DEF 14A 1 d711314ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT Definitive Proxy Statement
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

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

Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [    ]

Check the appropriate box:

  [    ] Preliminary proxy statement.
  [    ] Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).
  [X] Definitive proxy statement.
  [    ] Definitive additional materials.
  [    ] Soliciting material pursuant to § 240.14a-12.

 

Antares Pharma, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):

  [X] No fee required.
  [    ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

  (5) Total fee paid:

 

 

  [    ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
  [    ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1) Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

  (3) Filing Party:

 

 

  (4) Date Filed:

 


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ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

100 Princeton South, Suite 300

Ewing, New Jersey 08628

April 17, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Antares Pharma, Inc., to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

The notice of Annual Meeting and the proxy statement that appear on the following pages describe the matters scheduled to come before the meeting. At the meeting, I will report on our Company’s performance during the past year, as well as other current items of interest to our stockholders. In addition, certain members of our Board of Directors and management team, as well as representatives of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, will be available to answer your questions.

We are pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials, including this notice of Annual Meeting, proxy statement, our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the electronic proxy card for the meeting to our stockholders via the Internet by sending them a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) that explains how to access our proxy materials and how to vote online. Taking advantage of these rules should allow us to lower the cost of delivering annual meeting materials to our stockholders and reduce the environmental impact of printing and mailing these materials. If you received the Notice and would like us to send you a printed copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice.

Your vote is important. I hope you will join us at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, I hope that you will vote as soon as possible by submitting your proxy. You may vote your proxy three different ways: by mail, via the internet, or by telephone. You may also be entitled to vote in person at the meeting. Please refer to detailed instructions included in the proxy statement or in the Notice.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and our employees, thank you for your continued support of and interest in Antares Pharma, Inc.

Sincerely,

/s/  Paul K. Wotton

Paul K. Wotton

President and Chief Executive Officer


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ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

100 Princeton South, Suite 300

Ewing, New Jersey 08628

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Antares Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Date & Time:   Thursday, May 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. local time
Place:   Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
  1701 Market Street
  Philadelphia, PA 19103
Items of Business:   1.      To elect three directors to Class I of the Company’s Board of Directors for a term of three years.
  2.      To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000.
  3.      To hold an advisory vote to approve our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement.
  4.      To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.
  5.      To transact other business that may properly come before the meeting.
Record Date:        All stockholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, March 31, 2014, will be entitled to vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The items of business listed above are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice of Annual Meeting. The accompanying proxy statement or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials are being mailed or made available on the internet to stockholders on or about April 17, 2014.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote as soon as possible by submitting your proxy. You may vote your proxy three different ways: by mail, via the internet, or by telephone. You may also be entitled to vote in person at the meeting. Please refer to detailed instructions included in the accompanying proxy statement or in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

By order of the Board of Directors,

/s/  Robert F. Apple

Robert F. Apple

Secretary

April 17, 2014

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2014:

This proxy statement and our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available directly at:

https://materials.proxyvote.com/036642


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PROXY STATEMENT OF

ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

100 Princeton South, Suite 300

Ewing, New Jersey 08628

 

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held

May 29, 2014

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Antares Pharma, Inc. (referred to in this proxy statement as Antares, we, our, us or the Company), to be used at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014. This proxy statement or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) are being mailed or made available on the internet to stockholders on or about April 17, 2014.

In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide our stockholders access to our proxy materials, including the notice of the Annual Meeting, this proxy statement, our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the electronic proxy card for the meeting over the Internet by sending them the Notice that explains how to access our proxy materials and how to vote online. The proxy materials will be posted on the internet at www.proxyvote.com no later than the day we begin mailing the Notice. If you receive the Notice, you will not receive a paper or email copy of the proxy materials unless you request one in the manner set forth in the Notice.

The Notice contains important information, including:

 

    The date, time and location of the Annual Meeting;

 

    A brief description of the matters to be voted on at the Meeting;

 

    A list of the proxy materials available for viewing at www.proxyvote.com;

 

    The control number you will use to access the site; and

 

    Instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials online, how to vote your shares over the Internet, and how to get a paper or email copy of the proxy materials, if that is your preference.

These rules give us the opportunity to serve you more efficiently by making the proxy materials available quickly online and reducing costs associated with printing and postage.

In addition, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically on an ongoing basis. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail or electronically by e-mail will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates such election. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction card to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in future years.

You can view the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. Please have your 12 digit control number available. Your 12 digit control number can be found on your Notice. If you received a paper copy of your proxy materials, your 12 digit control number can be found on your proxy card or voting instruction card.

