/benefit conditions have had or will have a substantial
effect on the performance of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Grant and Exercise of Options Under
the 1994 Plan. The tax consequences applicable to the Company and to a
Participant in the 1994 Plan in connection with options granted to a participant
are complex and depend, in large part, on the surrounding facts and
circumstances. The following brief summary of certain significant United States
federal income tax consequences under existing law of the 1994 Plan is not
intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state,
local or foreign tax consequences.
Under the Code, the grant of a stock option does not result in taxable
income to the optionee or any tax deduction to the Company. However, the
transfer of common stock of the Company to an optionee upon exercise of an
option may or may not give rise to taxable income to the optionee and tax
deductions to the Company, depending upon whether or not the option is an
incentive stock option or non-qualified option.
In general, a Participant will not recognize any income upon the exercise
of an incentive stock option, and the Company will not be entitled to a tax
deduction on account of such exercise. However, a Participant could be subject
to the alternative minimum tax upon exercise. If the Code requirements relating
to the holding periods for stock acquired on exercise of an incentive stock
option have been satisfied, a Participant who acquires Company Common Stock upon
the exercise of his or her incentive stock option will recognize any gain or
loss realized upon the sale of such stock as capital gain or loss, but the
Company will not be entitled to any tax deduction on account of such sale. If
such holding period requirements are not satisfied with respect to such stock
acquired on exercise of an incentive stock option, the sale of the stock so
acquired will result in ordinary income being recognized by the Participant in
an amount equal to the excess, with certain adjustments, of the fair market
value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise over the option price and
the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount, assuming
that the compensation amounts satisfy the ordinary and reasonable compensation
requirements for deductibility and that the deduction is not limited by Section
162(m) of the Code. Any additional gain realized by such Participant on such a
sale of his or her stock will be capital gain. If the total amount realized upon
such a sale is less than the exercise price of the incentive stock option, the
difference will be a capital loss to such Participant.
In the case of a non-qualified option, a Participant generally will
recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of such option in the amount equal
to the excess of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of
exercise over the option price, and the Company will be entitled to a tax
deduction in the same amount, assuming that the compensation amounts satisfy the
ordinary and reasonable compensation requirements for deductibility and that the
deduction is not limited by Section 162(m) of the Code. If, however, the sale of
Common Stock of the Company at a profit would subject the Participant to
liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Participant will
recognize compensation income equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value
of such Common Stock on the earlier of the date that is six months after the
date of exercise or the date the Participant can sell the Common Stock without
liability under Section 16(b) over (ii) the exercise price. The Participant can
make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to measure the compensation as
of the date the non-qualified option is exercised. A Participant will recognize
as capital gain or loss any profit or loss realized on the sale or exchange of
any such shares disposed of or sold.
Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company may be limited as to federal
income tax deductions to the extent that total annual compensation in excess of
$1 million is paid to the chief executive officer of the Company or any one of
the other four highest paid executive officers employed by the Company on the
last day of the taxable year. However, certain "performance-based compensation,"
the material terms of which are disclosed to and approved by the Company's
stockholders, is not subject to this limitation on deductibility. The
Corporation has structured the stock option and SAR portions of the 1994 Plan
with the intention that compensation resulting therefrom would be qualified
performance-based compensation and would be deductible without regard to the
limitations otherwise imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. The 1994 Plan
allows the Committee discretion to award restricted stock and other stock-based
awards that are intended to be qualified performance-based compensation. Bonuses
and other compensation payable in stock under the 1994 Plan are not intended to
qualify as performance-based compensation.
New Plan Benefits
The future benefits or amount that will be received by executive officers
and other employees of the Company under the 1994 Plan are not determinable, as
grants to such persons are determined in the discretion of the Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors. Under the formula provisions of the 1994
Plan, the non-employee directors of the Company, Dr. Hayes and Mr. Hacken will
each receive automatically on the date of the Annual Meeting non-qualified
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock and Dr. Steer will receive
automatically on such date a non-qualified option to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock.
Vote Required and Board Recommendation
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote at the meeting is required to approve the proposed amendment.
If the amendment is not approved by the stockholders, the Company's 1994 Plan
will continue in effect without the proposed amendments.
Management and the Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR this Proposal to
approve an amendment to the 1994 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 1998, and has further
directed that management submit this selection of independent auditors for
ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Ernst & Young LLP have
audited the Company's financial statements for 1997. Representatives of Ernst &
Young LLP who are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions. If a majority of the shares voted at the
Annual Meeting do not vote for ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young
LLP, the Board of Directors will reconsider such selection.
Management and the Board of Directors Recommend a Vote FOR this Proposal to
ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditors.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the
Annual Meeting, but if other matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting,
it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote in respect thereof
in accordance with their best judgment.
The Board of Directors encourages you to have your shares voted by signing
and returning the enclosed proxy. The fact that you will have returned your
proxy in advance will not affect your right to vote in person should you find it
possible to attend. However, by signing and returning the proxy, you have
assured your representation at the Annual Meeting. Thank you for your
cooperation.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Patricia A. Pilia
Secretary
Boulder, Colorado
April 27, 1997
<PAGE>
COMMON STOCK
NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 1998
The undersigned hereby appoints Leonard P. Shaykin, Sterling K. Ainsworth
and Patricia A. Pilia, or any of them, with full power of substitution, as a
proxy or proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting (the "Annual
Meeting") of Stockholders of NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. (the "Company") to be
held on May 28, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. at the Conference Center at the Raintree
Plaza Hotel, 1850 Industrial Circle, Longmont, Colorado, and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof, and to vote thereat all the shares of Common Stock,
$.0075 par value per share, held of record by the undersigned at the close of
business on April 2, 1998, with all the power that the undersigned would possess
if personally present, as designated on the reverse side.
Shares will be voted as specified. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR AND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSALS. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS. The proxies or substitutes may vote accordingly in
their discretion upon any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
(To Be Signed on Reverse Side)
<PAGE>
/__X__/ Please mark your votes as in this example.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" EACH NOMINEE NAMED
1. Election of Directors:
(to serve until the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting)
/____/ FOR /____/ WITHHELD
Nominees: Dr. Patricia A. Pilia
Dr. Randolph C. Steer
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for either nominee, write that
nominee's name on the line provided below. IF AUTHORITY IS NOT EXPRESSLY
WITHHELD, IT SHALL BE DEEMED GRANTED.
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2. Issuance of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock in connection with
each of the Company's Senior Convertible Notes and Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock.
/____/ FOR /____/ AGAINST /____/ ABSTAIN
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3. Amendments to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 19,000,000 to 30,000,000.
/____/ FOR /____/ AGAINST /____/ ABSTAIN
4. Amendment of the Company's 1994 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan to
increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable as awards
thereunder from 875,000 to 1,575,000.
/____/ FOR /____/ AGAINST /____/ ABSTAIN
5. Ratification of the selection by the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young
LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the year ending December 31,
1998.
/____/ FOR /____/ AGAINST /____/ ABSTAIN
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___________________________________________ __________ DATE _____
SIGNATURE TITLE
___________________________________________ __________ DATE _____
SIGNATURE IF HELD JOINTLY TITLE
NOTE: Please sign this proxy as your name appears hereon, including the
title "Executor," "Trustee," etc. if such is indicated. If joint account, each
joint owner should each sign. If stock is held by a corporation, this proxy
should be executed by a proper officer thereof.
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
