PMCB PharmaCyte Biotech Inc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

☐     Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐     Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒     Definitive Proxy Statement

☐     Definitive Additional Materials

☐     Soliciting Material Under § 240.14a–12

 

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

☒     No fee required

☐     Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

☐     Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACYTE BIOTECH, INC.

3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

(917) 595-2850

 

March 10, 2025

 

To Our Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (“PharmaCyte”) to be held at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

 

We have decided to hold this year’s annual meeting virtually via live audio webcast on the internet because hosting a virtual annual meeting enables greater stockholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, improves meeting efficiency and our ability to communicate effectively with our stockholders, and reduces the cost and environmental impact of our annual meeting. You will be able to attend the annual meeting by first registering at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date. You will not be able to attend the annual meeting in person.

 

Details regarding the meeting, the business to be conducted at the meeting, and information about PharmaCyte that you should consider when you vote your shares are described in the accompanying proxy statement.

 

At the annual meeting, five persons will be elected to our board of directors. In addition, we will ask stockholders to ratify the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending April 30, 2025 and to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Our board of directors recommends the approval of each these proposals. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come before the annual meeting.

 

We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we hope you will vote promptly. Information about voting methods is set forth in the accompanying proxy statement.

 

Thank you for your continued support of PharmaCyte. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joshua N. Silverman

Interim Chairman, Interim Chief Executive Officer and

Interim President

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACYTE BIOTECH, INC.

3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

(917) 595-2850

 

March 10, 2025

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TIME: 11:00 a.m. ET

 

DATE: April 24, 2025

 

ACCESS:

 

You will be able to attend the annual meeting by first registering at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date. If you are a registered holder, your virtual control number will be on your proxy card. If you hold your shares beneficially through a bank or broker, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank or broker during registration and you will be assigned a virtual control number in order to vote your shares during the annual meeting. If you are unable to obtain a legal proxy to vote your shares, you will still be able to attend the annual meeting (but will not be able to vote your shares) so long as you demonstrate proof of stock ownership. Instructions on how to connect and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. On the day of the annual meeting, you may only vote during the meeting by e-mailing a copy of your legal proxy to virtualmeeting@viewproxy.com in advance of the meeting.

 

PURPOSES:

 

	1.	To elect five directors to serve one-year terms expiring at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders;
	2.	To ratify the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025;
	3.	To approve by an advisory vote the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement; and
	4.	To transact such other business that is properly presented at the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

WHO MAY VOTE:

 

You may vote if you were the record owner of PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. common stock at the close of business on March 3, 2025. A list of stockholders of record will be available electronically at the annual meeting and during the 10 days prior to the annual meeting.

 

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Whether you plan to attend the annual meeting or not, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy by the Internet, telephone or mail in order to ensure the presence of a quorum. You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting. If you participate in and vote your shares at the annual meeting, your proxy will not be used.

 

BY ORDER OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Joshua N. Silverman

Interim Chairman, Interim Chief Executive Officer and

Interim President

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING	1
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT	6
MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	8
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION	14
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE	19
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION	23
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE	24
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS	25
PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS	26
PROPOSAL NO. 2 - RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	27
PROPOSAL NO. 3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT	30
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS	31
OTHER MATTERS	31
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR	31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACYTE BIOTECH, INC.

3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500

Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE PHARMACYTE BIOTECH, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2025

 

This proxy statement, along with the accompanying notice of our annual meeting of stockholders, contains information about the annual meeting of stockholders of PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. including any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting. We are holding the annual meeting at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 24, 2025. You will be able to attend the annual meeting by first registering at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date.

 

In this proxy statement, we refer to PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. as “PharmaCyte,” “the Company,” “we” and “us.”

 

This proxy statement relates to the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the annual meeting.

 

On or about March 10, 2025, we expect to begin sending this proxy statement, the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the enclosed proxy card to all stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

 

Although not part of this proxy statement, we are also sending, along with this proxy statement, our annual report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, which includes our financial statements for the same period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2025

 

This proxy statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our form of proxy card and our annual report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 to stockholders are available for viewing, printing and downloading at www.proxyvote.com. To view these materials please have your 16-digit control number(s) available that appears on your proxy card. On this website, you can also elect to receive future distributions of our proxy statements and annual reports to stockholders by electronic delivery.

 

Additionally, you can find a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes our financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, at www.sec.gov, or in the “SEC Filings” section of the “Investors” section of our website at ir.pharmacyte.com. You may also obtain a printed copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements, free of charge, from us by sending a written request to: Interim President, PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc., 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169. Exhibits will be provided upon written request and payment of an appropriate processing fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Why is the Company Soliciting My Proxy?

 

Our board of directors (the “Board”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be held virtually, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting, which we refer to as the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement, along with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, summarizes the purposes of the meeting and the information you need to know to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

We have made available to you on the Internet or have sent you this proxy statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy card and a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 because you owned shares of our common stock on the record date. We intend to commence distribution of proxy materials to stockholders on or about March 10, 2025.

 

Why Are You Holding a Virtual Annual Meeting?

 

The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. We have designed our virtual format to enhance, rather than constrain, stockholder access, participation and communication.

 

How do I access the Virtual Annual Meeting?

 

The live webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. ET. Online access to the audio webcast will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to allow time for you to log-in and test your device’s audio system. The virtual Annual Meeting is running the most updated version of the applicable software and plugins. You should ensure you have a strong Internet connection wherever you intend to participate in the Annual Meeting. You should also allow plenty of time to log in and ensure that you can hear streaming audio prior to the start of the Annual Meeting.

 

Log-in Instructions. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by first registering at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date. If you are a registered holder, your virtual control number will be on your proxy card. If you hold your shares beneficially through a bank or broker, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank or broker during registration and you will be assigned a virtual control number in order to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to obtain a legal proxy to vote your shares, you will still be able to attend the Annual Meeting (but will not be able to vote your shares) so long as you demonstrate proof of stock ownership. Instructions on how to connect and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/ PMCB/2025. On the day of the Annual Meeting, you may only vote during the meeting by e-mailing a copy of your legal proxy to virtualmeeting@viewproxy.com in advance of the meeting.

 

What Happens if There Are Technical Difficulties during the Annual Meeting?

 

There will be technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the Annual Meeting live audio webcast. Please be sure to check in by 10:45 a.m. ET on April 24, 2025 (15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting is recommended) the day of the meeting, so that any technical difficulties may be addressed before the Annual Meeting live audio webcast begins. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the webcast during the check-in or meeting time, please email VirtualMeeting@viewproxy.com or call 866-612-8937.

 

 

 

 

Who May Vote?

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2025 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 6,868,422 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Our common stock is our only class of voting stock.

 

If on the Record Date your shares of our common stock were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record.

 

If on the Record Date your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and the Notice is being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

 

You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Shares represented by valid proxies, received in time for the Annual Meeting and not revoked prior to the Annual Meeting, will be voted at the Annual Meeting. For instructions on how to change or revoke your proxy, see “May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?” below.

 

How Many Votes Do I Have?

 

Each share of our common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.

 

How Do I Vote?

