EX-99.49 50 d805932dex9949.htm EX-99.49 EX-99.49

Exhibit 99.49    

 

 

LOGO

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2019

AND

MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR

April 12, 2019

 

 

 

 

 


LOGO

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

To the shareholders of Theratechnologies Inc. (the “Corporation”):

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an annual meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Corporation will be held at the McCord Museum, 690 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Québec, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) for the following purposes:

 

  (1)

to receive the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, as well as the auditors’ report thereon;

 

  (2)

to elect directors for the ensuing year;

 

  (3)

to appoint auditors for the ensuing year and authorize the directors to set their compensation;

 

  (4)

to consider and if deemed advisable, to pass Resolution 2019-1 (the text of which is attached as Appendix “A” to the accompanying Management Proxy Circular), with or without amendments, ratifying the amendments and the renewal of the shareholder rights plan of the Corporation which has been in force since February 10, 2010, the whole as described in the accompanying Management Proxy Circular; and

 

 

  (5)

to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.

Only persons registered as shareholders on the records of the Corporation as of the close of business on April 12, 2019 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote or act at, the Meeting. No person who becomes a shareholder after such date will be entitled to vote or act at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

A shareholder who is unable to attend the Meeting in person may appoint another person (who need not be a shareholder of the Corporation) to represent him or her at the Meeting by completing the enclosed form of proxy and returning same to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, c/o Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 1500 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, 7th Floor, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 3S8, prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 13, 2019.

DATED at Montreal, Québec, Canada, April 12, 2019

 

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 

(signed) Jocelyn Lafond

 

Jocelyn Lafond
Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary
Theratechnologies Inc.
2015 Peel Street, 11th Floor
Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 1T8


LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information contained in this management proxy circular (the “Circular”) is given as at April 12, 2019, except as otherwise noted. All dollar amounts set forth herein are expressed in Canadian dollars and the symbol “$” refers to the Canadian dollar, unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEM I.

 

    INFORMATION RELATING TO VOTING

     1  

1.      

 

By Proxy

     1  

2.      

 

In Person

     4  

3.      

 

Voting Securities and Principal Holders

     4  

ITEM II.

 

    SUBJECTS TO BE TREATED AT THE MEETING

     5  

1.      

 

Receipt of Financial Statements

     5  

2.      

 

Election of Directors

     5  

3.      

 

Appointment of Auditors

     18  

4.      

 

Shareholder Rights Plan

     19  

5.      

 

Other Matters to be Acted Upon

     24  

ITEM III.

 

    COMPENSATION

     25  

1.      

 

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

     25  

2.      

 

Named Executive Officers

     34  

3.      

 

Summary Compensation Table

     34  

4.      

 

Incentive Plan Awards

     37  

5.      

 

Termination and Change of Control Provisions

     39  

6.      

 

Performance Graph

     45  

ITEM IV.

 

    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE

     47  

ITEM V.

 

    OTHER INFORMATION

     54  

1.      

 

Audit Committee Information

     54  

2.      

 

Shareholder Proposals

     54  

3.      

 

Additional Documentation

     55  

4.      

 

Approval by the Board of Directors

     55  

APPENDIX A RESOLUTION 2019-1 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

     56  

APPENDIX B MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     57  

APPENDIX C DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY

     60  

APPENDIX D NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

     62  

APPENDIX E COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

     66  

APPENDIX F AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

     69  


ITEM I.

INFORMATION RELATING TO VOTING

 

You may vote your shares either through a proxy or in person at the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Theratechnologies Inc. (the “Corporation” or “Theratechnologies”).

1.         By Proxy

Solicitation of Proxies

This Circular is provided in connection with the solicitation by management of the Corporation of proxies to be used at the Meeting of the Corporation to be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at the time, place and for the purposes set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Notice of Meeting”) and at any continuation of the Meeting after adjournment thereof.

It is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be made primarily by mail. However, officers or employees of the Corporation may also solicit proxies by telephone, telecopy, e-mail or in person. Our employees will receive no compensation for these services. The entire cost of solicitation will be borne by the Corporation. Pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“NI 54-101”), arrangements have been made with clearing agencies, brokerage houses and other financial intermediaries to forward proxy-related material to beneficial owners of common shares. See “Non-Registered Holders” below.

Terms of Proxy Grant

A registered shareholder who is unable to attend the Meeting in person is requested to complete and sign the enclosed form of proxy and to deliver it to Computershare Trust Company of Canada (“Computershare”) as per the instructions below. By completing the enclosed form of proxy, you appoint the persons proposed in that form to represent your interests and vote your shares on your behalf at the Meeting. The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are directors or officers of the Corporation. However, you have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder) to represent you at the Meeting other than the persons designated in the form of proxy provided by the Corporation. To do this, you must insert such person’s name in the blank space provided in the enclosed form of proxy.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary (a stockbroker, a bank, a trust, a trustee, etc.), you are not a registered shareholder in the registry of shareholders of the Corporation held by Computershare. Therefore, you cannot vote your shares directly at the Meeting. If this is your situation, you will receive from your intermediary explanation as to how to appoint proxies and have them vote your shares. To ensure that your instructions are respected, you must deliver them to your intermediary within the prescribed deadline. See “Non-Registered Holders” below. For any questions, please contact your intermediary directly.

Proxy Voting

The persons named or appointed in the form of proxy will, on a show of hands or any ballot that may be called, vote (or withhold from voting) your shares in respect of which they are appointed as proxies in accordance with the instructions given in the form of proxy. In the absence of instructions, the voting rights attached to the shares referred to in your form of proxy will be exercised FOR the matters mentioned in the attached Notice of Meeting.

Furthermore, the enclosed form of proxy confers upon the proxy holder a discretionary power with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to all other

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


matters which may properly come before the Meeting, or any continuation after adjournment thereof. As at the date of this Circular, management of the Corporation knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to be brought before the Meeting.

Delivery of Form of Proxy and Deadlines

If you hold your shares personally and are a registered shareholder in the registry of shareholders of the Corporation, please send the completed form of proxy to the Secretary of the Corporation, c/o Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 1500 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, 7th Floor, Montreal, Québec H3A 3S8, prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 13, 2019 (unless you attend the Meeting in person). All shares represented by proper proxies accompanied by duly completed declarations received by Computershare at the latest on such date and prior to such time will be voted in accordance with your instructions as specified in the proxy form on any ballot that may be called at the Meeting.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, please proceed as indicated in the documentation sent by your intermediary and within the deadlines specified therein. See “Non-Registered Holders” below. For any questions, please contact your intermediary directly.

Revocation of a Proxy

You may, at any time, including any continuation of the Meeting after adjournment thereof, revoke a proxy for any business with respect to which said proxy confers a vote that has not already been cast.

If you hold your shares personally and are a registered shareholder in the registry of shareholders of the Corporation, please send a written notice to revoke a proxy bearing your signature or that of your proxy (or a representative of your proxy if your proxy is a corporation) to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, c/o Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 1500 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, 7th Floor, Montreal, Québec H3A 3S8, prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 13, 2019. You may also revoke a proxy in person at the Meeting by making a request to that effect to the Secretary of the Corporation.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, please proceed as indicated in the documentation sent by your intermediary and within the deadlines specified therein. For any questions, please contact your intermediary directly.

Non-Registered Holders

The information set forth in this section should be reviewed carefully by the non-registered shareholders. Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name (“Beneficial Shareholders”) should note that only proxies deposited by shareholders whose names appear on the records maintained by the Corporation’s registrar and transfer agent as registered holders of shares will be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, those shares will, in all likelihood, not be registered in the shareholder’s name. Such shares will more likely be registered under the name of the shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). Shares held by brokers (or their agents or nominees) on behalf of a broker’s client can only be voted at the direction of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, brokers and their agents and nominees are prohibited from voting shares for the broker’s clients. Therefore, each Beneficial Shareholder should ensure that voting instructions are communicated to the appropriate person well in advance of the Meeting.

There are two categories of Beneficial Shareholders for the purposes of applicable securities regulatory policy in relation to the mechanism of dissemination to Beneficial Shareholders of proxy-related materials

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


and other security holder materials and the request for voting instructions from such Beneficial Shareholders. Non-objecting beneficial owners (“NOBOs”) are Beneficial Shareholders who have advised their intermediary (such as brokers or other nominees) that they do not object to their intermediary disclosing ownership information to the Corporation, consisting of their name, address, e-mail address, securities holdings and preferred language of communication. Securities legislation restricts the use of that information to matters strictly relating to the affairs of the Corporation. Objecting beneficial owners (“OBOs”) are Beneficial Shareholders who have advised their intermediary that they object to their intermediary disclosing such ownership information to the Corporation.

In accordance with the requirements of NI 54-101, the Corporation is sending the Notice of Meeting, the Circular and a voting instruction form (the “Meeting Materials”) indirectly through intermediaries to all Beneficial Shareholders. NI 54-101 permits the Corporation, in its discretion, to obtain a list of its NOBOs from intermediaries and use such NOBO list for the purpose of distributing the Meeting Materials directly to, and seeking voting instructions directly from, such NOBOs. As a result, the Corporation is entitled to deliver the Meeting Materials to Beneficial Shareholders in two manners: (a) directly to NOBOs and indirectly through intermediaries to OBOs; or (b) indirectly to all Beneficial Shareholders through intermediaries. In accordance with the requirements of NI 54-101, the Corporation is sending the Meeting Materials indirectly through intermediaries to all Beneficial Shareholders. The cost of the delivery of the Meeting Materials by intermediaries to Beneficial Shareholders will be borne by the Corporation.

Although a Beneficial Shareholder may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting shares registered in the name of his or her broker (or his or her broker’s agent), a Beneficial Shareholder may attend the Meeting as proxyholder for the registered shareholder and vote the shares as proxyholder for the registered shareholder by entering his or her own name in the blank space on the proxy form or voting instruction form provided to him or her by his or her broker (or his or her broker’s agent) and return it to that broker (or that broker’s agent) in accordance with the broker’s instructions (or the agent’s instructions).

Applicable securities regulatory policy requires intermediaries, on receipt of Meeting Materials that seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders indirectly, to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholder’s meetings on Form 54-101F7 (Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary). Every intermediary/broker has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their shares are voted at the Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. Often, the form of request for voting instructions supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its broker is identical to the form of proxy provided to registered shareholders; however, its purpose is limited to instructing the registered shareholders on how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to appear in person and vote at the Meeting should be appointed as their own representatives at the Meeting in accordance with the directions of their intermediaries and Form 54-101F7. Beneficial Shareholders can also write the name of someone else whom they wish to attend at the Meeting and vote on their behalf. Unless prohibited by law, the person whose name is written in the space provided in Form 54-101F7 will have full authority to present matters to the Meeting and vote on all matters that are presented at the Meeting, even if those matters are not set out in Form 54-101F7 or this Circular.

The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). In forwarding the Meeting Materials to Beneficial Shareholders, Broadridge typically includes a voting instruction form in lieu of the form of proxy that some intermediaries employ. Beneficial Shareholders are requested to complete and return the voting instruction form to Broadridge by mail or facsimile. Alternatively, Beneficial Shareholders can call a toll-free telephone number to vote the shares held by them or access Broadridge’s dedicated voting website at https://proxyvote.com to deliver their voting instructions. Broadridge will then provide aggregate voting instructions to the Corporation’s transfer agent and registrar, which tabulates the results and provides

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


appropriate instructions respecting the voting of shares to be represented at the Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. If you have any questions respecting the voting of shares held through a broker or other intermediary, please contact your broker or other intermediary for assistance.

All references to shareholders in this Circular, the enclosed form of proxy and the Notice of Meeting are to the registered shareholders unless specifically stated otherwise.

2.        In Person

If you hold your shares personally and are a registered shareholder in the registry of shareholders of the Corporation, you may present yourself on the date, at the time and place set forth in the Notice of Meeting and register with the representatives of Computershare who will be at the Meeting. You should then follow voting instructions given by the Chair of the Meeting.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary and you wish to vote your shares in person at the Meeting, please proceed as indicated in the documentation sent by your intermediary. For any questions, please contact your intermediary directly.

3.        Voting Securities and Principal Holders

As at April 12, 2019, there were 76,901,911 common shares (the “Common Shares”) of the Corporation issued and outstanding. The Common Shares are the only securities with respect to which a voting right may be exercised at the Meeting. Each Common Share entitles its holder to one vote with respect to the matters voted on at the Meeting.

Holders of Common Shares whose names are registered on the lists of shareholders of the Corporation as at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 12, 2019, being the date fixed by the Corporation for determination of the registered holders of Common Shares who are entitled to receive Notice of the Meeting and to vote at the Meeting (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to exercise their voting rights attached to the Common Shares in respect of which they are so registered at the Meeting, or any continuation after adjournment thereof, if present or represented by proxy thereat.

To our knowledge, no person beneficially owns, or controls or directs control, directly or indirectly, over more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


ITEM II.

SUBJECTS TO BE TREATED AT THE MEETING

 

1.        Receipt of Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 together with the auditors’ report thereon will be presented at the Meeting. The financial statements have been mailed to you if you requested them, along with this Circular. The financial statements are also available as part of the Corporation’s filings on SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. No vote is required on this matter.

2.        Election of Directors

Composition of the Board of Directors

The articles of the Corporation provide that the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) must consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of twenty (20) directors. The Board is currently composed of eight (8) directors.

Majority Voting Policy

At a meeting of the Board held in April 2017, the Board amended its majority voting policy (the “Majority Voting Policy”) regarding the election of directors to take into consideration comments issued by the TSX in March 2017. Pursuant to the Majority Voting Policy, a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” than votes “for”, with respect to the election of directors by shareholders, will have to tender his or her resignation to the Board immediately following the meeting of shareholders at which the director was a nominee for election. The Board will determine whether to accept such resignation or not. The Board will make its decision and announce it in a press release within ninety (90) days following the meeting of shareholders. The director who tendered his or her resignation will not be part of any committee or Board deliberations pertaining to his or her resignation. The Majority Voting Policy only applies in circumstances involving an uncontested election of directors.

An “uncontested election of directors” means an election of directors in respect of which (i) the number of director nominees is the same as the number of directors proposed by management to be elected to the Board; (ii) no person other than those nominees who are part of the candidates proposed by management listed in a management circular is proposed at a meeting as a candidate for directorship; or (iii) no proxy materials are circulated in support of one or more nominees who are not part of the candidates proposed by management.

Nominees

All of the nominees mentioned below under “Nominees” for the director positions of the Corporation are elected for a one year term ending at the next annual meeting of shareholders or when his/her successor is elected, unless he/she resigns or the position becomes vacant as a result of death, dismissal or otherwise, prior to said meeting.

Management proposes that eight (8) directors be elected at the Meeting. Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees listed in the table below will be unable to fulfill his/her mandate as director.

The following table sets forth, for each nominee, the following information:

 

 

his/her name;

 

his/her age;

 

his/her place of residence;

 

his/her independence from the Corporation;

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


 

the date he/she became a director;

 

his/her principal occupation;

 

his/her biography;

 

his/her areas of expertise;

 

his/her memberships on the committees of the Board of the Corporation;

 

the number of Board and committee meetings attended in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 while acting as a director and committee member;

 

the number of Common Shares, deferred share units (“DSUs”), stock options and convertible notes (“Notes”) held or controlled; and

 

whether he/she acts as a director of other public companies.

Some of the information set out in the table below with respect to the nominees is not within the knowledge of the Corporation and was provided by each nominee. The information relating to the number of Common Shares, DSUs, options and Notes held by the nominees in the table below is at the date of this Circular and is based exclusively on reports filed on the Canadian System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders as at that date. The information appearing under “Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions” is based on the statements made by the nominees.

Unless instructions are given to withhold from voting with regard to the election of one or more nominees to act as directors, the persons whose names appear on the enclosed form of proxy will vote FOR the election of each of the nominees whose names are set out in the table below.

 

LOGO

 

Sheila M. Frame

Age: 57

Skillman, New Jersey,

USA

Independent

 

Director since:

March 29, 2019

 

Areas of Expertise:

-  Pharmaceutical Industry

-  Sales and Marketing Strategy

-  Government Relations

-  Leadership

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

No

Other Directorship:

None

 

Principal Occupation

 

  Vice President and Head of Biopharmaceuticals, North America – Sandoz Inc.
 

 

Ms. Frame is currently Vice President and Head Biopharmaceuticals, North America at Sandoz Inc. (a division of Novartis) in the United States. Previously, she successively held the positions of Worldwide General Manager, Immunoscience, Worldwide Commercial Lead, Opdivo® new indications and Biomarker diagnostics, Worldwide Commercial Lead Yervoy® from the US and Vice President, specialty business at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Canada. She was also called upon to occupy several senior roles at UCB Inc. and at AstraZeneca in Canada, the US and the Nordics.

 

Ms. Frame completed the requirements for the Chartered Corporate Director program with the Director’s college in 2006. She also completed a Masters of Business Administration at Concordia University in Montreal and she holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University in Toronto.

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #           %    
 

Board of Directors(1)

  N.A.           N.A.     
  Securities Held or Controlled
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  -   -   -   -
  Committees of the Board of Directors
 

None

 

 

 

 

    (1) Ms. Frame was not a director of the Corporation in the last fiscal year.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


LOGO

 

Gérald A. Lacoste

Age: 75

Rivière-Rouge,

Québec, Canada

 

Independent
Director since:

February 8, 2006

 

Areas of Expertise:

-  Securities and Market Regulations

-  Corporate

   Governance

-  Mergers &

   Acquisitions

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:  

Yes

 

Other Directorship:

None

 

 

Principal Occupation

 

 

Corporate Director

 

 

Gérald A. Lacoste is a retired lawyer with extensive experience in the fields of securities regulation, financing and corporate governance. He was previously Chairman of the Québec Securities Commission (now known as the Autorité des marchés financiers) and was also President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Exchange. During his career, Mr. Lacoste acted as legal counsel to the Canadian Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, he chaired the Québec Advisory Committee on Financial Institutions, and was a member of the task force on the capitalization of life insurance companies in Québec. Mr. Lacoste has been a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement arbitration panel and is currently a corporate director.

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #               %    
  Board of Directors   7   100    
 

Audit Committee

  4   100    
  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee   3   100    
  Securities Held or Controlled
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  100,000   21,936   56,146   45,000
  Committees of the Board of Directors    
 

Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Member of Audit Committee

 

 

 

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LOGO

 

Gary Littlejohn

Age: 63

Lac-Tremblant-Nord,

Québec, Canada

 

Independent

 

Director since:

October 15, 2018

 

Areas of Expertise:

-  Capital Markets

-  Corporate Governance

-  Corporate Finance

-  Risk Management

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

No

 

Other Directorship:

None

 

 

Principal Occupation

 

 

Corporate Director

 

 

From 2008 to 2015, Mr. Littlejohn held the position of CEO and then of advisor to the Chairman and Board Member of the Arab National Investment Company, also known as ANB Invest, in Riyadh, a subsidiary of Arab National Bank. Previously, he was Managing Director of investment banking at Desjardins Securities in Montreal, a position he took after serving six years as Executive Vice-president at Ecopia Biosciences. Mr. Littlejohn also occupied various senior positions in investment banking at TD Securities, Midland Walwyn, BMO Nesbitt Burns and National Bank Financial. Most recently, he held the position of Interim CEO at Helix BioPharma. Mr. Littlejohn also served on the Board of several corporations including Helix BioPharma, ANB Invest, Aegera Pharmaceuticals, Ecopia Biosciences and The Montreal Exchange. Mr. Littlejohn holds a B.A. (Honours Economics), a BCL and a MBA from McGill University. He also completed the Director Education Program provided by the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors in 2015. He is a retired lawyer of the Quebec Bar.