This proxy statement and our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available indirectly in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.antarespharma.com. You may access this material by choosing the “Investor Relations” button at the top of the page, and then selecting “SEC Filings” from the items listed in the Investor Relations section. The information on our website is not part of this proxy statement. References to our website in this proxy statement are intended to serve as inactive textual references only.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

VOTING AT THE MEETING

     2   

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     4   

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     8   

Corporate Governance Guidelines

     8   

Board Independence

     8   

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

     8   

Director Nominations

     9   

Communicating with our Board of Directors

     11   

Compensation of Directors

     11   

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     12   

PROPOSAL NO. 2: AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF COMPANY’S 2008 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

     13   

PROPOSAL NO. 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     21   

PROPOSAL NO. 4: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     23   

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

     25   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     25   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION – COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     26   

COMPENSATION ADVISER INDEPENDENCE

     34   

STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

     34   

ONGOING AND POST-EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

     34   

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     39   

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     39   

COMPENSATION TABLES

     40   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     43   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     44   

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     44   

OTHER MATTERS

     46   

EXHIBIT A. 2008 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

     A-1   

 

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VOTING AT THE MEETING

Only holders of record of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“common stock”), at the close of business on March 31, 2014, the record date, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of that date, there were 129,938,017 shares of common stock outstanding. Each stockholder entitled to vote shall have the right to cast one vote for each share of common stock outstanding in such stockholder’s name.

Shares cannot be voted at the Annual Meeting unless the holder of record is present in person or by proxy.

You may vote by any of the following methods:

 

    In person.     Stockholders of record and beneficial stockholders with shares held in street name (held in the name of broker or other nominee) may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you hold shares in street name, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker or other nominee to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

    By phone or via the Internet.     You may vote by proxy, either by phone or via the Internet, by following the instructions provided in the Notice, proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

    By mail.     If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by proxy by signing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card.

If you vote by phone or via the Internet, please have your Notice or proxy card available. The control number appearing on your Notice or proxy card is necessary to process your vote. A phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned a proxy card by mail.

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may do this by submitting a new proxy with a later date, submitting a written notice of such revocation to our Corporate Secretary at the address at the address set forth on the first page of this proxy statement; by voting by telephone or by using the Internet; or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Attending the Meeting alone will not revoke your proxy unless you specifically request your proxy to be revoked. If you hold shares through a bank or brokerage firm, you will need to request a proxy from the bank or broker and bring it with you to vote at the meeting. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at any adjournment thereof in the manner specified.

The Company presently has no other class of stock outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting. A majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. If a broker that is a record holder of common stock does not return a signed proxy, the shares of common stock represented by such proxy will not be considered present at the Annual Meeting and will not be counted toward establishing a quorum. If a broker that is a record holder of common stock does return a signed proxy, but is not authorized to vote on one or more matters (with respect to each such matter, a “broker non-vote”), the shares of common stock represented by such proxy will be considered present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. A broker that is a member of the New York Stock Exchange is prohibited, unless the stockholder provides the broker with written instructions, from giving a proxy on non-routine matters. The only routine matter included in this proxy statement is the ratification of the appointment of KPMG. Consequently, your brokerage firm or other nominee may not vote your shares with respect to the other proposals.

Assuming a quorum is present:

 

    a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote for the election of directors at the Annual Meeting will be required to elect the members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
    the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, will be required to:
  o approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000;

 

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  o approve, on an advisory basis, our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in our proxy statement; and
  o ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

For each of these proposals, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

The shares of common stock represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with each stockholder’s directions. If no choice has been specified and the enclosed proxy card is properly executed and returned, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted “FOR” the nominees for election as directors named under the caption “Election of Directors,” “FOR” the approval of the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan, “ “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the executive compensation for our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in this proxy statement and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014. If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for action, the proxy holders will vote the proxies (which confer discretionary authority to vote on such matters) in accordance with their judgment.

 

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Proposal No. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors that constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and our Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors shall be divided into three classes of as nearly equal size as possible. The Board of Directors has set the number of directors at eight. The members of each class are elected to serve a three-year term, and the terms of each class are staggered. Following the recommendation for nomination by our Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election as directors.

The accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of the election of the following nominees for director, unless the stockholder giving the proxy indicates to the contrary on the proxy. The nominees have agreed to stand for election at the Annual Meeting. If any nominee is not available as a candidate for director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for another nominee designated by the Board of Directors to fill such vacancy, unless the stockholder giving the proxy indicates to the contrary on the proxy.

