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2021-12-31
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2021-06-30
0001441693
2022-03-25
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ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors
and Executive Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers, directors and key employees as of April 15, 2022:
NAME |
|
AGE |
|
POSITION |
Board
of Directors: |
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Helash |
|
57 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
Lara
L. Lee (1)(2) |
|
58 |
|
Director |
Yogesh
Mago (2)(3) |
|
40 |
|
Director |
Pamela
G. Marrone, Ph.D. (3) |
|
65 |
|
Director |
Keith
McGovern (1)(3) |
|
56 |
|
Chair
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
Zachary
S. Wochok, Ph.D. (1)(2) |
|
79 |
|
Chair
of the Audit Committee |
Robert
A. Woods (1)(2) |
|
78 |
|
Chairman
of the Board |
Stuart
Woolf (1)(3) |
|
62 |
|
Chair
of the Compensation Committee |
Other
Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
LaDon
Johnson |
|
60 |
|
Interim
Chief Financial Officer |
Timothy
Johnson, Ph.D. |
|
65 |
|
Vice
President of Field Development and Technical Services |
Linda V. Moore |
|
75 |
|
Chief Legal Officer |
Keith
J. Pitts |
|
58 |
|
Senior
Vice President, Regulatory and Government
Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer |
Matti
Tiainen |
|
33 |
|
Senior
Vice President, International Sales |
Amit
Vasavada, Ph.D. |
|
67 |
|
Senior
Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Technology Officer |
(1) |
Member
of the Compensation Committee. |
|
|
(2) |
Member
of the Audit Committee. |
|
|
(3) |
Member
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. |
Board
of Directors
Kevin
Helash joined us as Chief Executive Officer and director in August 2020. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the CEO of
Agrinos, a biological crop input provider with U.S. offices in Davis, California, from November 2017 to July 2020. From 1991 to 2017,
Mr. Helash was employed at Agrium (now Nutrien Ltd.), one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of agricultural
products. As an officer of the company, he held various executive positions, including Vice President of
global sales, marketing, logistics and supply chain and last serving as Vice President, Agrium Retail Canada. Mr. Helash holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Manitoba. We believe Mr. Helash’s qualifications to sit on our board of
directors include his perspective working in several roles – including chief executive officer – within the agricultural
industry during the course of his decades-long career.
Lara
L. Lee joined our board of directors in November 2020. She brings over 30 years of experience diversifying businesses, commercializing
innovation and improving operations across industries around the world. She currently serves on the boards of The Sill, a direct-to-consumer
retailer of house plants, WD-40 Company, a publicly traded seller of household and multi-use products, and Bizstarts, a non-profit promoting
entrepreneurship to address urban poverty. From 2013 to 2018, Lara was an officer and SVP at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., where
she served as President of the Orchard Supply Hardware subsidiary, served on the company ventures board, and established the customer
experience function. Prior experience includes Chief Innovation and Operating Officer at Continuum, a global consultancy, and business
unit leadership, strategy, and international business development roles at Harley-Davidson. Ms. Lee obtained a B.A. in Chinese Language
from Brown University, a Master’s in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from The Wharton School.
She is NACD Directorship Certified and an advisor to the Black Corporate Board Readiness program at Santa Clara University.
We believe Ms. Lee’s qualifications to sit on our board of directors include her experience with regulated businesses, complex
international distribution channels, product portfolio management and commercialization, corporate strategy and finance, stakeholder
engagement, and her service on the board of directors of another publicly traded company, including on its audit and compensation
committees.
Yogesh
Mago has served on our board of directors since February 2018. Mr. Mago has over 15 years of experience in investing across
a variety of industries globally, including agriculture, travel, consumer, transportation, industrials and real estate. He has been
a senior advisor for Ospraie Management LLC, an affiliate of one of our stockholders, since October 2016, where he previously served
as a senior investment analyst from July 2005 to August 2008. He also served as a senior investment analyst at hedge fund Merchants’
Gate Capital LP from September 2008 to August 2010. Mr. Mago currently serves as Chairman of the Board of 5Metis, Inc., which innovates
new modes of action for sustainable food production by combining boron-based small molecule discovery and synthetic biology. He is the
Founder and President of Operation Water Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to deliver sustainable access to clean water in
impoverished countries through the development of scalable infrastructure projects. In addition, Mr. Mago is on the Advisory Board
of Girl Rising, the nonprofit organization behind the worldwide social action campaign for girls’ education and empowerment. He
has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from New York University. We believe Mr. Mago’s qualifications
to sit on our board of directors include his extensive experience in financial, strategic and other corporate transactions and his perspective
working with companies in the agriculture industry.
Pamela
G. Marrone, Ph.D. is our founder and served as our Chief Executive Officer from our inception in 2006 until her retirement in
August 2020, and served as our President from inception through January 2015 and from September 2015 to August 2017. Following her retirement,
Dr. Marrone continues to serve as a consultant to the Company, as well as Ospraie Management LLC, an affiliate of one of our stockholders,
and advises several women-led food, agriculture and life sciences companies. Dr. Marrone has also served as a member of our
board of directors since our inception in 2006. Prior to founding the Company, in 1995 Dr. Marrone founded AgraQuest, Inc. (acquired
by Bayer), where she served as chief executive officer until May 2004 and as President or Chairman from such time until March 2006, and
where she led teams that discovered and commercialized several bio-based pest management products. She served as founding president and
business unit head for Entotech, Inc., a biopesticide subsidiary of Denmark-based Novo Nordisk A/S (acquired by Abbott Laboratories),
from 1990 to 1995, and held various positions at the Monsanto Company from 1983 until 1990, where she led the Insect Biology Group, which
was involved in pioneering projects in transgenic crops, natural products and microbial pesticides. Dr. Marrone is an author of over
a dozen invited publications, an inventor on more than 400 patents and is in demand as a speaker and has served on the boards
and advisory councils of numerous professional and academic organizations, including the Cornell University Board of Trustees.
In March 2022, she became the first woman to receive American Chemical Society’s Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success. In March 2020, she received the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Most
Admired CEO, Distinguished Career Award”.
In February 2019, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions in biopesticides by BioAg World. In January 2019,
she was awarded the “Sustie” award by the Ecological Farming Association for her decades-long leadership in sustainable agriculture.
In 2013, Dr. Marrone was named the Sacramento region’s “Executive of the Year” by the Sacramento Business Journal and
“Cleantech Innovator of the Year” by the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance and Best Manager with Strategic Vision
by Agrow in 2014. Dr. Marrone earned a B.S. in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State
University. We believe Dr. Marrone’s qualifications to sit on our board of directors include the fact that, as our founder, Dr.
Marrone is uniquely familiar with the business, structure, culture and history of our company and that she also brings to the board of
directors considerable expertise based on her management and technical and commercialization experience in the biopesticide industry.
Keith
McGovern has over 30 years of experience in the agriculture industry, specializing in leading commercial potato farming and potato
processing operations. He is President of R.D. Offutt Farms, a division of R.D. Offutt Company, one of the largest farming and food processing
concerns in the United States. Mr. McGovern joined R.D. Offutt Company in August 1988. Mr. McGovern serves on the Management Committee
of Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen, a joint venture frozen potato product processing plant. He also serves on the Board of Alliance for Potato
Research and Education, on the Management Committee for Columbia River Technologies, a whey processor in partnership with Tillamook and
Fonterra, and the Board of The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), a 501(c)3 organization launched
in January 2020 to provide tools, training and support necessary to develop growers and industry members as leaders. Mr. McGovern
is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science, and is still an active pilot. We believe
Mr. McGovern’s qualifications to sit on our board of directors include his considerable experience in the agricultural development
industry and his work with major organizations that are leaders in food sustainability and growth.
Zachary
S. Wochok, Ph.D. has served on our board of directors since May 2016. He served as president and founder of The Wochok Group,
LLC, a management consulting firm, since October 2011. For over 25 years, Dr. Wochok has held executive positions in the agribusiness,
biotechnology and food industries, including service as Chairman of PGP International, Inc., a food ingredients company, from April 2011
to October 2011 and as its chief executive officer from February 1996 to March 2011, as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NURTURE,
Inc., as president and chief operating officer of Calgene, Inc., which was then publicly traded, and as the chief executive officer of
Plant Genetics, Inc., during which time the company completed an initial public offering and later merged with Calgene, Inc., creating
the largest plant biotechnology company in the United States at the time. Dr. Wochok has served as a director and President of Grazix
Animal Health, Inc. from July 2015 to August 2019; as Director of Live Leaf, Inc. from April 2017 to August 2019; on the
board of Nucelis, Inc., a fermentation based specialty chemical company, from March 2012 to December 2014; as advisor to the board of
directors of Cibus Global, Ltd. from January 2015 to July 2017; as agricultural technology business advisor to Alexandria Real Estate
Equities, Inc. from January 2015 to February 2017; and on the Advisory Board of AgTech Accelerator from May 2016 to May 2017. He has
also served as business development manager in the new ventures department at Monsanto and a lead scientist for Weyerhaeuser Company.
Dr. Wochok began his career as a professor of biology at the University of Alabama, following an NIH funded post-doctoral position at
Yale University. Dr. Wochok received a B.S. in Biology from LaSalle University, an M.S. in Biology from Villanova University and
a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Plant Physiology from the University of Connecticut. We believe Dr. Wochok’s qualifications to sit
on our board of directors include his education in biology and plant physiology and extensive experience serving public and private companies
in the agriculture and biotechnology industries as an advisor, senior executive or director.
Robert
A. Woods has served on our board of directors and as Chairman of the board of directors since February 2018. He has more than
fifty years of experience in agribusiness and agriculture products. Mr. Woods formerly served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Targeted Growth Inc., a biotechnology firm focused on improving yield in agronomic crops. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive
Officer of Athena Biotechnologies, Inc., Chairman of Syngenta Corporation US, Group President for Zeneca Ag Products and CEO of Garst
Seed Company. In April 2019, Mr. Woods joined the board of Ag Plenus, an Israeli company in agricultural technology discovery. From 2004
to 2018, Mr. Woods held various positions, including director and advisor to the board, at Gowan Company LLC, an agricultural chemicals
and seed company. From 2007 to 2016, Mr. Woods was a consultant and board member with Vertellus Specialties Inc. Since February 2018,
Mr. Woods has served as a consultant with Ospraie Management LLC, an affiliate of one of our stockholders. Mr. Woods has a Bachelors’
degree in Agriculture and Horticulture from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We believe Mr. Woods’s qualifications
to sit on our board of directors include his extensive experience in agribusiness and agriculture products, and his experiences serving
on the board of other companies in the biotechnology industry.