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #               %    
  Board of Directors (1)   N.A.   N.A.
           
  Securities Held or Controlled
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  7,890   Nil   8,900   Nil
  Committees of the Board of Directors    
 

None

 

 

        (1) No meeting of the Board of Directors was held in the last fiscal year after Mr. Littlejohn’s appointment as a Board member.

 

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LOGO

Dale MacCandlish Weil

Age: 63

Baie d’Urfé,

Québec, Canada

Independent

 

Director since:

May 16, 2017

 

Areas of Expertise:

-  Healthcare Industry

-  Commercialization of Products

-  Management

-  Strategic Planning

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

No

 

Other Directorship:

None

  Principal Occupation   Corporate Director
 

 

Ms. Dale MacCandlish Weil has more than 35 years of experience in the commercialization, marketing and sale of consumer products and B2B services. Since May 2018, Ms. Weil has been managing director of the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care (a branch of the West Island Palliative Care Residence). She spent the prior 18 years of her career in management positions related to health care services such as distribution, pharmaceutical and retail pharmacy services. She worked with McKesson Canada Corporation (“McKesson”) since August 1999 where she occupied positions of Vice President and Senior Vice President for various divisions of McKesson. She acted in an advisory role to the President from May 2015 to February 2018. Prior to May 2015, she acted as Senior Vice President Retail Management Services with McKesson from July 2014 to May 2015 and, from November 2011 to June 2014, she acted as Senior Vice President, Integrated Health Care Solutions, Strategy and Business Development with McKesson. Ms. Weil holds a Masters in Business Administration from McGill University and has obtained her certification as a certified director after successfully completing the ICD Directors Education Program.

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #               %    
  Board of Directors   6   85    
  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee   3   100    
 

 

Securities Held or Controlled

 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  Nil   4,476   31,146   2,000
  Committees of the Board of Directors    
 

Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

 

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LOGO

 

Paul Pommier

Age: 76

Laval, Québec,

Canada

 

Independent

 

Director since:

January 6, 1997

 

Areas of Expertise:        

- Corporate

  Finance

- Securities

- Mergers &

  Acquisitions

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

Yes

 

Other Directorship:

None

  Principal Occupation   Corporate Director    
 

Mr. Paul Pommier worked for more than 25 years at National Bank Financial Inc., his last position being Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate and Government Finance. Throughout his career, he oversaw public and private financings, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the marketing of investment offerings. Under his leadership, National Bank Financial Inc. developed notable expertise in tax-shelter financings.

   
  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018   #   %    
  Board of Directors           7           100         
  Audit Committee   4   100    
  Compensation Committee   1   100    
  Securities Held or Controlled    
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

   
  380,100   122,208   66,146   Nil    
  Committees of the Board of Directors            
 

Chair of the Audit Committee

Member of Compensation Committee

 

 

   

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


LOGO

Dawn Svoronos

Age: 65

Hudson, Québec

Canada

 

Independent

 

Director since:

April 8, 2013

 

Areas of Expertise:        

- Pharmaceutical

  Industry

- Commercialization

  of Drug Products

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

Yes

 

Other Directorship:

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.;

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Principal Occupation

 

 

Corporate Director –

Chair of the Board of the Corporation

   
 

 

Ms. Dawn Svoronos worked in the commercial side of the business for the multinational pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. Inc., for 23 years, retiring in 2011. From 2009 to 2011, Ms. Svoronos was President of the Europe/Canada region for Merck and from 2006 to 2009 was President of Merck in Canada. Previously held positions with Merck include Vice-President of Asia Pacific and Vice-President of Global Marketing for the Arthritis, Analgesics and Osteoporosis franchise. Ms. Svoronos sits on the Board of Directors of three other public companies: PTC Therapeutics, Inc. in New Jersey, U.S.A., Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. in British Columbia, Canada, and Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. in San Francisco, California.

   
 

Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018

  #   %    
  Board of Directors           7           100         
  Compensation Committee   1   100    
  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee   3   100    
  Securities Held or Controlled    
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

   
  200,000   855   96,146   Nil    
  Committees of the Board of Directors            
 

Member of Compensation Committee

Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

 

 

   

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


LOGO

Jean-Denis Talon (1)

Age: 78

Montreal,

Québec, Canada

 

Independent

 

Director since:

May 10, 2001

 

Areas of Expertise:

- Human Resources

- Governmental Relations

- Mergers &

  Acquisitions

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:
Yes

Other Directorship:

None

  Principal Occupation   Corporate Director
 

Mr. Jean-Denis Talon had a successful career with AXA Insurance over a period of more than 20 years, ultimately becoming President and Chief Executive Officer. He was Chairman of the Board of AXA Canada until September 2011. Mr. Talon is also a former President of the Financial Affairs Committee at the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

 

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #               %    
  Board of Directors   7   100    
 

Audit Committee

  4   100    
 

Compensation Committee

  1   100    
  Securities Held or Controlled
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  127,700   6,449   66,146   Nil
    Committees of the Board of Directors    
 

Chair of Compensation Committee

Member of Audit Committee

 

 

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


LOGO

Luc Tanguay (2)

Age: 60

Town of Mount Royal,    

Québec, Canada

Non-independent

 

Director since:

December 6, 1993

 

Areas of Expertise:

- Corporate Finance

- Securities

- Mergers &

Acquisitions

 

Compliance with Shareholding Policy:

N.A.

 

Other Directorship:

None

 

Principal Occupation

 

  President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
 

 

Mr. Luc Tanguay has been active in the biotechnology industry for over 20 years and has been a member of our senior management since 1996. A member of the board of directors since 1993, he has held various management positions since joining the Company. Prior to joining us, Mr. Tanguay had a career in investment banking at National Bank Financial Inc. Mr. Tanguay obtained his M. Sc. Finance from the University of Sherbrooke and holds the title of Certified Financial Analyst.

  Committee Membership and Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2018           #           %    
  Board of Directors   7  

100    

  Securities Held or Controlled
 

Common Shares

(#)

 

DSU

(#)

 

Options

(#)

 

Notes

(US$)

  254,000   27,572   959,448   100,000
 

 

 

    

               

 

(1)

Mr. Talon was a member of the board of directors of Toptent Inc., or Toptent, from August 1, 2007 to November 26, 2009. On December 3, 2009, Toptent filed a notice of intention to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), or Bankruptcy Act. Subsequently, on May 7, 2010, Toptent filed a proposal under the Bankruptcy Act. The proposal was accepted by Toptent’s creditors on May 20, 2010.

 
(2)

Mr. Tanguay was a member of the board of directors of Ambrilia Biopharma Inc., or Ambrilia, from August 22, 2006 to March 30, 2010. On July 31, 2009, Ambrilia obtained court protection from its creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), or CCAA. The purpose of the order issued by the court granting Ambrilia protection from its creditors was to provide Ambrilia and its subsidiaries the opportunity to restructure its affairs. On July 31, 2009, the TSX halted the trading of Ambrilia’s shares pending its review of Ambrilia’s meeting the requirements for continuous listing. On January 31, 2011, the TSX decided to delist the common shares of Ambrilia at the close of market on March 4, 2011 for failure to meet the continued listing requirements of the TSX. The common shares remain suspended from trading. On April 8, 2011, Ambrilia announced that it would seek permission to terminate the protection granted by the Superior Court pursuant to the CCAA and, upon permission of the Court, it would file for bankruptcy pursuant to the Bankruptcy Act. On April 12, 2011, Ambrilia went bankrupt.

 

Directors Compensation

The Corporation has a compensation policy for its directors who are not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation. Under the policy, directors are paid an annual retainer fee only. Annual retainer fees are paid on the first day of each calendar quarter. In addition, the Corporation’s compensation policy provides for the reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred by each director who are not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation to attend meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of the Board. Directors who are not employed on a full time basis by the Corporation are also entitled to be granted options under the Option Plan (as defined below) as part of their annual compensation.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


At a meeting of the Board of Directors held in December 2017, the Board reviewed and approved a recommendation of the Compensation Committee to adjust the compensation of each director who is not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation effective January 1, 2018. At such meeting, the Board also agreed to grant options having an aggregate value of $35,000 to each director of the Corporation who is not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation as additional compensation. The recommendation of the Compensation Committee was based on a report conducted by Willis Towers Watson. See “Item III – Compensation – Compensation Discussion & Analysis – Compensation Consultant” below.

In order to determine the number of options to be granted to each director who is not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation for the fiscal year ending on November 30, 2018, the Board agreed to use the Black-Scholes-Merton model. The Black-Scholes-Merton model is the most widely-adopted and used option valuation method. On April 6, 2018, based on the Black-Scholes-Merton model, which valued each option at $4.84, each director who was not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation was granted 7,246 options.

The table below details the fee-based and option-based compensation that was payable in the last fiscal year to the Corporation’s directors who were not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation.

 

Position at Board Level or

 

Committee Level

 

  

 

Compensation for Fiscal Year 2018

 

Effective January 1, 2018

 

       
     

Annual  

Retainer  

        

Value in  

Stock Options  

       
Annual Retainer to Chair of the Board    $165,000         $35,000
       
Annual Retainer to Board Members    $60,000         $35,000
       
Annual Retainer to Chair of the Audit Committee    $16,000         N.A.
       
Annual Retainer to Chair of the Compensation Committee    $12,000         N.A.
       
Annual Retainer to Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee    $10,000         N.A.
       
Annual Retainer to Audit Committee Members    $8,000         N.A.
       
Annual Retainer to Compensation Committee Members    $4,000         N.A.
       
Annual Retainer to Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Members    $4,000         N.A.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


The table below details all components of the compensation provided to the directors of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 and the value thereof.

 

Name    Fees
earned
  

Share-based

Awards(1)

  Option-
based
awards(2)
   Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
   Pension
value
   All other
compensation
   Total  
   ($)    (#)   ($)   ($)    ($)    ($)    ($)    ($)  
                 

Gérald A. Lacoste

   72,500      --           --         35,000    --      --      --      107,500  
                 

Gary Littlejohn(3)

   8,000      --           --         --    --      --      --      8,000  
                 

Dale MacCandlish Weil(4)

   39,000      2,582        22,500      35,000    --      --      --      96,500  
                 

Paul Pommier

   74,667      --           --         35,000    --      --      --      109,667  
                 

Dawn Svoronos(5)

   164,750      855       8,250     35,000    --      --      --      208,000  
                 

Jean-Denis Talon(6)

   59,333      1,555       15,000     35,000    --      --      --      109,333  
                 

Luc Tanguay(7)

   --          --           --         --    --      --      --      --        

 

(1)

Share-based awards are composed of DSUs. DSUs are issued under the deferred share unit plan (the “DSU Plan”). See “Deferred Share Unit Plan” below.

 

 

(2)

Seven thousand two hundred forty-six (7,246) options were granted on April 6, 2018 to each director who was not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation. The value of the option-based awards was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model on the date of grant. In applying this method to determine the value of those options the following assumptions were used:

 

 

 

(i) Risk-free interest rate:

  2.138%  
 

(ii)  Expected volatility:

  47.1%  
 

(iii)  Average option life in years:

  7 years  
 

(iv) Expected dividends:

  -  
 

(v)   Grant date share price:

  $9.56  
 

(vi) Option exercise price:

  $9.56  
 

(vii) Grant date fair value:

  $4.84  

 

(3)

Mr. Gary Littlejohn was appointed to the Board of Directors on October 15, 2018.

 

(4)

Ms. MacCandlish Weil elected to purchase DSUs through the conversion of 50% of her annual retainer as a Board member and, accordingly, received an aggregate of 2,582 DSUs.

 

(5)

Ms. Dawn Svoronos elected to purchase DSUs through the conversion of 5% of her annual retainer as a Board member and, accordingly, received an aggregate of 855 DSUs.

 

(6)

Mr. Jean-Denis Talon elected to purchase DSUs through the conversion of 25% of his annual retainer as a Board member and, accordingly, received an aggregate of 1,555 DSUs.

 

(7)

Mr. Luc Tanguay is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and no compensation is paid to Mr. Tanguay for acting as a director of the Corporation.

Outstanding Option-Based Awards and Share-Based Awards

The table below details all outstanding option-based awards and outstanding share-based awards as at November 30, 2018 for each of the directors who is not an employee of the Corporation.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


      Option-Based Awards   Share-Based Awards  
Name   

Number of

securities

underlying

  unexercised  

options

(#)

 

Option

  exercise  

price

($)

 

Option

  expiration  

date

 

 

Value of
unexercised in-

the-money

options (1)

($)

 

 Number of shares 

or units of

shares that have

not vested

(#)

  

Market or

payout value

  of share-based 

awards that

have not

vested

($)

  

Market or

 payout value of 

vested share-
based awards

not paid out or

distributed(2)

($)

 

Gérald A. Lacoste

     10,000           4.75         2020.06.08        34,500            --      179,875      
     15,000       2.45       2026.07.12       86,250            
     15,000       6.73       2027.05.16       22,050            
     7,246       9.56       2028.04.06       --                            

Gary Littlejohn

 

    

 

      --

 

 

 

   

 

     --

 

 

 

   

 

--

 

 

 

   

 

--        

 

 

 

  --

 

   --

 

    

 

--

 

 

 

Dale MacCandlish Weil

     15,000       6.73       2027.05.16       22,050     --    --      36,703  
     7,246       9.56       2028.04.06       --                            

 

Paul Pommier

     10,000       1.84       2019.03.28       63,600     --    --      1,002,106  
     10,000       4.75       2020.06.08       34,500            
     15,000       2.45       2026.07.12       86,250            
     15,000       6.73       2027.05.16       22,050            
     7,246       9.56       2028.04.06       --                            

Dawn Svoronos

     50,000       0.26       2023.05.29       397,000     --    --      7,011  
     15,000       2.45       2026.07.12       86,250            
     15,000       6.73       2027.05.16       22,050            
     7,246       9.56       2028.04.06       --                            

Jean-Denis Talon

     10,000       1.84       2019.03.28       63,600     --    --      52,882  
     10,000       4,75       2020.06.08       34,500            
     15,000       2,45       2026.07.12       86,250            
     15,000       6,73       2027.05.16       22,050            
     7,246       9.56       2028.04.06       --                            

 

(1)

The value of unexercised in-the-money options at fiscal year-end is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 ($8.20) on the TSX and the respective exercise price of the options.

 

 

(2)

Share-based awards are comprised of DSUs issued under the DSU Plan. The market or payout value of share-based awards that have vested as at November 30, 2018 is determined by multiplying the closing price of the Common Shares as at November 30, 2018 ($8.20) on the TSX by the number of share-based awards held as at November 30, 2018. The actual payout value will vary based on the date on which the DSUs will be redeemed.

 

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

The table below details the value vested or earned during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 under each incentive plan for each of the directors who is not an employee of the Corporation.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


Name   

Option-based awards –

Value vested during the year(1)

($)

  

Share-based awards –

Value vested during the year(2)  

($)

  

  Non-equity incentive  

plan compensation –

Value earned during

the year

($)

       

Gérald A. Lacoste

   Nil    Nil   
       

Gary Littlejohn

   Nil    Nil   
       

Dale MacCandlish Weil

   Nil    22,717   
       

Paul Pommier

   Nil    Nil   
       

Dawn Svoronos

   Nil    8,165   
       

Jean-Denis Talon

   Nil    14,850   

 

  (1)

All options granted to directors vest as of the grant date and the exercise price of these options was the same as the closing price of the Common Shares when they were granted. Therefore, there is no difference between the exercise price of the options and the value of the Common Shares on the date the options vested.

 

 

  (2)

Share-based awards are comprised of DSUs issued under the DSU Plan. 4,992 DSUs were issued in the last fiscal year. The value of share-based awards is determined by multiplying the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the date(s) of grant (August 1, 2018 - $9.55 and October 26, 2018 - $7.66) by the number of share-based awards held as at such date since DSUs vest as at the date of grant.

 

Directors and Executive Officers Shareholding Policy

In December 2010, the Board adopted a shareholder policy for its directors and executive officers (the “Shareholding Policy”) and the DSU Plan. The Shareholding Policy was suspended in April 2013.

In the 2017 fiscal year, the Board reinstated the DSU Plan for its directors and executive officers and a revised Shareholding Policy for its directors. The revised Shareholding Policy requires that each director who is not an employee of the Corporation owns a number of Common Shares having a value representing at least twice the value of his/her annual retainer to act as a Board member (three times for the Chair of the Board). Each director who does not meet the Shareholding Policy has four years to comply. Each of those directors must acquire at least 25% of that value over each of those four years. The value is determined as the higher of the acquisition cost of a Common Share and its fair market value at any point in time during each year of such four year period. Common Share value fluctuations do not require directors to purchase additional Common Shares. All of the directors of the Corporation met the Shareholding Policy as at November 30, 2018, except Ms. MacCandlish Weil who was elected as a director on May 16, 2017 and Mr. Gary Littlejohn who was appointed as a director on October 15, 2018.

Directors’ Mandatory Retirement Policy

The Board has adopted a formal retirement policy in the context of its succession planning process. Under this policy, directors who are not employees of the Corporation who reach the age of 75 or who have been acting as directors for 15 consecutive years may not be nominees for re-election at the subsequent annual meeting of shareholders. The current directors of the Corporation (other than Ms. Svoronos, Ms. MacCandlish Weil, Ms. Frame and Mr. Littlejohn) who are not employees of the Corporation are grandfathered from this policy.

Restrictions on Trading of Securities

The Corporation has adopted a policy prohibiting all of its directors and executives officers from purchasing and selling Common Shares, and exercising stock options, during black-out periods, as determined from time

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


to time. This policy also prohibits directors and executive officers from short selling the Corporation’s securities.

Board Gender Diversity

In February 2017, the Board approved an amendment to the Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to embed in such Charter an obligation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to take into consideration gender diversity when the Committee recruits candidates for directorship. Gender diversity is now one of the criteria that the Committee will consider in recruiting a candidate to act as a director of the Corporation.

As at November 30, 2018, two women, one of whom acting as Chair, comprised the Board of Directors. As at that date, women represented 33% of all independent Board members and 29% of all Board members.

As at the date of this Circular, three women comprise the Board of Directors such that women currently represent 43% of all independent Board members. See “Item IV – Corporate Governance Disclosure” below.