Nominees for Class I Directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting for a

term continuing until the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Dr. Leonard S. Jacob                                 Age 65

Dr. Jacob has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2008. Dr. Jacob joined the Board of Directors in January 2007 and is the Chairman of our Governance and Nominating Committee and is a member of our Compensation Committee. In 2006, Dr. Jacob was named Chairman of the Board of Bradley Pharmaceuticals which was subsequently acquired by Nycomed. He founded InKine Pharmaceutical Company Inc. in 1997 and served as Chairman and CEO from its founding until the company was acquired by Salix Pharmaceuticals in 2005. In 1989, Dr. Jacob co-founded Maganin Pharmaceuticals and served as its Chief Operating Officer until 1996. From 1980 to 1989, Dr. Jacob served in a variety of executive roles including Worldwide Vice President of SmithKline & French Labs (now Glaxo-SmithKline) and as a member of their Corporate Management Committee. He earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Temple University School of Medicine and an M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania (Drexel University College of Medicine). Dr. Jacob currently serves as Chairman of Life Science Advisors, a consulting group to the healthcare industry. He also serves on the Board of Directors of QuiqMeds, a private digital drug dispensing company, the Board of Overseers for Temple University School of Medicine, the Board of Trustees of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and he was a founding Director of the Jacob Internet fund, a public mutual fund where he served from 1999 to 2010.

Dr. Jacob’s experience on, and knowledge concerning, public company directorships and his extensive executive experience provides valuable insights into our corporate governance. Moreover, his lengthy experience in operating and financial management enables him to provide useful insights on executive management considerations. His background as a practicing physician allows him to provide the Board of Directors with a physician’s insight on matters facing the Company.

Marvin Samson                                         Age 72

Mr. Samson joined the Board of Directors in May 2013 and is a member of our Compensation Committee and our Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Samson is an expert in injectable manufacturing and delivery systems. He was formerly Group Vice President - Worldwide Injectables of Teva, previously having served as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Sicor. He was a founder and CEO of Elkins-Sinn, Inc. (now a division of Hikma) and Marsam Pharmaceuticals. He is the founder and CEO of Samson Medical Technologies, a privately held company providing hospital and alternate site pharmacists with injectable drug delivery systems and programs. Mr. Samson is Chairman of The University of Sciences Board of Trustees and serves on the Board of Directors of Flynn Pharma. Mr. Samson served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of JHP Pharma until February 2014, as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Qualitest Pharmaceuticals prior to its purchase by Endo Pharmaceuticals in late 2010. Mr. Samson is a Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., and was formerly a Director of Baxa Corporation where he served on the audit and compensation committees. Mr. Samson is also a Trustee of two non-profit organizations; Virtua Health and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Mr. Samson is the holder of five U.S. patents pertaining to pharmaceutical manufacturing. Mr. Samson graduated from Temple University with a B.S. in Chemistry.

 

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Mr. Samson’s extensive pharmaceutical industry experience and his expertise in injectable manufacturing and delivery systems enables him to provide valuable insight on the Company’s products and strategy.

Dr. Paul K. Wotton                                         Age 53

Dr. Wotton joined Antares as President and Chief Operating Officer in July 2008 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in October 2008. Dr. Wotton was appointed to the Board of Directors of Antares in August 2004. Dr. Wotton formerly served as President and CEO of Topigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Wotton possesses over twenty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Topigen, he was Head of Global Business Development at SkyePharma. Dr. Wotton also previously served as Vice President of Corporate Development for Eurand and Vice President of Business Development for Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from the University of London, an MBA from Kingston Business School and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical science from the University of Nottingham.

Dr. Wotton’s intimate knowledge of our Company, by virtue of his service as our President and Chief Executive Officer, enables him to provide valuable insight regarding our operations and personnel. In addition, his extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, coupled with previous service as an executive of a public company, brings valuable observations to the Board of Directors on a broad range of matters relating to pharmaceutical company operations and regulatory interactions.

Class III Directors whose term continues until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Thomas J. Garrity                                         Age 65

Mr. Garrity joined the Board of Directors in October 2003 and serves as Chairman of our Audit Committee and as a member of our Governance and Nominating Committee. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for PCS Health Systems, a provider of managed pharmaceutical care, from 1994 to 2000. He played a key role during its subsequent integration with Advance Paradigm, Inc. and became Executive Vice President of Financial Operations for the resultant entity, AdvancePCS, a provider of health improvement solutions. Prior to that, Mr. Garrity held various positions at Eli Lilly and Company, including Director of Public Policy Planning and Development; Director of Corporate Financial Planning; and other international, marketing and financial positions. Mr. Garrity holds a B.S. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in aerospace engineering and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago. Since 2002 he has served as a private investor and consultant.