Stuart
Woolf has served as President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing since 2002. He also serves as the Managing Partner for
Harris Woolf California Almonds, a processor and handler of raw almonds, and Los Gatos Tomato Products, which manufactures bulk tomato
paste for industrial users. Mr. Woolf has served as Chairman of the California League of Food Processors, the Almond Board of California,
and of the University of California President’s Commission of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Mr. Woolf currently serves on
the board of Western Growers Association. Mr. Woolf received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of California
at Berkeley and an MBA at Boston College. We believe Mr. Woolf’s qualifications to sit on our board include his considerable experience
in the agriculture industry and his roles serving on the boards of organizations that promote food sustainability and development.
Executive
Officers
LaDon
Johnson was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer in February 2022. Mr. Johnson currently serves as a director at CFO
Systems, where he has worked since August 2017. Previously, Mr. Johnson worked for over a decade from 2006 through 2017 as a business
and financial advisor and consultant to companies in the biotechnology, crop sciences, food and agriculture industries, including service
as President and Chief Financial Officer of Icicle Seafoods, Inc. from July 2014 through August 2016 and service as Managing Director
of Cibus Europe BV and Chief Financial Officer of Cibus Global, Ltd. from December 2008 to June 2014. Mr. Johnson has a B.S. in Accounting
from Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business.
Linda
V. Moore was appointed as General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer effective March 2014,was promoted to
Executive Vice President in November 2017 and became our Chief Legal Officer in October 2021. Ms. Moore co-founded The
Moore Group, where she served as principal from 2005 to 2007, during which time she also served as chief operating officer and general
counsel of Mobius Photonics, as well as from 2009 to 2014. From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Moore served as executive vice president, general counsel,
chief compliance officer and secretary of Merix Corporation. Ms. Moore currently serves as a director of Empower Yolo, a non-profit organization,
and has served as an Executive Mentor to Astia (formerly Women’s Technology Cluster) and as a member of the Advisory Board for
Remedy Interactive and Opportunity Works. She has also taught at the University of Detroit Mercy and Santa Clara University as an adjunct
professor. Ms. Moore earned a J.D. at Michigan State University School of Law.
Timothy
Johnson, Ph.D. was appointed as Vice President of Field Development and Technical Services in August 2015. Dr. Johnson previously
served as our Global Product Development Director, Product Development Manager and Eastern U.S. Product Development Manager from June
2011 to August 2015, May 2009 to June 2011 and November 2008 to May 2009, respectively. From June 2002 to November 2008, Dr. Johnson
served as manager of commercial development for Plato Industries, Ltd. Dr. Johnson earned a B.S. in Entomology and Pest Management from
Iowa State University, an M.S. in Entomology from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from Purdue University.
Keith
J. Pitts was appointed as Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs in July 2008 and Senior Vice President and Chief
Sustainability Officer effective August 8, 2016. Previously, from January 2001 to June 2007, Mr. Pitts served as Director of Public Policy
at the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, a non-partisan research and policy organization based in Washington, D.C. From 1986
to 2001, Mr. Pitts worked in senior legislative, administrative, regulatory and public policy roles in both the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the House Committee on Agriculture. Mr. Pitts earned a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina.
Matti
Tiainen was appointed as Senior Vice President of International Sales effective February 1, 2021. Mr. Tiainen joined us in 2019
with the acquisition of Pro Farm Technologies, which he co-founded and where he has served as chief executive officer since July 2014.
In addition, Mr. Tiainen has served as a director of Matfred Holdings, Ltd. and Leo Kodit Oy, since 2014 and 2020, respectively.
Amit
Vasavada, Ph.D. was appointed as Vice President of Research and Development in March 2014 and Senior Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer effective March 16, 2017. From 2009 to 2014, Dr. Vasavada served as a program manager at General Atomics. Since 2006,
Dr. Vasavada has served on the scientific advisory board of Vaxiion Therapeutics and from 2008 to 2014 served as scientific advisor to
NewCos, an applied microbiology and algae-based technology development company. Dr. Vasavada earned a B.S. in microbiology from Gujarat
University, an M.S. in microbiology from University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in applied microbiology from University of California, Davis.
Board
of Directors and Leadership Structure
Our
board of directors currently consists of eight members. In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, our board of
directors has been divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual general meeting of stockholders, the successors
to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting
of stockholders following election. Our current directors have been divided among the three classes as follows:
|
● |
The
Class I directors are Pamela G. Marrone, Ph.D., Robert A. Woods and Yogesh Mago, and their terms will expire at the annual general
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023. |
|
|
|
|
● |
The
Class II directors are Keith McGovern and Stuart Woolf, and their terms will expire at the annual general meeting of stockholders
to be held in 2024. |
|
|
|
|
● |
The
Class III directors are Kevin Helash, Lara L. Lee and Zachary S. Wochok, Ph.D., and their terms will expire at the annual general
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022. |
The
board of directors currently separates the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, with Mr. Helash serving as Chief Executive Officer
and Mr. Woods serving as Chairman. The board of directors believes that separating these two roles promotes balance between the independent
authority of the board of directors to oversee our business and the Chief Executive Officer and our management team, which manages the
business on a day-to-day basis. The current separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles allows the Chief Executive Officer
to focus his time and energies on operating and managing the Company and leverages the experience and perspectives of the Chairman.
We
believe the board of directors maintains effective independent oversight through a number of governance practices, including our strong
committee system, open and direct communication with management, input on meeting agendas and regular executive sessions.
In
addition, the board of directors has established the following procedures for selecting the presiding director during the executive sessions
of the board of directors. The presiding director will be (i) the Chairman of the board of directors, or (ii) another director appointed
by the independent directors. Following his appointment in fiscal year 2018, our Chairman, Robert A. Woods, presided at executive sessions
of our board of directors.
Each
director brings significant expertise to the role of director. Below is a summary of the qualifications of each of our directors.
![](https://content.edgar-online.com/edgar_conv_img/2022/04/29/0001493152-22-011614_form10-ka_001.jpg)
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews the composition of our board of directors in light of qualifications
summarized above to plan for evolution among our board membership and to identify the skills and experience that will align with strategic
needs. We are focused on identifying director candidates that not only meet those needs, but also bring new viewpoints to the board of
directors by enhancing its diversity of personal backgrounds both generally and as provided in Nasdaq’s board diversity rules.
Two of our eight directors identify as female, and one of our directors is from an underrepresented community. The following table
sets forth certain diversity statistics as self-reported by the current members of our board of directors.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 15, 2022) |
|
Total Number of Directors | |
9 |
| |
Female | |
Male |
|
Part I: Gender Identity | |
|
Directors | |
2 | |
6 |
|
Part II: Demographic Background | |
|
Asian | |
- | |
1 |
|
White | |
2 | |
5 |
|
Director
Independence
Nasdaq
rules generally require that a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors be independent. In addition, the
listing rules generally require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation, and
governance committees be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under
Exchange Act, and Compensation Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange
Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3 and Rule 10C-1, a committee member may not, other than in his or
her capacity as a member of the board of directors or any board committee: accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory,
or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or be an affiliated person of the listed company or any
of its subsidiaries.
Our
board of directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director
and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent
judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Our board of directors has also reviewed whether the directors that comprise our
Audit Committee and Compensation Committee satisfy the independence standards for those committees established by the applicable SEC
rules and Nasdaq rules. In making this determination, our board of directors has considered the relationships that each of these non-employee
directors has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deem relevant in determining their independence,
including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock held by each non-employee director.
The
board of directors has determined that each of Lara L. Lee, Yogesh Mago, Keith McGovern, Stuart Woolf, Zachary S. Wochok and Robert A.
Woods is an independent director within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2), that each of Ms. Lee, Mr. Mago, Dr. Wochok and
Mr. Woods further meet the criteria for independence for Audit Committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act
and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2), and that each of Ms. Lee, Mr. McGovern, Dr. Wochok, Mr. Woods and Mr. Woolf further meet the criteria
for independence for Compensation Committee members set forth in set forth in Rule 10C-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
As
a current employee, Mr. Helash is not considered independent under applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules, and as a recent former employee,
Dr. Marrone is also not considered independent. In making its independence determination regarding Mr. Woods and Mr. Mago, the board
of directors considered, among other things, that Mr. Woods and Mr. Mago (as well as Dr. Marrone) are each consultants to Ospraie Management
LLC (“Ospraie Management”), an affiliate of Ospraie Ag Science LLC (“Ospraie”), a significant stockholder and
warrant holder (for more information, see “Transactions with Related Persons – Certain Related-Person Transactions”).
We also considered that pursuant to their consulting agreements with Ospraie Management, Mr. Woods and Mr. Mago (as well as Dr. Marrone)
are each paid monthly consulting fees by Ospraie, and Mr. Woods and Mr. Mago have also each been granted an indirect interest in the
equity securities of our Company held by Ospraie and its affiliates. Mr. Woods and Mr. Mago (as well as Dr. Marrone) do not actively
engage in the management of Ospraie or Ospraie Management and do not have voting control or investment power over the securities owned
by Ospraie.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
In
fiscal year 2021, our board of directors had three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of our committees are below.
Audit
Committee
Our
Audit Committee members are Ms. Lee, Mr. Mago, Dr. Wochok and Mr. Woods, each of whom is a non-employee member of our board of directors.
Dr. Wochok is our Audit Committee chair. Our board of directors has determined that Dr. Wochok is an Audit Committee financial expert,
as defined under the applicable SEC rules, and that each of Ms. Lee, Mr. Mago, Dr. Wochok and Mr. Woods is independent within the meaning
of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act and further satisfy the additional independence requirements
for service on the Audit Committee under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2).
Our
Audit Committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. Among other matters, the Audit Committee evaluates
the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance; determines the engagement of
the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and the audit fee; discusses with
management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the review of our quarterly consolidated
financial statements; approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible
non-audit services; monitors the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on our engagement team as
required by law; reviews our critical accounting policies and estimates; and annually reviews the Audit Committee charter. The
Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors that satisfies the applicable standards of Nasdaq.
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee members are Ms. Lee, Mr. McGovern, Dr. Wochok, Mr. Woods and Mr. Woolf, each of whom is a non-employee member
of our board of directors. Mr. Woolf is our Compensation Committee chair. Our board of directors has determined that each of Ms. Lee,
Mr. McGovern, Dr. Wochok, Mr. Woods and Mr. Woolf is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) and the criteria
for independence set forth in Rule 10C-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. The board of directors also determined that each of Ms. Lee, Mr.
McGovern, Dr. Wochok and Mr. Woolf is a non-employee director under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, but that Mr. Woods may be deemed
to be an employee director under that rule as a result of his consulting relationship with Ospraie Management.