Indebtedness of Directors

As at the date hereof, none of the directors of the Corporation and proposed nominee for election as director of the Corporation is indebted to the Corporation. During the last fiscal year of the Corporation, none of the directors of the Corporation was indebted to the Corporation.

Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions

Except as described in notes 1 and 2 under “Election of Directors – Nominees”, to the knowledge of management of the Corporation, no nominee (a) is, as at the date of the Circular, or has been within the ten (10) years before the date of the Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, (i) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than thirty consecutive days; (ii) was subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than thirty consecutive days; or (iii) within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or (b) has, within the ten (10) years before the date of the Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold his assets.

 

3.

Appointment of Auditors

The Corporation’s auditors for the current fiscal year must be elected at the Meeting. The Corporation proposes the appointment of KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants from Montreal, who have been the Corporation’s auditors since 1993. They will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders, or until their successors are appointed. The table below sets forth the fees paid to the auditors of the Corporation for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


Fees   

 

Fiscal year ended
November 30, 2018
($)

  

 

Fiscal year ended
November 30, 2017
($)

     

Audit Fees(1)

   254,000                                      119,500                                   
     

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   43,750                                      43,750                                   
     

Tax Fees(3)

   90,620                                      23,544                                   
     

Total:

   388,370                                       186,794                                   

 

  (1)

Refers to the aggregate fees billed by our external auditors for audit services. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, those fees included work performed in connection with the US$57.5 million convertible note offering closed on June 19, 2018.

 

 

  (2)

Refers to the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our external auditors for translation.

 

 

  (3)

Refers to the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our external auditors for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, those fees included work performed in connection with the set-up of our infrastructure in Ireland.

 

Unless instructions are given to withhold from voting with regard to the appointment of the auditors, the persons whose names appear on the enclosed form of proxy will vote FOR the appointment of KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Corporation, and to authorize that compensation for their services be determined by the Board.

 

4.

Shareholder Rights Plan

Description of Shareholder Rights Plan

On April 10, 2019, the Board approved the amendment and renewal of the Corporation’s shareholder rights plan and, on that same date, the Corporation and Computershare Trust Services of Canada entered into an amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement (the “Rights Plan”).

The original shareholder rights plan was adopted by the Board on February 10, 2010 and ratified by the shareholders on March 25, 2010. It was first renewed on February 21, 2013 and ratified by the shareholders on May 24, 2013 and subsequently renewed on April 15, 2016 and ratified by Shareholders on May 17, 2016. It is scheduled to expire at the Meeting. For the Rights Plan to be amended and continue to be in effect after the Meeting, Resolution 2019-1 attached as Appendix “A” to this Circular must be approved by a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the shareholders at the Meeting. If Resolution 2019-1 is not passed, the Rights Plan will terminate on May 15, 2019. If Resolution 2019-1 is passed, the Rights Plan will require reconfirmation by the Corporation’s shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022.

Purpose of the Rights Plan

The purpose of the Rights Plan is to ensure equal treatment of shareholders and to give adequate time for shareholders to properly assess the merits of a bid without undue pressure, and to allow competing bids to emerge. The Rights Plan is designed to give the Board time to consider alternatives, allowing shareholders to receive full and fair value for their shares. The Rights Plan was not renewed by the Board in response to any acquisition proposal and is not designed to secure the continuance in office of the current management or the directors of the Corporation. The renewal of the Rights Plan does not in any way lessen the duties of the directors to fully and fairly examine all bids which may be made to acquire the Common Shares of the Corporation and to exercise such duties with a view to the best interest of the shareholders and the Corporation.

 

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Before deciding to amend and renew the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors considered the current shareholdings of the Corporation and the legislative framework in Canada governing takeover bids. To the Corporation’s knowledge, as described above under “Item I. – Information Relating to Voting – Voting Securities and Principal Holders”, no person holds more than 10% of all the outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation. Therefore, a person could acquire a de facto control of the Corporation through the purchase of a number of Common Shares that would represent a percentage of Common Shares below 50% by entering into private acquisition agreements without having to make an offer to all of the shareholders.

Under provincial securities legislation, a takeover bid generally means an offer to acquire voting or equity voting shares of a corporation that, together with shares already owned by the bidder and certain parties related thereto, amount to 20% or more of the outstanding shares of that class.

Under the legislative framework for takeover bids in Canada, as amended on May 9, 2016, shareholders may not be treated equally if an important number of Common Shares is acquired pursuant to a private agreement in which a small group of shareholders or a shareholder disposes of its Common Shares at a premium to market price, which premium is not shared with the other shareholders of the Corporation. In addition, a person may gradually accumulate Common Shares through stock exchange acquisitions which results in an acquisition of control of the Corporation, without payment of fair value for control or a fair sharing of a control premium amongst all shareholders. The Rights Plan addresses these concerns by applying to all acquisitions of 20% or more of the Common Shares of the Corporation, ensuring that shareholders receive equal treatment.

The issue of rights (the “Rights”) will not in any way adversely alter the financial condition of the Corporation and will not change the way in which shareholders trade their Common Shares. However, by permitting holders of Rights other than an “Acquiring Person” (as defined below) to acquire additional Common Shares of the Corporation at a discount to market value, the Rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares other than by way of a “Permitted Bid” (as defined below). A potential bidder can avoid the dilutive features of the Rights Plan by making a bid that conforms to the requirements of a Permitted Bid.

The Corporation has reviewed the Rights Plan for conformity with current practices of Canadian companies with respect to shareholder protection rights plans. We believe that the Rights Plan preserves the fair treatment of shareholders, is consistent with best Canadian corporate practices and addresses institutional investor guidelines.

Amendments to the Rights Plan

Following the Corporation’s review of current practices of Canadian companies with respect to shareholder protection rights plans, the Rights Plan contains certain proposed amendments, including:

 

   

amendments to the definitions of “affiliate”, “associate” and “controlled” so as to more closely follow the definitions of such terms in National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids;

 

   

a change to the “exercise price” of a right under the Rights Plan such that it is equal to three times the Market Price (as defined below) per Common Share determined at the Separation Time (as defined below);

 

   

the addition of a requirement that any lock-up agreements be made available to the public (including the Corporation) not later than the date of the subject bid or, if such subject bid has been made prior to the date on which such agreement is entered into, forthwith, and in any event not later than the day following the date of such lock-up agreement; and

 

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the inclusion of certain changes requested by the Rights Agent regarding compliance with anti-money laundering legislation and privacy laws, as well as additional limitations with respect of the Right Agent’s liability under the Rights Plan.

The purpose and principal terms of the Rights Plan, including the proposed amendments, are set forth below in this Circular.

Terms of the Rights Plan

The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Rights Plan and is provided subject to the terms and conditions thereof. A complete copy of the Rights Plan has been filed and is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Issue of Rights

In order to implement the rights plan in 2010, the Board authorized the Corporation to issue one right in respect of each Common Share outstanding as of 6:00 p.m. (Montreal time) on March 25, 2010 (the “Record Time”). One Right was also issued and is attached with each Common Share issued after March 25, 2010 and one Right will also continue to be issued and attached to each subsequently issued Common Share if the Rights Plan is approved by shareholders at the Meeting.

Rights-Exercise Privilege

The Rights will be separate from the Common Shares to which they are attached and will become exercisable at the time (the “Separation Time”) that is ten (10) business days after the earlier of: (i) the first date of public announcement that an “Acquiring Person” (as defined below) has become such; (ii) the date of commencement of, or first public announcement in respect of, a takeover bid which will permit an offeror to hold 20% or more of the Common Shares, other than by an acquisition pursuant to a takeover bid permitted by the Rights Plan (a “Permitted Bid” as defined below); (iii) the date upon which a Permitted Bid ceases to be a Permitted Bid; or (iv) such other date as may be determined in good faith by the Board.

The acquisition permitting a person (an “Acquiring Person”), including others acting jointly or in concert with such person, to hold 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, other than by way of a Permitted Bid, is referred to as a “Flip-in Event.” Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the first date of a public announcement (the “Common Share Acquisition Date”) by the Corporation or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such will become null and void upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event. Ten (10) trading days after the occurrence of the Common Share Acquisition Date, each Right (other than those held by the Acquiring Person) will permit the holder to purchase in consideration of the exercise price that number of Common Shares determined as follows: a value of twice the exercise price divided by the Market Price (being the average weighted trading price per Common Share for the 20 consecutive trading days through and including the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date) on the Common Share Acquisition Date. The exercise price has been set at three (3) times the Market Price. For instance, as at the close of business on April 12, 2019, the exercise price was $23.13 per Right, subject to adjustment provisions described in the Rights Plan.

Upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event and the separation of the Rights from the Common Shares, reported earnings per share on a fully diluted or non-diluted basis may be affected. Holders of Rights who do not exercise their Rights upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event may suffer substantial dilution.

Lock-Up Agreements

 

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A bidder may enter into lock-up agreements with the shareholders of the Corporation whereby such shareholders agree to tender their Common Shares to the takeover bid (the “Lock-up Bid”) without a Flip-in Event occurring. Any such agreement must be made available to the public and must permit or must have the effect to permit the shareholder to withdraw the Common Shares to tender to another takeover bid or to support another transaction that exceeds the value of the Lock-up Bid.

Certificates and Transferability

Prior to the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend imprinted on certificates for Common Shares issued after the Record Time. Rights are also attached to Common Shares outstanding on the Record Time, although share certificates will not bear such a legend. Prior to the Separation Time, Rights will not be transferable separately from the Common Shares. From and after the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by Rights certificates, which will be transferable and traded separately from the Common Shares.

“Permitted Bid” Requirements

A “Permitted Bid” is a takeover bid that does not trigger the exercise of Rights. A “Permitted Bid” is a bid that aims to acquire shares which, together with the other securities beneficially owned by the bidder, represent not less than 20% of the outstanding Common Shares and satisfies the following requirements:

 

(i)

the bid is made by means of a takeover bid circular;

 

(ii)

the bid must be made to all holders of Common Shares;

 

(iii)

as proposed to be amended, the bid must be outstanding for a minimum period of 105 days or such shorter period that a take-over bid must remain open for deposits of securities, in the applicable circumstances, pursuant to Canadian securities laws;

 

(iv)

Common Shares tendered pursuant to the bid may not be taken up prior to the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph (iii) above and only if at such time more than 50% of the Common Shares held by the shareholders other than the bidder, its associates and affiliates, and persons acting jointly or in concert with such persons (the “Independent Shareholders”), have been tendered pursuant to the bid and not withdrawn;

 

(v)

if more than 50% of the Common Shares held by Independent Shareholders are tendered to the bid within the 105-day period, the bidder must make a public announcement of that fact and the bid must remain open for deposits of shares for an additional ten (10) days from the date of such public announcement.

The Rights Plan allows for a competing Permitted Bid (a “Competing Permitted Bid”) to be made while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing Permitted Bid must satisfy all the requirements of a Permitted Bid except that, as proposed to be amended, it must be outstanding for a minimum number of days as required under Canadian securities laws.

Waiver and Redemptions

The Board acting in good faith may, prior to a Flip-in Event, waive the dilutive effects of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that would result from a takeover bid made by way of takeover bid circular to all holders of Common Shares, in which event such waiver would be deemed also to be a waiver in respect of any other Flip-in Event. The Board may also waive the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that has occurred through inadvertence, provided that the Acquiring Person that inadvertently

 

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triggered such Flip-in Event reduces its beneficial holdings to less than 20% of the outstanding Common Shares within 14 days or any other period that may be specified by the Board. At any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Board may, subject to the prior approval of the holders of Common Shares, elect to redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Rights at a price of $0.0001 per right.

Exemption for Investment Managers

Investment managers (for client accounts), trust companies and pension funds (acting in their capacity as trustees and administrators) acquiring shares permitting them to hold 20% or more of the Common Shares are exempt from triggering a Flip-in Event, provided that they are not making, or are not part of a group making, a takeover bid.

Supplements and Amendments

The Corporation is authorized to make amendments to the Rights Plan to correct any clerical or typographical error or to maintain the validity of the Rights Plan as a result of changes in laws or regulations. Material amendments or supplements to the Rights Plan will require, subject to the regulatory authorities, the prior approval of the shareholders or, after the Separation Time, holders of Rights.

Canadian Income Tax Consequences of the Rights Plan

Under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”), while the matter may be debated, the issue of the Rights under the Rights Plan may be a taxable benefit, the fair market value of which must be included in the income of a recipient. The Corporation considers that the Rights, when issued, will have no or negligible monetary value, there being only a remote possibility that the Rights will ever be exercised. The Rights will be considered to have been acquired at no cost. The holder of Rights may realize income or be subject to withholding tax under the Tax Act if the Rights become exercisable, are exercised and are otherwise disposed of.

The information provided above is of a general nature and is not intended to constitute, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular holder of Common Shares. Such holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the consequences of acquiring, holding, exercising or otherwise disposing of their Rights, taking into account their own particular circumstances and applicable federal, provincial, territorial or foreign legislation.

Recommendation of the Board

At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, approve an ordinary resolution to amend and reconfirm the Rights Plan by passing Resolution 2019-1, substantially in the form of the resolution attached as Appendix “A” to this Circular. Resolution 2019-1 must be passed by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote who are represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting and who vote in respect of that resolution.

The Board considers the amendment and renewal of the Rights Plan to be appropriate and in the best interests of the Corporation and recommends that shareholders vote in favour of Resolution 2019-1 to approve the amendment and renewal of the Rights Plan.

Unless instructions are given to vote against, or withhold from voting on, Resolution 2019-1, the persons whose names appear in the enclosed form of proxy will vote FOR the passing of Resolution 2019-1.

 

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5.

Other Matters to be Acted Upon

The Corporation will consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Management of the Corporation knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Meeting. Should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by the proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matter in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting the proxy.

The Corporation did not receive any proposal from shareholders within the time limits prescribed by the Business Corporations Act (Québec) (the “Act”) and, accordingly, none will be accepted at the Meeting, except as required under the Act.

 

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ITEM III.

COMPENSATION

 

The compensation of the directors and the executive officers of the Corporation is reviewed by the compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three (3) independent directors, namely Jean-Denis Talon, who has been acting as chair since January 2011, Dawn Svoronos and Paul Pommier. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, the Compensation Committee met once. The mandate, obligations and duties of the Compensation Committee are described in Appendix “D” to this Circular.

 

1.

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

Objectives of the Compensation Program

The objectives of the compensation program of the Corporation (the “Compensation Program”) for directors of the Corporation aim at attracting and retaining directors.

The objectives of the Compensation Program for the executive officers of the Corporation aim at attracting, retaining, motivating and rewarding executive officers. The Corporation is committed to an overall compensation policy that is competitive and drives business performance while taking into consideration shareholders’ interests.

What the Compensation Program is Designed to Reward

The Compensation Program is designed to reward the executive officers for (i) implementing strategies, both in the short and the long term, to realize the business plan of the Corporation, (ii) meeting the annual objectives of the Corporation and (iii) those of each executive officer. It is also designed to enhance shareholder value.

The Compensation Program provides reasonable and competitive total executive compensation. Remuneration and incentive components are established to compete with remuneration practices of similar companies that are involved in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as certain other companies involved in other industries where the skills and knowledge of an executive officer may be used. In order to benchmark the Compensation Program made available to its directors and executive officers, the Compensation Committee retains independent compensation consultants from time to time.

In designing the Compensation Program of executive officers, the Compensation Committee assesses the short-term and long-term risks associated with such program. The Compensation Program tries to strike a balance between the attainment of short-term and long-term goals by providing executive officers with short-term incentive awards and long-term incentive awards. Recommendations made by the Compensation Committee with respect to the Compensation Program are reviewed by the Board to ensure a fair balance between the short-term and long-term compensation components. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, the Board did not identify any risk arising from the Corporation’s Compensation Program, its policies and practices in determining compensation that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.

When and How Is Compensation Determined

Compensation is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year, usually in December. The Compensation Committee meets to determine and to recommend to the Board the base salary of executive officers for such fiscal year. During this meeting, the Compensation Committee also reviews the performance of the Corporation and the performance of each of its executive officers for the last

 

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completed fiscal year to determine whether an executive officer is entitled to the payment of a bonus and/or the grant of options. The determination by the Compensation Committee of the annual base salary and payment of a bonus and/or grant of options for each executive officer is reviewed by the Board that has discretion to approve, disapprove or change the determination made by the Compensation Committee for each executive officer. The compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is reviewed by the Board.

From time to time, the Compensation Committee will also discuss and review the compensation of the Board of Directors and its committees. See “Compensation Consultants” below.

Elements of Compensation Program

The major elements of the Compensation Program are base salary, short-term performance reward program that takes the form of cash bonuses, and long-term incentive awards that take the form of option grants. Pursuant to the DSU Plan, DSUs may be issued to an executive officer if he/she elects to purchase some with all or part of its cash bonus, if any. See “Description of the Deferred Share Unit Plan” below. All proposed changes to any compensation component of an executive officer are first reviewed internally by the President and Chief Executive Officer. The proposed changes are then presented to the Compensation Committee that makes a recommendation to the Board which, in turn, has discretion to approve, disapprove or amend the proposed changes.

Annual Base Salary

Base salaries for each of the executive officers are based on the experience, expertise and competencies of each executive officer, as well as on a review from time to time of annual salaries paid to persons holding position and playing a role in other organizations similar to those played by the executive officers of the Corporation. Base salaries may also be based on reports from compensation consultants retained by the Corporation.

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, the Compensation Committee relied on a report prepared by Willis Towers Watson made in November 2017 to assess the total direct compensation paid to its executive officers compared to those in the industry. See “Compensation Consultants” below. The Compensation Committee recommended to the Board (which approved such recommendation) that the annual base salary of each of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, and the Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, be revised as follows for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018:

 

  Name

       Revised Salary    
($)
           Increase         
(%)

  Luc Tanguay,

  President and Chief Executive Officer

   508,950    5.5

  Philippe Dubuc

  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   316,212    11.6

  Christian Marsolais,

  Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

   306,173      5.3

  Jocelyn Lafond,

  Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

   276,058      4.6

The position of Mr. Denis Boucher, as Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, was not assessed by Willis Towers Watson since he joined the Corporation on January 8, 2018. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Boucher’s annual base salary was set at $195,000.

 

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Performance Reward Program

The short-term performance reward program is designed to recognize the contribution of each executive officer in helping the Corporation to attain its corporate objectives and to increase its value. Usually, bonuses are paid based on the attainment of the Corporation’s annual corporate objectives and the attainment of an executive officer’s objectives in connection with such corporate objectives. The Compensation Committee has discretion in recommending the payment of bonuses to executive officers based on the overall performance of an executive officer. Corporate objectives are usually set by the Board early in the fiscal year. Although corporate objectives are determined early in the fiscal year, the Board has discretion to change these corporate objectives to take into consideration certain events that could occur during a fiscal year.