Mr. Garrity’s long executive experience in the pharmaceutical arena and additional extensive experience in leadership positions in pharmaceutical companies enable him to assist the Board of Directors in assessing government regulatory considerations and other matters facing the pharmaceutical industry and the companies operating therein. In addition, his experience as a financial executive enables him to provide knowledgeable perspectives on financial matters.

Dr. Jacques Gonella                                     Age 72

Dr. Gonella has served on the Board of Directors since 2001 and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors from January 2001 to October 2008. He is a member of our Governance and Nominating Committee. Dr. Gonella was the founder of Permatec (a Swiss company that was merged with Medi-Ject, Inc., to form Antares Pharma, Inc.) and had served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Permatec since its founding in June 1997. Prior to founding Permatec, Dr. Gonella founded JAGO Pharma AG in 1983 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until its acquisition in May 1996 by SkyePharma, PLC, a United Kingdom company listed on the London Stock Exchange and quoted on NASDAQ. Prior to the founding of JAGO, Dr. Gonella occupied various positions with F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. and Pfizer Inc. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Protherics PLC, London and he currently serves on the Board of Directors of several private companies. He is a private investor and since 1997 has served as proprietor of JG Consulting AG, Switzerland. Dr. Gonella holds a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the Polytechnic Institute of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Dr. Gonella’s experience in, and knowledge concerning, public companies and his extensive corporate and board experience in the pharmaceutical industry provides valuable insights into our corporate governance and operations. Moreover, his lengthy experience in operating and financial management enables him to provide useful insights on

 

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executive management considerations. Further, Dr. Gonella’s intimate knowledge of the Company, by virtue of his lengthy service on the Board of Directors, enables him to provide valuable insight regarding our operations.

Class II Directors whose term continues until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Anton G. Gueth                                         Age 57

Mr. Gueth joined the Board of Directors in October 2003 and serves as Chairman of our Compensation Committee and as a member of our Audit Committee and our Governance and Nominating Committee. Since 2003 Mr. Gueth has served as President of Gueth Consulting LLC, which focuses on business development and alliance management in the pharmaceutical industry. He was previously a Managing Director of Burrill Securities, a merchant bank specialized in the health care field, and since 2011 has been serving as Senior Advisor to Burrill Securities under a consulting agreement. His career includes nearly 19 years with Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”), most recently as director of Alliance Management. He also served as General Manager of Lilly’s African and Middle Eastern operations; Vice President of Financial Planning and Treasury of PCS Health Systems; Managing Director of Lilly’s Saudi Arabia, Gulf and Yemen operations, as well as other sales, marketing and financial positions. Mr. Gueth earned a Masters Degree in agricultural economics from the Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, as well as a Masters Degree in public affairs from Indiana University. He is a director of the American Liver Foundation, Northern California Chapter.

Mr. Gueth’s extensive financial experience provides valuable insights to both the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. In addition, his experience as a consultant specializing in the health care field enables him to share with the Board of Directors considerable knowledge regarding healthcare and pharmaceutical industry trends in business development and alliance management with regards to Antares Pharma partners.

Eamonn P. Hobbs                                       Age 55

Mr. Hobbs joined the Board of Directors in August 2009 and is a member of our Audit Committee and our Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Hobbs has over 30 years experience in the medical device and combination products industry, including the medical specialty fields of interventional radiology, vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, surgical oncology and gastroenterology. From 2009 to 2013 Mr. Hobbs served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Delcath Systems, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and medical device public company specializing in cancer treatment. Prior to Delcath Systems, Inc., Mr. Hobbs served as President and Chief Executive Officer of AngioDynamics, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1988 which has grown into a leading medical technology public company with a highly diverse product line. Throughout his 21 year tenure there, he led its efforts in marketing, strategic planning, product development and general management. Before joining AngioDynamics, Mr. Hobbs was Director of Marketing and Product Development at NAMIC; founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hobbs Medical, Inc; and a Product Development Engineer at Cook Incorporated. Mr. Hobbs received a Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering with a Biomaterials emphasis at the University of Massachusetts (Lowell). Mr. Hobbs recently served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association and from 2009 to 2013 served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cappella Cardiovascular Innovations, Incorporated. Mr. Hobbs is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Morris Innovative, Inc. and Marvao Medical Devices, Ltd, and serves on the Board of Directors of Harmonic Medical, Inc. and the Board of Governors of the Glens Falls Hospital.

Mr. Hobbs’ long career in the medical device industry and his executive experience at companies in that industry enables him to assist the Board of Directors in addressing many important issues, such as regulatory matters related to medical devices. Moreover, his executive experience in the private sector enables him to contribute meaningfully to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee in considering a variety of operational and financial matters.