Our
Compensation Committee reviews and recommends programs, arrangements and policies relating to the compensation and benefits of our officers
and employees. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief
executive officer and other executive officers, evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives and
sets the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. The Compensation Committee approves the issuance of certain stock
options and other awards under our stock plans, provided that the Compensation Committee recommends awards for approval by the board
of directors with respect to our executive officers, directors and any other persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee
operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors that satisfies the applicable standards of Nasdaq. The Compensation
Committee may form and delegate authority under its charter to subcommittees or other persons when appropriate.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members are Mr. Mago, Dr. Marrone, Mr. McGovern and Mr. Woolf, each of whom is a non-employee
member of our board of directors. Mr. McGovern is our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee chair. Our board of directors has
determined that each of Mr. Mago, Mr. McGovern and Mr. Woolf is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). Although
Dr. Marrone is not an independent director within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) because of her recent employment by the
Company and continued service as a consultant, our board of directors has determined, in accordance with the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee charter, that it continues to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for Dr. Marrone to serve
on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee given her industry connections, experience with corporate governance matters and
demonstrated devotion to the long term interests of the Company and its stockholders, as well as the desire to promote diversity and
inclusion on the board of directors.
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations regarding candidates for directorships and the
size and the composition of our board of directors. Candidates for directorships are generally identified and considered on the basis
of experience, areas of expertise and other factors relative to the overall composition of our board of directors. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee will also consider candidates for directorship recommended by stockholders that are submitted in compliance
with its charter. In addition to making recommendations for director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is
responsible for overseeing our corporate governance principles and making recommendations concerning governance matters. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors that satisfies the applicable standards
of Nasdaq.
Section
16(a) Reports
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers and any persons who own more than
10% of our shares, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by
SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Except as set forth herein, based solely on its review
of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and written representations from the directors and executive officers, the Company
believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met in a timely manner in fiscal 2021. Timely Forms 4 were inadvertently not
filed with respect to Timothy Johnson and James B. Boyd, which were filed in February 2021.
Corporate
Governance Guidelines
Our
board of directors has adopted written Corporate Governance Guidelines to assure that the board of directors will have the necessary
authority and practices in place to review and evaluate our business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent
of our management. The guidelines are also intended to align the interests of directors and management with those of our stockholders.
The Corporate Governance Guidelines set forth the practices the board of directors intends to follow with respect to board composition
and selection, board meetings and involvement of senior management, Chief Executive Officer performance evaluations and succession planning,
and board committees and compensation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the board of directors in implementing
and adhering to the Corporate Governance Guidelines. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the investor relations section
of our website at investors.marronebio.com under the heading “Corporate Governance.” The corporate governance guidelines
are reviewed at least annually by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and changes are recommended to our board of directors
as warranted.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
We
have adopted the Marrone Bio Innovations Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors and employees. Our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the investor relations section of our website (at investors.marronebio.com) under
the heading “Corporate Governance.” If we make any substantive amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant
any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose
the nature of the amendment or waiver on the investor relations section of our website at investors.marronebio.com under the heading
“Corporate Governance.” We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendment to,
or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by posting such information on our website at the address and
location specified above.
Corporate
Governance Materials
Our
Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, charters for each committee of the board of directors and other
corporate governance documents, are posted on the investor relations section of our website at investors.marronebio.com under the heading
“Corporate Governance.” In addition, stockholders may obtain a print copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics as well as the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 7780-420 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27617.
Changes
in Governance and Nominating Committee Procedures
There
have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee as potential nominees for director since such procedures were last described in our annual proxy statement,
filed with the SEC on April 26, 2021.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We
refer to our Chief Executive Officer and our two other most highly compensated executive officers discussed below as our “named
executive officers.” Our named executive officers for fiscal year 2021 were as follows:
|
● |
Kevin
Helash, Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
● |
Suping
(Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A., Former Chief Financial Officer(1) |
|
|
|
|
● |
Linda
V. Moore, Chief Legal Officer |
|
|
|
|
● |
James
B. Boyd, Former President and Chief Financial Officer(1) |
(1)
Mr. Boyd retired as President and Chief Financial Officer effective February 17, 2021, Ms. Cheung resigned as Chief Financial Officer
effective March 9, 2022.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table presents information regarding compensation earned by or awards to our named executive officers during fiscal years 2021,
2020 and 2019.
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION | |
YEAR | |
SALARY ($) | | |
BONUS ($) | | |
OPTION & RSU AWARDS ($)(1) | | |
NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN COMPENSATION ($)(2) | | |
ALL OTHER COMPENSATION ($)(3) | | |
TOTAL ($) | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Kevin Helash | |
2021 | |
| 404,072 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 12,570 | | |
| 416,642 | |
Chief Executive Officer | |
2020 | |
| 155,481 | | |
| — | | |
| 899,540 | (4) | |
| 41,112 | (5) | |
| 4,353 | | |
| 1,100,485 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Suping (Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A. Former Chief
Financial Officer | |
2021 | |
| 240,096 | | |
| — | | |
| 566,760 | (6) | |
| 50,000 | (7) | |
| 9,013 | | |
| 865,869 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Linda V. Moore, Chief Legal
Officer | |
2021 | |
| 306,656 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 10,081 | | |
| 316,737 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
James B. Boyd | |
2021 | |
| 45,112 | | |
| — | | |
| 520,000 | (8) | |
| — | | |
| 39,574 | | |
| 604,686 | |
Former President and | |
2020 | |
| 332,339 | (9) | |
| — | | |
| 66,000 | (10) | |
| 74,580 | (5) | |
| 35,495 | | |
| 508,413 | |
Chief Financial Officer | |
2019 | |
| 317,942 | | |
| — | | |
| 284,669 | (11) | |
| 62,700 | (12) | |
| 39,097 | | |
| 704,408 | |
(1) |
This
column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards and restricted stock units granted to our named executive officers
estimated pursuant to FASB ASC 718, Compensation—Share based compensation (ASC 718). Valuation assumptions for 2021 are described
in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II—Item 8—”Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. |
|
|
(2) |
This
column includes cash amounts paid under our non-equity incentive award program, except as indicated. |
(3) |
This
column includes our 401(k) retirement savings plan matching, payment of life insurance premiums, long-term disability, housing allowances,
gym reimbursements, accrued vacation paid out at termination and other insurance-related reimbursements unless separately noted.
|
|
|
(4) |
The
amount for Mr. Helash includes three option awards of 250,000, 250,000 and 2,000,000 with an exercise price of $1.16, none of which
have been exercised. |
|
|
(5) |
On
March 30, 2021, our board of directors approved awards under our non-equity incentive plan for service in fiscal year 2020. The total
awards granted to each of Mr. Helash and Mr. Boyd had an aggregate value of $41,112 and $74,580, respectively. In order to conserve
resources, on April 2, 2020, the board of directors determined in its discretion to pay the bonus awards for Mr. Helash in the form
of RSUs, with the number of RSUs awarded in lieu of cash determined at a rate of $1.95 per share, the closing price of the Company’s
common stock as listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 1, 2021, the last trading day before the date of grant, such that Mr.
Helash received 21,084. The RSUs vested and settled on May 20, 2021. |
|
|
(6) |
The
amount for Ms. Cheung includes an option award of 400,000 with an exercise price of $2.60, which has not been exercised. |
|
|
(7) |
In
connection with her appointment as the Company’s CFO, Ms.Cheung received a $50,000 signing bonus. |
|
|
|
|
(8) |
The
amount for Mr. Boyd reflects a grant of 200,000 RSUs with an aggregate grant date fair value of $520,000 issued as consideration
under the consulting agreement. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes
RSUs awarded by our board of directors in lieu of salary on May 1, 2020 upon the recommendation of Company management. The RSUs replaced
10% of the named executive officers’ annual base salaries pro-rated for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, the
remaining 90% of which continued to be paid in cash, as follows: |
Named Executive Officer | |
2020 Annual Base Salary | | |
Cash Salary Foregone | | |
Number of RSUs Awarded |
James B. Boyd | |
$ | 330,000 | | |
$ | 24,750 | | |
34,859 |
Our
executives agreed to the receipt of RSUs in lieu of cash salary in order to conserve our resources in light of the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic. The number of RSUs awarded paid in lieu of cash was calculated at a rate of $0.71 per share, the closing price of our common
stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on May 1, 2020, the date of grant. The RSUs vested in three equal installments on June 30, September
30, and December 31, 2020, with settlement and delivery of vested shares upon termination of service with the Company.
(10) |
The
amount for Mr. Boyd reflects an award of 68,041 RSUs with an aggregate grant date fair value of $66,000 issued as a discretionary
bonus in connection with our completion of a warrant exchange transaction (see “Transactions with Related Persons—Warrant
Exchange Agreement” for more information). |
|
|
(11) |
The
amount for Mr. Boyd reflects an option award of 300,000 shares with an exercise price of $1.44, which has not been exercised. |
|
|
(12) |
On
May 1, 2020, our board of directors approved awards under our non-equity incentive plan for service in fiscal year 2019. The total
awards granted to Mr. Boyd had an aggregate value of $62,700. In order to resources, the board of directors determined in its discretion
to pay the bonus awards to Mr. Boyd in the form of RSUs, with the number of RSUs awarded in lieu of cash determined at a rate of
$0.71 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock as listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market on May 1, 2020, the
date of grant, such that Mr. Boyd received 88,309 RSUs. The RSUs were fully vested, and originally issued with settlement and delivery
of vested shares upon termination of service with the Company. |
Outstanding
Equity Awards at the End of Fiscal Year 2021
The
following table provides information regarding unexercised stock options and restricted stock units held by each of our named executive
officers as of the end of fiscal year 2021.