Executive Officers

For the last fiscal year, bonuses were largely based on revenues generated from the sale of EGRIFTA®, the launch of Trogarzo® and the sales thereof in the United States, all of which compared to the internal forecasts. The return on the Corporation’s Common Shares was also taken into consideration. No weighting was attributed between each of these corporate objectives but they accounted for 80% of the overall bonus.

The last part of the performance reward program accounted for 20% in the calculation of the bonus and was left at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based on an initial assessment made by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the qualitative objectives that each executive officer was asked to meet during the last fiscal year.

These qualitative objectives are undisclosed because they are personal to each executive officer and are also strategic in the development and continued growth of the Corporation. Disclosure of such objectives would provide third parties with commercial insights into the growth strategies of the Corporation.

The Compensation Committee believes that discretion is a valid component in the determination of the performance of an executive officer, especially when unplanned events occur during a fiscal year. Discretion allows the President and Chief Executive Officer to assess the capacity of each executive officer to adapt, react, respond and act in the best interests of the Corporation when such events occur. However, in order to avoid too large a discretion to the President and Chief Executive Officer and limit potential bias in the determination of the performance of an executive officer’s overall performance, a 20% weighting was attributed to this component of the program and a review by the Compensation Committee is undertaken prior to accepting the recommendations made by the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board has discretion on the assessment of the performance of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The table below details for each of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, the Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, and the Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, the maximum percentage of their annual base salary which may be paid as bonus, the maximum bonuses that each of them may receive and the actual bonus paid or earned for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018:

 

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Maximum
Percentage of
Annual Base
Salary Payable

as Bonus

   Maximum
Target
Bonus
     Bonus Paid  
  Name    (%)    ($)      ($)  

  Luc Tanguay,

  President and Chief Executive Officer

   50      254,475            254,000      

  Philippe Dubuc,

  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   40      126,485            117,000      

  Christian Marsolais,

  Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

   40      122,469            113,000      

  Jocelyn Lafond,

  Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

   33.3      92,010            76,000      

  Denis Boucher,

  Vice President, Communications, and Corporate Affairs

   33.3      64,994            64,000      

Long-Term Incentive Program

The long-term incentive program of the Corporation for its directors and executive officers is comprised of the Option Plan and the DSU Plan.

The Option Plan was originally adopted on December 6, 1993, and subsequently amended from time to time, in order to attract, retain, motivate employees in key positions and align their interests with those of the Corporation’s shareholders by allowing optionees to participate in the increased value of the Common Shares. See “Description of the Option Plan” below for a description of the Option Plan. The number of options granted under the Option Plan is determined on the basis of the position of each executive officer, the attainment of corporate and individual objectives and the value of the options and the Common Shares at the time of grant as part of the total compensation of an executive officer. When assessing whether options should be granted to an executive officer, the Compensation Committee also factors in the number of options held by an executive officer, their vesting periods, expiry dates and exercise prices.

The DSU Plan was adopted on December 10, 2010, and amended in February 2012 and in May 2017, in order to attract and retain directors and executive officers and better align the interests of the directors and executive officers with those of the shareholders in the creation of long-term value. See “Description of the Deferred Share Unit Plan” below for a description of the DSU Plan. DSUs can be granted by the Board as part of the compensation of executive officers. Executive officers can also purchase them once a year through the conversion of all or part of their cash bonus into DSUs. No DSUs were issued to the Corporation’s executive officers in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018.

Description of the Option Plan

The Option Plan is designed to attract, retain and reward the services of key personnel. The persons eligible to receive options under the Option Plan are the directors, senior executives and key employees

 

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of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, as well as researchers and consultants who work on behalf of the Corporation.

In April 2016, the Board passed a resolution to amend the Option Plan to increase the number of Common Shares to be reserved for stock option grants to 6,580,000 from 5,000,000. The shareholders of the Corporation approved such amendment in May 2016. In April 2017, the Board passed a resolution to amend the Option Plan to align the terms of the Option Plan with the rules of the TSX in connection with the right of the Board to amend certain terms of the Option Plan without seeking shareholders’ approval. The shareholders of the Corporation approved such amendment in May 2017.

The Board administers the Option Plan. The Board has discretion to designate the optionees and determine the number of Common Shares underlying these options, the vesting period, the exercise price and the expiry date of each option, as well as all other related matters, the whole in compliance with the terms of the Option Plan and applicable legislative provisions established by securities regulatory authorities. The Board is not bound by the recommendations made by the Compensation Committee with respect to the abovementioned matters. Options granted to executive officers generally vest as to 33 1/3% on each year starting twelve (12) months after the date of grant. The Board can modify or terminate the Option Plan subject to compliance with the rules set forth by regulatory authorities. However, certain amendments require the approval of a majority of the voting shareholders of the Corporation.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the options granted pursuant to the Option Plan may be exercised within a maximum period of ten (10) years following their date of grant, unless the optionee’s employment is terminated, other than for death, in which case the optionee’s unexercised vested options, if any, may be exercised within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the employee’s termination. In the event of the death of an optionee prior to the expiry date of his options, the optionee’s legal personal representative may exercise the optionee’s unexercised vested options within twelve (12) months after the date of the optionee’s death. The options granted in accordance with the Option Plan cannot be transferred or assigned.

The Option Plan provides that if the expiry date of an option falls within, or within ten business days after the end of, a period imposed by the Corporation prohibiting the trading of securities of the Corporation, the term of the option is automatically extended to end on the tenth (10th) business day after the end of such restriction period.

The exercise price at which the options may be granted pursuant to the Option Plan cannot be less than the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the day preceding the date of grant of the options.

The Option Plan provides that, upon exercice of an option, the Corporation may make a loan to an optionee to pay the exercice price. The loan may, or may not, bear interest. The terms of the loan are left at the discretion of the Board. However, all loans must be evidenced by the execution of a promissory note in favour of the Corporation and an optionee must hypothecate in favour of the Corporation the Common Shares to be acquired through the exercise of his/her options as a security for the repayment of the loan. In the event a loan is outstanding and the optionee dies, the loan must be repaid within six (6) months after the date of the death of the optionee. If the optionee retires, the loan must be repaid within twelve (12) months of the date of retirement and if an optionee terminates his/her employment with the Corporation for any reason (other than for death or retirement), the loan must be repaid within ninety (90) days from the date of termination.

In addition, the Option Plan provides that the number of Common Shares set aside for the exercise of options by one individual may not represent more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. Further, the number of Common Shares that may be issued to insiders, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares, and the number of Common Shares issued to insiders, within any one year period,

 

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under all security-based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares. The number of Common Shares that may be issued to directors, who are not employees of the Corporation, within any one year period, under all security-based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 0.5% of the outstanding Common Shares.

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, 251,544 options were granted under the Option Plan. As at April 12, 2019, there were 2,382,118 outstanding options which, if all exercised, would result in the issuance of 2,382,118 Common Shares, or 3.1% of all the issued and outstanding Common Shares as at that date. As at April 12, 2019, there were 1,718,017 options remaining available for grants which, if granted and exercised, would result in the issuance of 1,718,017 Common Shares, or 2.2% of all the issued and outstanding Common Shares as at that date.

The following table sets forth the information regarding the equity compensation plan of the Corporation as at November 30, 2018.

 

Plan Category   

Number of Securities

to be Issued upon

Exercise of Outstanding
Options (% of Issued and
Outstanding Share Capital)

  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding Options

  

Number of Securities

Remaining Available

for Future Issuance

under Equity
Compensation Plan

Equity Compensation Plan Approved by Shareholders

  

2,172,705

(2.83%)

   $3.15    1,950,762

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders

        
Total   

2,172,705

(2.83%)

   $3.15    1,950,762

The following table sets forth the information regarding the burn rate of the Option Plan for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The burn rate reflects the potential dilutive effect of equity grants on the Corporation’s outstanding equity over a certain time period. The calculation below was made pursuant to Section 613(p) of the TSX Company Manual.

 

     

 

2018

 

    

2017

 

    

2016

 

 
       

Burn Rate(1)

     0.33%        0.48%        0.95%  

 

  (1)

Total options granted under the Option Plan during the applicable fiscal year / weighted average number of Common Shares during this applicable fiscal year.

 

Description of the Deferred Share Unit Plan

On December 10, 2010, the Board adopted the DSU Plan for the benefit of its directors and executive officers (the “Beneficiaries”).

In April 2013, the Board decided to suspend the grant and issuance of DSUs under the DSU Plan, as well as the Shareholding Policy. The DSU Plan and Shareholding Policy were reinstated during the last fiscal year.

The goal of the DSU Plan is to increase the Corporation’s ability to attract and retain high-quality individual to act as directors or executive officers and better align the interests of the directors and executive officers with those of the shareholders of the Corporation in the creation of long-term value. The DSU Plan was also adopted to promote equity-based ownership in the Corporation.

Under the terms of the DSU Plan, Beneficiaries who are directors (including the Chair) are entitled to

 

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elect to receive all or part of their annual retainer as Board member in DSUs. Beneficiaries who act as executive officers are entitled to elect to receive all or part of their annual cash bonus, if any, in DSUs.

The value of a DSU (the “DSU Value”), is equal to the average closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the date on which a Beneficiary determines that he desires to purchase or redeem DSUs and during the four previous trading days. Beneficiaries who act as directors have to elect to receive DSUs as complete or partial consideration of their annual retainer to act as Board members prior to each calendar quarter. Beneficiaries who act as executive officers are required to elect to purchase DSUs within 48 hours after having been notified of their annual cash bonus, if any.

DSUs may only be redeemed when a Beneficiary ceases to act as a director or an executive officer of the Corporation. On the date a Beneficiary ceases to act as a director or executive officer (the “Redemption Date”), the Beneficiary is entitled to send a notice to the Corporation (the “Redemption Notice”) specifying the date on which the DSUs will be redeemed (the “Payment Date”). The Payment Date must be no earlier than five (5) business days after the date on which the Corporation receives the Redemption Notice and no later than November 30 of the year following the Redemption Date. If a Beneficiary does not send a Redemption Notice prior to November 15 in the year following the Redemption Date, the DSU Plan provides that a Beneficiary will be deemed to have sent, and the Corporation received, a Redemption Notice on November 15 of that year. On the Payment Date, the Corporation must provide a Beneficiary with an amount in cash equal to the DSU Value as at the Payment Date. No Common Share is issued under the DSU Plan.

Beneficiaries may not sell, transfer or otherwise assign their DSUs or any rights associated therewith other than by will or in accordance with legislation regarding the vesting and partition of successions.

The Board administers the DSU Plan and the DSU Plan provides that the Board may delegate all or part of its obligations to the Compensation Committee or to any other committee of the Board.

To protect against fluctuations in DSU Value, the Corporation enters into cash settled forward contracts with an independent third party such that, upon a Payment Date, the Corporation is not exposed to the appreciation of the price of its Common Shares. The execution of such contracts requires the signature of two of the following executive officers: the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, Finance, and the Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary.

Description of the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan

On October 4, 2018, the Board adopted a stock appreciation rights plan (the “SAR Plan”) for the benefit of its consultants (the “Eligible Participants”) and those of its subsidiaries.

The goal of the SAR Plan is to increase the interest in the Corporation’s welfare of those consultants who share a responsibility for the growth of the business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, to incentivize such consultants to continue their services with the Corporation, to reward those consultants for the performance of their services and to attract and retain highly qualified persons to provide services to the Corporation as consultants.

The Board administers the SAR Plan and has the authority to delegate the administration of the SAR Plan to a committee or a plan administrator. On October 4, 2018, the Board delegated the administration of the SAR Plan to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. As a delegatee, the President and Chief Executive Officer has the discretion to designate the Eligible Participants and to determine the number of SARs to be granted (after consulting the Chair of the Board), the vesting period and the expiry date of each SAR. The President and Chief Executive Officer also has the authority to interpret and take such other actions as he deems advisable in order to administer the terms of the SAR Plan.

 

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Under the terms of the SAR Plan, Eligible Participants are being granted stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) entitling them to receive cash equal to the difference between the SAR price and the market value of the Corporation’s Common Shares when the SARs are redeemed. The SAR Plan is non-dilutive. The SAR price is equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the last trading day preceding the date of grant. SARs may not be granted for a period longer than ten (10) years and SARs are not assignable or transferable, except by will or by the laws of succession.

Termination of the services of an Eligible Participant for cause voids all SARs granted to an Eligible Participant. If an Eligible Participant ceases to provide services to the Corporation or its subsidiaries for reasons other than for death or for cause, all unvested SARs, if any, shall become void and all vested SARs may be exercised within a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of termination, unless they expire prior to such 180-day period. In the case of death of an Eligible Participant, all vested SARs may be exercised by the liquidator, executor or administrator of the estate of the Eligible Participant within twelve (12) months from the death of the Eligible Participant, unless they expire prior to such 12-month period. All unvested SARs on the date of an Eligible Participant’s death become void.

The SAR Plan contains other usual provisions regarding its amendments and compliance with foreign regulations when Eligible Participants are non-Canadian.

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, no SARs were granted. However, as of the date of this Circular, there are 40,000 SARs issued and outstanding.

Compensation Consultant

In the fiscal year ended November 30 2017, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Willis Towers Watson, an independent third-party consulting firm, for and on behalf of the Corporation, to assess the competitiveness of the compensation policy then available to its directors and executive officers compared to the compensation policy of directors and executive officers of certain other publicly-traded companies in Canada and in the United States.

Directors

Willis Towers Watson collected market data on the compensation policy of directors of both publicly-traded Canadian and U.S. companies. However, the Canadian companies were used as the main reference market (the “Reference Market”). The U.S. companies were used as a reference point only. The Reference Market was formed of the following nine (9) Canadian companies:

 

- Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation

  

- Jamieson Wellness Inc.

- Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc.

  

- Medicure Inc.

- Correvio Pharma Corp.

  

- Nuovo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

- Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

  

- Prometic Life Sciences Inc.

- Concordia International Corp.

  

The U.S. companies which were not part of the Reference Market but were used as a reference point were:

 

- ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  

- MacroGenics, Inc.

- Corium International, Inc.

  

- NanoString Technologies, Inc.

- CytoDyn, Inc.

  

- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Cytokinetics, Incorporated

  

- Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Enzo Biochem Inc.

  

- Retrophin, Inc.

 

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- Heska Corporation

  

- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Invitae Corporation

  

- Teligent, Inc.

All of the companies forming part of the Reference Market and used as a reference point were selected based on the following criteria:

 

  -

operations in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries;

  -

publicly-traded;

  -

revenue and market capitalization size similar to that of the Corporation.

The review conducted by Willis Towers Watson led the Compensation Committee to recommend to the Board to maintain the current annual retainer but to increase the fees paid to the chairs of the Committees of the Board and to set a value (as opposed to a number) for the grant of stock options. The Board reviewed the compensation of the directors who are not employed on a full-time basis by the Corporation effective January 1, 2018. See “Item II – Subject to be Treated at the Meeting – Election of Directors – Directors Compensation”.

Executive Officers

As for the executive officers, Willis Towers Watson collected market data on the total direct compensation paid to executive officers of both publicly-traded Canadian and U.S. companies. However, given that the executive officers of the Corporation are based in Canada, the Canadian companies were used as the Reference Market. The U.S. companies were used as a reference point only. The Reference Market was formed of the following ten (10) Canadian companies:

 

- Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation

  

- Jamieson Wellness Inc.

- Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc.

  

- Medicure Inc.

- Correvio Pharma Corp.

  

- Nuovo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

- Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

  

- Prometic Life Sciences Inc.

- Concordia International Corp.

  

- Paladin Labs (1)

(1) Although no longer a public company, Willis Towers Watson recommended including this Canadian company in the Reference Market.

The U.S. companies, which were not part of the Reference Market but that were used as a reference point were:

 

- ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  

- MacroGenics, Inc.

- Corium International, Inc.

  

- NanoString Technologies, Inc.

- CytoDyn, Inc.

  

- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Cytokinetics, Incorporated

  

- Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Enzo Biochem Inc.

  

- Retrophin, Inc.

- Heska Corporation

  

- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Invitae Corporation

  

- Teligent, Inc.

Except for compensation services provided to the Corporation, Willis Towers Watson has not provided other services to the Corporation and, to the knowledge of the Corporation, to any of its directors or executive officers.

All services provided to the Corporation by compensation consultants must be approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board.

 

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The table below details the aggregate fees billed to the Corporation for the two most recently completed fiscal years by the compensation consultant retained during these periods to assist in the determination of compensation for any of the Corporation’s directors and/or executive officers:

 

Name    Fees   

Fiscal year ended

November 30, 2018

  

Fiscal year ended

November 30, 2017

Willis Towers Watson    Executive and Directors Compensation – Related Fees    $16,282(1)    $60,000
       
     All Other Fees    Nil    Nil

(1) These fees were paid to Willis Towers Watson in the last fiscal year to help determine the compensation of the directors and one executive officer for the fiscal year ending on November 30, 2019.

 

2.

Named Executive Officers

The named executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”) of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 were:

 

 

Luc Tanguay, President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

Philippe Dubuc, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Christian Marsolais, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer;

 

Jocelyn Lafond, Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary; and

 

Denis Boucher, Vice President, Communications, and Corporate Affairs.

 

3.

Summary Compensation Table

The table below details the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers listed above, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

 

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                                 Non-equity
incentive  plan
compensation ($)
                     
             

Name and principal

position

 

   Year  

 

    

 

Salary
($)

 


 

 

  Share-  

based  
awards  

($)  

 

    

 

Option-based
awards(1)(2)(3)(4)

($)

 

 
 

 

 

    

 

Annual
Incentive
plans

 

 
 
 

 

   Long-term
Incentive
plans

 

    

 

Pension  
value(5)  

($)  

 

 
 

 

 

   All other
   compensation(6)  

($)  

 

    

 

Total
compensation  

($)

 


 

 

 

Luc Tanguay
President and Chief Executive Officer

   2018  

2017  

2016  

    

508,950

482,237

470,475

 

 

 

  --

--

--

    

380,000(7)

749,200(8)

229,350(9)

 

 

 

    

254,000  

242,000  

130,000  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

26,230  

26,010  

25,370  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

1,169,180  

1,499,447  

855,195  

 

 

 

Philippe Dubuc
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   2018  

2017  

2016  

    

316,212

283,250

212,596

 

 

 

  --

--

--

    

150,000(10)

280,800(11)

243,250(12)

 

 

 

    

117,000  

107,000  

72,000  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

13,115  

13,005  

6,684  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

596,327  

684,055  

534,530  

 

 

 

Christian Marsolais
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

   2018  

2017  

2016  

    

306,173

290,754

282,285

 

 

 

  --

--

--

    

150,000(13)

280,800(14)

69,500(15)

 

 

 

    

113,000  

110,000  

74,000  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

13,115  

13,005  

12,685  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

582,288  

694,559  

438,470  

 

 

 

Jocelyn Lafond
Vice President,
Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

   2018  

2017  

2016  

    

276,058

263,989

261,375

 

 

 

  --

--

--

    

80,000(16)

122,800(17)

41,700(18)

 

 

 

    

76,000  

70,000  

44,000  

 

 

   --

--

--

    

12,106  

10,103  

12,685  

 

 

 

   --

--

--

    

445,154  

466,892  

359,760  

 

 

 

Denis Boucher(19)
Vice President, Communications, and Corporate Affairs

   2018        176,250 (20)    --      184,998(21)        64,000        --      11,778        --      437,026    

 

(1)

Fiscal Year 2018: A total of 209,122 stock options were granted to the Named Executive Officers of the Corporation effective February 26, 2019. The value expressed in the table represents the value determined on November 30, 2018, prior to the December 2018 meetings of both the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors at which meetings both the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors agreed to rely on such value for the grant of stock options to the Named Executive Officers as part of the long-term incentive program for work performed during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018.