 

Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, we urge you to vote by proxy. All shares represented by valid proxies that we receive through this solicitation, and that are not revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card or as instructed via the Internet or telephone. You may specify whether your shares should be voted FOR or WITHHELD for each nominee for director, whether your shares should be voted for one year, two years, three years or abstain with respect to the frequency of voting on the compensation of our named executive officers, and whether your shares should be voted for, against or abstain with respect to each of the other proposals. If you properly submit a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with our Board’s recommendations as noted below. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

If your shares are registered directly in your name through our stock transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, or you have stock certificates registered in your name, you may vote:

 

	·	By Internet or by telephone. Follow the instructions included in the Notice or, if you received printed materials, in the proxy card to vote over the Internet or by telephone.
	·	By mail. If you received a proxy card by mail, you can vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card as instructed on the card. If you sign the proxy card but do not specify how you want your shares voted, they will be voted in accordance with our Board’s recommendations as noted below.
	·	During the meeting. You may vote your shares electronically through the portal at the virtual Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, we encourage you to vote in advance by telephone, through the Internet or by mail so that your vote will be counted in the event you later decide not to attend virtually the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

 

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2025.

 

If your shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record), you will receive instructions from the holder of record. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you should contact your broker or agent to obtain a legal proxy or broker’s proxy card and vote your shares online at the time of the meeting.

 

How Does Our Board Recommend that I Vote on the Proposals?

 

Our Board recommends that you vote as follows:

 

	·	“FOR” the election of the nominees for director;
	·	“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending April 30, 2025; and
	·	“FOR” the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement.

 

If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy provides that your shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed in the proxy in accordance with the proxy holder’s best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was first made available, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement.

 

May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?

 

If you give us your proxy, you may change or revoke it at any time before the Annual Meeting. You may change or revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways:

 

	·	if you received a proxy card, by signing a new proxy card with a date later than your previously delivered proxy and submitting it as instructed above;
	·	by re-voting by Internet or by telephone as instructed above;
	·	by notifying PharmaCyte’s Interim President in writing before the Annual Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or
	·	by attending the Annual Meeting and voting at the meeting. Attending the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a previously submitted proxy. You must specifically request at the Annual Meeting that it be revoked.

 

Your most current vote, whether by telephone, Internet or proxy card is the one that will be counted.

 

What if I Receive More Than One Notice or Proxy Card?

 

You may receive more than one Notice or proxy card if you hold shares of our common stock in more than one account, which may be in registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner described above under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

 

 

 

 

Will My Shares be Voted if I Do Not Vote?

 

If your shares are registered in your name or if you have stock certificates, they will not be counted if you do not vote as described above under “How Do I Vote?” If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares as described above, the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares has the authority to vote your unvoted shares only on the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm without receiving instructions from you. Therefore, we encourage you to provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee. This ensures your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting and in the manner you desire. A “broker non-vote” will occur if your broker cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that matter or because your broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority.

 

What Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes Counted?

 

Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors		The nominees for director who receive the most votes (also known as a “plurality” of the votes cast) will be elected. You may vote either FOR all of the nominees, WITHHOLD your vote from all of the nominees or WITHHOLD your vote from any one or more of the nominees. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of the directors. Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name for the election of the directors. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote.
Proposal No. 2: Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast affirmatively or negatively for this proposal is required to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal. If a broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain the approval of our stockholders to select our independent registered public accounting firm. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended April 30, 2025, the audit committee of our Board (the “Audit Committee”) will reconsider its selection.
Proposal No. 3: Approve an Advisory Vote on the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers		The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement. Abstentions will be treated as votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this vote. Although the advisory vote is non-binding, the compensation committee of our Board (the “Compensation Committee”) and our Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.

 

Where Can I Find the Voting Results of the Annual Meeting?

 

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, and we will publish preliminary, or final results if available, in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the Annual Meeting. If final results are unavailable at the time we file the Form 8-K, then we will file an amended report on Form 8-K to disclose the final voting results within four business days after the final voting results are known.

 

 

 

 

What Are the Costs of Soliciting these Proxies?

 

We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. Our directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or email. We will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses.

 

What Constitutes a Quorum for the Annual Meeting?

 

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one third of the voting power of all outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Votes of stockholders of record who are present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.

 

Attending the Annual Meeting

 

This year, our Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by first registering at http://www.web.viewproxy.com/PMCB/2025. You will receive a meeting invitation by e-mail with your unique join link along with a password prior to the meeting date.

 

Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents

 

Some brokers or other nominee record holders may be sending you a single set of our proxy materials if multiple PharmaCyte stockholders live in your household. This practice, which has been approved by the SEC, is called “householding.” Once you receive notice from your broker or other nominee record holder that it will be “householding” our proxy materials, the practice will continue until you are otherwise notified or until you notify them that you no longer want to participate in the practice. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.

 

We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our Notice or if applicable, our proxy materials to you if you write or call our Interim President at: 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, Attention: Interim President. If you want to receive your own set of our proxy materials in the future or, if you share an address with another stockholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of proxy materials, you should contact your broker or other nominee record holder directly or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.

 

Electronic Delivery of Company Stockholder Communications

 

Most stockholders can elect to view or receive copies of future proxy materials over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.

 

You can choose this option and save us the cost of producing and mailing these documents by:

 

	·	following the instructions provided on your proxy card;
	·	following the instructions provided when you vote over the Internet; or
	·	going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions provided.

 

 

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 1, 2025 for (a) each of our named executive officers, (b) each of our directors and director nominees, (c) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group and (d) each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. We deem shares of common stock that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of February 1, 2025 pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants or the vesting of restricted stock units to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but those shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the stockholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown to be beneficially owned by them based on information provided to us by these stockholders.

 

Under the terms of certain of our outstanding warrants, holders may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause such holder, together with its affiliates, to beneficially own a number of shares of our common stock which would exceed 4.99% or 9.99%, as applicable, of our then outstanding common stock following such exercise. Similarly, under the terms of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Shares”), holders may not convert their Series B Preferred Shares to the extent such conversion would cause such holder, together with its affiliates, to beneficially own a number of shares of our common stock which would exceed 4.99% or 9.99%, as applicable, of our then outstanding common stock following such conversion. The number of shares of common stock beneficially owned reflects these limitations.

 

Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc., 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169. Percentage of ownership is based on 6,904,894 shares of common stock outstanding on February 1, 2025.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned
Name and Address		Number				Percent
5%+ Stockholders:
Entities affiliated with Ayrton Capital LLC (1)			774,100				10.1%
Entities affiliated with Intracoastal Capital LLC (2)			714,844				10.1%
Directors, Director Nominees and Named Executive Officers:
Joshua N. Silverman (3)			220,000				3.1%
Carlos A. Trujillo (4)			101,400				1.4%
Jonathan L. Schechter (5)			149,257				2.1%
Michael M. Abecassis (6)			103,059				1.5%
Robert Weinstein (7)			99,257				1.4%
Wayne R. Walker (8)			99,257				1.4%
All current directors, director nominees and current executive officers as a group (six persons)			772,230				10.2%

 

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

(1)

Includes 774,100 shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of warrants held by Alto Opportunity Master Fund, SPC – Segregated Master Portfolio B (“Alto”). This information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Alto, Ayrton Capital LLC (“Ayrton”) and Waqas Khatri on February 13, 2025. Alto is a private investment vehicle for which Ayrton serves as the investment manager. Mr. Khatri serves as the managing member of Ayrton. The address of Alto is Suite #7, Grand Pavilion Commercial Centre, 802 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman, P.O. Box 10250, Cayman Islands. The address of Ayrton is 55 Post Rd West, 2nd Floor, Westport, CT 06880. The address of Mr. Khatri is 55 Post Rd West, 2nd Floor, Westport, CT 06880.