| |
| |
OPTION AWARDS | |
STOCK AWARDS | |
NAME | |
GRANT DATE | |
SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS EXERCISABLE (#) | | |
SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS UNEXERCISEABLE (#) | | |
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) | | |
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE | |
NUMBER OF SHARES OR UNITS OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT YET VESTED (#) | | |
MARKET VALUE OF SHARES OR UNITS OF STOCK THAT HAVE NOT YET VESTED ($) | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| |
Kevin Helash | |
8/4/2020 | |
| 159,378 | (1) | |
| 2,290,622 | | |
| 1.16 | | |
8/4/2030 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Suping (Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A | |
2/18/2021 | |
| — | (2) | |
| 400,000 | | |
| 2.60 | | |
2/18/2031 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Linda | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
V. | |
3/17/2014 | |
| 100,000 | (3) | |
| — | | |
| 14.61 | | |
3/17/2024 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Moore | |
3/1/2016 | |
| 100,000 | (4) | |
| — | | |
| 1.23 | | |
3/1/2026 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
5/30/2018 | |
| 134,406 | (5) | |
| 15,594 | | |
| 1.65 | | |
5/30/2028 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
7/16/2019 | |
| 181,279 | (6) | |
| 118,721 | | |
| 1.44 | | |
7/16/2029 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
James B. | |
2/26/2014 | |
| 190,000 | (7) | |
| — | | |
| 14.03 | | |
2/26/2024 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Boyd | |
3/1/2016 | |
| 150,000 | (8) | |
| — | | |
| 1.23 | | |
3/1/2026 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
11/16/2016 | |
| 200,000 | (9) | |
| — | | |
| 2.34 | | |
11/16/2026 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
5/30/2018 | |
| 150,000 | (10) | |
| — | (12) | |
| 1.65 | | |
5/30/2028 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
7/16/2019 | |
| 300,000 | (11) | |
| — | (12) | |
| 1.44 | | |
7/16/2029 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
2/18/2021 | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
— | |
| 33,333 | | |
| 24,000 | |
(1) |
Of
the aggregate options, a first tranche of 225,000 option vest with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option
on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date of August 3, 2021, and with respect to 1/48th of the total shares subject
to the options monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares were fully vested upon the fourth anniversary of the options’
vesting commencement date; a second tranche of 225,000 options vests over a period of four years as measured from the vesting commencement
date, on a pro-rata basis equally each month, subject to acceleration on the date on which we file our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 if, within such report, we report the achievement of certain revenue, margin and expense
performance targets for our 2020 fiscal year; and a final tranche of 2,000,000 options is subject to performance-based vesting, but
only if the performance criteria regarding the attainment of a certain closing price for our stock, as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital
Market for 30 consecutive trading days are satisfied by that date which is 30 days following the reporting of financial results for
the Company’s second quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The performance targets for the Company’s fiscal
year 2020 were not met, such that the second tranche of 225,000 options with the applicable performance milestone will not be accelerated
and will continue to vest monthly over a period of four years. Additionally, as of March 31, 2021, the performance criteria for the
third tranche 2,000,000 options have not been satisfied. |
(2) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on February 18, 2022, and with respect to 1/48th
of the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the
fourth anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(3) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on March 17, 2015, and with respect to 1/48th
of the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the
fourth anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(4) |
The
option vests with respect to one-third of the total shares subject to the option on March 1, 2017, and with respect to 1/36th of
the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 24 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the third
anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(5) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on May 3, 2019, and with respect to 1/48th of
the total shares subject to the option monthly on the third day of each month thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares
will be fully vested on May 3, 2022. |
|
|
(6) |
The
option vests with respect to 1/48th of the total shares starting on the 16th day of the month following the date
of grant for a period of 48 months. |
|
|
(7) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on February 26, 2015, and with respect to 1/48th
of the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the
fourth anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(8) |
The
option vests with respect to one-third of the total shares subject to the option on March 1, 2017, and with respect to 1/36th of
the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 24 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the third
anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(9) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on November 16, 2017, and with respect to 1/48th
of the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the
fourth anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(10) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on May 30, 2019, and with respect to 1/48th of
the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the fourth
anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(11) |
The
option vests with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on July 16, 2020, and with respect to 1/48th of
the total shares subject to the option monthly thereafter for 36 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the fourth
anniversary of the option’s vesting commencement date. |
|
|
(12) |
In
accordance with the terms of his separation agreement with the Company, any options held by Mr. Boyd that remained unvested as of
February 17, 2021 became fully vested. |
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year have served, as a member of the board of directors or Compensation Committee
of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Employment
Agreements
We
have entered into an employment offer letter with each of Mr. Helash, Dr. Cheung, and Ms. Moore as described below. We have also entered
into employee proprietary information and inventions assignment agreements with each of these officers, under which each of them has
agreed not to disclose our confidential information or induce us to use proprietary information or trade secrets of others at any time.
Kevin
Helash.
Effective
as of July 3, 2020, we entered into an offer letter with Kevin Helash, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Under the offer
letter, Mr. Helash is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $385,000, which has since been increased to $455,000
by our board of directors, and a target annual award opportunity under our discretionary bonus plan of up to
45% of his annual base salary (payable on a pro rata basis for fiscal year 2020), unless adjusted by the board of directors for any year.
Pursuant
to the offer letter, Mr. Helash was granted an option to purchase 2,450,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Helash
Option”), pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. The Helash Option is structured as follows:
|
● |
Time-Based
Tranche. 225,000 shares of the Helash Option (the “Time-Based Tranche”) are subject to time-based vesting over a
period of four years as measured from Mr. Helash’s first date of employment (the “Helash Vesting Commencement Date”).
Twenty-five percent of the Time-Based Tranche will vest on the first anniversary of the Helash Vesting Commencement Date, and the
remaining 75 percent of the shares under the Time-Based Tranche will vest over the next following 3 years on a pro-rata basis equally
each month. |
|
|
|
|
● |
Enhanced
Time-Based Tranche. 225,000 shares of the Helash Option (the “Enhanced Time-Based Tranche”) are subject to time-based
vesting over a period of four years as measured from the Vesting Commencement Date, on a pro-rata basis equally each month, subject
to acceleration on the date on which we file our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 if, within
such report, we report the achievement of certain revenue, margin and expense performance targets for its 2020 fiscal year, each
of which are within 10% of our internal targets for the year with respect to the various target elements. |
|
● |
Performance
Tranche. 2,000,000 shares of the Helash Option (the “Performance Tranche”) are also subject to performance-based
vesting, but only if the performance criteria are satisfied by a specific performance deadline. Vesting of the Performance Tranche
is contingent on the attainment of a certain closing price for our stock, as quoted on Nasdaq, for 30 consecutive trading days, by
that date which is 30 days following the reporting of financial results for the Company’s second quarter of its fiscal year
ending December 31, 2022 (the “Performance Deadline”). If the performance criteria are satisfied on or before the Performance
Deadline, the Performance Tranche will vest on the date that the performance criteria are satisfied. If Mr. Helash terminates employment
prior to the date on which the performance criteria are satisfied or the performance criteria are not satisfied on or before the
Performance Deadline, then all of the shares under the Performance Tranche will permanently and irrevocably forfeit at the earlier
of the Performance Deadline or his termination date. |
The
offer letter provides that either party may terminate the employment arrangement for any reason or no reason, but four weeks’ notice
is requested if the agreement is terminated by Mr. Helash. In addition, the offer letter provides that if we actively or constructively
terminate Mr. Helash’s employment without cause (whether or not in connection with a change of control), Mr. Helash will be eligible
to receive:
|
● |
an
amount equal to twelve months of his then-current annual base salary payable in the form of salary continuation; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
medical
and dental coverage, plus disability and life insurance premiums, for a period of twelve months following his termination. |
Suping
(Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A.
Effective
as of January 25, 2021, we entered into an offer letter with our former Chief Financial Officer, Suping (Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A.
Under the offer letter, Dr. Cheung was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $275,000 and a target annual award opportunity under
our discretionary bonus plan of up to 40% of her annual base salary, unless adjusted by the board of directors for any year. In accordance
with the offer letter, Dr. Cheung was granted an option to purchase 400,000 shares of our common stock (the “Cheung Option”),
pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. The Cheung Option was subject to time-based vesting over a period of four
years as measured from Dr. Cheung’s first date of employment (the “Cheung Vesting Commencement Date”). 25% of the Cheung
Option vested on the first anniversary of the Cheung Vesting Commencement Date, and the remaining 75% of the shares would have vested
over the next following 3 years on a pro-rata basis equally each month if Dr. Cheung were to have continued providing services to the
Company.
The
offer letter provided that either party may terminate the employment arrangement for any reason or no reason, but four weeks’ notice
was requested if the agreement were terminated by Dr. Cheung. In addition, the offer letter provided that if we actively or constructively
terminated Dr. Cheung’s employment without cause (whether or not in connection with a change of control), Dr. Cheung would have
been eligible to receive:
|
● |
an
amount equal to six months’ severance; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
medical
and dental coverage. |
Linda
V. Moore
Effective
as of March 17, 2014, we entered into an offer letter with Linda V. Moore, our Chief Legal Officer, as supplemented by additional
letter agreements on February 9, 2015 and again on November 6, 2017. Under the letter agreements, Ms. Moore is entitled to an annual
base salary of $260,000, which has since been increased to $320,000, and is eligible for our benefit programs, vacation
benefits, medical benefits and 401(k) plan participation. In addition, in satisfaction of obligations to Ms. Moore in the original offer
letter with respect to option awards, our board of directors granted Ms. Moore an option to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock
on March 17, 2014, which vested with respect to one-quarter of the total shares subject to the option on the first anniversary of the
option’s vesting commencement date of March 17, 2014 and with respect to 1/48th of the total shares subject to the option monthly
thereafter for 36 months, such that all shares subject to the option were fully vested on the fourth anniversary of such option’s
vesting commencement date. In addition, in satisfaction of obligations to Ms. Moore in the most recent letter agreement, Ms. Moore was
granted 150,000 RSUs with respect to our common stock on November 6, 2017, which vested in equal monthly increments over a period of
three years from the grant date. In addition, Ms. Moore will continue to be eligible for our bonus plan, under which Ms. Moore’s
bonus can be up to 35% of her salary.
The
original offer letter also provided for relocation expenses of $10,000 and one month temporary housing. The letter agreement provides
that either party may terminate the employment arrangement for any reason or no reason, but four weeks’ notice is requested if
Ms. Moore terminates her employment. In addition, the agreements provides that if we actively or constructively terminate Ms. Moore’s
employment without cause (whether or not in connection with a change of control), Ms. Moore will be eligible to receive:
|
● |
an
amount equal to six months of her then-current annual base salary payable in the form of salary continuation; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
medical
and dental coverage, plus disability and life insurance premiums, for a period of six months following her termination. |
Her
letter agreements also provide for certain payments in the event of a termination in connection with a change in control, but such provisions
were superseded by the change in control agreement discussed below.
Separation
and Consulting Agreements
James
B. Boyd.
On
September 21, 2020, Mr. Boyd announced his intention to retire from his position as our Chief Financial Officer and President, and in
connection with his retirement, entered into a separation agreement (the “Boyd Separation Agreement”). The Boyd Separation
Agreement provides that Mr. Boyd’s retirement is effective immediately prior to the date on which a new Chief Financial Officer
commences service, subject to the parties right to extend the termination date for a transition period and subject to the right to terminate
Mr. Boyd’s employment earlier in the discretion of our CEO or for “cause” or due to Mr. Boyd’s “disability,”
as those terms are defined in Mr. Boyd’s change in control agreement. In accordance with the Boyd Separation Agreement, Mr. Boyd’s
retirement became effective February 17, 2021, the day before Dr. Cheung commenced as our Chief Financial Officer.