Robert P. Roche, Jr.                                 Age 58

Mr. Roche joined the Board of Directors in July 2013 and is a member of our Governance and Nominating Committee. He is the founding member of Robert Roche Associates LLC, a consulting firm providing guidance to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. He created this firm upon his retirement from Cephalon Inc. in February 2010. He joined Cephalon in January 1995 as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing and was named Executive Vice President, Worldwide Pharmaceutical Operations of Cephalon in 2005. Before joining Cephalon, Mr. Roche served as Director and Vice President, Worldwide Strategic Product Development, for SmithKline

 

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Beecham’s central nervous system and gastrointestinal products business. He also was managing director of SmithKline’s pharmaceutical operations in the Philippines. Prior to that, he held senior marketing positions in Canada and Spain and had product planning responsibilities for SmithKline in Latin America. Mr. Roche began his pharmaceutical career in 1982 with SmithKline & French as a U.S. pharmaceutical sales representative. Mr. Roche is a member of the Board of Directors of Civitas Therapeutics of Chelsea, MA, a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on respiratory delivery of small molecule therapeutics. He formerly served as a Director of LiceCell Inc. up until its acquisition in 2008, EKR Therapeutics until its acquisition in 2012 and NuPathe Inc. until its acquisition in 2014. He also serves on the Boards of Bryn Mawr Hospital and Westtown School. He is a graduate of Colgate University and earned an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Roche’s experience in a global pharmaceutical company and his success in commercial operations and product launches will enable him to assist the Board of Directors in addressing many important issues, including the launch of new products.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a plurality of votes of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required to elect the three nominees. That means the nominee will be elected if he receives more affirmative votes than any other nominee.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends votes FOR the election of Dr. Leonard S. Jacob, Mr. Marvin Samson and Dr. Paul K. Wotton.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. We provide information to the directors about our business through, among other things, operating, financial and other reports, as well as other documents presented at meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address the practices of the Board of Directors and specify criteria to assist the Board of Directors in determining Director independence. These criteria supplement the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”) and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth rules of conduct that apply to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on our website at www.antarespharma.com as well as in printed form, free of charge to any stockholder who requests them, by writing or telephoning Antares Pharma, Inc., 100 Princeton South, Suite 300, Ewing, New Jersey 08628. (Telephone Number: 609-359-3020). With respect to any amendments or waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (to the extent applicable to our chief executive officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions) we intend to either post such amendments or waivers on our website, www.antarespharma.com, or disclose such amendments or waivers pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Board Independence

The Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Jacob, Dr. Gonella, and Messrs. Garrity, Gueth, Hobbs, Roche and Samson are “independent” as defined under the listing standards of NASDAQ. The Board of Directors believes that the NASDAQ independence requirements contained in the listing standards provide the appropriate standard for assessing director independence and uses the requirements in assessing the independence of each of its members.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors met nine times during 2013. The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee. During 2013, all of our current directors attended at least 78% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and 89% of the Committees on which they served. Our directors are invited, but are not required, to attend our Annual Meetings of Stockholders. Last year, all of our directors then serving attended the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Audit Committee

Messrs. Garrity, Gueth and Hobbs serve on the Audit Committee with Mr. Garrity acting as Chairman. The Audit Committee met, either telephonically or in person, nine times during 2013. The Audit Committee engages our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, as well as our accounting principles and systems of internal controls, and reports the results of its review to, or holds concurrent meetings with, the full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Garrity meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by the SEC. Additionally, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of our Audit Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.

You can find a copy of our Audit Committee Charter by visiting our website at www.antarespharma.com and following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Reports and Documents” and “Audit Committee Charter.”

Compensation Committee

Mr. Gueth, Dr. Jacob and Mr. Samson serve on the Compensation Committee with Mr. Gueth acting as Chairman. The Compensation Committee met, either telephonically or in person, four times during 2013. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning executive salaries, incentive compensation for

 

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employees as well as employee benefits. The Board of Directors as a whole administers our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Board of Directors appoints the Compensation Committee to perform all of the administrative functions for the Plan. All actions taken by the Compensation Committee for the Plan are reported to the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of our Compensation Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.

You can find a copy of our Compensation Committee Charter by visiting our website at www.antarespharma.com and following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Reports and Documents” and “Compensation Committee Charter.”