 

 

 

 

(2)	Includes (i) 527,376 shares of common stock and (ii) 187,468 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants owned by Intracoastal Capital LLC (“Intracoastal”). This information is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 15, 2025 by Intracoastal, Mitchell P. Kopin and Daniel B. Asher. The address of Mr. Kopin and Intracoastal is c/o Intracoastal Capital, LLC, 245 Palm Trail, Delray Beach, Florida 33483. The address of Mr. Asher is 111 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60604.
(3)	Includes 170,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.
(4)	Includes 91,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.
(5)	Includes 99,257 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.
(6)	Includes 100,257 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.
(7)	Consists of 99,257 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.
(8)	Consists of 99,257 shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Our Board

 

On February 24, 2025, our Board accepted the recommendation of the nominating committee of the Board (the “Nominating Committee”) and voted to nominate Joshua N. Silverman, Jonathan L. Schechter, Michael M. Abecassis, Robert Weinstein and Wayne R. Walker for election at the Annual Meeting for a term of one year to serve until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Next Annual Meeting”), and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.

 

Set forth below are the names of the persons nominated for election as directors, their ages, their offices in the Company, if any, their principal occupations or employment for at least the past five years, the length of their tenure as directors and the names of other public companies in which such persons hold or have held directorships during the past five years as of March 10, 2025. Additionally, information about the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to our Board’s conclusion at the time of filing of this proxy statement that each person listed below should serve as a director is set forth below:

 

Name		Age		Position with the Company
Joshua N. Silverman		54		Interim Chairman, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President
Jonathan L. Schechter		51		Director
Michael M. Abecassis		66		Director
Robert Weinstein		65		Director
Wayne R. Walker		66		Director

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board has reviewed the materiality of any relationship that each of our directors has with PharmaCyte, either directly or indirectly. Based upon this review, our Board has determined that the following members of our Board are “independent directors” as defined by The Nasdaq Stock Market: Jonathan L. Schechter, Michael M. Abecassis, Robert Weinstein and Wayne R. Walker.

 

Joshua N. Silverman

 

Joshua Silverman has served as a director of the Company since August 2022 and as our Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim President and Interim Chairman of the Board since October 2022. Mr. Silverman has served as the managing member of Parkfield Funding LLC since August 2016. Mr. Silverman co-founded Iroquois Capital Management, LLC (“Iroquois”), an investment advisory firm, in 2003 and served as its principal, managing partner and co-chief investment officer until July 2016. While at Iroquois, he designed and executed complex transactions, structuring and negotiating investments in both public and private companies and has often been called upon by the companies solve inefficiencies as they relate to corporate structure, cash flow, and management. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Silverman served as co-chief investment officer of Vertical Ventures, LLC, a merchant bank. Prior to forming Iroquois, Mr. Silverman was a director of Joele Frank, a boutique consulting firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Silverman served as assistant press secretary to the president of the U.S. Mr. Silverman currently serves as a director of AYRO, Inc. (Nasdaq: AYRO), TNF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TNFA), Synaptogenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPX) and Petros Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTPI). He previously served as a director of Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR) from 2016 until 2018 and Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTIX) from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Silverman received his B.A. from Lehigh University in 1992. Mr. Silverman was chosen as a director of the Company because of his experience as an investment banker, as a management consultant and as a director of numerous public companies.

 

 

 

 

Jonathan L. Schechter

 

Jonathan L. Schechter has served as a director of the Company since August 2022. Mr. Schechter has served as the Director of Investment Banking at Chardan Capital Markets, a full-service investment bank, since February 2008. He has served as a partner of The Special Equities Group, a division of Dawson James Securities, Inc., a full-service investment bank specializing in healthcare, biotechnology, technology, and clean-tech sectors, since April 2021. Mr. Schechter is one of the founding partners of The Special Equities Opportunity Fund, a long-only fund that makes direct investments in micro-cap companies and has served in this capacity since August 2019. He currently serves on the board of directors of Synaptogenix, Inc., (Nasdaq: SNPX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and previously served as a director of DropCar, Inc. He has received formal education in finance and accounting and has extensive experience analyzing and evaluating the financial statements of public companies. Mr. Schechter earned his A.B. in Public Policy/Political Science from Duke University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Schechter was chosen as a director of the Company because of his lengthy public company, legal and investment banking experience.

 

 Michael M. Abecassis

 

Michael M. Abecassis, MD has served as a director of the Company since July 2017. Since November 2019, Dr. Abecassis has been Dean of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, and following postgraduate training at the University of Toronto, Dr. Abecassis began his professional career as Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery at the University of Iowa. In 1992, Dr. Abecassis became Northwestern University’s Director of Liver Transplantation, where he initiated Northwestern’s liver transplant program. In 2004, Dr. Abecassis was named Chief of the Division of Transplantation at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and the James Roscoe Miller Distinguished Professor with Tenure at Feinberg. He then became Founding Director of the Comprehensive Transplant Center at Northwestern in 2009. He was appointed Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Feinberg School of Medicine in 2008, serving until 2011. Dr. Abecassis received continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) for 20+ consecutive years as principal investigator in research studies that include both laboratory and clinical studies. Dr. Abecassis is a member in good standing of several important professional societies, including the Society of University Surgeons and the American Surgical Association, and was elected President of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons from 2010-2011. He has served on the Editorial Boards of major scientific journals related to the fields of Hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) and transplant surgery. He has served as a member of NIH grant study sections and special emphasis panels relating to both transplantation and virology. He served as a permanent member of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases study section for career development and training grants. Dr. Abecassis has been a course director for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Leadership Development Program for the Advanced Leader Development Program in 2013 at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. He was a voting member of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee and served on the United HealthCare Group Physician Advisory Board on Healthcare Performance and Quality. Dr. Abecassis has been a member of various local, regional and national regulatory committees and has published seminal papers on both the regulatory and financial aspects of transplantation, including the Healthcare Reform and the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Abecassis received his Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in 1983 and was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 2000. Dr. Abecassis was also a co-founder of Transplant Genomics Inc., a company focused on developing, validating and commercializing molecular biomarkers for transplant rejection, and currently a subsidiary of Eurofins Diagnostics. Dr. Abecassis was chosen as a director of the Company because of the combination of his clinical training and experience in HPB diseases (e.g. liver and pancreatic cancer), his research background in related areas, and his experience with the regulatory and business aspects of translation and commercialization of research efforts.

 

Robert Weinstein

 

Robert Weinstein has served as a director of the Company since November 2022. Mr. Weinstein has served as chief financial officer of Synaptogenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPX since October 2013. In addition, Mr. Weinstein performs work as a consultant for Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTPI). He has extensive accounting and finance experience, spanning more than 30 years, as a public accountant, investment banker, healthcare private equity fund principal and chief financial officer. From September 2011 to the present, Mr. Weinstein has also been an independent consultant for several healthcare companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Mr. Weinstein also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XWELL, Inc. (formerly XpresSpa Group, Inc.) (Nasdaq: XWEL), a health and wellness company whose core assets, XpresSpa and XpresCheck®, is a leading airport retailer of spa services and related health and wellness products. Mr. Weinstein also serves on the Board of Directors of Oblong, Inc. (Nasdaq: OBLG), a company providing multi-stream collaboration technologies and managed services for video collaboration and network applications. Mr. Weinstein received his MBA degree in finance and international business from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive), and received his BS degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany. Mr. Weinstein was chosen as a director of the Company because of his public company and financial expertise.