Mr.
Boyd also entered into a consulting agreement with us on September 21, 2020 (the “Boyd Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to
the Boyd Consulting Agreement, Mr. Boyd agreed to serve as a consultant to the Company for a period of one year following the date of
his retirement, unless terminated earlier as discussed below or extended by mutual agreement, to help us create and develop an entity
dedicated to the eradication of invasive species with the terms of such services and related deliverables detailed in the Boyd Consulting
Agreement. As consideration for his service as a consultant, Mr. Boyd received a one-time award of 200,000 RSUs, which will vest in equal
installments over twelve months, subject to his continuous service as a consultant through the applicable vesting dates, under our 2013
Plan. Under the terms of the Boyd Consulting Agreement, we may terminate Mr. Boyd’s service as a consultant by giving five (5)
days prior written notice, in which case any unvested RSUs granted under the Boyd Consulting Agreement will vest immediately. We may
also terminate the Boyd Consulting Agreement upon Mr. Boyd’s breach or default or for certain other grounds, in which case Mr.
Boyd’s unvested RSUs will be forfeited.
Change
in Control Agreements
Kevin
Helash.
Effective
as of July 3, 2020, we entered into a change in control agreement with Mr. Helash (the “Helash CIC Agreement”), which provides
Mr. Helash with the right to receive certain benefits if, in connection with a Change in Control (as defined in the Helash CIC Agreement),
Mr. Helash terminates his employment with the Company for good reason or the Company terminates his employment without cause. The Helash
CIC Agreement provides that in such an event: (i) Mr. Helash will receive a single lump sum severance payment equal to twelve months
of his annual salary; (ii) if Mr. Helash has been employed by the Company for one year or longer at the time of such termination, all
outstanding and unvested equity compensation awards held by Mr. Helash will vest, but if Mr. Helash has been employed by the Company
for less than one year at the time of such termination, (a) 100 percent of the Time-Based Tranche and the Enhanced Time-Based Tranche
(as defined in Mr. Helash’s offer letter, described above) will become vested as of the date of termination and (b) the Performance
Tranche (as defined in Mr. Helash’s offer letter, described above) will vest and will be permanently and irrevocably forfeited;
(iii) Mr. Helash will receive a lump sum bonus payment in an amount equal to 20% of his then-current base salary, prorated based on the
percentage of the current year completed prior to termination; and (iv) the Company will pay for health continuation coverage premiums
for the executive and his family members for twelve months following the date of termination.
The
benefits provided for in the Helash CIC Agreement is subject to Mr. Helash’s delivery of a release of claims reasonably acceptable
to the Company. Under the Helash CIC Agreement, Mr. Helash is also subject to non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations during
employment with the Company and for one year following termination.
Suping
(Sue) Liu Cheung, Ph.D., C.P.A.
On
January 26, 2021, we also entered into a change in control agreement with Dr. Cheung (the “Cheung CIC Agreement”), which
provided Dr. Cheung with the right to receive certain benefits if, in connection with a Change in Control (as defined in the Cheung CIC
Agreement), Dr. Cheung terminated her employment with us for good reason or we terminated her employment without cause. The Cheung CIC
Agreement provided that in such an event: (i) Dr. Cheung would receive a single lump sum severance payment equal to twelve months of
her annual salary; (ii) all outstanding and unvested equity compensation awards held by Dr. Cheung would vest; (iii) Dr. Cheung would
receive a lump sum bonus payment in an amount equal to 20% of her then-current base salary, prorated based on the percentage of the current
year completed prior to termination; and (iv) we would pay for health continuation coverage premiums for the executive and her family
members for twelve months following the date of termination.
The
benefits provided for in the Cheung CIC Agreement were subject to Dr. Cheung’s delivery of a release of claims reasonably acceptable
to us. Under the Cheung CIC Agreement, Dr. Cheung was also subject to non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations during employment
with us and for one year following termination.
Linda
V. Moore
On
June 17, 2016, we also entered into a change in control agreement with Ms. Moore (the “Moore CIC Agreement”), which provides
Ms. Moore with the right to receive certain benefits if, in connection with a Change in Control (as defined in the Moore CIC Agreement),
Ms. Moore terminates her employment with us for good reason or we terminate her employment without cause. The Moore CIC Agreement provides
that in such an event: (i) Ms. Moore will receive a single lump sum severance payment equal to twelve months of her annual salary; (ii)
all outstanding and unvested equity compensation awards held by Ms. Moore will vest; (iii) Ms. Moore will receive a lump sum bonus payment
in an amount equal to 16.7% of her then-current base salary, prorated based on the percentage of the current year completed prior to
termination; and (iv) we will pay for health continuation coverage premiums for the executive and her family members for twelve months
following the date of termination.
The
benefits provided for in the Moore CIC Agreement are subject to Ms. Moore’s delivery of a release of claims reasonably acceptable
to us. Under the Moore CIC Agreement, Ms. Moore is also subject to non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations during employment
with us and for one year following termination.
Compensation
Risk Management
We
have considered the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices for all employees, and we believe we have designed
our compensation policies and practices in a manner that does not create incentives that could lead to excessive risk taking that would
have a material adverse effect on our Company.
Employee
Benefit and Stock Plans
Marrone
Bio Innovations, Inc. Stock Option Plan
We
established the Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. Stock Option Plan, which we refer to as the 2006 Plan, effective as of July 26, 2006. We
ceased granting options under our 2006 Plan after, and the 2006 Plan terminated upon, the adoption of our 2011 Plan on July 19, 2011.
Our 2006 Plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, or the Code, to our employees and any parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees, and for the grant of non-qualified
stock options to our employees, outside directors and consultants and our parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees and consultants.
Administration:
Our board of directors administered our 2006 Plan. The administrator’s powers include the power to: determine the fair market value
of our common stock; select the individuals to whom options may be granted; determine the number of shares of stock covered by each option;
approve forms of award agreement; determine the terms and conditions of options granted to employees and consultants (e.g., the exercise
price, the times when options may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture
restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any option or the underlying shares of stock); reduce the exercise price of
any option granted to employees and consultants to the then current fair market value of our common stock if such fair market value has
declined since the date of grant; prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to our 2006 Plan; modify or amend each
option; institute an option exchange program; and make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering our 2006
Plan.
Transferability
of Options: Our 2006 Plan allows for the transfer of options only (i) by will; and (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution.
Only the recipient of an option may exercise such option during his or her lifetime.
Certain
Adjustments: In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, our board of directors will make adjustments to one or more of
(i) the number of shares that are covered by outstanding options; (ii) the exercise price of outstanding options, and (iii) the numerical
share limits contained in our 2006 Plan. In the event of our complete liquidation or dissolution, recipients must be notified at least
ten (10) days prior to the proposed transaction and may exercise all vested and unvested options until ten (10) days prior to such transaction;
all outstanding options will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction.
Corporate
Transactions: Our 2006 Plan provides that in the event of a corporate transaction, as defined in our 2006 Plan, each outstanding
option will become immediately vested. In the event of a corporate transaction involving a merger or sale of assets, options will be
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date that notice of the transaction is provided; the option will then terminate
upon the expiration of that period.
2011
Stock Plan
We
established our 2011 Stock Plan, which we refer to as the 2011 Plan, effective as of July 19, 2011. Our 2011 Plan provided for the grant
of incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, to our employees and any parent and subsidiary corporations’
employees, and for the grant of non-qualified stock options and stock purchase rights to our employees, directors and consultants and
any parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees, directors and consultants. We ceased granting options under our 2011 Plan after,
and the 2011 Plan terminated upon, the adoption of our 2013 Plan on August 1, 2013.
Administration:
Our board of directors administered our 2011 Plan. The administrator’s powers include the power to: determine the persons to whom,
and the times at which, awards shall be granted and the number of shares of our common stock subject to each award; determine the fair
market value of our common stock; determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each award (e.g. the exercise price,
the method of payment, the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation, the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability
and vesting of the award, the time of the expiration of the award, and the effect of the recipient’s termination of service); approve
forms of award agreement; amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any award or waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any
award; accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any award; prescribe, amend or rescind rules guidelines and policies
relating to the 2011 Plan; and make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the 2011 Plan or any award as
it deems advisable and that is consistent with applicable law, regulations and rules.
Stock
Options: Our 2011 Plan allowed for the grant of incentive stock options that qualify under Section 422 of the Code only to our employees
and employees of any parent or subsidiary of ours. Non-qualified stock options could be granted to our employees, directors, and consultants
and those of any parent or subsidiary of ours. The exercise price of all options granted under our 2011 Plan was required to be at least
equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of an option may not exceed ten (10) years, except
that with respect to any employee who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock or
the outstanding stock of any parent or subsidiary corporation as of the grant date (i) the term of an incentive stock option must not
exceed five (5) years; and (ii) the exercise price of an incentive stock option must equal at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of
the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date.
After
the continuous service of an employee, director or consultant terminates, he or she may exercise his or her option, to the extent vested,
for the period of time specified in the award agreement. If his or her continuous service terminates for cause, however, the option shall
immediately terminate. An option may not be exercised later than the expiration of its term.
Stock
Purchase Rights: Our 2011 Plan allowed for the grant of stock purchase rights. Stock purchase rights are rights to purchase our common
stock for at least one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of our common stock and which are exercisable for thirty (30)
days from the date of grant. The purchase price of a stock purchase right may be paid in cash or in the form of services rendered. The
board of directors may subject a stock purchase right to vesting conditions.
Transferability
of Awards: Our 2011 Plan allowed for the transfer of awards only (i) by will; (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution and (iii)
for non-qualified stock options, to the extent authorized by the board of directors. Only the recipient of an award may exercise such
award during his or her lifetime except that non-qualified stock options may be transferred to certain trusts and certain family members.
Certain
Adjustments: In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential
benefits available under the 2011 Plan, the board of directors will make adjustments to one or more of (i) the number and class of shares
subject to the 2011 Plan and that are covered by outstanding awards; (ii) the exercise price of outstanding awards and (iii) the incentive
stock option share limit contained in the 2011 Plan.
Changes
in Control: Our 2011 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2011 Plan, the board of directors,
in its discretion may provide that (i) the vesting and exercisability of any outstanding awards shall accelerate; or (ii) that each outstanding
award (including, at the board of directors’ discretion, unvested awards) shall be cashed out; payment due with respect to unvested
awards would then be payable in accordance with the existing vesting schedule. Further, the successor corporation may assume or substitute
an equivalent award for each outstanding award; if the successor corporation does not do so, awards held by recipients who have not terminated
employment with us will vest in full as of the change in control.