 

The value of the option-based awards as at November 30, 2018 was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model with the following assumptions:

(i)    Risk-free interest rate:

   2.661%   

(ii)   Expected volatility:

   52%   

(iii)  Average option life in years:

   7   

(iv)  Expected dividends:

     --   

(v)   Grant date share price:

   $8.20   

(vi)  Option exercise price:

   $8.18   

(vii) Grant date fair value:

   $4.50   

However, these stock options were not granted in December 2018 because the Corporation was in a black-out period. These stock options were granted on February 26, 2019 and their value, as at that date, using the Black-Scholes-Merton model, was the following:

 

(i)    Risk-free interest rate:

   2.275%   

(ii)   Expected volatility:

   58%   

(iii)  Average option life in years:

   8   

(iv)  Expected dividends:

     --   

(v)   Grant date share price:

   $8.76   

(vi)  Option exercise price:

   $8.76   

(vii) Grant date fair value:

   $5.47   

 

(2)

Fiscal Year 2017: A total of 176,399 stock options were granted to the Named Executive Officers of the Corporation effective April 6, 2018. These options were granted as part of the long-term incentive program for work performed during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. However, these options were granted in April 2018 because the Corporation was in a black-out period at the time the decision to grant stock options to the Named Executive Officers

 

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


was made.

The value of the option-based awards granted on April 6, 2018 was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model on the date of grant with the following assumptions:

 

(viii)

 

Risk-free interest rate:

  2.14%    

(ix)

 

Expected volatility:

  47%  

(x)

 

Average option life in years:

  7  

(xi)

 

Expected dividends:

    --  

(xii)

 

Grant date share price:

  $9.56  

(xiii)

 

Option exercise price:

  $9.56  

(xiv)

 

Grant date fair value:

  $4.83  

 

(3)

Fiscal Year 2016: A total of 245,000 stock options were granted to the then Named Executive Officers of the Corporation effective April 7, 2017 as part of the long-term incentive program for work performed in the 2016 fiscal year. However, these options were not included in the previous year table because their value was unknown at the time the decision to grant them to the then Named Executive Officers was made. The value of these options was included in the compensation paid to the then Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

The value of the option-based awards granted on April 7, 2017 was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model on the date of grant with the following assumptions:

(i)

 

Risk-free interest rate:

  1.55%    

(ii)

 

Expected volatility:

  55%  

(iii)

 

Average option life in years:

  8  

(iv)

 

Expected dividends:

    --  

(v)

 

Grant date share price:

  $5.85  

(vi)

 

Option exercise price:

  $5.96  

(vii)

 

Grant date fair value:

  $3.52  

 

(4)

Fiscal Year 2016: The value of the option-based awards for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model on the date of grant with the following assumptions:

(i)

 

Risk-free interest rate:

  1.13%  

(ii)

 

Expected volatility:

  79.64%  

(iii)

 

Average option life in years:

  8  

(iv)

 

Expected dividends:

    --  

(v)

 

Grant date share price:

  $2.01  

(vi)

 

Option exercise price:

  $2.01  

(vii)

 

Grant date fair value:

  $1.39  

 

(5)

Pension value consists of the amount of the contribution made by the Corporation to a Named Executive Officer’s registered retirement savings plan. The Corporation has a group-RRSP for all of its employees under which the Corporation matches every dollar invested by an employee in such group-RRSP but up to three percent (3%) of the annual base salary of each employee, except with respect to (i) Executive Officers where the Corporation’s contribution is not subject to such three percent (3%) limit and (ii) Mr. Luc Tanguay. Under the terms of Mr. Tanguay’s employment agreement, the Corporation agreed to contribute on an annual basis to Mr. Tanguay’s RRSP to the fullest amount permissible under Canadian laws.

 

(6)

All other compensation includes perquisites and other form of compensation (such as retention or signing bonuses) not described in the other columns. Perquisites for each Named Executive Officer have not been included since they do not meet the prescribed threshold of the lesser of $50,000 and 10% of each of the respective Named Executive Officer’s salary in the last fiscal year.

 

(7)

Represents 84,500 options granted on February 26, 2019.

 

(8)

Represents 74,948 options granted on April 6, 2018 and 110,000 options granted on April 7, 2017.

 

(9)

Represents 165,000 options granted on April 4, 2016.

 

(10)

Represents 33,300 options granted on February 26, 2019.

 

(11)

Represents 28,986 options granted on April 6, 2018 and 40,000 options granted on April 7, 2017.

 

(12)

Represents 175,000 options granted on April 4, 2016, 125,000 of which were granted as part of Mr. Dubuc’s employment agreement when he joined the Corporation.

 

(13)

Represents 33,300 options granted on February 26, 2019.

 

(14)

Represents 28,986 options granted on April 6, 2018 and 40,000 options granted on April 7, 2017.

 

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THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.


(15)

Represents 50,000 options granted on April 4, 2016.

(16)

Represents 17,800 options granted on February 26, 2019.

(17)

Represents 14,493 options granted on April 6, 2018 and 15,000 options granted on April 7, 2017.

(18)

Represents 30,000 options granted on April 4, 2016.

(19)

Mr. Boucher joined the Corporation on January 8, 2018.

(20)

Mr. Boucher’s annual base salary was $195,000.

(21)

27,800 options were granted to Mr. Boucher on February 26, 2019 and 12,422 options were granted to Mr. Boucher on April 6, 2018 as part of Mr. Boucher’s employment agreement when he joined the Corporation.

4.                Incentive Plan Awards

Outstanding Option-Based Awards and Share-Based Awards

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, no DSUs were issued to the Named Executive Officers and 159,835 options to purchase Common Shares were granted to the Named Executive Officers. The table below details the outstanding option-based awards and share-based awards as at November 30, 2018 for each of the Named Executive Officers.

 

      Option-Based Awards      Share-Based  Awards(1)

Name

 

  

Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options

(#)

 

   

Option
exercise price

($)

 

  

Option
expiration

date

 

 

  

Value of
unexercised
in-the-

money
options(2)

($)

 

  

  Number of  
shares or
units of
shares that
have not
vested

(#)

 

  

Market or
  payout value  
of share-

based
awards that
have not
vested

($)

 

  

Market or
 payout value 
of vested
share-based
awards not
paid out or
distributed(3)

($)

 

Luc Tanguay

President and Chief Executive Officer

    




 

25,000
200,000
300,000
165,000
110,000
74,948

 

 
 
 
(5) 
(6) 
(7)  

 

  3.84
0.38
1.11
2.01
5.96
9.56

 

   2019.12.08  

2022.12.20  

2025.04.30  

2026.04.04  

2027.04.07  

2028.04.06  

 

    




 

109,000
1,564,000
2,127,000
1,021,350
246,400

--

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

             226,090(4)

Philippe Dubuc

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    

 

175,000
40,000
28,986

 

(8) 
(9) 
(10)  

 

  2.01
5.96
9.56

 

   2026.04.04  

2027.04.07  

2028.04.06  

 

    

 

1,083,250
89,600

--

 

 
 

 

 

   --    --    --

Christian Marsolais

Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

 

    



 

35,000
125,000
50,000
40,000
28,986

 

 
 
(12) 
(13) 
(14)  

 

  3.84
0.38
2.01
5.96
9.56

 

   2019.12.08  

2022.12.20  

2026.04.04  

2027.04.07  

2028.04.06  

 

    



 

152,600

977,500
309,500
89,600

--

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

   --    --    51,758(11)

Jocelyn Lafond

Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

    




30,000
30,000
125,000
30,000
15,000
14,493
 
 
 
(16) 
(17) 
(18) 
  1.80
3.84
0.38
2.01
5.96
9.56
   2018.12.18  

2019.12.08  

2022.12.20  

2026.04.04  

2027.04.07  

2028.04.06  

    




192,000

130,800
977,500
185,700
33,600

--

 

 
 
 
 

 

   --    --    41,000(15)

Denis Boucher

Vice President, Communications, and Corporate Affairs

 

     12,422  (19)    9.56    2028.04.06        --      --    --    --

 

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(1)

Share-based awards are comprised of DSUs issued under the DSU Plan.

 

(2)

The value of unexercised in-the-money options is determined by multiplying the difference between the exercise price of the options and the closing price of the Common Shares as at November 30, 2018 ($8.20) on the TSX by the number of options held as at November 30, 2018.

 

(3)

The market or payout value of share-based awards that have vested as at November 30, 2018 is determined by multiplying the closing price of the Common Shares as at November 30, 2018 ($8.20) on the TSX by the number of share-based awards held as at November 30, 2018. DSUs may only be redeemed when a Beneficiary leaves his/her position with the Corporation.

 

(4)

Represents 27,572 DSUs granted on December 15, 2010.

 

(5)

110,000 options were vested as at November 30, 2018 and 55,000 options vested on April 4, 2019. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 55,000 options could not be exercised.

 

(6)

36,666 of these options vested on April 7, 2018 and an additional 36,667 options vested on April 7, 2019. 36,667 options will vest on April 7, 2020. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 73,334 options could not be exercised.

 

(7)

24,982 of these options vested on April 6, 2019. 24,983 options will vest on April 6, 2020 and April 6, 2021, respectively. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, none of these options could be exercised.

 

(8)

116,666 options were vested as at November 30, 2018 and 58,334 vested on April 4, 2019. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 58,334 options could not be exercised.

 

(9)

13,333 of these options vested on April 7, 2018 and an additional 13,334 options vested on April 7, 2019. 13,334 options will vest on April 7, 2020. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 26,668 of these options could not be exercised.

 

(10)

9,662 of these options vested on April 6, 2019. 19,324 options will vest on April 6, 2020 and April 6, 2021, respectively. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, none of these options could be exercised.

 

(11)

Represents 6,312 DSUs granted on December 15, 2010.

 

(12)

33,333 options were vested as at November 30, 2018 and 16,667 options vested on April 4, 2019. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 16,667 options could not be exercised.

 

(13)

13,333 of these options vested on April 7, 2018 and an additional 13,333 options vested on April 7, 2019. 13,334 options will vest on April 7, 2020. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 26,667 options could not be exercised.

 

(14)

9,662 of these options vested on April 6, 2019. 9,662 options will vest on April 6, 2020 and April 6, 2021, respectively. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, none of these options could be exercised.

 

(15)

Represents 5,000 DSUs granted on December 15, 2010.

 

(16)

20,000 options were vested as at November 30, 2018 and 10,000 options vested on April 4, 2019. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 10,000 options could not be exercised.

 

(17)

5,000 of these options vested on April 7, 2018 and 5,000 vested on April 7, 2019. 5,000 options will vest on April 7, 2020. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, 10,000 options could not be exercised.

 

(18)

4,831 of these options vested on April 6, 2019. 4,831 options will vest on April 6, 2020 and April 6, 2021, respectively. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, none of these options could be exercised.

 

(19)

4,140 of these options vested on April 6, 2019. 4,141 options will vest on April 6, 2020 and April 6, 2021, respectively. Therefore, as at November 30, 2018, none of these options could be exercised.

Incentive Plan Awards – Value vested or earned during the year

The table below shows the value vested or earned during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 under each incentive plan for each of the Named Executive Officers.

 

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Name   

Option-based awards-

Value vested during

the year (1)

($)

  

Share-based awards-

Value vested

during the year

($)

  

Non-equity incentive

plan compensation-

Value earned

during the year

($)

Luc Tanguay
President and Chief Executive Officer

   1,350,114(2)    Nil    254,000

Philippe Dubuc
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   484,246(3)    Nil    117,000

Christian Marsolais
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

   172,168(4)    Nil    113,000

Jocelyn Lafond
Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary

   92,650(5)    Nil    76,000

Denis Boucher
Vice President, Communication, and Corporate Affairs

   Nil    Nil    64,000
(1)

The value is determined by assuming that the options vested during the financial year would have been exercised on the vesting date. The value corresponds to the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the vesting date and the exercise price of the options on that date.

 

 

(2)

55,000 options having an exercise price of $2.01 per Common Share vested on April 4, 2018. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on that date was $9.50. 100,000 options having an exercise price of $1.11 per Common Share vested on April 30, 2018. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on that date was $9.19. 36,666 options having an exercise price of $5.96 per Common Share vested on April 7, 2018. The TSX was closed for business on that date and the value of the Common Shares on the next ensuing business day (April 9, 2018) was $9.51.

 

 

(3)

58,333 options having an exercise price of $2.01 per Common Share vested on April 4, 2018. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on that date was $9.50. 13,333 options having an exercise price of $5.96 per Common Share vested on April 7, 2018. The TSX was closed for business on that date and the value of the Common Shares on the next ensuing business day (April 9, 2018) was $9.51.

 

 

(4)

16,667 options having an exercise price of $2.01per Common Share vested on April 4, 2018. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on that date was $9.50. 13,333 options having an exercise price of $5.96 per Common Shares vested on April 7, 2018. The TSX was closed for business on that date and the value of the Common Shares on the next ensuing business day (April 9, 2018) was $9.51.

 

 

(5)

10,000 options having an exercise price of $2.01 per Common Share vested on April 4, 2018. The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on that date was $9.50. 5,000 options having an exercise price of $5.96 per Common Shares vested on April 7, 2018. The TSX was closed for business on that date and the value of the Common Shares on the next ensuing business day (April 9, 2018) was $9.51.

 

5.        Termination and Change of Control Provisions

Below is a summary of the employment agreements of each of the Named Executive Officers together with a table detailing the value of the severance payment that would be payable by the Corporation to each of them pursuant to his employment agreement if one of the events described in the table had occurred on November 30, 2018.

Luc Tanguay

President and Chief Executive Officer

The Corporation entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Luc Tanguay on October 30, 2001, as amended on May 9, 2002, June 7, 2004, February 8, 2006, July 12, 2012 and August 16, 2013. On

 

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October 31, 2017, the Corporation entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Tanguay. The employment agreement, which is for an indefinite term, provides that Mr. Tanguay will receive an annual base salary of $480,237, which will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Board of the Corporation. The employment agreement also provides that he will be entitled to a bonus in an amount representing up to 50% of his annual base salary subject to the attainment of annual objectives set by the Board. The employment agreement also provides that Mr. Tanguay is entitled to receive options under the Option Plan and is entitled to participate in any incentive program developed by the Board or any committee thereof. Mr. Tanguay agreed to non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and assignment of intellectual property provisions in favour of the Corporation. The Corporation may terminate the employment of Mr. Tanguay at any time upon (i) the resignation of Mr. Tanguay; (ii) the failure by Mr. Tanguay to provide his services as contemplated for in the employment agreement; (iii) the incapacity of Mr. Tanguay to provide his services for a period of six consecutive months; (iv) serious reason; and (v) the mutual agreement of the Corporation and Mr. Tanguay. In all such cases Mr. Tanguay will not be entitled to a severance pay.

Pursuant to the amended and restated employment agreement, if Mr. Tanguay wishes to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, he must provide the Corporation with a six-month notice prior to retiring. The Corporation may also request that Mr. Tanguay retire upon six-month notice. This six-month notice period can be reduced by either the Corporation or Mr. Tanguay, in which case Mr. Tanguay will be entitled to all of the Corporation’s benefits to which he was then entitled for the residual period as if he was still employed by the Corporation for a period of six months. Upon the effective date of his retirement, Mr. Tanguay will be entitled to receive a retirement allocation of $1,000,000, the form and mode of payment of which will be determined between Mr. Tanguay and the Corporation. No timeline has been set in connection with Mr. Tanguay’s retirement. Upon Mr. Tanguay’s retirement or upon his office with the Corporation terminating or ending other than for serious reason, all unvested stock options granted to Mr. Tanguay prior to April 30, 2017 will vest automatically on his last day of office. All other stock options held by Mr. Tanguay will remain subject to their respective initial vesting conditions and the terms of the Option Plan.

The amended and restated employment agreement further provides that, in the event of the termination of the employment agreement by the Corporation, except for serious reason, within 24 months of a “Change of Control” of the Corporation, the Corporation will make a one-time lump-sum payment to Mr. Tanguay in an amount equal to all of the following: (i) 24 months of his annual base salary; (ii) 200% of his targeted annual bonus calculated on his annual base salary; and (iii) the cash value of the Corporation’s benefits to which he was then entitled in the last 24 months. In the event of the termination of the employment agreement by Mr. Tanguay at his sole discretion during the twelve month period following the occurrence of a “Change of Control” of the Corporation, the Corporation will make a one-time lump-sum payment to Mr. Tanguay in an amount equal to all of the following: (i) twelve months of his annual base salary; (ii) 100% of his targeted annual bonus calculated on his annual base salary; and (iii) the cash value of the Corporation’s benefits to which he was then entitled in the last twelve months. In Mr. Tanguay’s employment agreement, a “Change of Control” is defined as the acquisition by a third party, acting alone or in concert with one or more persons, by way of take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar transactions, of at least 40% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, as described in the employment agreement, is also deemed to be a “Change of Control”.

 

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Events   

Severance

($)

 

    Value of Stock  
Options(1)

($)

 

Value of share-

      based awards (2)       
($)

       

Retirement (3)

     1,000,000           5,074,500            226,090       
       

Termination of Employment in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     1,579,310       5,074,500       226,090  
       

Voluntary Resignation in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     789,655       5,074,500       226,090  
       

Voluntary Resignation (other than for retirement)

     --       4,569,781       226,090  

 

(1)

The value assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all in-the-money vested options would be exercised. The value is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on November 30, 2018 ($8.20) and the respective exercise price of each vested option as at November 30, 2018.

 

(2)

The value of the share-based awards assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all DSUs are redeemed. The value of share-based awards is determined by multiplying the number of DSUs held as at November 30, 2018 by the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on November 30, 2018 ($8.20).

 

(3)

Under the Option Plan, the termination of a person’s employment with the Corporation entitles him to exercise his vested options over a 180-day period after the termination date.

 

(4)

In computing the value of the options in the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation assumed that all unvested options would vest as per the terms of Section 5.5 of the Option Plan and that all vested options having an exercise price lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) would be exercised.