 

 

 

 

Wayne R. Walker

 

Wayne R. Walker has served as a director of the Company since December 2022. Mr. Walker has over 35 years of experience in corporate governance, turnaround management, corporate restructuring and bankruptcy matters. In 1998, Mr. Walker founded Walker Nell Partners, Inc., an international business consulting firm, and has served as its president from its founding to the present. Before founding Walker Nell Partners, Inc., Mr. Walker worked for 15 years at the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware in the Securities and Bankruptcy group, where he worked in the Corporate Secretary’s office and served as Senior Counsel. From 2022 to present, Mr. Walker has served as a director of AMMO, Inc. (Nasdaq: POWW), a designer, producer, and marketer of ammunition products. From December 2020 to the present, Mr. Walker has served as a director of AYRO, Inc. (Nasdaq: AYRO), a designer and manufacturer of compact, sustainable electric vehicles. From 2018 to the present, Mr. Walker has served as a director of Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP), an innovator of modern policing solutions, where he also serves as chairman of the board. From 2018 to the present, Mr. Walker has served as a director of Pitcairn Company and as the Chair of its Compensation Committee. From 2013 to 2014, Mr. Walker served as chairman of the board of directors of BridgeStreet Worldwide, Inc., a global provider of extended corporate housing. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Walker served as chairman of the board of directors of Last Call Operating Companies, an owner of various national restaurants. From 2013 to 2020, Mr. Walker served as chairman of the board of trustees of National Philanthropic Trust, a public charity. From 2018 to 2020, Mr. Walker served as Vice President of the Board of Education of the City of Philadelphia. From 2020 to the present, Mr. Walker has served as a director of Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTPI), which focuses on men’s health. Mr. Walker has also served on the board of directors for numerous other companies and foundations including Seaborne Airlines, Inc., Green Flash Brewery, Inc., and Eagleville Hospital and Foundation. Mr. Walker has a J.D. from Catholic University (Washington, DC) and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University (New Orleans). He is an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Georgia. He is a member of the State Bar Association of Georgia, American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute and Turnaround Management Association. Mr. Walker was chosen as a director of the Company because of his extensive board experience.

 

Committees of our Board and Meetings

 

Meeting Attendance. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, there were three meetings of our Board, and the various committees of our Board met a total of seven times. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of our Board and of committees of our Board on which he or she served during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. Our directors are expected to attend meetings of the Board as frequently as necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities and to spend the time needed to prepare for each such meeting. If an annual meeting of stockholders is held, our directors are expected to attend that meeting, but we do not have a formal policy requiring them to do so. One director attended our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Weinstein, Mr. Walker, and Mr. Schechter. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is Mr. Weinstein. The primary purposes of our Audit Committee are to assist the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance and risk management functions of the Company, including, assisting the Board’s oversight of: (i) the integrity of our financial statements; (ii) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; (iii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Our Board has determined that each member of our Audit Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq. Our Board has determined that the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Weinstein, is an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

A copy of the Audit Committee’s written charter is publicly available on our website at ir.pharmacyte.com/governance-docs.

 

 

 

 

Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Walker, Dr. Abecassis and Mr. Schechter. The Chairperson of the Compensation Committee is Mr. Schechter. The primary purposes of our Compensation Committee are: (i) to establish and maintain our executive compensation policies and compensation consistent with corporate objectives and stockholder interests; (ii) to oversee the competency and qualifications of our senior management personnel and the provisions of senior management succession planning; and (iii) to advise the Board with respect to director compensation issues. Our Compensation Committee provides overall guidance for our executive compensation policies and determines the value and elements of compensation for our executive officers. Our Compensation Committee also administers our PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) and the PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”).

 

Our Board has determined that each member of our Compensation Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq.

 

A copy of the Compensation Committee’s written charter is publicly available on our website at ir.pharmacyte.com/governance-docs.

 

Nominating Committee. Our Nominating Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. The Nominating Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Walker, Mr. Schechter, and Mr. Weinstein. The Chairperson of the Nominating Committee is Mr. Walker. The primary purposes of the Nominating Committee are: (i) to recommend to the Board the nomination of individuals who are qualified to serve as our directors and on committees of the Board; (ii) to advise the Board with respect to the composition, size, structure and procedures of the Board; (iii) to advise the Board with respect to the composition, size and membership of the Board’s committees; (iv) to advise the Board with respect to corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and (v) to oversee the evaluation of the Board as a whole and the evaluation of its individual members standing for re-election. The Nominating Committee also has responsibility for reviewing and approving all transactions that are “related party” transactions under the SEC’s rules.

 

The Nominating Committee does not set specific, minimum qualifications that nominees for director must meet in order for the Nominating Committee to recommend them to the Board, but rather believes that each nominee should be evaluated based on his or her individual merits, considering our needs and the composition of the Board. Members of the Nominating Committee discuss and evaluate possible candidates in detail and suggest individuals to explore in more depth. Once a candidate is identified whom the Nominating Committee wants to seriously consider and move toward nomination, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee enters into a discussion with that nominee candidate. Subsequently, the Chairperson will discuss the qualifications of the candidate with the other members of the Nominating Committee, and the Nominating Committee will then make a final recommendation with respect to that candidate to the Board.

 

If a stockholder wishes to propose a candidate for consideration as a nominee for election to our Board, it must follow the procedures described in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director” at the end of this proxy statement. In general, persons recommended by stockholders will be considered in accordance with our Nominating Committee’s written charter. Any such recommendation should be made in writing to the Nominating Committee, care of our Interim President at our principal office and should be accompanied by the following information concerning each recommending stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:

 

	·	all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement;
	·	certain biographical and share ownership information about the stockholder and any other proponent, including a description of any derivative transactions in the Company’s securities;
	·	a description of certain arrangements and understandings between the proposing stockholder and any beneficial owner and any other person in connection with such stockholder nomination; and
	·	a statement whether or not either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of voting shares sufficient to carry the proposal.

 

 

 

 

The recommendation must also be accompanied by the following information concerning the proposed nominee:

 

	·	certain biographical information concerning the proposed nominee;
	·	all information concerning the proposed nominee required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors;
	·	certain information about any other security holder of the Company who supports the proposed nominee;
	·	a description of all relationships between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder or any beneficial owner, including any agreements or understandings regarding the nomination; and
	·	additional disclosures relating to stockholder nominees for directors, including completed questionnaires and disclosures required by our Bylaws.

 

Our Board has determined that each member of our Nominating Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq.

 

A copy of the Nominating Committee’s written charter, including its appendices, is publicly available on our website at ir.pharmacyte.com/governance-docs.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Chairman of the Board presides at all meetings of the Board. Mr. Silverman serves as the Interim Chairman of the Board and as our Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Interim President. The Board does not have a policy on whether or not the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board should be separate. The Board believes that it should be free to make a choice from time to time in any manner that is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. Currently, we believe that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to combine these roles due to the small size of the Company. While the Company does not have a lead independent director, each current member of the Board aside from the Chairman is independent.

 

The Board administers its risk oversight function directly and through its committees. The Audit Committee receives reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. As part of its charter, our Audit Committee regularly discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential financial impact on our Company and the steps we take to manage them. In addition, our Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management and risks arising from our compensation policies and programs. Our Nominating Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our directors and executive officers and corporate governance.