2013
Stock Incentive Plan
In
August 2013, our board of directors adopted the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (which we refer to, as amended, as our 2013 Plan). The 2013
Plan serves as the successor to our 2011 Plan. Our 2013 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code, to our employees and any parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees, and for the grant of non-qualified
stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and dividend equivalent rights to our employees, directors
and consultants and our parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees, directors and consultants.
Shares:
Upon the ratification of its amendment by our shareholders in May 2018, the 2013 Plan authorized a total of 14,452,472 shares of our
common stock for issuance. In addition, the number of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2013 Plan will be increased by any
additional shares that would otherwise return to the 2011 Plan after the date of adoption of the 2013 Plan as a result of the forfeiture,
termination or expiration of awards previously granted under the 2011 Plan. Further, our 2013 Plan provides for annual increases in the
number of shares available for issuance thereunder equal to the least of (i) 3.5% of the number of shares of the Company’s common
stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (ii) a lesser number of shares determined by the administrator.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, as of January 1, 2022, including such annual increase, 23,035,601 shares of our common stock,
plus any additional shares which are subject to options granted under our 2011 Plan but are forfeited or otherwise terminate or expire
subsequent to January 1, 2021, were authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2013 Plan. In addition, as of January 1, 2022, under the
2013 Plan, 16,657,738 shares of common stock were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and settlement of RSUs granted and
6,377,863 additional shares of common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to future grants, subject to certain limits on the number
of shares subject to awards that may be made to any individual in any fiscal year.
Administration:
Our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors administers our 2013 Plan. The administrator has the power to determine
and interpret the terms and conditions of the awards, including the employees, directors and consultants who will receive awards, the
exercise price, the number of shares subject to each such award, the vesting schedule and exercisability of the awards, the restrictions
on transferability of awards and the form of consideration payable upon exercise. The administrator also has the authority to institute
an exchange program whereby the exercise prices of outstanding awards may be reduced or outstanding awards may be surrendered or cancelled
in exchange for other awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices) or awards of a different type.
Stock
Options: Our 2013 Plan allows for the grant of incentive stock options that qualify under Section 422 of the Code only to our employees
and employees of any parent or subsidiary of ours. Non-qualified stock options may be granted to our employees, directors and consultants
and those of any parent or subsidiary of ours.
The
exercise price of all options granted under our 2013 Plan must at least be equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the
date of grant. The term of an incentive stock option may not exceed ten (10) years, except that with respect to any employee who owns
more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock or any parent or subsidiary corporation as of
the grant date, the term must not exceed five (5) years and the exercise price must equal at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of
the fair market value on the grant date.
After
the continuous service of an employee, director or consultant terminates, he or she may exercise his or her option, to the extent vested,
for the period of time specified in the option agreement. However, an option may not be exercised later than the expiration of its term.
Stock
Appreciation Rights: Our 2013 Plan allows for the grant of stock appreciation rights. Stock appreciation rights allow the recipient
to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the date of grant and the exercise date. The administrator
will determine the terms of stock appreciation rights, including when such rights become exercisable and whether to pay the increased
appreciation in cash or with shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof, except that the base appreciation amount for the cash
or shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the
fair market value per share on the date of grant. After the continuous service of an employee, director or consultant terminates, he
or she may exercise his or her stock appreciation right, to the extent vested, only to the extent provided in the stock appreciation
right agreement.
Restricted
Stock Awards: Our 2013 Plan allows for the grant of restricted stock. Restricted stock awards are shares of our common stock that
vest in accordance with terms and conditions established by the administrator. The administrator will determine the number of shares
of restricted stock granted to any employee, director or consultant. The administrator may impose whatever conditions on vesting it determines
to be appropriate. For example, the administrator may set restrictions based on the achievement of specific performance goals. Shares
of restricted stock that do not vest are subject to our right of repurchase or forfeiture.
Restricted
Stock Units: Our 2013 Plan allows for the grant of restricted stock units. Restricted stock units are awards that will result in
payment to a recipient at the end of a specified period only if the vesting criteria established by the administrator are achieved or
the award otherwise vests. The administrator may impose whatever conditions to vesting, restrictions and conditions to payment it determines
to be appropriate. The administrator may set restrictions based on the achievement of specific performance goals or on the continuation
of service or employment. Payments of earned restricted stock units may be made, in the administrator’s discretion, in cash, with
shares of our common stock or other securities, or a combination thereof.
Dividend
Equivalent Rights: Our 2013 Plan allows for the grant of dividend equivalent rights. Dividend equivalent rights are awards that entitle
the recipients to compensation measured by the dividends we pay with respect to our common stock.
Transferability
of Awards: Our 2013 Plan allows for the transfer of awards under the 2013 Plan only (i) by will; (ii) by the laws of descent and
distribution and (iii) for awards other than incentive stock options, to the extent authorized by the administrator. Only the recipient
of an incentive stock option may exercise such award during his or her lifetime.
Certain
Adjustments: In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential
benefits available under the 2013 Plan, the administrator will make adjustments to one or more of the number or class of shares that
are covered by outstanding awards, the exercise or purchase price of outstanding awards, the numerical share limits contained in the
2013 Plan and any other terms that the administrator determines require adjustment. In the event of our complete liquidation or dissolution,
all outstanding awards will terminate immediately upon the consummation of such transaction.
Corporate
Transactions and Changes in Control: Our 2013 Plan provides that in the event of a corporate transaction, as defined in the 2013
Plan, each outstanding award will terminate upon the consummation of the corporate transaction to the extent that such awards are not
assumed by the acquiring or succeeding corporation. Prior to or upon the consummation of a corporate transaction or a change in control,
as defined in the 2013 Plan, an outstanding award may vest, in whole or in part, to the extent provided in the award agreement or as
determined by the administrator in its discretion. The administrator may condition the vesting of an award upon the subsequent termination
of the recipient’s service or employment within a specified period of time following the consummation of a corporate transaction
or change in control. The administrator will not be required to treat all awards similarly in the event of a corporate transaction or
change in control.
Plan
Amendments and Termination: Our 2013 Plan will automatically terminate ten (10) years following the date it became effective (in
2023) unless we terminate it sooner. In addition, our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2013 Plan
provided such action does not impair the rights under any outstanding award unless mutually agreed to in writing by the recipient and
us. Our board of directors, with approval of our shareholders, subsequently amended the 2013 Plan in May 2018, and in August 2020 exercised
its authority to amend the 2013 Plan by resolution without shareholder approval to provide that certain limitations on the size of individual
awards would not apply to grants made to Mr. Helash with respect to his hire as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer.
2019
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The
2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) was adopted by the board of directors, and approved by stockholders at the 2019
annual meeting of stockholders. The purpose of the ESPP is to allow us to provide eligible employees of the Company and its participating
parents and subsidiaries with the opportunity to purchase common stock of the Company at a discount from the then current market price
through accumulated payroll deductions. The ESPP, and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder, is intended to qualify
under the provisions of Sections 421 and 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under
the ESPP, eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of eligible compensation for the purchase of our common stock
on specified purchase dates established by the plan administrator. Initially, we intend to have six-month offering periods, commencing
January 1 and July 1 of each year, with the first offering period beginning July 1, 2019. The purchase price for shares in an offering
period may be equal to either (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase or (2) 85% of the
fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or the purchase date, whichever is lower. Unless
determined otherwise by the plan administrator, the purchase price will be equal to 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common
stock on the first day of the offering period or the purchase date, whichever is lower.
Administration:
The ESPP may be administered by the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors designated from time to time by resolution
of the board of directors, which we refer to herein as the “plan administrator.” The plan administrator has full authority
to adopt such rules and procedures as it may deem necessary for the proper plan administration and to interpret the provisions of the
ESPP, including the authority to determine whether the purchase price for any purchase period will be equal to the lower of: (1) 85%
of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase or (2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our
common stock on the first day of the offering period or the purchase date. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Compensation
Committee may delegate its authority under the ESPP.
Shares
Available Under the ESPP: A total of one million (1,000,000) shares of common stock are authorized for under the ESPP, subject to
adjustment in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification or similar event. The
ESPP’s share limit will be increased effective January 1 of each year commencing January 1, 2020 by an amount equal to the least
of: (i) one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar year; and (ii)
a lesser number of shares determined by the plan administrator.
Offering
Periods: The ESPP will initially provide only one offering period during each six-month period beginning each January 1 and July
1. The plan administrator may alter the duration of future offering periods in advance without stockholder approval. Each participant
is granted a separate purchase right to purchase shares of common stock for each offering period in which he or she participates. Purchase
rights under the ESPP are granted on the start date of each offering period and are automatically exercised on the last day of the offering
period. Each purchase right entitles the participant to purchase the whole number of shares of common stock obtained by dividing the
participant’s payroll deductions for the offering period by the purchase price in effect for such period.
Eligibility:
Except as described in this paragraph with respect to certain foreign employees, all employees of the Company and any designated
parent or subsidiary who are regularly expected to work for more than 20 hours per week for more than five months per calendar year and
who have been employed for such continuous period as the plan administrator may require (which period must be less than two years) are
eligible to participate in the ESPP. An eligible employee may only join an offering period in advance of the start date of that period.
Designated parents and subsidiaries include any parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company, whether now existing or hereafter organized,
which elect, with the approval of the plan administrator, to extend the benefits of the ESPP to their eligible employees. Employees who
are citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction (without regard to whether he or she is also a citizen of the United States or a
resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code)) are ineligible to participate in the ESPP
if his or her participation is prohibited under the laws on the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction or if complying with the laws of the
applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction would cause the ESPP or an offering to violate Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Purchase
Provisions: Each participant in the ESPP may authorize periodic payroll deductions that may not exceed 15% of his or her compensation,
which is defined in the ESPP to include the regular U.S. payroll base salary, unless the plan administrator determines otherwise. Unless
otherwise determined by the plan administrator, compensation will not include overtime, bonuses, annual awards, other incentive payments,
reimbursements or other expense allowances, loan forgiveness, fringe benefits, moving expenses, deferred compensation, or contributions
(other than contributions under a 401(k) or cafeteria plan). A participant may reduce his or her rate of payroll deductions during an
offering period, subject to the rules set by the plan administrator. On the last day of each offering period, the accumulated payroll
deductions of each participant are automatically applied to the purchase shares of common stock at the purchase price in effect for that
period.
Purchase
Price: The purchase price per share at which common stock is purchased on the participant’s behalf for each offering period
may be equal to either (1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase or (2) 85% of the fair
market value of a share of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or the purchase date, whichever is lower. Unless
determined otherwise by the plan administrator, the purchase price will be equal to 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common
stock on the first day of the offering period or the purchase date, whichever is lower.