Philippe Dubuc

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

The Corporation entered into an employment agreement for an indeterminate term with Mr. Philippe Dubuc on February 24, 2016. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Dubuc was entitled to receive 125,000 stock options of the Corporation vesting as to 41,666 on the first and second anniversary date of the date of grant with the remaining 41,668 vesting on the third anniversary date of the date of grant. These options were granted on April 4, 2016. Mr Dubuc is eligible to participate in the Corporation’s benefits program and is eligible to receive an annual bonus based on attainment of objectives set annually by the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dubuc is also entitled to receive options under the Option Plan and is eligible to participate in any incentive program developed by the Board or any committee thereof. Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Dubuc agreed to non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and assignment of intellectual property provisions in favour of the Corporation. If the Corporation terminates Mr. Dubuc’s employment without just and sufficient cause or further to an internal reorganization, he will receive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his annual base salary (excluding bonus and the value of other benefits to which he is entitled). In the event of a “Change of Control” resulting in the termination of Mr. Dubuc’s employment without just and sufficient cause within twelve (12) months of such “Change of Control”, his employment agreement provides for an indemnity equal to the higher of (i) the value of the time-period related to the reasonable notice to be provided to Mr. Dubuc under applicable civil law and (ii) twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted annual bonus. In Mr. Dubuc’s agreement, a “Change of Control is defined as the acquisition by a third party, acting alone or in concert with one or more persons, by way of take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar transactions, of at least 40% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. In Mr. Dubuc’s agreement, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation is also deemed a “Change of Control”.

 

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Events   

    Severance    

($)

 

    Value of Stock     

Options(1)

($)

 

Value of share-

  based awards (2)  

($)

       

Retirement (3)

       --       752,029     Nil
       

Termination of Employment without Just Cause (3)

     316,212       752,029         Nil
       

Termination of Employment in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     442,697 (5)      1,172,850     Nil
       

Voluntary Resignation in the event of a Change of Control(4)

       --       1,172,850     Nil
       

Voluntary Resignation (3)

       --       752,029     Nil

 

(1)

The value assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all in-the-money vested options would be exercised. The value is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) and the respective exercise price of each vested option as at November 30, 2018.

 

 

(2)

Mr. Philippe Dubuc does not hold any share-based awards.

 

 

(3)

Under the Option Plan, the termination of a person’s employment with the Corporation entitles him to exercise his vested options over a 180-day period after the termination date.

 

 

(4)

In computing the value of the options in the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation assumed that all unvested options would vest as per the terms of Section 5.5 of the Option Plan and that all vested options having an exercise price lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) would be exercised.

 

 

(5)

Assumes that Mr. Dubuc receives twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted bonus over his twelve (12) month annual base salary.

 

Christian Marsolais

Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

The Corporation entered into an employment agreement for an indeterminate term with Mr. Christian Marsolais on April 13, 2007. His agreement was subsequently amended on May 23, 2012 and July 17, 2012. An amended and restated employment agreement was entered into on December 21, 2012 between Mr. Marsolais and the Corporation. The amended and restated employment agreement was entered into to reflect Mr. Marsolais’ new position as Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, to provide cash incentive payments upon the occurrence of certain defined future events related to the filing and approval of EGRIFTATM in certain Latin American countries and in Europe, to increase its targeted bonus rate from 33 1/3% to 40%, to revise and add new restrictive covenants in favour of the Corporation and to amend his severance payment conditions in the event the Corporation terminates his employment without just and sufficient cause. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Marsolais is entitled to the Corporation’s benefits program and is eligible to receive an annual bonus based on attainment of objectives set annually by the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Marsolais is also entitled to receive options under the Option Plan and is eligible to participate in any incentive program developed by the Board or any committee thereof. Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Marsolais agreed to non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, standstill and assignment of intellectual property provisions in favour of the Corporation. If the Corporation terminates Mr. Marsolais’ employment without just and sufficient cause, he will receive an amount equal to eighteen (18) months of his annual base salary (excluding bonus and the value of other benefits to which he is entitled). In the event of a “Change of Control” resulting in the termination of Mr. Marsolais’ employment without just and sufficient cause within twelve (12) months of such “Change of Control”, his employment agreement provides for an indemnity equal to the higher of (i) the value of the time-period related to the reasonable notice to be provided to Mr. Marsolais under applicable civil law and (ii) eighteen (18) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted annual bonus. In Mr. Marsolais’ agreement, a “Change of Control is defined as the acquisition by a third party, acting alone or in concert with one or more persons, by way of take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar transactions, of at least 40% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. In Mr. Marsolais’ agreement, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation is also deemed a “Change of Control”.

 

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Events   

  Severance  

($)

 

  Value of Stock  

Options(1)

($)

 

  Value of share-  

based awards(2)
($)

       

Retirement (3)

       --       1,366,297     51,758
       

Termination of Employment without Just Cause (3)

     459,260       1,366,297         51,758
       

Termination of Employment in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     581,729 (5)      1,529,200     51,758
       

Voluntary Resignation in the event of a Change of Control(4)

       --       1,529,200     51,758
       

Voluntary Resignation (3)

       --       1,366,297     51,758

 

(1)

The value assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all in-the-money vested options would be exercised. The value is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) and the respective exercise price of each vested option as at November 30, 2018.

 

 

(2)

The value of the share-based awards assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all DSUs are redeemed. The value of share-based awards is determined by multiplying the number of DSUs held as at November 30, 2018 by the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on November 30, 2018 ($8.20).

 

 

(3)

Under the Option Plan, the termination of a person’s employment with the Corporation entitles him to exercise his vested options over a 180-day period after the termination date.

 

 

(4)

In computing the value of the options in the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation assumed that all unvested options would vest as per the terms of Section 5.5 of its Option Plan and that all vested options having an exercise price lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) would be exercised.

 

 

(5)

Assumes that Mr. Marsolais receives eighteen (18) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted bonus over his twelve (12) month annual base salary.

 

Jocelyn Lafond

Vice President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

The Corporation entered into an employment agreement for an indeterminate term with Mr. Jocelyn Lafond on March 27, 2007 and an amendment was subsequently entered into on July 5, 2012. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Lafond is entitled to the Corporation’s benefit programs and is eligible to receive an annual bonus based on attainment of objectives set annually by the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lafond is entitled to receive options under the Option Plan and DSUs under the DSU Plan. Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Lafond agreed to non-disclosure and assignment of intellectual property provisions in favour of the Corporation. If the Corporation terminates Mr. Lafond’s employment without just and sufficient cause, he will receive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his annual base salary (excluding bonus and the value of other benefits to which he is entitled). Furthermore, in the event of a “Change of Control” resulting in the termination of Mr. Lafond’s employment without just and sufficient cause within twenty-four (24) months of such “Change of Control” or if he resigns of his own free will during such period, his employment agreement provides for an indemnity equal to the higher of (i) the value of the time-period related to the reasonable notice to be provided to Mr. Lafond under applicable civil law and (ii) twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted annual bonus. In Mr. Lafond’s agreement, a “Change of Control” is defined as the acquisition by a third party, acting alone or in concert with one or more persons, by way of take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar transactions, of at least 40% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation. In Mr. Lafond’ agreement, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation is also deemed a “Change of Control”.

 

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Events   

    Severance    

($)

 

    Value of Stock    

Options(1)

($)

 

    Value of share-    

based awards(2)

($)

Retirement (3)

         --       1,435,300     41,000

Termination of Employment without Just Cause (3)

     276,058       1,435,300     41,000

 

Termination of Employment in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     368,068 (5)      1,519,600     41,000

 

Voluntary Resignation in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     368,068 (5)      1,519,600     41,000

Voluntary Resignation (3)

         --       1,435,300         41,000

 

(1)

The value assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all vested options would be exercised. The value is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) and the respective exercise price of each vested option as at November 30, 2018.

 

 

(2)

The value of the share-based awards assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all DSUs are redeemed. The value of share-based awards is determined by multiplying the number of DSUs held as at November 30, 2018 by the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on November 30, 2017 ($8.20).

 

 

(3)

Under the Option Plan, the termination of a person’s employment with the Corporation entitles him to exercise his vested options over a 180-day period after the termination date.

 

 

(4)

In computing the value of the stock options in the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation assumed that all unvested options would vest as per the terms of Section 5.5 of its Option Plan and that all vested options having an exercise price lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) would be exercised.

 

 

(5)

Assumes that Mr. Lafond receives twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted bonus over his twelve (12) month annual base salary.

 

Denis Boucher

Vice President, Communications, and Corporate Affairs

The Corporation entered into an employment agreement for an indeterminate term with Mr. Denis Boucher on December 22, 2017. His first working day with the Corporation was on January 8, 2018. His annual base salary was set at $195,000. In addition to his annual base salary, Mr. Boucher was entitled to receive stock options of the Corporation having a value of $60,000 (based on the Black-Scholes-Merton model) vesting as to 33.3% on the first, second and third anniversary date of the date of grant. On April 6, 2018, he was granted 12,422 options vesting as to 4,140 on April 6, 2019, 4,141 on April 6, 2020 and 4,141 on April 6, 2021. Mr. Boucher is eligible to participate in the Corporation’s benefits program and is eligible to receive an annual bonus equal to 33.3 % of his annual base salary based on attainment of objectives set annually by the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Boucher is also entitled to receive options under the Option Plan and is eligible to participate in any incentive program developed by the Board or any committee thereof. Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Boucher agreed to non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and assignment of intellectual property provisions in favour of the Corporation. If the Corporation terminates Mr. Boucher’s employment without just and sufficient cause or further to an internal reorganization, he will receive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his annual base salary (excluding bonus and the value of other benefits to which he is entitled). In the event of a “Change of Control” resulting in the termination of Mr. Boucher’s employment without just and sufficient cause within twelve (12) months of such “Change of Control”, his employment agreement provides for an indemnity equal to the higher of (i) the value of the time-period related to the reasonable notice to be provided to Mr. Dubuc under applicable civil law and (ii) twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted annual bonus. In Mr. Boucher’s agreement, a “Change of Control” is defined as the acquisition by a third party, acting alone or in concert with one or more persons, by way of take-over bid, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other similar transactions, of at least 40% of the outstanding voting

 

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securities of the Corporation. In Mr. Boucher’s agreement, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation is also deemed a “Change of Control”.

 

Events   

Severance

($)

 

Value of Stock  

Options(1)

($)

  

Value of share-  

based awards (2)

($)

Retirement (3)

   --   Nil    Nil
       

Termination of Employment without Just Cause (3)

     195,000        Nil    Nil
       

Termination of Employment in the event of a Change of Control(4)

     259,994 (5)     Nil    Nil
       

Voluntary Resignation in the event of a Change of Control(4)

   --   Nil    Nil
       

Voluntary Resignation (3)

   --   Nil    Nil
(1)

The value assumes that upon the occurrence of an event, all in-the-money vested options would be exercised. The value is the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) and the respective exercise price of each vested option as at November 30, 2018.

 

 

(2)

Mr. Denis Boucher does not hold any share-based awards.

 

 

(3)

Under the Option Plan, the termination of a person’s employment with the Corporation entitles him to exercise his vested options over a 180-day period after the termination date.

 

 

(4)

In computing the value of the options in the event of a Change of Control, the Corporation assumed that all unvested options would vest as per the terms of Section 5.5 of the Option Plan and that all vested options having an exercise price lower than the closing price of the Common Shares on November 30, 2018 on the TSX ($8.20) would be exercised.

 

 

(5)

Assumes that Mr. Boucher receives twelve (12) months of his annual base salary and 100% of his targeted bonus over his twelve (12) month annual base salary.

 

 

6.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares a cumulative annual total shareholder return on a $100 investment in the Common Shares against a cumulative total shareholder return on the composite index S&P/TSX assuming that all dividends are reinvested (“S&P”), the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (“NBI”) and the AMEX Biotechnology Index (“BTK”).

 

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LOGO

The trend shown in the above performance graph indicates that, since 2014, the annual total shareholder return on a $100 investment in the Common Shares outperformed the S&P/TSX Composite Index, the BTK and the NBI.

On November 29, 2013 (the TSX was closed for business on November 30, 2013), the closing price of the Common Shares was $0.26 and, as at November 30, 2018, the closing price of the Common Shares was $8.20, thus representing an increase of $7.94. Between November 30, 2013 ($0.26) and November 30, 2018 ($8.20), the return on the Common Shares was 3,054%.

The value of the total compensation received by the Named Executive Officers over the past five years, as they were then, excluding special payments such as signing bonus and retention bonus, decreased by 5% between 2013 and 2014 and increased by 3% between 2014 and 2015. Between 2015 and 2016 and between 2016 and 2017, the value of the total compensation received by the Named Executive Officers increased by 39% and 56%, respectively. Between 2017 and 2018, the value of the total compensation received by the Named Executive Officer decreased by 20%.

 

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ITEM IV.

            CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE

 

The Board considers corporate governance to be important to the effective operations of the Corporation and to ensure that the Corporation is managed so as to optimize shareholder value. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for examining the Corporation’s needs in this regard and addressing all issues that may arise from its practices. This Committee ensures that the Corporation’s corporate governance practices comply with Regulation 58-101 respecting Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (Québec) and oversees their disclosure according to the guidelines described in Policy Statement 58-201 to Corporate Governance Guidelines (Québec) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Regulation”).

The table below details the corporate governance requirements under the Regulation and the position of the Corporation vis-à-vis each of them.

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

       COMMENTS
   

    1.    

 

(a)   Disclose the identity of directors who are independent.

    

“Independence” is defined in Section 1.4 of Regulation 52-110 respecting Audit Committees. After review of the definition of “independence”, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined that the following directors were “independent” within the meaning of the Regulation in the last fiscal year:

 

-   Gérald A. Lacoste;

-   Gary Littlejohn;

-   Dale MacCandlish Weil;

-   Paul Pommier;

-   Dawn Svoronos; and

-   Jean-Denis Talon.

 

In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined that the following nominees proposed for election at the Meeting are “independent” within the meaning of the Regulation:

 

-   Sheila Frame;

-   Gérald A. Lacoste;

-   Gary Littlejohn;

-   Dale MacCandlish Weil;

-   Paul Pommier;

-   Dawn Svoronos; and

-   Jean-Denis Talon.

       
   

(b)   Disclose the identity of directors who are not independent, and describe the basis for that determination.

    

In reviewing the definition of “independence” under Section 1.4 of Regulation 52-110 respecting Audit Committees the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined that the following nominee proposed for election at the Meeting was not “independent”:

 

-   Luc Tanguay.

 

The determination was based on his position with the Corporation. Mr. Tanguay is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

       
   

(c)   Disclose whether or not a majority of the directors are independent. If a majority of directors are not independent, describe what the board of directors (the “Board”) does to facilitate its exercise of independent judgement in carrying out its responsibilities.

 

    

Six (6) of the seven (7) directors were independent from the Corporation in the last fiscal year.

 

Seven (7) of the eight (8) nominees proposed for election to the Board are independent from the Corporation.

       
   

(d)   If a director is presently a director of any other issuer that is a reporting issuer (or the equivalent) in a jurisdiction or a foreign

      

Dawn Svoronos, the Chair of the Board, is a director of PTC Therapeutics, Inc., Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Global Blood Therapeutics Inc.

 

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jurisdiction, identify both the director and the other issuer.

        
         
   

(e)   Disclose whether or not the independent directors hold regularly scheduled meetings at which members of management are not in attendance. If the independent directors hold such meetings, disclose the number of meetings held during the last fiscal year ended November 30, 2018. If the independent directors do not hold such meetings, describe what the Board does to facilitate open and candid discussion among its independent directors.

 

    

As a matter of routine, the Chair of the Board assesses with the other independent directors after each meeting of the Board whether a meeting without the non-independent director is required.

 

There were six (6) meetings of the independent directors in the financial year ended November 30, 2018.

 

The committees of the Board are composed of independent directors and, whenever non-independent directors attend the committee meetings, the chair of the committee assesses with the independent directors after each meeting of the committee whether a meeting without the non-independent director is required.

   
         
   

(f)   Disclose whether or not the chair of the Board is an independent director. If the Board has a chair or lead director who is an independent director, disclose the identity of the independent chair or lead director, and describe his or her role and responsibilities. If the board has neither a chair that is independent nor a lead director this independent, describe what the Board does too provide leadership for its independent directors.

    

The Chair of the Board, Dawn Svoronos, is independent.

 

The Chair of the Board’s role and responsibilities consist in:

 

-   Representing the Corporation vis-à-vis shareholders and members of the public;

-   Preparing the agendas for all Board meetings;

-   Presiding over each Board meeting and shareholders meeting;

-   Coordinating with the chairs of the Board committees on topics to be discussed at committee meetings;

-   Following-up with the president and chief executive officer of the Corporation on material matters occurring in the normal course of business of the Corporation;

-   Assessing the circumstances requiring the holding of special meetings of the Board; and

-   Following-up with committee chairs on topics discussed at Board meetings.

   
         
   

(g)   Disclose the attendance record of each director for all Board meetings held since the beginning of the issuer’s most recently completed financial year.

 

    

See the information in the tables provided for each nominee under “Election of directors – Nominees”.

   
         

    2.    

 

Disclose the text of the Board’s written mandate. If the Board does not have a written mandate, describe how the Board delineates its role and responsibilities.

 

    

See Appendix “B” attached to this Circular.

   
         

    3.    

 

(a)   Disclose whether or not the Board has developed written position descriptions for the chair and the chair of each Board committee. If the Board has not developed written position descriptions for the chair and/or the chair of each Board committee, briefly describe how the Board delineates the role and responsibilities of each such position.

    

The Board has not developed written position descriptions for the Chair of the Board and the chair of each Board committee. The persons acting as Chair of the Board and chairs of Board committees have the experience and necessary expertise to assess the role they must play in the context of a public company. See Section 1 (f) above for a description of the role and responsibilities of the Chair of the Board.

 

The role and responsibilities of the chair of each Board committee consist in:

 

-   Preparing the agendas for each Committee meeting;

-   Presiding over each committee meeting;

-   Following-up on matters discussed at committee meetings, if and when necessary; and

-   Reporting to the Chair of the Board and the Board.

   
         
   

(b)   Disclose whether or not the Board and CEO have developed a written position description for the CEO. If the Board and CEO have not developed such a position description, briefly

      

The Board and the CEO have not developed a written position description for the CEO. However, the Board set the following expectations with respect to the role and responsibilities of the individual currently holding the position of President and Chief Executive Officer:

   

 

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    describe how the Board delineates the role and responsibilities of the CEO.

 

 

-   Representing the Corporation vis-à-vis shareholders and members of the public;

-   Supervising work over the commercialization of EGRIFTA® and Trogarzo® in the United States and Canada;

-   Supervising work related to alliance management;

-   Canvassing the potential acquisition or in-licensing of new products and supervising the negotiation of agreements related to such transactions;

-   Overseeing the control of expenses;

-   Having leadership skills;

-   Understanding of finance;

-   Reporting to the Board; and

-   Maintaining good relationships with shareholders, employees and members of the public.

 

All activities conducted by the Corporation that are not conducted in the “normal course of business” of the Corporation are discussed at the Board level. The Chair of the Board has frequent communications with the President and Chief Executive Officer and is aware of situations that do not qualify as “normal course of business”.