 

Insider Trading Policy and Prohibition Against Hedging

 

Our Board has adopted a written an Insider Trading Policy that applies to our directors, officers, employees and contractors. The Insider Trading Policy prohibits covered persons from purchasing, selling, or offering to purchase or sell, while in possession of material non-public information (except in limited circumstances, such as pursuant to a previously established trading plan). In addition, the Insider Trading Policy generally prohibits covered persons from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to Company securities. The Insider Trading Policy includes quarterly and other trading blackouts and sets forth the procedures covered persons must follow before transacting in our securities, including pre-clearance by our Compliance Officer or Chief Financial Officer of all transactions by certain covered persons. Although we have not adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or other disposition of our securities by the Company, as part of the oversight of risk, the Board, or one or more of its Committees, generally approves any transaction, plan or arrangement by or with the Company with respect to our securities on a case-by-case basis. A copy of the Insider Trading Policy is filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024.

 

 

 

 

Stockholder Communications to our Board

 

We have a process for shareholders who wish to communicate with our Board. Shareholders who wish to communicate with our Board may write to the Board at 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, NV 89169. These communications will be reviewed by our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Communications will be then distributed to our board of directors, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications.

 

Communications will be distributed to our Board, or to any individual director or directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of our Board may be excluded, such as:

 

	·	junk mail and mass mailings;
	·	resumes and other forms of job inquiries;
	·	surveys; and
	·	solicitations or advertisements.

 

In addition, any material that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, in which case it will be made available to any outside director upon request.

 

Executive Officers

 

As of March 10, 2025, we have two executive officers. Mr. Silverman serves as our Interim Chairman, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President, and his biography is set forth above under “Our Board.” Mr. Silverman is an at-will employee. Mr. Trujillo serves as our Chief Financial Officer, and his biography is set forth below. We have an employment agreement with Mr. Trujillo.

 

Carlos A. Trujillo, 67, has been our Chief Financial Officer since March 2017 and served as a member of the Board from March 2017 to August 2022. Prior to this, Mr. Trujillo served as our Vice President of Finance from January 2015 to March 2017 after joining us as an independent contractor in September 2014. In January 2015, Mr. Trujillo became a full-time employee as the Vice President of Finance of both us and Viridis Biotech, and in March 2017, Mr. Trujillo was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Trujillo has over three decades of experience in management, business, operations, and financial accounting. Mr. Trujillo is a Certified Public Accountant with an active license from the State of California. He has more than three decades of experience in finance, accounting, and management. Mr. Trujillo started his career in public accounting and was the manager of an audit department for a regional public accounting firm. Mr. Trujillo then established a consulting and accounting practice which he operated for ten years and provided services as the Chief Financial Accountant to numerous organizations in several different industries. His experience has extended to companies in the biotechnology, telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, and real estate development sectors. For the last fifteen years, Mr. Trujillo has been the Chief Financial Officer for both privately held and publicly traded and multinational companies. From June 2008 through September 2014, Mr. Trujillo was the Chief Financial Officer of VelaTel Global Communications, Inc. As a result, he brings experience to us in preparing and filing periodic reports with the SEC, in mergers and acquisitions and in the filing of comprehensive financial statements. Mr. Trujillo received his Bachelor of Accounting degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1982.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our named executive officers set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” below (each a “Named Executive Officer”), as well as the director compensation program for our directors. As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies.

 

For our fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, our Named Executive Officers and their positions were as follows:

 

·

Joshua N. Silverman, current Interim Chief Executive Office, Interim President and Interim Chairman of the Board; and

 

·

Carlos A. Trujillo, Chief Financial Officer.

 

The following tables provide information about compensation earned during our fiscal years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, by our Named Executive Officers.

 

Name		Principal Position		Fiscal Year				Salary ($)				Bonus ($)				Stock Awards ($)(1)				Option Awards ($)(1)				Total ($)
Joshua N. Silverman		Interim Chief Executive			2024			$	375,000			$	100,000			$	–			$	312,923			$	787,923
		Officer and Interim President			2023			$	197,917			$	–			$	–			$	–			$	197,917
Carlos A. Trujillo		Chief Financial Officer			2024			$	380,000			$	50,000			$	–			$	156,562			$	586,462
					2023			$	380,000			$	–			$	2,667			$	2,592			$	385,259

 

(1) The amounts in the columns titled “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” reflect the grant date fair values of awards made during the identified fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and the assumptions stated in Note 4 and Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024.

 

(2) Includes $10,417 of compensation for Mr. Silverman’s service as a member of the board of directors.

 

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

Employment Arrangements

 

Joshua N. Silverman

 

On November 14, 2022, the Board approved employment of Mr. Silverman as the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim President and Interim Chairman of the Board on a month-to-month basis, and it further approved paying Mr. Silverman is paid an annual base salary of $375,000, subject to annual increases at the discretion of the Board and shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. For the 2024 fiscal year, Mr. Silverman received a cash bonus of $100,000. For the 2025 fiscal year, the Company anticipates awarding a bonus to Mr. Silverman in an amount to be determined by the Board. Mr. Silverman is eligible to participate in the 2022 Plan. On November 20, 2023, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Silverman a stock option grant to purchase 170,000 shares of common stock exercisable over a ten-year term at an exercise price of $2.18 per share, vesting 50% immediately and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.

 

 

 

 

Carlos A. Trujillo

 

On May 8, 2022, we entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Compensation Agreement with Mr. Trujillo (the “Trujillo Compensation Agreement”), effective as of January 1, 2022. The current term of the Trujillo Compensation Agreement extends until December 31, 2025, with annual extensions at the end of the term (or any extension of the term) unless we or Mr. Trujillo provide 90-days written notice of termination.

 

The Trujillo Compensation Agreement provided that Mr. Trujillo will serve as a member of our Board, from which he resigned on August 15, 2022, and provides that Mr. Trujillo will serve as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Trujillo is paid an annual base salary of $380,000, subject to annual increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and shall be eligible to receive an annual Bonus. For the 2024 fiscal year, Mr. Trujillo received a cash bonus of $50,000. For the 2025 fiscal year, the Company anticipates awarding a bonus to Mr. Trujillo in an amount to be determined by the Board or Compensation Committee, as the case may be. Mr. Trujillo is eligible to participate in the 2022 Plan. On November 20, 2023, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Trujillo a stock option grant to purchase 85,000 shares of common stock exercisable over a ten-year term at an exercise price of $2.18 per share, vesting 50% immediately and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.

 

If Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated by us without “Cause” or by him for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement), then subject to his execution of a timely release, he is entitled to: (i) severance equal to two times the sum of his base salary at the time his employment terminates, (ii) payment of the annual bonus, if any, earned by Mr. Trujillo for the year preceding the year of termination, or, if greater, the target bonus, if any, for the year of termination, (iii) accelerated vesting of any unvested stock or option awards and (iv) continued health coverage for Mr. Trujillo and his family and life insurance coverage for Mr. Trujillo, if any, at the Company’s expense until the earliest of: (A) the eighteen-month anniversary of termination; (B) the date Mr. Trujillo is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (C) the date on which Mr. Trujillo receives or becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated by us without Cause or by him for Good Reason within two years after a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement) or within six months prior to a Change in Control, then the base salary and bonus, if any, component of severance would be paid in lump sum. Also, Mr. Trujillo would be entitled to receive a full Code Section 280G tax gross-up, with respect to any amounts that may be subject to the excise tax provisions under Code Section 280G.