Valuation:
The fair market value of the common stock on a given date is the closing sales price of the common stock on one or more established stock
exchanges or national market systems, including without limitation The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market or The Nasdaq
Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC as of such date. As of April 15, 2022, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s
common stock based on the most recent closing sales price of the common stock as reported on Nasdaq was $0.9802.
Special
Limitations: The ESPP imposes certain limitations upon a participant’s right to acquire common stock, including the following
limitations:
|
● |
No
purchase right may be granted to any individual, immediately after such grant, would own stock (including stock purchasable under
any outstanding options or purchase rights) possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock
of the Company or any of its affiliates. |
|
|
|
|
● |
No
purchase right granted to a participant may permit such individual to purchase common stock at a rate which exceeds $25,000 worth
of such common stock (valued at the time such purchase right is granted) for each calendar year. |
Termination
of Purchase Rights: A participant’s purchase right immediately terminates upon such participant’s loss of eligible employee
status, and his or her accumulated payroll deductions for the offering period in which the purchase right terminates are refunded. A
participant may withdraw from an offering period by giving advance notice prior to the end of that period and his or her accumulated
payroll for the offering period in which withdrawal occurs may be refunded.
Assignability:
No purchase right will be assignable or transferable (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) and will be exercisable
only by the participant.
Corporate
Transaction: In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or certain mergers, (each,
a “Corporate Transaction”) during an offering period, all outstanding purchase rights shall be assumed by the successor corporation
(or a parent or subsidiary thereof), unless the plan administrator determines, in its sole discretion, to shorten the offering period
then in-effect to a new purchase date. If the plan administrator shortens the offering period then in progress to a new purchase date,
the plan administrator will provide notice to each participant that (i) his or her purchase right will be automatically exercised on
the new purchase date or (ii) the Company will pay to him or her, on the new purchase date, cash, cash equivalents, or property as determined
by the plan administrator that is equal to the difference in the fair market value of the shares of common stock covered by his or her
purchase right and the purchase price due had the purchase right been automatically exercised on the new purchase date.
Changes
in Capitalization: In the event any change is made to the outstanding shares of common stock by reason of any stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares, other increases or decreases in the number of shares of common
stock outstanding effected without the Company’s receipt of consideration or similar transactions, the plan administrator may make
appropriate adjustments to (i) the maximum number of securities issuable under the ESPP and (ii) the number of securities subject to
each outstanding purchase right and the purchase price payable per share thereunder.
Amendment
and Termination: The ESPP will terminate ten years after it becomes effective, unless terminated earlier by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator may at any time terminate or amend the ESPP. To the extent required by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code
(or any successor rule or provision or any other applicable law), the Company will seek stockholder approval of amendments in such a
manner and to such a degree as so required.
401(k)
Plan
We
maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Each participant who is a U.S. employee may contribute to the 401(k) plan, through payroll
deductions, up to a statutorily prescribed annual limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (which limit was $19,500 in 2021).
All amounts contributed by employee participants and earnings on these contributions are fully vested at all times and are not taxable
to participants until withdrawn. Employee participants may elect to invest their contributions in various established funds. We may make
contributions to the accounts of plan participants.
Director
Compensation
Director
Compensation for Fiscal Year 2021
Our
non-employee directors who served as such during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 received the following compensation for their
service on our board of directors.
NAME | |
STOCK AWARDS ($)(1)(2) | | |
ALL OTHER COMPENSATION ($) | | |
TOTAL ($) | |
Lara L. Lee | |
| 81,816 | | |
| — | | |
| 81,816 | |
Yogesh Mago | |
| 79,804 | | |
| — | | |
| 79,804 | |
Pamela G. Marrone, Ph.D. | |
| — | | |
| 254,583 | (3) | |
| 254,583 | |
Keith McGovern | |
| 81,818 | | |
| — | | |
| 81,818 | |
Zachary S. Wochok, Ph.D. | |
| 93,228 | | |
| — | | |
| 93,228 | |
Robert A. Woods | |
| 112,023 | | |
| — | | |
| 112,023 | |
Stuart Woolf | |
| 83,830 | | |
| — | | |
| 83,830 | |
(1) |
The
grant date fair value for these awards was estimated pursuant to FASB ASC 718, Compensation—Share based compensation (ASC 718).
Valuation assumptions are described in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II—Item 8—”Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. |
(2) |
This
column sets forth the aggregate number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by each non-employee director as of December
31, 2021 (with none of the non-employee directors holding options as of such date): |
|
|
(3) |
Dr.
Marrone is not compensated for service as a director, but did receive compensation under her consulting agreement. |
NAME | |
AGGREGATE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS |
Lara L. Lee | |
121,562 |
Yogesh Mago | |
276,270 |
Keith McGovern | |
227,393 |
Zachary S. Wochok, Ph.D. | |
378,581 |
Robert A. Woods | |
397,527 |
Stuart Woolf | |
229,479 |
Dr.
Marrone and the Company entered into a consulting services agreement on December 1, 2019 (the “Marrone Consulting Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Marrone Consulting Agreement, Dr. Marrone is serving as our consultant for a period of three years following the date
of her retirement, or until August 2, 2023, to advocate for the Company and its mission as our founder, and to provide transition services
and other support, with the terms of such services and related deliverables to be mutually agreed between Dr. Marrone and our new CEO,
Mr. Helash. As consideration for her service as a consultant, Dr. Marrone is entitled to receive a consulting fee of $19,583.33 per month
(“Monthly Consulting Fee”), and has also received a one-time award of 1,250,000 RSUs (“Consulting RSUs”) under
our 2013 Plan. The Consulting RSUs will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of Dr. Marrone’s retirement
date, subject to her continuous service as a consultant through the applicable vesting dates. Under the terms of the Marrone Consulting
Agreement, we may terminate Dr. Marrone’s service as a consultant in connection with a change in control, and Dr. Marrone may terminate
the Marrone Consulting Agreement due to our breach or default, in which case Dr. Marrone will be entitled to full acceleration of the
Consulting RSUs and receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of the then remaining Monthly Consulting Fees payable under the Marrone
Consulting Agreement. We may also terminate the Marrone Consulting Agreement due to Dr. Marrone’s breach or default or for certain
other grounds, in which case we shall not be obligated to make further payments under the Marrone Consulting Agreement and Dr. Marrone’s
compensatory equity awards will cease to vest or terminate, as applicable.
Discussion
of Director Compensation
Our
non-employee director compensation policy is as follows:
|
● |
Initial
Equity Grants. Each non-employee director who joins the board of directors will receive RSUs valued at $50,000, based on the
average of the closing price of our common stock as quoted on Nasdaq for the ten trading days prior to and including such director’s
date of appointment, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on the first anniversary of the director’s service, and with respect
to 1/36th of the total shares vesting monthly thereafter for 24 months, such that all the shares will be fully vested upon the third
anniversary of the director’s service. |
|
|
|
|
● |
Annual
Meeting Grant. Each non-employee director continuing to serve as of our annual stockholders’ meeting will receive RSUs
valued at $25,000, based on the average of the closing price of our common stock as quoted on Nasdaq for the ten trading days prior
to and including the date of the annual meeting, with all such RSUs vesting after one year. |
|
|
|
|
● |
Quarterly
Retainers. Each non-employee director will also receive a retainer for service on the board of directors, in addition to retainers
for service as chair of our board of directors, or as a member or chair of committees of our board of directors, as set forth in
the table below. These retainers will be paid in the form of fully vested RSUs made on a quarterly basis, prorated based on service
during the applicable quarter, with such RSUs awarded on the last date of each fiscal quarter. |
Annual
retainer RSUs for service as a member or chair of (with chair RSUs inclusive of RSUs for service as a member), paid on a quarterly basis:
| |
Member | |
Chair |
| |
| |
|
Board of Directors | |
28,250 | |
50,750 |
Audit Committee | |
8,500 | |
17,000 |
Compensation Committee | |
5,750 | |
11,500 |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | |
4,250 | |
8,500 |
In
2022, the board of directors determined to postpone the standard timing of our annual stockholders’ meeting during the second fiscal
quarter due to the announcement of the Company’s entry into a definitive merger agreement with Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. After
consideration of the circumstances of the postponement of our annual stockholders’ meeting, on April 6, 2022, the board of directors
determined to award each of our non-employee directors a grant of 25,000 RSUs valued at $25,000 based on the closing price of our common
stock as quoted on Nasdaq on April 6, 2022. These RSU grants will fully vest on April 6, 2023, with pro rata vesting based on days elapsed
from grant in event of a change in control event prior to that date.
In
addition to its standard policies, our board of directors from time to time may consider additional payments to our directors in respect
of extraordinary service by such director. During the year ended December 31, 2021, no discretionary performance awards were granted.
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 15, 2022, for:
|
● |
each
person or group of affiliated persons known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; |
|
|
|
|
● |
each
of our named executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
each
of our directors and director nominees; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
all
current executive officers and directors as a group. |
We
have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with SEC rules. The information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership
for any other purpose. Under these rules, the number of shares of common stock deemed outstanding includes shares issuable upon exercise
of options held by the respective person or group that may be exercised within 60 days after April 15, 2022. For purposes of calculating
each person’s or group’s percentage ownership, stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days after April 15, 2022
are included for that person or group but not the stock options of any other person or group.
Applicable
percentage ownership is based on 182,294,641 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2022. In computing the number of shares
of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of
common stock subject to such person’s options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2022. We did not deem these
shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Unless
otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, each stockholder named in the following table
possesses sole voting and investment power over the shares listed. Unless otherwise noted below, the address of each person listed in
the table is c/o Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., 1540 Drew Avenue, Davis, CA 95618.