Governance and Nominating Committee

Dr. Jacob, Dr. Gonella, and Messrs. Garrity, Gueth, Hobbs, Roche and Samson serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee, with Dr. Jacob acting as Chairman. The Governance and Nominating Committee met, either telephonically or in person, four times during 2013. The purpose of the Governance and Nominating Committee is:

    to advise the Board of Directors regarding the membership and operations of the Board of Directors;
    to identify individuals qualified to serve as members of the Board of Directors, to select, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, and to recommend to the Board of Directors individuals to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors;
    to recommend to the Board of Directors the responsibilities of each Board Committee, the structure and operation of each Board Committee, and the director nominees for assignment to each Board Committee;
    to oversee the Board of Director’s annual evaluation of its performance and the performance of other Board Committees; and
    to develop and recommend to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company and to periodically review the guidelines.

Although no formal diversity policy is in place, in performance of its duties, the Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of the Board of Directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will enable the Board of Directors to fulfill its responsibilities. Therefore, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers diversity in identifying nominees for directors. In this regard, the Governance and Nominating Committee views diversity in a broad sense, including on the basis of business experience, public service experience, gender and ethnicity.

You can find a copy of our Governance and Nominating Committee Charter by visiting our website at www.antarespharma.com and following the links to “Investor Relations,” “Reports and Documents” and “Governance and Nominating Committee Charter.”

Director Nominations

In connection with our proxy solicitation relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board of Directors recommends a slate of director nominees for election by our stockholders. In addition, the Board of Directors fills vacancies on the Board of Directors when necessary or appropriate. The Board of Directors’ recommendations or determinations are made after consideration of the recommendations of, and information supplied by, our Governance and Nominating Committee as to the suitability of each individual nominee, taking into account the criteria described below and other factors, including the requirements for Board Committee membership. The Board of Directors as a whole should collectively possess a broad range of skills, expertise, industry and other knowledge, and business and other experience useful to the effective oversight of our business. The Board of Directors also seeks members from diverse backgrounds so that the Board of Directors consists of members with a broad spectrum of experience and expertise and with a reputation for integrity. Directors should have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility, be leaders in the companies or institutions with which they are affiliated, and be selected based on contributions that they can make to us. In determining whether to recommend a director for reelection, our Governance and Nominating Committee also considers a director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors on which the director served. Our Board of Directors considers recommendations for nominations from a wide variety of sources, including members of our Board of Directors, business contacts, our legal counsel, community leaders and members of our management.

 

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The Board of Directors will also consider candidates for nomination recommended by a stockholder. The procedures for nominating directors for election, other than by the Board of Directors, are set forth in the Bylaws and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Nominations for the election of directors, other than by the Board of Directors, must be made by a stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors by giving timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company (the “Secretary”) at the Company’s principal office. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice of such nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the Annual Meeting is advanced by more than 30 days before or delayed by more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such Annual Meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial owner, and the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner. If a stockholder fails to comply with the above provisions, then the Chairman of the meeting may declare that the nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Bylaws and the defective nomination may be disregarded. Subject to compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements, the Board of Directors does not expect that candidates recommended by stockholders will be evaluated in a different manner than other candidates.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors regularly and continually receives information intended to apprise the Board of Directors of the strategic, operational, commercial, financial, legal, and compliance risks the Company faces. Oversight of risk is an evolving process in which management continually seeks opportunities to further engrain enterprise risk management into business processes throughout the organization. The Board of Directors actively encourages management to continue to drive this evolution. While the Board of Directors has responsibility for oversight of the Company’s risk management practices, the Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board of Directors also have risk management oversight responsibilities. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls. The Audit Committee receives, reviews and discusses regular reports from management concerning risk assessment and risk management policies and practices and mitigation initiatives, to assure that the risk management processes designed and implemented by the Company are adapted to the Company’s strategy and are functioning as expected.

In addition, as part of its compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee strives to adopt compensation incentives that are consistent with the Company’s long term business strategy and objectives, but do not encourage our officers and employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks in performing their duties. To meet its obligations under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enhanced Disclosure Rules, the Company undertook a process to assess to what extent risks arising from our compensation programs for employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. We concluded that it is not likely that our compensation policies will have such an effect. The Governance and Nominating Committee oversees risk management practices in its domain, including director candidate selection, governance and succession matters.

 

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Board Leadership Structure

The Chairman of the Board of Directors is an independent director. The Company and the Board of Directors believe that the oversight function of the Board of Directors is enhanced when an independent director, serving as Chairman, is in a position to set the agenda for, and preside over, meetings of the Board of Directors. We also believe that our leadership structure enhances the active participation of our independent directors.

Communicating with our Board of Directors

You may communicate in writing with any or all of our directors via U.S. mail. Mail should be addressed to Antares Pharma, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 100 Princeton South, Suite 300, Ewing, New Jersey 08628. Our Secretary will review and summarize all communications received for the purpose of expediting director review of matters communicated and will forward correspondence directly to the directors as appropriate.