4.

 

 

(a)   Briefly describe what measures the Board takes to orient new members regarding:

 

(i) the role of the Board, its committees and its Directors, and

 

(ii)  the nature and operation of issuer’s business.

 

 

 

The Board has a “Director Orientation and Continuing Education Policy” in place for new directors. For a description of this policy, see Appendix “C” to this Circular.

     
   

 

(b)   Briefly describe what measures, if any, the Board takes to provide continuing education for its directors. If the Board does not provide continuing education, describe how the Board ensures that its directors maintain the skill and knowledge necessary to meet their obligations as directors.

 

 

The Board oversees continuing education that is provided to the directors. Continuing education is provided in the following form:

-   Articles and books on topics relating to the Corporation’s business, competitors, corporate governance and regulatory matters are provided to directors;

-   At Board meetings, members of management are invited to present on business activities;

-   Consultants offer seminars on various topics relating to the business of the Corporation;

-   Directors attending conferences or seminar addressing relevant topics to the Corporation;

-   Providing directors with published research reports written by healthcare analysts.

5.

 

 

(a)   Disclose whether or not the Board has adopted a written code for the directors, officers and employees. If the Board has adopted a written code:

 

 

The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) on February 18, 2011. The Code was amended on December 19, 2017 and, more recently, in the last fiscal year.

     
   

(i) disclose how a person may obtain the code;

 

The Code is available on the website of the Corporation at www.theratech.com under the section “Investor Centre - Corporate Governance – Code of Ethics”.

     
   

(ii)  describe how the Board monitors compliance with its code, or if the Board does not monitor compliance, explain whether and how the Board satisfies itself regarding compliance with its code; and

 

The Board monitors compliance with the Code by requiring that all employees and executive officers certify on a yearly basis that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Code. The Board also relies on management to report any conduct that is contrary to the Code to the Chair of the Board or the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

     
   

(iii)  provide a cross-reference to any material change report filed since the beginning of the issuer’s most recently completed financial year ended that pertains to any conduct of a

 

 

The Corporation has not filed any material change report pertaining to any conduct of a director or executive officer that departs from the Code in the last fiscal year.

 

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director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the code.

    
    

 

(b)   Describe any steps the Board takes to ensure directors exercise independent judgement in considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has a material interest.

  

 

The Board does not take any particular steps to ensure directors exercise independent judgement in considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has a material interest. The Board relies on the loyalty, integrity and honesty of its directors to declare any interest a director has or may have in a transaction or an agreement. Corporate laws, the general by-laws of the Corporation and the Code require that a director disclose any interest it may have or has in any transaction or agreement. In the event a director has any such interest, the director will be asked to leave the Board or committee meeting during which discussions regarding the transaction or agreement will take place. The director will not be entitled to vote on any resolution regarding such transaction or agreement.

    

 

(c)   Describe any other steps the Board takes to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct.

  

 

Other than having adopted the Code, the Board does not take any other particular step to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct. It relies on the honesty and loyalty of each individual and the consequences an individual would suffer if his/her ethical business conduct was inadequate.

6.

  

 

(a)   Describe the process by which the Board identifies new candidates for Board nomination.

  

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board is responsible to identify new candidates for Board nomination.

 

The identification of new candidates is undertaken after the Board has assessed the needs of the Corporation and the expertise at the Board level to meet those needs. The identification of new candidates may be done in different ways:

 

-   Knowledge by a Board member of one or more persons having the skills, experience, time and commitment required to act as directors of the Corporation; or

 

-   Retaining the services of a third-party specialized in the recruitment of directors.

 

Prior to retaining any individual to act as director of the Corporation, the individual is met by the Chair of the Board and other Board members. In addition, the individual’s history is reviewed.

 

    

(b)   Disclose whether or not the Board has a nominating committee composed entirely of independent Directors. If the Board does not have a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors, describe what steps the Board takes to encourage an objective nomination process.

  

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was comprised of three (3) independent directors in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, namely:

-   Gérald A. Lacoste (chair);

-   Dale MacCandlish Weil; and

-   Dawn Svoronos.

     
    

(c)   If the Board has a nominating committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operations of the nominating committee.

  

The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are described in Appendix “D” to this Circular.

7.

  

 

(a)   Describe the process by which the Board determines the compensation for the issuer’s directors and officers.

  

 

The Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee the evaluation and assessment of the compensation of the Corporation’s directors and executive officers.

 

The Compensation Committee meets at least once a year at the end of the fiscal year of the Corporation. During this meeting, the Compensation Committee reviews, among other things, the compensation of the Corporation’s executive officers for the ensuing fiscal year and assesses the performance of each executive officer against the Corporation’s annual objectives and an executive officer’s objectives to determine whether an executive officer is entitled to a bonus in the form of cash for his past services and/or the grant of stock options. The Compensation Committee has the power to retain the services of third parties to help in the determination of the annual

 

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.

  

compensation of an executive officer. Where the Compensation Committee does not retain the services of a third party, the Compensation Committee may review publicly-available information regarding the compensation of executive officers holding a position similar to the position under review or purchase such information from third parties. The Compensation Committee will also take into consideration publicly-available information relating to the average percentage increase in a particular year of the compensation generally paid to executive officers.

 

The Compensation Committee reviews, from time to time, the compensation of the directors and members of the Board committees. The Compensation Committee has the power to retain the services of third parties to assist its members determining the compensation of directors and committee members.

 

The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board on the compensation to be paid to executive officers and directors and the Board has complete discretion to accept, reject or amend any recommendation made by the Compensation Committee.

 

(b)   Disclose whether or not the Board has a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. If the Board does not have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, describe what steps the Board takes to ensure an objective process for determining such compensation.

  

 

The Compensation Committee was comprised of three (3) independent directors in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, namely:

 

-   Paul Pommier;

-   Jean-Denis Talon (chair); and

-   Dawn Svoronos.

   

(c)   If the Board has a compensation committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation of the compensation committee.

 

  

The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Compensation Committee are described in Appendix “E” to this Circular.

 

8.  If the Board has standing committees other than the audit, compensation, nominating committees, identify the committees and describe their function.

  

 

None

 

9.  Disclose whether or not the Board, its committees and individual directors are regularly assessed with respect to their effectiveness and contribution. If assessments are regularly conducted, describe the process used for the assessments. If assessments are not regularly conducted, describe how the Board satisfies itself that the Board, its committee, and its individual directors are performing effectively.

  

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible to ensure that a process is in place for the review of the performance of individual directors, the Board as a whole, the Board committees, as well as the Board and Committee Chairs.

 

Assessments are done on an on-going basis.

 

At the end of the last fiscal year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee led the conduct of a formal evaluation of the Board, the Chair of the Board, the committees of the Board and each Board member. The evaluation was made through the use of a questionnaire sent to all Board members. The questionnaires were then sent to the Corporation’s external counsel for review. The Corporation’s external counsel reported to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Chair of such committee reported to all Board members.

 

 

10.  Disclose whether or not the issuer has adopted term limits for the directors on its board or other mechanisms of board renewal and if so, include a description of those director term limits or other mechanisms of board renewal.

  

 

Theratechnologies has adopted a policy regarding term limits, a summary of which is provided under “Item II - Subjects to be treated at the meeting – Election of Directors – Directors’ Mandatory Retirement Policy”.

 

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11.        

  

 

(a)   Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women directors. If the issuer has not adopted such a policy, disclose why it has not done so.

  

 

Theratechnologies has not adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women directors. The Board desires to have discretion in selecting candidates since it has determined that it would be inappropriate for Theratechnologies to require that a minimum percentage of candidates at the Board or executive levels be comprised of women.

 

However, at a Board meeting held in February 2017, the Board approved an amendment to the Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to embed in such Charter the obligation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to take into consideration gender diversity when the Committee needs to recruit candidates for directorship. Therefore, gender diversity is now one of the four criteria that the Committee will consider in recruiting a candidate to act as a director of the Corporation.

 

    

 

(b)   If an issuer has adopted a policy referred to in 11(a), disclose the following in respect of the policy:

 

(i)  a short summary of its objectives and key provisions;

 

(ii)  the measures taken to insure that the policy has been effectively implemented;

 

(iii)   annual and cumulative progress by the issuer in achieving the objectives of the policy; and

 

(iv) whether and if so, how the board and its nominating committee measures the effectiveness of the policy.

 

  

 

As stated above, no written policy has been adopted by the Board of Directors of Theratechnologies.

 

12.  Disclose whether and, if so, how the Board or the nominating committee considers the level of representation of women on the Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board. If the issuer does not consider a level of representation of women on the Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board, disclose the issuer reason for not doing so.

  

 

Both the Board of Directors and the nominating committee consider the level of representation of women on the Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election.

 

Whenever the issues of succession or addition of new board members are discussed, the members of the Board seek to obtain the candidacy of women who must fulfill the expertise sought by the Board. See Section 11(a) above.

 

 

13.  Disclose whether and, if so, how the issuer considers the level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments. If the issuer does not consider the level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments, disclose the issuer’s reasons for not doing so.

  

 

Theratechnologies is sensitive to the representation of women in executive officer positions. However, as for Board candidacy, management will seek to retain the services of the most available skilled person(s) to fulfill available position(s).

 

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14.

  

(a)   Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a target regarding women on the issuer’s board. If the issuer has not adopted a target, disclose why it has not done so.

  

As previously mentioned, Theratechnologies has no target with respect to women acting as Board members. The Board wishes to retain its discretion in order to appoint successors or add additional members in order to be in a position to select the best available candidates while keeping in mind gender diversity.

   
    

(b)   Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a target regarding women in executive officer positions of the issuer. If the issuer had not adopted a target, disclose why it has not done so.

  

As previously mentioned, Theratechnologies has no target with respect to women in executive officer positions. The Corporation wishes to retain discretion in order to appoint successors or add additional members in order to be in a position to select the best available candidates.

   
    

(c)   If the issuer had adopted a target referred to in either paragraph 14(a) or 14(b), disclose:

 

(i)  the target; and

 

(ii)   the annual and cumulative progress of the issuer in achieving the target.

  

N.A.

 

15.    

  

 

(a)   Disclose the number and proportion (in percentage terms) of directors on issuer’s board who are women.

  

 

Ms. Dawn Svoronos is the Chair of the Board and both Ms. Dale MacCandlish Weil and Ms. Sheila Frame act as directors of the Corporation. If Ms. Svoronos, Ms. MacCandlish Weil and Ms. Frame are elected at the Meeting, the representation of women on the Board will account for 43% of independent directors and 38% of all Board members.

   
    

(b)   Disclose the number and proportion (in percentage terms) of executive officers of the issuer, including all measure subsidiaries of the issuer, who are women.

  

The number of executive officers at Theratechnologies amounts to seven (7), one of whom is a woman, namely Ms. Marie-Noël Colussi. Ms. Colussi acts as Vice President, Finance. Therefore, the proportion of women holding executive positions at Theratechnologies amounts to 14%.

 

 

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ITEM V.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

1.        Audit Committee Information

General

The audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) is currently composed of three independent directors, namely, Mr. Paul Pommier, who acts as the Chair, Gérald A. Lacoste and Jean-Denis Talon. See “Item II – Subjects to Be Treated at the Meeting – Election of Directors - Nominees” above for the biography of each of the Audit Committee members. All of the Audit Committee members are financially literate within the meaning of National Instrument 52-110 - Audit Committees. The Audit Committee members are scheduled to meet without executive officers being present on a regular basis.

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, the Audit Committee met a total of four (4) times. Each member attended all meetings.

Role and Responsibilities

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board to oversee the followings:

 

  -

the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements and information related thereto;

  -

the Corporation’s internal control system;

  -

the appointment and performance assessment of the external auditors; and

  -

the Corporation’s risk management matters.

A copy of the Charter of the Audit Committee describing the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee is attached as Appendix “F” to this Circular.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the independent external auditors’ work. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the external auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee appoints the auditors and oversees and fixes the compensation for all such services. The external auditors and the Corporation’s management report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services actually provided in accordance with the applicable pre-approval, and regarding the fees for services performed. The Audit Committee approved 100% of the fees listed in the table below under “Auditors’ Fees”.

Auditors’ Fees

The fees paid to the Auditors of the Corporation for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2018 and 2017 are shown in the table above under “Item II. – Subjects to Be Treated at the Meeting – Appointment of Auditors”.

2.        Shareholder Proposals

The deadline by which the Corporation must receive proposals from shareholders under the Act for presentation at the next annual meeting of shareholders is January 13, 2020.

 

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3.        Additional Documentation

The Corporation is a reporting issuer in all Canadian provinces and is required to file its financial statements, annual information form (the “AIF”) and Circular with each Canadian Securities Commission.

The financial information of the Corporation is provided in the Corporation’s comparative financial statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2018. Copies of the Corporation’s financial statements, management proxy circular and AIF may be obtained on request to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at the following address: 2015 Peel Street, 11th Floor, Montreal, Québec, Canada, H3A 1T8 or by consulting the SEDAR Website at www.sedar.com. The Corporation may require the payment of a reasonable fee if the request is made by someone other than a security holder of the Corporation, unless the Corporation is in the course of a distribution of its securities pursuant to a short-form prospectus, in which case these documents will be provided free of charge.

4.        Approval by the Board of Directors

The content and the sending of this Circular have been approved by the Board of the Corporation.

Montreal, Québec, Canada, April 12, 2019.

 

(signed) Jocelyn Lafond

 

Jocelyn Lafond

Corporate Secretary

 

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APPENDIX A

RESOLUTION 2019-1 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

THERATECHNOLOGIES INC. (THE “CORPORATION”)

 

  1.

That the approval by the board of directors of the Corporation of the amended and restated shareholder rights plan agreement entered into on April 10, 2019 between the Corporation and Computershare Trust Services of Canada, be and it is hereby ratified; and

 

  2.

That any director or officer of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized to execute and deliver such documents and instruments and to take such other actions as such director or officer may deem necessary or advisable to give effect to this resolution in his entire discretion, his determination being conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of such documents or instruments and the taking of such actions.

 

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APPENDIX B

MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

I.

Role

The Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is ultimately responsible for the stewardship of the Corporation and executes its mandate directly or after considering recommendations from its related committees and Management.

Management is responsible for the Corporation’s day-to-day activities and is charged with realizing strategic activities approved by the Board within the scope of its authorized business activities, capitalization plan and Corporation directives. Management must report regularly to the Board on matters relating to short-term results and long-term development activities.

 

II.

Obligations and Responsibilities

The Board carries out the functions, performs duties and assumes the responsibilities entrusted by the laws and regulations. The Board may delegate some of its responsibilities to Board committees and Management within the scope of the Corporation’s General By-laws, the laws and the regulations. Therefore, day-to-day management of the Corporation’s activities is entrusted to Senior Management, which reports directly to the Board. One of the key functions of the Board is to appoint the senior management team.

The functions and duties of Board members include, without limitation, the following functions and duties:

 

  A.

Appointment, assessment, succession planning of Senior Management

 

  1.

Select and appoint the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

 

  2.

Oversee the appointment of other members of Senior Management.

 

  3.

Ensure that the Corporation has a succession plan for the President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

  4.

Monitor the performance of the President and Chief Executive Officer and others Executive Officers, with respect to pre-established objectives.

 

  B.

Compensation of Directors

 

  1.

Establish the compensation of Directors.

 

  C.

Strategic Direction and Planning

 

  1.

Adopt the Corporation’s strategic planning process.

 

  2.

Approve the Corporation’s strategic plan and review Senior Management’s performance in implementing the plan.

 

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  3.

Review the strategic plan annually, taking into account opportunities and risks, and monitoring the Corporation’s performance against the plan.

 

  4.

Review and approve the Corporation’s annual plans towards financing the strategic plan.

 

  5.

Review and approve the Corporation’s annual operating budget.

 

  6.

Identify key business risks facing the Corporation and the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks.

 

  7.

Discuss with Management how the strategic environment is changing and the key strategic issues.

 

  D.

Corporate Behaviour and Governance

 

  1.

Develop an approach to corporate governance, including the determination of principles and guidelines for the Corporation.

 

  2.

Obtain reasonable assurance of the integrity of the President and Chief Executive Officer and other senior members of Management, and that they uphold principles of integrity within the ranks of the Corporation.

 

  3.

Oversee the implementation of a Corporation disclosure policies and procedures.

 

  4.

Monitor the integrity of the Corporation’s internal controls and disclosure systems.

 

  5.

Be available to receive feedback from stakeholders, which must be provided in writing, at the Corporation’s head office, bearing the mention “Confidential”.

 

  E.

Personal Behaviours

 

  1.

Keep up-to-date with the regular programs and employees of the Corporation.

 

  2.

Upon request, join a committee and actively participate at its meetings.

 

  3.

Be accessible, at least by telephone, to personnel and other Corporation Directors, as required.

 

  4.

Keep confidential information discussed during meetings.

 

  5.

Attend regular and special Board meetings.

 

  6.

Get to know other members of the Board and promote collegial decision-making.

 

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III.

External Advisors

In discharging its duties and responsibilities, the Board is empowered to retain external legal counsel or other external advisors, as appropriate. The Corporation shall provide the necessary funds to secure the services of such advisors.

 

IV.

Composition of the Board

The Board consists of such number of Directors as the Board may determine from time to time by resolution. The Board must assure itself that it is composed of Directors that are sufficiently familiar with the business of the Corporation, and the risks it faces, to ensure active and effective participation in the deliberations of the Board. Directors should have diverse backgrounds and personal characteristics and traits as well as competencies and expertise that add value to the Corporation. Finally, a majority of the Directors must be independent for the purposes of National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

V.

Board Meeting Procedures

The Board follows the procedure established in the Corporation’s General By-Laws.

 

VI.

Records

The Corporation’s Secretary keeps the records required by law and any other relevant document.

 

VII.

Effective Date

This written mandate was adopted by the Directors at its February 8, 2006 Board meeting.

 

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APPENDIX C

DIRECTOR ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY

The Board must first ensure that every new nominee as Director possesses the necessary skill, expertise, availability and knowledge to properly fulfil its mandate. Once a Director is effectively elected, the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Secretary provide him with the specific information required for a well-informed contribution.

 

I.

Purpose

The purpose of this Director Orientation and Continuing Education Policy (the “Policy”) is to set forth the Corporation’s process of orientation for newly appointed Corporation Directors to familiarize them with the role of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, its committees, its directors, and the nature and operation of the Corporation’s business activities. The Policy also indicates the elements of continuing education of the Board of Directors to ensure the Corporation Directors maintain the skill and knowledge necessary to fulfill their obligations as directors.

 

II.

Orientation of New Directors

Newly appointed Directors first meet with the Chairman of the Board to discuss the functioning of the Board of Directors. Then, they meet with the President and Chief Executive Officer to discuss the nature and operation of the Corporation’s business activities. As required, meetings may be set up with other Senior Managers to further clarify some of the Corporation’s business activities. Finally, the Secretary provides new directors with the following documents:

 

  A.