NAME
AND ADDRESS OF | |
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED | |
BENEFICIAL
OWNER | |
SHARES
(#) | | |
SHARES
(%) | |
| |
| | |
| |
5%
Stockholders: | |
| | | |
| | |
Entities
affiliated with Ospraie Ag Science LLC(1) 437
Madison Avenue, 28th Floor New
York, NY 10022 | |
| 70,836,258 | | |
| 38.9 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Entities
affiliated with Ardsley Advisory Partners(2) 262
Harbor Drive Stamford,
CT 06902 | |
| 18,335,767 | | |
| 10.1 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Directors
and Named Executive Officers: | |
| | | |
| | |
Kevin
Helash(3) | |
| 355,065 | | |
| * | |
Lara
L. Lee(4) | |
| 112,057 | | |
| * | |
Pamela
G. Marrone, Ph.D.(5) | |
| 3,809,702 | | |
| 2.1 | |
Yogesh
Mago(6) | |
| 286,520 | | |
| * | |
Keith
McGovern(7) | |
| 238,018 | | |
| * | |
Zachary
S. Wochok, Ph.D.(8) | |
| 397,131 | | |
| * | |
Robert
A. Woods(9) | |
| 427,277 | | |
| * | |
Stuart
Woolf(10) | |
| 240,479 | | |
| * | |
James
B. Boyd(11) | |
| 1,739,032 | | |
| * | |
Suping
(Sue) Liu Cheung(12) | |
| 105,153 | | |
| * | |
Linda
V. Moore(13) | |
| 943,460 | | |
| * | |
All
current directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons) (14) | |
| 13,688,260 | | |
| 6.6 | |
* |
Represents
beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our outstanding common stock. |
(1) |
As reported in the Schedule 13D/A filed on December 17, 2021, Mr. Dwight Anderson is the Managing
Member of Ospraie Ag Science LLC and, in such capacity, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over the securities held
for the account of Ospraie Ag Science LLC. Ospraie Ag Science LLC disclaims any beneficial ownership in such securities. The address
for each of Ospraie Ag Science LLC and Mr. Dwight Anderson is c/o Ospraie Management LLC, 437 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York,
New York 10022. |
|
|
(2) |
As reported in the Schedule 13G filed on February 8, 2022, the securities reported on herein
are beneficially owned by one or more open-end investment companies or other managed accounts which are owned, advised or sub-advised
by Ardsley Advisory Partners LP, Ardsley Advisory Partners GP LLC, Ardsley Partners I GP LLC, Phillip J. Hempleman, and Ardsley Partners
Renewable Energy Fund, L.P. The address for these entities is 262 Harbor Drive, 4th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. |
|
|
(3)
|
Includes
252,619 share of common issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and 19,868 shares subject to restricted
stock units settleable within 60 days held by Mr. Helash. Does not include 2,614,654 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Helash
upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 158,963 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Helash
upon the settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes
112,057 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days. Does not include 45,130 shares of common stock issuable
to Ms. Lee upon the settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes
1,387,618 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options, 195,007 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable
within 60 days, 6,442 shares of common stock held by Florence H. Marrone TOD Pamela G. Marrone and 53,134 shares of common stock
held by Dr. Marrone and Michael Rogers. Does not include 833,334 shares of common stock issuable to Dr. Marrone upon the settlement
of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes
286,520 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable
to Mr. Mago upon the settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes
238,018 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable
to Mr. McGovern upon the settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes
391,331 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days and 5,000 shares of common stock held by The Zachary S
Wochok & Barbara N Wochok Trust. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Wochok upon the settlement of
restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes
413,777 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days and 13,500 shares of common stock held by Mr. Woods and
Lynn Woods. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Woods upon the settlement of restricted stock units not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(10) |
Includes
240,479 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable
to Mr. Woolf upon the settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
(11) |
Includes
990,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
|
(12) |
Includes
105,153 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
|
(13) |
Includes
591,324 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, 328,489 shares of common stock subject
to restricted stock units settleable within 60 days. Does not include 317,767 shares of common stock issuable to Ms. Moore upon the
exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 98,703 shares of common stock issuable to Ms. Moore upon the
settlement of restricted stock units not exercisable within 60 days. |
(14) |
Includes 362,561 shares subject to restricted stock units settleable within
60 days and 1,554,080 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 752,654
shares of common stock issuable upon the settlement of outstanding options not exercisable, or upon settlement of 226,156 restricted stock
units not settlable within 60 days. |
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related-Person
Transactions Policy and Procedures
Our
board of directors reviews related party transactions for potential conflict of interest issues. Our board of directors has adopted a
written related person transaction policy to set forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related
person transactions. This policy covers any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements
or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 or one percent of the average of our
total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material
interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related
person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness or employment by us or a related person.
Certain
Related-Person Transactions
We
describe below the transactions and series of similar transactions, since December 31, 2020, to which we were a participant or will be
a participant, in which:
|
● |
transactions
in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the smaller reporting company’s
total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any
of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock (which we refer to as “5% stockholders”)
or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements
with directors and executive officers. |
Warrant
Amendment and Plan of Reorganization Agreement
On
August 6, 2019, we entered into a warrant amendment and plan of reorganization Agreement with Ospraie Ag Sciences, LLC and Ardsley Advisory
Partners LP, each of which are 5% shareholders, which we refer to as the Warrant Facility. Under the Warrant Facility, for certain holders
of warrants issued in connection with the February 2018 Financing Transactions (the “February 2018 Warrants”), their warrant
expiration date was extend from December 2020 to December 2021, and these warrant holders agreed, at any time the Company’s stock
trades above $1.00, upon request by the Company, to exercise up to 36,600,000 of their respective February 2018 Warrants, in consideration
for the delivery of (x) the shares subject to the February 2018 Warrants so exercised and (y) the delivery of new warrants (“August
2019 Warrants”) to purchase such additional number of shares of common stock equal to the amount of shares so exercised and delivered
under February 2018 Warrants. For the 3 days prior to the filing of this Annual Report, our stock has closed below $1.00 per share.
In
connection with the Warrant Facility, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”),
pursuant to which the Company agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is now effective,
covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the August 2019 Warrants and to maintain the effectiveness
of the registration statement until the date upon which the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the August 2019 Warrants
cease to be Registrable Securities (as that term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).
As
of April 15, 2022, a total of 22,000,000 shares under February 2018 Warrants were exercised pursuant to the Warrant Facility and following
the Company’s call in February 2020, resulting in the Company issuing 22,000,000 common shares and August 2019 Warrants to purchase
22,000,000 shares. All remaining warrants under the Warrant Facility were exchanged for new warrants as described below.
Warrant
Exchange Agreement
On
April 29, 2020, we entered into a warrant exchange agreement (the “Warrant Exchange Agreement”) with existing warrant holders
(“Investors”), including with Ospraie Ag Sciences, LLC and Ardsley Advisory Partners LP, each of which are 5% shareholders.
Pursuant to the Warrant Exchange Agreement, the Investors exchanged certain previously issued and outstanding warrants (the “Prior
Warrants”), including all remaining outstanding warrants under the Warrant Facility, to purchase an aggregate of up to 45,977,809
shares of the Company’s common stock for new warrants (the “Exchange Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of up to 29,881,855
shares of common stock (the “Warrant Shares”). All of the Exchange Warrants were issued to the Investors upon execution of
the Warrant Exchange Agreement on April 29, 2020, and have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, subject to weighted-average anti-dilution
provisions.
In
connection with the Warrant Exchange Agreement, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”)
with the Investors pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later
than March 31, 2021 covering the resale of the Warrant Shares and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until the
date upon which the Warrant Shares held by the Investors cease to be Registrable Securities (as that term is defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement).
On
June 12, 2020, we entered into an Amendment to the Exchange Warrants (“Amendment”) with the Lead Investor, on behalf of the
Investors. Pursuant to the Amendment, we agreed to not issue any shares of common stock, or engage in any other transaction, that would
cause the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant) to be below $0.715 per share (as such price may be adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, recapitalization, and similar events) (the “Minimum Exercise Price”).
As
of April 15, 2022, an aggregate of 29,881,162 shares of our common stock have been issued to the Investors upon exercise of the Exchange
Warrants and 693 shares expired and were cancelled.
Woods,
Mago and Marrone Consulting Agreements with Ospraie
Each
of our directors Robert A. Woods, Yogesh Mago and Pamela G. Marrone has a consulting agreement with Ospraie Management, an affiliate
of Ospraie, one of our 5% stockholders. For their services as consultants to Ospraie Management, each of Mr. Woods, Mr. Mago and Dr.
Marrone has and will continue to receive a monthly fee for the term of their respective consulting agreements. In addition, Mr. Woods
and Mr. Mago each have been granted an indirect interest in our equity securities held by Ospraie and its affiliates, and therefore have
an indirect interest in the transactions described above in “—Warrant Amendment and Plan of Reorganization Agreement”
and “—Warrant Exchange Agreement.”
Executive
Compensation and Employment Arrangements
Please
see Item 11-”Executive Compensation” above for information on compensation arrangements with our executive officers and agreements
with, and offer letters to, our executive officers containing compensation and termination provisions, among others.
Director
and Officer Indemnification and Insurance
We
have adopted provisions in our current Certificate of Incorporation that limit or eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary
damages for breach of their fiduciary duties, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Accordingly, our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except
with respect to the following:
|
● |
any
breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
|
|
|
|
● |
acts
or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
|
● |
unlawful
payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law; or |
|
|
|
|
● |
any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
This
limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability
of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. If Delaware law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limiting
of director liability, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
law as so amended.
Our
Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws also provide that we shall indemnify our directors and executive officers and shall indemnify
our other officers and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our Bylaws
covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties. Our Bylaws, as currently in effect, also permit us
to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in
this capacity, regardless of whether our Bylaws would permit indemnification.
We
have entered and intend to continue to enter into separate indemnification agreements with certain of our directors and executive officers
that are, in some cases, broader than the specific indemnification provisions provided by Delaware law and our charter documents, and
may provide additional procedural protection. These agreements will require us, among other things, to:
|
● |
indemnify
officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise because of their status as officers and directors; |
|
|
|
|
● |
advance
expenses, as incurred, to officers and directors in connection with a legal proceeding subject to limited exceptions; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
cover
officers and directors under any general or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by us. |
We
believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling our Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the opinion of the Security and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) is that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
In
addition, we maintain standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided to our directors and officers against loss arising
from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and to us with respect to payments which may be made by us to such
directors and officers pursuant to the above indemnification provisions or otherwise as a matter of law. We also make available standard
life insurance and accidental death and disability insurance policies to our employees.
Director
Independence
For
a discussion of the independence of our directors, please see Item 10-”Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance—Director
Independence” above.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The
following table summarizes the estimated fees of Marcum LLP for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
FEE CATEGORY | |
FISCAL 2021 | | |
FISCAL 2020 | |
Audit fees(1) | |
$ | 729,000 | | |
| 1,084,000 | |
Audit-related fees(2) | |
$ | 35,000 | | |
| — | |
Tax fees(3) | |
$ | — | | |
| — | |
All other fees | |
$ | — | | |
| — | |
Total fees | |
$ | 764,000 | | |
| 1,084,000 | |
(1)
Audit fees consist of professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements and review
of our quarterly consolidated financial statements, as well as the delivery of consents and reviews of documents filed with the SEC.
(2)
Audit-related fees consist of professional services for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance
of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include
accounting consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3)
Tax fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit
services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, and has approved all of the foregoing audit and non-audit
services in accordance with the Audit Committee charter.