Compensation of Directors

The Company’s non-employee directors are compensated in accordance with a fee schedule that is approved by the Compensation Committee. Each director, other than the Board Chairman, earns an annual equity based compensation award with a targeted fair value of $110,000. The Board Chairman earns an annual equity based compensation award with a targeted fair value of $220,000. In 2013, the directors were issued restricted shares of common stock for their annual equity based compensation awards. The annual cash retainer for each director other than the Board Chairman is $45,000 and the annual cash retainer for the Board Chairman is $90,000. The annual retainer for the chairperson of the Audit Committee is $20,000, the annual retainer for the chairperson of the Compensation Committees is $17,000 and the annual retainer for other members of the Audit and Compensation Committees is $10,000. No additional payments are earned for each Board or Committee meeting and there is no additional retainer for members of the Governance and Nominating Committee, although the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee receives an annual retainer of $7,500. New directors receive a one-time grant of 20,000 stock options.

Annually, the directors can elect to take restricted stock or options in lieu of the cash compensation. The number of restricted shares of common stock issued would be based on the market value of the stock and the number of shares of common stock subject to options granted would be determined based on a valuation using a Black-Scholes calculation. All directors are reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees.

The following table provides information regarding director compensation in 2013, which reflects the standard compensation described above. The table does not include compensation for reimbursement of travel expenses related to attending Board and Committee meetings. In addition, the table does not address compensation for Dr. Wotton as Chief Executive Officer, which is addressed under “Executive Compensation” below. Dr. Wotton does not receive additional compensation for serving as a director.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION – 2013

Name

   Fees Earned
or
Paid in
Cash
     Stock
Awards (1)
     Option
Awards (1)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
     Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
     All Other
Compensation
     Total  

Thomas J. Garrity

   $ 61,879       $ 110,001       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $     171,880   

Dr. Jacques Gonella

     43,049         110,001         -         -         -         -         153,050   

Anton G. Gueth

     69,074         110,001         -         -         -         -         179,075   

Eamonn P. Hobbs

     33,544         110,001         -         -         -         -         143,545   

Dr. Leonard S. Jacob

     102,623         220,002         -         -         -         -         322,625   

Marvin Samson

     33,544         110,001         44,800         -         -         -         188,345   

Robert P. Roche, Jr.

     19,076         82,501             51,800         -         -         -         153,377   

 

 

(1)

The amounts shown for stock and option awards relate to shares granted under our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan. These amounts are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock and option awards. The assumptions used in determining the amounts for option awards are set forth in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2013, the directors held options to purchase an aggregate of 1,474,698 shares of common stock.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2013, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship or transaction with us that is required to be reported under Item 402(e)(4) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

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Proposal No. 2

TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S 2008 EQUITY

COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES AUTHORIZED FOR

ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN FROM 15,000,000 TO 21,000,000

Antares currently maintains the Antares Pharma, Inc. 2008 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan” or the “Plan”), which was originally effective May 14, 2008 upon the approval by the stockholders of the Company. As of such date, the Company’s 1993 Stock Option Plan (the “1993 Plan”), 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”), Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan for Employees (the “2001 Employees Plan”), and 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) (the 1993 Plan, 1996 Plan, 2001 Plan, 2001 Employees Plan and 2006 Plan collectively, the “Prior Plans”) were merged with and into the 2008 Plan.

On February 11, 2014, the Board of Directors unanimously approved an amendment and restatement of the 2008 Plan to (i) increase the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2008 Plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000 and (ii) to provide that dividend equivalents granted in connection with stock units or other stock-based awards that are subject to performance goals will be payable only if and to the extent the underlying stock units or other stock-based awards are payable, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors approved the increase in the number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2008 Plan subject to stockholder approval and, accordingly, the Board of Directors directed that the amendment and restatement of the 2008 Plan be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting. The effectiveness of the amendments described in (ii) above is not subject to stockholder approval and the amendments are effective as of February 11, 2014. The 2008 Plan currently authorizes 15,000,000 shares as the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors of Antares and its subsidiaries who are participating in the 2008 Plan. If the stockholders do not approve the amendment and restatement of the 2008 Plan at the Annual Meeting, the amendment to increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2008 Plan from 15,000,000 shares to 21,000,000 shares will not be effective.