Copies of Board meeting minutes and written resolutions since the beginning of the fiscal year (which may include those of the preceding fiscal year, depending of the date of appointment), including a copy of the minutes of the last annual meeting;

 

  B.

A schedule of Board Meetings for the year;

 

  C.

The disclosure policies et procedures and the “Undertaking” form (for signature);

 

  D.

The policy on insider trading in force at Theratechnologies (with mention to register as an insider with the Canadian securities agency through SEDI.ca and to prepare an initial insider report within ten (10) days following appointment);

 

  E.

Theratechnologies’ Share Option Plan;

 

  F.

The latest annual report and accompanying information on Theratechnologies (fact sheet, latest press releases, latest annual information form and corporate presentation);

 

  G.

The Director Disclosure Form (to complete and return within afforded time);

 

  H.

The General By-Laws, the Board’s written mandate, the Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating and Corporate Governance Charter; and

 

  I.

The Directors and Senior Management coverage and compensation.

 

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III.

Continuing Education

The following actions are taken to ensure the continuing education of Directors:

 

  A.

Management provides Directors, from time to time, with pertinent articles and books relating to the Corporation’s business, its competitors, corporate governance and regulatory issues;

 

  B.

Key Corporation executives make regular presentations to the Board on business activities;

 

  C.

Certain consultants present to the Board on matters relevant to their role and duties. Consultants such as insurance brokers presenting on risks faced by the Corporation or consultants presenting a long-term strategy for the Corporation;

 

  D.

The Secretary offers Directors continuing education in the form of presentations on new legal and regulatory requirements that impact the Board.

 

IV.

Review

This Policy is reviewed and modified when the Board of Directors considers it necessary and desirable.

 

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APPENDIX D

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

I.                  Mandate

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for assisting the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in overseeing the following:

 

  A.

Recruit candidates for the Board;

 

  B.

Review the size of the Board;

 

  C.

Composition of the Board;

 

  D.

Function of the Board;

 

  E.

Orientation and education of Board members; and

 

  F.

Governance.

II.                Obligations and Duties

The Committee carries out the duties usually entrusted to a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and any other duty assigned from time to time by the Board. Specifically, the Committee is charged with the following obligations and duties:

 

  A.

Recruit Candidates for the Board

 

  1.

Identify potential candidates as members of the Company’s Board of Directors. In so doing, the Committee will consider:

 

  a.

independence of candidates under the terms of National Policy 58-201 on corporate governance;

 

  b.

gender diversity;

 

  c.

the competencies, skills and personal characteristics sought in candidates. The Committee will determine what it considers necessary by assessing competencies, skills and personal characteristics of the candidates in relation to: (1) those generally required by the Board; (2) those already present in other Board members; and (3) those which are a welcome addition; and

 

  d.

the availability of candidates.

 

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  2.

All Board members may submit to the Committee potential candidates for membership, and the Committee shall review such candidates in light of above described competencies and skills desirable for the Board.

 

  3.

The Committee shall proceed as follows for the recruitment of candidates:

 

  a.

when determined by the Committee and the Board of Directors that Board vacancies must be filled or new members are desirable, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall make contact with candidates that have been identified by the Committee per the above described criteria;

 

  b.

upon a positive evaluation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and positive reaction from the candidate, at least two (2) members of the Board shall meet with the candidate; and

 

  c.

upon a positive evaluation by the two (2) Board members and the continuing interest of the candidate, the Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors, providing all pertinent background information for analysis and discussion by the Directors.

 

  B.

Board Size

The Board must be composed of 3 to 20 directors, as per the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Law. As provided under the terms of the Company General By-Laws, the Board shall exercise its power to establish by resolution the exact number of directors. In this regard, the duties of the Committee are as follows:

 

  1.

Examine the size of the Board annually in view of assessing its effectiveness.

 

  2.

Consider modifications to the number of constituting members and issue its recommendations to the Board.

 

  C.

Composition of the Board

 

  1.

Ensure that the Board is composed of Directors that are sufficiently familiar with the business of the Company, and the risks it faces, to ensure active and effective participation in the deliberations of the Board.

 

  2.

Ensure that Directors have diverse backgrounds and personal characteristics and traits as well as competencies and expertise that add value to the Company.

 

  3.

Ensure that a majority of the directors are independent directors for the purposes of National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

  D.

Board Functioning

 

  1.

Examine the Board’s functions and issue recommendations as to its obligations and role. Among others, the Committee must regularly review the Board’s written mandate.

 

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  2.

Determine and review, as needed, the roles and mandates of Board committees and issue recommendations.

 

  E.

Orientation and Continuing Education of Board Members

 

      

Develop an orientation and continuing education policy for Directors.

 

  F.

Governance

 

  1.

Follow corporate governance developments and, as required, advise the Board of appropriate actions.

 

  2.

Examine appropriate actions to promote ethical business conduct, issue relevant recommendations to the Board and oversee their implementation.

 

  3.

Examine conflict of interest issues that may be brought to the attention of the Board and offer solutions.

III.                External Advisors

In discharging its duties and responsibilities, the Committee is empowered to retain external legal counsel or other external advisors, as appropriate. The Company shall provide the necessary funds to secure the services of such advisors.

IV.                Composition of the Committee

The Committee is composed of any number of Directors, but no less than three, as may be determined by the Board from time to time by resolution. Each member of the Committee shall be independent from the Company, as determined by the Board in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

V.                 Term of the Mandate

Committee members are appointed by Board resolution to carry out their mandate extending from the date of the appointment to the next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, or until successors are so appointed.

VI.                Vacancy

The Board may fill vacancies at any time by resolution. Subject to the constitution of the quorum, the Committee’s members can continue to act even if there is one or many vacancies on the Committee.

VII.              Chairman

The Board appoints the Committee Chairman who will call and chair the meetings. The Chairman reports to the Board the deliberations of the Committee and its recommendations.

 

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VIII.             Secretary

Unless decided otherwise by resolution of the Board, the Secretary of the Company shall act as Committee Secretary. The Secretary must attend Committee meetings and prepare the minutes. He/she must provide notification of meetings as directed by the Committee Chairman. The Secretary is the guardian of the Committee’s records, books and archives.

IX.                Meeting Proceedings

The Committee establishes its own procedures as to how meetings are called and conducted. Unless it is otherwise decided, the Committee shall meet privately and independently from Management at each regularly scheduled meeting. In the absence of the regularly appointed Chairman, the meeting shall be chaired by another Committee member selected among attending participants and appointed accordingly. In the absence of the regularly appointed Secretary, Committee members shall designate someone else to carry out this duty.

X.                 Quorum and Vote

Unless the Board otherwise specifies by resolution, two Committee members shall constitute an appropriate quorum for deliberation of items on the agenda. During meetings, decisions are reached by a majority of votes from Committee members, unless the quorum is of two members, in which case decisions are made by consensus of opinion.

XI.                Records

The Committee keeps records that are deemed necessary of its deliberations and reports regularly to the Board on its activities and recommendations.

XII.              Effective Date

This charter was adopted by the Directors during the February 8, 2006 Board meeting and amended during the February 7, 2017 Board meeting.

.

 

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APPENDIX E

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

I.

Mandate

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for assisting the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in overseeing the following:

 

  A.

compensation of Senior Management;

 

  B.

assessment of Senior Management;

 

  C.

compensation of Directors;

 

  D.

stock option grants;

 

  E.

overall increase in total compensation.

 

II.

Obligations and Duties

The Committee carries out the duties usually entrusted to a compensation committee and any other duty assigned from time to time by the Board. Specifically, the Committee is charged with the following obligations and duties:

 

  A.

Compensation of Senior Management

 

  1.

Develop a compensation policy for the Corporation’s Senior Management, notably the Senior Management compensation structure, annual salary adjustments as well as the creation and administration of short and long term incentive plans, stock options, indirect advantages and benefits proposed by the President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

  2.

Review and establish all forms of compensation to Senior Management.

 

  3.

Oversee, as required, employment contracts and terminations of Senior Management, notably severance pay.

 

  4.

Oversee the Corporation’s annual report on Senior Management compensation part of the Corporation’s continuous disclosure requirements under applicable laws and regulations.

 

  B.

Assessment of Senior Management

 

  1.

Develop a written position description for the President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

  2.

Establish general objectives annually for the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and for other members of senior management.

 

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  3.

Examine and review annually the President and Chief Executive Officer’s performance against specific performance criteria pre-established by the Committee.

 

  4.

Examine, in collaboration with the President and Chief Executive Officer, the annual performance assessment of other senior managers.

 

  C.

Compensation of Directors

 

  1.

Recommend to the Board approval of the Director’s Compensation Policy.

 

  2.

Examine the compensation of Directors in relation to the risks and duties of their position.

 

  D.

Stock Option Grants

 

  1.

Oversee, review as needed and recommend Board approval of the Corporation Share Option Plan.

 

  2.

The Committee may delegate, at its discretion, the plan’s administration to members of the Corporation’s Management and employees.

 

  3.

Examine, oversee and recommend Board approval of stock option grants, specifically:

 

  a.

the people to whom options are granted;

 

  b.

the number of options granted;

 

  c.

the exercise price of the options;

 

  d.

the exercise period of the options; and

 

  e.

all other conditions relating to options granted.

 

  4.

Overall Increase in Total Compensation

Approve annually the Corporation’s increase in overall compensation.

 

III.

External Advisors

In discharging its duties and responsibilities, the Committee is empowered to retain external legal counsel or other external advisors, as appropriate. The Corporation shall provide the necessary funds to secure the services of such advisors.

 

IV.

Composition of the Committee

The Committee is composed of any number of Directors, but no less than three, as may be determined by the Board from time to time by resolution. Each member of the Committee shall be independent from the Corporation, as determined by the Board, in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

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V.

Term of the Mandate

Committee members are appointed by Board resolution to carry out their mandate extending from the date of the appointment to the next annual general meeting of shareholders, or until successors are so appointed.

 

VI.

Vacancy

The Board may fill vacancies at any time by resolution. Subject to the constitution of the quorum, the Committee’s members can continue to act even if there is one or many vacancies on the Committee.

 

VII.

Chairman

The Board appoints the Committee Chairman who will call and chair the meetings.

 

VIII.

Secretary

Unless decided otherwise by resolution of the Board, the Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Committee Secretary. The Secretary must attend Committee meetings and prepare the minutes. He/she must provide notification of meetings as directed by the Committee Chairman. The Secretary is the guardian of the Committee’s records, books and archives.

 

IX.

Meeting Proceedings

The Committee establishes its own procedures as to how meetings are called and conducted. Unless it is otherwise decided, the Committee shall meet privately and independently from Management at each regularly scheduled meeting. In the absence of the regularly appointed Chairman, the meeting shall be chaired by another Committee member selected among attending participants and appointed accordingly. In the absence of the regularly appointed Secretary, Committee members shall designate someone to carry out this duty.

 

X.

Quorum and Vote

Unless the Board otherwise specifies by resolution, two Committee members shall constitute an appropriate quorum for deliberation of items on the agenda. During meetings, decisions are reached by a majority of votes from Committee members, unless the quorum is of two members, in which case decisions are made by consensus of opinion.

 

XI.

Records

The Committee keeps records that are deemed necessary for its deliberations and reports to the Board on its activities and recommendations on a regular basis.

 

XII.

Effective Date

This charter was adopted by the Directors at its May 3, 2004 Board meeting. It was amended by the Directors during the February 8, 2006 Board meeting.

 

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APPENDIX F

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

I.            Mandate

The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for assisting the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in overseeing the following:

 

  F.

the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and related information;

 

  G.

the internal control systems of the Company;

 

  H.

the appointment and performance of the external auditor; and

 

  I.

the supervision of the Company’s Risk Management.

II.            Obligations and Duties

The Committee carries out the duties usually entrusted to an audit committee and any other duty assigned from time to time by the Board. Management has the responsibility to ensure the integrity of the financial information and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls. The external auditor has the responsibility to verify the fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements; at the same time evaluating the internal control process to determine the nature, extent and timing of the auditing procedures used for the financial statement audit. The Committee has the responsibility to supervise the participants involved in the preparation process of the financial information and to report on this to the Board.

Specifically, the Committee is charged with the following obligations and duties:

 

  A.

Integrity of the Company’s Financial Statements and Related Information

  1.

Review annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements and all financial information legally required to be disclosed by the Company, i.e. financial information contained in the “Management Discussion and Analysis” report, the Annual Information Form and the press releases, as the case may be, discuss such with management and the external auditor, as applicable, and suggest recommendations to the Board, as the case may be.

  2.

Approve the interim Financial Statements, the interim “Management Discussion and Analysis” reports and all supplements to these “Management Discussion and Analysis” reports which have to be filed with regulatory authorities.

  3.

On a periodic basis, review and discuss with management and the external auditor, as applicable, the following:

 

  a.

major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;

 

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  b.

the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company; and

 

  c.

the type and presentation of information to be included in press releases dealing with financial results (paying particular attention to any use of pro-forma information or information adjusted by means of non-generally accepted accounting principles).

  4.

Review and discuss reports from the external auditor on:

 

  a.

all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company;

 

  b.

all material alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, including the ramifications of the use of such alternate treatments and disclosures and the treatment preferred by the external auditor;

 

  c.

the external auditors’ report to the Committee on the planning of external auditing; and

 

  d.

the external auditors’ report to the Committee on the auditing results.

B.              Supervision of the Company’s Internal Control Systems

 

  1.

Review and discuss with management and, when appropriate, provide recommendations to the Board on the following:

 

  a.

actual financial data compared with budgeted data;

 

  b.

the Company’s internal control system;

 

  c.

the relationship of the Committee with the management and audit committees of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. With respect to the subsidiaries, the Committee must:

 

   

obtain precisions as to the mandate of the audit committees;

 

   

enquire about internal controls and study related risks;

 

   

obtain copy of the minutes of the audit committees’ meetings; and

 

   

ensure that the critical accounting policies and practices are identical to the Company’s.

  2.

Study the feasibility of implementing an internal auditing system and when implemented, establish its responsibilities and supervise its work.

  3.

Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

C.              Appointment and Performance Supervision of the External Auditor

 

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  1.

Provide recommendations to the Board on the selection of the external auditor to be appointed by the shareholders.

  2.

Approve in advance and recommend to the Board the external auditor’s remuneration and more specifically fees and terms of all audit, review or certification services to be provided by the external auditor to the Company and any consolidated subsidiary.

  3.

Supervise the performance of the external auditor in charge of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit services or certification services for the Company or any consolidated subsidiary of the Company, where required, and review all related questions as to the terms of its mission and the revision of its mission.

  4.

Pre-approve all engagements for permitted non-audit services provided by the external auditor to the Company and any consolidated subsidiary, and to this effect and at its convenience, establish policies and procedures for the engagement of the external auditor to provide to the Company and any consolidated subsidiary permitted non-audit services, which shall include approval in advance by the Committee of all audit/review services and permitted non-audit services to be provided to the Company and any consolidated subsidiary by the external auditor.

  5.

At least annually, consider, assess and report to the Board on:

 

  a.

the independence of the external auditor, including whether the external auditor’s performance of permitted non-audit services is compatible with the external auditor’s independence;

 

  b.

the obtaining from the external auditor of a written or verbal statement i) describing all relationships between the external auditor and the Company that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence; ii) assuring that lead audit partner rotation is carried out, as required by law; and iii) describing any other relationship that may reasonably be thought to affect the independence of the external auditor; and

 

  c.

the evaluation of the lead audit partner, taking into account the opinions of management and the internal auditor.

  6.

At least annually, obtain and review a report by the external auditor describing:

 

  a.

the external auditor’s internal quality-control procedures; and

 

  b.

any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review (or peer review) of the external auditor’s firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, with respect to one or more independent audits carried out by the external auditor’s firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

  7.

Resolve any disagreement between management and the external auditor regarding financial reporting.

  8.

Review the audit process with the external auditor.

  9.

Review and discuss with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company the process for the certifications to be provided in the Company’s public disclosure documents.

  10.

Meet periodically with the external auditor in the absence of management.

 

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  11.

Establish procedures with respect to hiring the external auditor’s employees and former employees.

 

  D.

Supervision of the Company’s Risk Management

 

  Review,

report and, where appropriate, provide recommendations to the Board on the following:

  1.

the Company’s processes for identifying, assessing and managing risk;

 

  2.

the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps the Company has taken to monitor and control such exposures;

 

  3.

the Company’s insurance portfolio and the adequacy of the coverage; and

 

  4.

the Company’s investment policy.

 

III.

External Advisors

In discharging its duties and responsibilities, the Committee is empowered to retain external legal counsel or other external advisors, as appropriate. The Company shall provide the necessary funds to secure the services of such advisors.

 

IV.

Composition of the Committee

The Committee is composed of any number of Directors, but no less than three, as may be determined by the Board from time to time by resolution. Each member of the Committee shall be independent from the Company and is financially literate, as determined by the Board and in conformity with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

V.

Term of the Mandate

Committee members are appointed by Board resolution to carry out their mandate extending from the date of the appointment to the next annual general meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are so appointed.

 

VI.

Vacancy

The Board may fill vacancies at any time by resolution. Subject to the constitution of the quorum, the Committee’s members can continue to act even if there is one or many vacancies on the Committee.

 

VII.

Chairman

The Board appoints the Committee Chairman who will call and chair the meetings. The Chairman reports to the Board the deliberations of the Committee and its recommendations.

VIII .            Secretary

Unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board, the Secretary of the Company shall act as Committee Secretary. The Secretary must attend Committee meetings and prepare the minutes.

 

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He/she must provide notification of meetings as directed by the Committee Chairman. The Secretary is the guardian of the Committee’s records, books and archives.

 

IX.

Meeting Proceedings

The Committee establishes its own procedures as to how meetings are called and conducted. Unless it is otherwise decided, the Committee shall meet privately and independently from Management at each regularly scheduled meeting. In the absence of the regularly appointed Chairman, the meeting shall be chaired by another Committee member selected among attending participants and appointed accordingly. In the absence of the regularly appointed Secretary, Committee members shall designate someone to carry out this duty.

The Committee shall meet at least four times a year with management and the external auditor, and at least once a year, separately in executive session in the absence of management and the external auditor. At least once a year, the Committee invites the Chief Financial Officer of each subsidiary to present the financial information and internal control systems related to such subsidiary.

X .                Quorum and Voting

Unless the Board otherwise specifies by resolution, two Committee members shall constitute an appropriate quorum for deliberation of items on the agenda. During meetings, decisions are reached by a majority of votes from Committee members, unless the quorum is of two members, in which case decisions are made by consensus of opinion.

 

XI.

Records

The Committee keeps records that are deemed necessary of its deliberations and reports regularly to the Board on its activities and recommendations.

 

XII.

Effective Date

This charter was adopted by the Directors at its May 3, 2004 Board meeting. It was amended by the Directors during the April 13, 2005, February 8, 2006 and February 25, 2015 Board meetings.

 

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