 

If Mr. Trujillo’s employment ceases due to his death, (i) any otherwise unvested equity awards held by him at the time of his death would become vested, (ii) his eligible dependents would be entitled to continued healthcare coverage at the Company’s expense for up to 18 months, and (iii) his designated beneficiary or estate would receive the proceeds, if any, from any life insurance.

 

If Mr. Trujillo’s employment is terminated due to “Disability” (as such term is defined in the Trujillo Compensation Agreement) he would receive continued health coverage and life insurance coverage, if any, for 18 months at our expense, as well as any disability benefits payable under any long-term disability plan or policy we maintain. In addition, any otherwise unvested equity awards would then become vested.

 

Additionally, Mr. Trujillo is bound by confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions as well as non-solicitation and non-competition covenants that apply during the term of his employment and for twenty-four months after termination of his employment.

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock awards outstanding on the last day of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, including both awards subject to performance conditions and non-performance-based awards, to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

Option Awards

 

Name		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable				Option Exercise Price ($)				Option Expiration Date
Joshua N. Silverman			85,000				85,000	(1)		$	2.18				11/19/2033
Carlos A. Trujillo			2,000				–			$	61.20				01/02/2025
			2,000				–			$	10.05				12/31/2025
			2,000				–			$	2.50				01/01/2027
			42,500				42,500	(1)		$	2.18				11/19/2033

 

(1)

These options vest in full on November 20, 2024.

 

Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards

 

Our equity awards, including stock options, are granted in connection with the Company’s yearly compensation cycle and regularly scheduled meetings of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee does not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release of material non-public information. Similarly, we do not time the release of material non-public information based on equity award grant dates.

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control

 

Employment Agreements

 

Information regarding potential payments upon termination or change-in-control pursuant to employment agreements with officers of the Company is set forth above.

 

2021 Plan

 

Under our 2021 Plan, upon a Change in Control (as defined in the 2021 Plan), the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, take one or more of the following actions:

 

	·	cause any or all outstanding awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part;
	·	cause any outstanding option or stock appreciation right to become fully vested and immediately exercisable for a reasonable period in advance of the Change in Control and, to the extent not exercised prior to that Change in Control, cancel that option or stock appreciation right upon closing of the Change in Control;
	·	cancel any unvested award or unvested portion thereof, with or without consideration;

 

 

 

 

	·	cancel any award in exchange for a substitute award;
	·	redeem any restricted stock or restricted stock unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share on the date of the Change in Control;
	·	cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to: (a) the number of shares subject to that option or stock appreciation right, multiplied by (b) the difference, if any, between the fair market value on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that option or the base price of the stock appreciation right; provided, that if the fair market value on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such option or the base price of any such stock appreciation right, the committee may cancel that option or stock appreciation right without any payment of consideration therefor; and/or
	·	take such other action as the Compensation Committee determines to be appropriate under the circumstances.

 

Further, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.

 

Under the 2021 Plan, upon termination of a participant’s service with the Company and unless otherwise specified in an applicable award agreement, any portion of an option or stock appreciation right that is not exercisable upon termination will expire immediately, and any portion of an option or stock appreciation right that is exercisable upon termination will expire on the date it ceases to be exercisable, as determined by the reason for termination:

 

	·	Termination by reason of death: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates by reason of death, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of his or her death or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 12 months from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right.
	·	Termination by reason of disability: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates by reason of disability, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised by the participant or his or her personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 12 months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right.
	·	Termination for Cause: If a participant’s service with the Company is terminated for Cause (as defined in the 2021 Plan) or if a participant resigns at a time that there was a Cause basis for such participant’s termination: (i) any option or stock appreciation right, or portion thereof, not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the participant the option exercise price paid for such shares, if any.
	·	Other termination: If a participant’s service with the Company terminates for any reason other than death, disability or Cause, any option or stock appreciation right held by such participant may thereafter be exercised by the participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Compensation Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Compensation Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Compensation Committee, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such option or stock appreciation right.

 

 

 

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 to each of our non-employee directors.

 

Name		Fees Earned ($)				Stock Awards ($)(1)				Option Awards ($)(1)				Total ($)
Jonathan L. Schechter (2)		$	180,000			$	–			$	110,000			$	290,000
Robert Weinstein (3)		$	180,000			$	–			$	110,000			$	290,000
Wayne R. Walker (4)		$	155,000			$	–			$	110,000			$	265,000
Michael M. Abecassis (5)		$	186,000			$	–			$	110,000			$	296,000

 

(1)	The amounts in the columns titled “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” reflect the grant date fair values of awards made during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and the assumptions stated in Note 4 and Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024.
(2)	As of April 30, 2024, Mr. Schechter held options to purchase 99,257 shares of our common stock, of which 61,248 were vested.
(3)	As of April 30, 2024, Mr. Weinstein held options to purchase 99,257 shares of our common stock, of which 61,248 were vested.
(4)	As of April 30, 2024, Mr. Walker held options to purchase 99,257 shares of our common stock, of which 61,248 were vested.
(5)	As of April 30, 2024, Mr. Abecassis held options to purchase 99,257 shares of our common stock, of which 61,248 were vested.

 

On November 17, 2023, we adopted a nonemployee director compensation policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”). The Director Compensation Policy provides for the annual automatic grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value of $60,000. Such grants shall occur annually on the first business day after our annual meeting of stockholders, and the options shall vest on the date of the subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the director’s continued service on the vesting date. The Director Compensation Policy also provides for the automatic grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value of $50,000 to each newly appointed director. Such grants occur on the first business day following appointment, and the options vest in full immediately. Each nonemployee director will also receive an annual retainer in the amount of $60,000, plus an additional $10,000 annually per committee chairmanship. Dr. Abecassis, as chair of the Strategic Scientific Committee, receives a monthly retainer fee of $3,500.

 

Our employee directors do not receive additional compensation for their service on the Board. For information regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers who are also directors, please see above, under the heading “Executive Compensation.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pay versus performance

 

The following table shows the relationship, during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024 (“FY 2024”), 2023 (“FY 2023”) and 2022 (“FY 2022), between (i) executive compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to (A) our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and (B) our Named Executive Officers other than the PEO (“Non-PEO NEOs”) and (ii) certain financial performance metrics of the Company.

 

Year	Summary Compensation Table Total for Mr. Silverman (1)	Summary Compensation Table Total for Mr. Waggoner (1)	Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Silverman (2)	Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Waggoner (3)	Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (4)	Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (5)	Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return (6)	Net Income (Loss) (in millions) (7)
FY 2024	$787,923	–	$787,923	–	$586,462	$586,462	$8.02	$0.3
FY 2023	$197,917	$441,223	$197,917	$441,268	$225,959	$225,935	$11.04	$(4.3)
FY 2022	–	$919,151	–	$921,828	$384,300	$378,755	$8.81	$(4.2)

 

(1)	Mr. Joshua N. Silverman was the Named Executive Officer and PEO for FY 2024. Kenneth L. Waggoner served as our PEO until October 6, 2022, and Joshua N. Silverman served as PEO for the remainder of FY 2023. Each of Mr. Silverman and Mr. Waggoner were Named Executive Officers and PEOs for FY 2023, and Mr. Waggoner was a Named Executive Officer and PEO for FY 2022. The dollar amounts reported in this column are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Silverman and Mr. Waggoner for FY 2024, 2023 and FY 2022, respectively, in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)	The dollar amounts reported in this column represent the CAP to Mr. Silverman, as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Silverman during the applicable year.

 

In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Silverman’s total compensation for each year to determine CAP:

 

Year	Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Mr. Silverman	Reported Value of Equity Awards (i)	Equity Award Adjustments (ii)	Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Silverman
FY 2024	$787,923	312,923	311,405	$786,405
FY 2023	$197,917	–	–	$197,917
FY 2022	–	–	–	–

 

	(i)	The grant date fair value of equity awards in this column represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
	(ii)	The equity award adjustments in this column include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (1) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (2) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (3) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (4) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (5) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (6) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Year	Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards	Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards	Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year	Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year	Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year	Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation	Total Equity Award Adjustments
FY 2024	$154,943	–	$156,462	–	–	–	$311,405
FY 2023	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
FY 2022	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

 

(3)

The dollar amounts reported in this column represent the CAP to Mr. Waggoner, as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Waggoner during the applicable year.

 

In accordance with SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Waggoner’s total compensation for each year to determine CAP:

 

Year	Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Mr. Waggoner	Reported Value of Equity Awards (i)	Equity Award Adjustments (ii)	Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Waggoner
FY 2024	–	–	–	–
FY 2023	$441,221	$7,889	$7,842	$441,268
FY 2022	$919,151	$32,807	$35,484	$921,828

 

	(iii)	The grant date fair value of equity awards in this column represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
	(iv)	The equity award adjustments in this column include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (1) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (2) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (3) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (4) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (5) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (6) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Year	Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards	Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards	Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year	Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year	Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year	Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation	Total Equity Award Adjustments
FY 2024	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
FY 2023	–	$7,842	–	–	–	–	$7,842
FY 2022	$3,782	–	$31,702	–	–	–	$35,484

 

	(4)	The dollar amounts reported in this column represent the average of the amounts reported for Non-PEO NEOs in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. The Non-PEO NEOs included for purposes of calculating the average amounts were Carlos A. Trujillo and Gerald L. Crabtree and for each of FY 2023 and FY 2022. For FY 2024, the average amount is solely for Carlos A. Trujillo.
	(5)	The dollar amounts reported in this column represent the average amount of CAP to Non-PEO NEOs as a group, as computed in accordance with SEC rules. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the Non-PEO NEOs as a group during the applicable year.

 

In accordance with the SEC rules, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the Non-PEO NEOs as a group for each year to determine the CAP, using the same methodology described above in Footnote 2:

 

Year	Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs	Average Reported Value of Equity Awards	Average Equity Award Adjustments (i)	Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs
FY 2024	$586,462	$156,562	$155,703	$585,603
FY 2023	$225,959	$3,611	$3,587	$225,935
FY 2022	$384,300	$14,897	$9,352	$378,755

 

 

 

 

(i)

The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as follows:

 

Year	Average Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards	Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards	Average Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year	Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year	Average Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year	Average Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation	Total Average Equity Award Adjustments
FY 2024	–	$155,703	–	–	–	–	$155,703
FY 2023	–	$3,587	–	–	–	–	$3,587
FY 2022	$1,737	–	$7,615	–	–	–	$9,352

 

	(6)	The cumulative total shareholder return (“TSR”) amounts reported in this column are calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period.
	(7)	The dollar amounts reported this column are the Company’s net income amounts reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.

 

Analysis of Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table

 

We generally seek to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore do not specifically align our performance measures with CAP for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.

 

Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income (Loss)

 

Because we are not a commercial-stage company, we did not have any revenue during the periods presented. Consequently, our Company has not historically looked to net income (loss) as a performance measure for our executive compensation program.

 

Our net income in FY 2024 was approximately $0.3 million, an increase of approximately $4.6 million, or 108%, from FY 2023. The CAP to our PEO was a total of $787,923 for FY 2024, an increase of $148,738, or 23.3%, from FY 2023. The average CAP to our non-PEO NEOs was a total of $586,462 for FY 2024, an increase of $360,527, or 159.6]% from FY 2023.

 

Our net loss in FY 2023 was approximately $4.2 million, an increase of approximately $0.1 million, or 2.4%, from FY 2022. The aggregate CAP to our PEOs was a total of $639,185 ($441,268 for Mr. Waggoner and $197,917 Mr. Silverman) for FY 2023, a decrease of $282,643, or 30.7%, from FY 2022. The average CAP to our non-PEO NEOs was a total of $225,935 for FY 2023, a decrease of $152,820, or 40.3% from FY 2022.

 

Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR

 

Our TSR for FY 2024 was $8.02, a 27.4% decrease compared to our TSR for FY 2023, as compared to the above-described decreases in CAP to our PEO and non-PEO NEOs. Our TSR for FY 2023 was $11.04, a 25.3% increase compared to our TSR for FY 2022, as compared to the above-described decreases in CAP to our PEO and non-PEO NEOs.

 

 

 

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

The following table provides certain aggregate information with respect to all of the Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of April 30, 2024.

 

		Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights				Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights				Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
		(a)				(b)				(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders			909,364			$	2.39				1,840,636
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders			15,800			$	36.29				–
Total			925,296			$	2.97				1,840,636

 

Please see Notes 5 and 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024 for more information regarding our equity compensation arrangements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee of our Board, which consists entirely of directors who meet the independence and experience requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market, has furnished the following report:

 

The Audit Committee assists our Board in overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial reporting process, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the quality of internal and external audit processes. This committee’s role and responsibilities are set forth in our charter adopted by our Board, which is available on our website at ir.pharmacyte.com/governance-docs. This committee reviews and reassesses our charter annually and recommends any changes to our Board for approval. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing our overall financial reporting process, and for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, the Audit Committee took the following actions:

 

	·	Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 with management and Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024;
	·	Discussed with Marcum the matters required to be discussed in accordance with Auditing Standard No. 1301- Communications with Audit committees; and
	·	Received written disclosures and the letter from Marcum regarding its independence as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Marcum’s communications with the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee further discussed with Marcum their independence. The Audit Committee also considered the status of pending litigation, taxation matters and other areas of oversight relating to the financial reporting and audit process that the committee determined appropriate.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and discussions with management and Marcum, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 for filing with the SEC.

 

Members of the PharmaCyte Audit Committee

 

Robert Weinstein

Wayne R. Walker

Jonathan L. Schechter

 

 

 

 

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

 

Our Audit Committee charter requires all future transactions between us and any director, executive officer, holder of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of, or entities affiliated with, any of them, or any other related persons, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K, or their affiliates, in which the amount involved is equal to or greater than $120,000, be approved in advance by our Audit Committee. Any request for such a transaction must first be presented to our Audit Committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our Audit Committee is to consider all available information deemed relevant by the Audit Committee, including, but not limited to, the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction, and whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms we could have generally obtained from an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances.

 

We had the following related party transactions during the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

We own 13.9% of the equity in SG Austria, and such investment is reported on the cost method of accounting. SG Austria has two subsidiaries: (i) Austrianova and (ii) Austrianova Thailand. We purchased products and services from these subsidiaries in the approximate amounts of $0 and $339,000 in the years ended April 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. In April 2014, we entered a consulting agreement with Vin-de-Bona pursuant to which it agreed to provide professional consulting services to us. Vin-de-Bona is owned by Prof. Günzburg and Dr. Salmons, both of whom are involved in numerous aspects of our scientific endeavors relating to cancer (Prof. Günzburg is the Chairman of Austrianova, and Dr. Salmons is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Austrianova). The term of the agreement is for 12 months, automatically renewable for successive 12-month terms. After the initial term, either party can terminate the agreement by giving the other party 30 days’ written notice before the effective date of termination. The amounts we paid Vin-de-Bona for the years ended April 30, 2024, and 2023, were approximately $5,000 and $61,000, respectively.

 

On May 20, 2024, we entered into the TNF Purchase Agreement with TNF, pursuant to which we purchased from TNF (i) TNF Preferred Shares, convertible into 3,854,626 TNF Common Shares, (ii) Long-Term Warrants to purchase up to 3,854,626 TNF Common Shares and (iii) Short-Term Warrants to purchase up to 3,854,626 TNF Common Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,000. Joshua Silverman, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President, is chairman of TNF’s board of directors. For more information regarding the TNF Transaction, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – TNF Transaction in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal No. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

On February 24, 2025, our Board nominated Joshua N. Silverman, Jonathan L. Schechter, Michael M. Abecassis, Robert Weinstein and Wayne R. Walker for election at the Annual Meeting. If they are elected, they will serve on our Board until the Next Annual Meeting and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.

 

Unless authority to vote for any of these nominees is withheld, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the election of Joshua N. Silverman, Jonathan L. Schechter, Michael M. Abecassis, Robert Weinstein and Wayne R. Walker as directors. In the event that any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of such other person as our Board may recommend in that nominee’s place. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director.

 

A plurality of the shares voted for each nominee at the Annual Meeting is required to elect each nominee as a director.

 

Our board Recommends The Election Of Joshua N. Silverman, Jonathan L. Schechter, Michael M. Abecassis, Robert Weinstein and Wayne R. Walker As Directors, And Proxies Solicited By Our board Will Be Voted In Favor Thereof Unless A Stockholder Has Indicated Otherwise On The Proxy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal No. 2

 

Ratification of selection of INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee has appointed CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. Our Board proposes that the stockholders ratify this appointment. We expect that representatives of CBIZ CPAs P.C. will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be able to make a statement if they so desire, although they will not be available for questions at the Annual Meeting.

 

CBIZ CPAs P.C. has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since February 21, 2025. Previously, Marcum served as our independent registered public accounting firm from November 5, 2023 to February 21, 2025. On November 1, 2024, CBIZ CPAs P.C. acquired the attest business of Marcum. On February 21, 2025, we were notified by Marcum that Marcum resigned as our independent registered accounting firm of the Company. On February 21, 2025, the Audit Committee accepted the resignation of Marcum and approved the engagement of CBIZ CPAs P.C. to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Marcum audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. The reports of Marcum on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 and the interim period through February 21, 2025, the Company (i) had no disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures or audit scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the consolidated financial statements for such years; and (ii) had the following “reportable events” (as such term is defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K): As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A of the Company’s Form 10-Ks for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, there were no reportable events, except for material weaknesses, as follows: (1) insufficient segregation of duties of the Chief Financial Officer; and (2) insufficient management review controls. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, April 30, 2023 and the interim period through February 21, 2025, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with CBIZ CPAs P.C. regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). The Company has provided CBIZ CPAs P.C. and Marcum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures.

 

In deciding to appoint CBIZ CPAs P.C., the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence issues and existing commercial relationships with CBIZ CPAs P.C. and concluded that CBIZ CPAs P.C. has no commercial relationship with the Company that would impair its independence for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025.

 

As of April 30, 2024, CBIZ CPAs P.C. had not rendered any services to us, and accordingly we did not pay any fees for professional audit services to CBIZ CPAs P.C. for the years ended April 30, 2024 or 2023.

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the fees billed to or incurred by our Company for professional services rendered by Marcum for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

Service		2024				2023
Audit Fees		$	301,650			$	–
‌Audit-Related Fees			–				–
Tax Fees			–				–
All Other Fees			–				–
Total		$	301,650			$	–

 

During the year ended April 30, 2024, we incurred from Marcum $225,000 in audit fees and $76,650 in quarterly review fees.

 

Armanino LLP (“Armanino”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm from October 30, 2015 to November 5, 2023. Armanino audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023. The following table sets forth the fees billed to or incurred by our Company for professional services rendered by Armanino for the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

Service		2024				2023
Audit Fees		$	224,175			$	180,098
‌Audit-Related Fees			–				–
Tax Fees			–				12,000
All Other Fees			–				–
Total		$	224,175			$	192,098

 

During the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, we incurred from Armanino $95,025 and $140,958 in annual audit fees, respectively, and $129,150 and $31,500 in quarterly review fees, respectively, and $0 and $19,640 in income tax analysis, respectively.

 

Our Audit Committee pre-approves all services to be performed by our independent auditor. All the services listed above have been pre-approved by our Audit Committee.

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Public Accountant

 

Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Prior to engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management will submit an aggregate of services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the Audit Committee for approval.

 

 

 

 

Audit services include audit work performed in the preparation of financial statements, as well as work that generally only an independent registered public accounting firm can reasonably be expected to provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits, and attest services and consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting standards.

 

Audit-Related services are for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by an independent registered public accounting firm, including due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plan audits, and special procedures required to meet certain regulatory requirements.

 

Tax services include all services performed by an independent registered public accounting firm’s tax personnel except those services specifically related to the audit of the financial statements, and includes fees in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice.

 

Other Fees are those associated with services not captured in the other categories. The Company generally does not request such services from our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Prior to engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires our independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage our independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

In the event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast affirmatively or negatively at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Our board Recommends A Vote To Ratify The Appointment Of CBIZ CPAs P.C. As Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, And Proxies Solicited By Our board Will Be Voted In Favor Of Such Ratification Unless A Stockholder Indicates Otherwise On The Proxy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal No. 3

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT

 

We are seeking your advisory vote as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act on the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the compensation tables and related material contained in this proxy statement. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on our Compensation Committee or our Board. However, the Compensation Committee and our Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation. We have determined to hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers annually, and the next such advisory vote will occur at the Next Annual Meeting.

 

In accordance with the rules of the SEC, the following resolution, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, is being submitted for a stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, that the stockholders of the Corporation approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers of the Corporation, to be disclosed in the Proxy Statement pursuant to the disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Summary Compensation Table and other related tables and disclosures, be and hereby is accepted.”

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, this resolution.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH APPROVAL UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER INDICATES OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial and accounting officers. The text of the code of conduct and ethics is posted on our website at ir.pharmacyte.com/governance-docs, is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and will be made available to stockholders without charge, upon request, in writing to the Interim President at 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, Attention: Interim President. Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the code of conduct and ethics that apply to our directors, principal executive officer and principal financial officer will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver, unless website posting or the issuance of a press release of such amendments or waivers is then permitted by the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Our Board knows of no other business which will be presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named therein.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR

 

To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our Next Annual Meeting, we must receive stockholder proposals (other than for director nominations) no later than 120 days prior to the date that is one year from this year’s mailing date. To be considered for presentation at the Next Annual Meeting, although not included in the proxy statement, proposals (including director nominations that are not requested to be included in our proxy statement) must be received no earlier than 45 days prior to the date that is one year from this year’s mailing date. Proposals that are not received in a timely manner will not be voted on at the Next Annual Meeting. If a proposal is received on time, the proxies that management solicits for the meeting may still exercise discretionary voting authority on the proposal under circumstances consistent with the proxy rules of the SEC. All stockholder proposals should be sent to 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 500, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, Attention: Interim President.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

 

March 10, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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