Currently, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan cannot exceed 15,000,000 shares of common stock. Based on the number of shares subject to outstanding grants under the 2008 Plan, 272,120 shares remain available for issuance. As part of the compensation plan for the seven independent directors of the Company, options and stock having a fair value of approximately $880,000 are awarded as payment for their services at every Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, typically occurring in May. We currently do not have enough shares available for the directors if the directors were paid in options and would have no shares available for employees. If the directors were paid in shares of stock, we estimate there would be less than 50,000 shares available for employees. If this Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, in no event will the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan exceed 21,000,000 shares of common stock. Based on our historic and projected future usage patterns, the Board of Directors estimates that these shares will be sufficient to provide awards for approximately the next three years.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had 412,387 shares subject to outstanding restricted stock awards and 7,145,214 options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $1.95 and a weighted average remaining term of 5.7 years. As of March 31, 2014, 7,170,279 fully vested, nonforfeitable shares have been issued under the 2008 Plan, which include: (i) 5,104,779 shares due to option exercises; (ii) 521,362 shares that could be issued pursuant to outstanding performance-based restricted stock unit awards; (iii) 613,990 shares subject to restricted stock awards received by any of our non-employee directors as payment of the annual retainer fee; and (iv) 930,148 shares subject to restricted stock awards received by our executives in connection with their performance of services for us. The total shares that have been issued or that could potentially be issued as a result of grants of options, restricted stock or performance-based restricted stock unit awards under the 2008 Plan is 14,727,880, leaving 272,120 shares reserved and available for issuance out of the maximum of 15,000,000 shares currently authorized for issuance.

The Board of Directors believes that the current number of shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan is not sufficient in light of our compensation structure and strategy. The Board of Directors has concluded that our ability to attract, retain and motivate top quality employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors is important to our success and would be enhanced by our continued ability to make grants under the 2008 Plan. In addition, the Board of Directors believes that our interests and the interests of our stockholders will be advanced if

 

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we can continue to offer our employees, non-employee directors and consultants and advisors the opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interests in us. The Board of Directors believes that the an increase in the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000 shares will ensure that we continue to have a sufficient number of shares with which to achieve our compensation strategy.

Stockholder approval is being sought (i) in order to meet the NASDAQ listing requirements, (ii) so that compensation attributable to grants under the 2008 Plan may qualify for an exemption from the $1 million deduction limit under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (see discussion of “Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2008 Plan” below), and (iii) in order for incentive stock options to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Stockholder approval of this proposal will also constitute a reapproval of the 1,000,000 share limitation and $1,000,000 limitation for purposes of section 162(m) of the Code.

The material terms of the 2008 Plan are summarized below. A copy of the full text of the 2008 Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A. This summary of the 2008 Plan is not intended to be a complete description of the 2008 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by the actual text of the 2008 Plan to which reference is made.

Material Features of the 2008 Plan

General.   The 2008 Plan provides that grants may be made in any of the following forms:

 

    Incentive stock options
    Nonqualified stock options
    Stock units
    Stock awards
    Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”)
    Dividend equivalents
    Other stock-based awards

The 2008 Plan provides that the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock with respect to which grants may be made to any individual during any calendar year is 1,000,000 shares, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described below. If dividend equivalents are granted as qualified performance-based compensation under section 162(m) of the Code, a grantee may not accrue more than $1,000,000 of such dividend equivalents during any calendar year.

If and to the extent options (including options granted under the Prior Plans) and SARs granted under the 2008 Plan terminate, expire or are cancelled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without being exercised or if any stock awards (including stock awards granted under the Prior Plans), stock units, or other stock-based awards are forfeited, terminated, or otherwise not paid in full, the shares subject to such grants will become available again for purposes of the 2008 Plan. Shares of common stock surrendered in payment of the exercise price of an option, or withheld for payment of taxes, shall not be available for re-issuance under the 2008 Plan. Upon the exercise of an option through a net exercise procedure, or upon the exercise of a SAR, both for purposes of calculating the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 2008 Plan and the number of shares remaining available for exercise under such option or SAR, the number of such shares shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the option or SAR is exercised and without regard to any cash settlement of a SAR. Except as provided with respect to cash settlement of SARs, to the extent that any grants are paid in cash and not in shares of common stock, any shares previously subject to such grants shall again be available for issuance or transfer under the 2008 Plan and shall not count against the share limits for purposes of shares available under the 2008 Plan.

Administration.   The 2008 Plan is administered and interpreted by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”). However, the Board of Directors approves and administers all grants made to non-employee directors. References to the Committee include the Board of Directors where appropriate. The Committee may delegate authority to administer the 2008 Plan to one or more subcommittees, as it deems appropriate.

The Committee has the authority to (i) determine the individuals to whom grants will be made under the 2008 Plan, (ii) determine the type, size, terms and conditions of the grants, (iii) determine when grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the criteria for exercisability and the

 

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acceleration of exercisability, (iv) amend the terms and conditions of any previously issued grant, subject to the limitations described below and (v) deal with any other matters arising under the 2008 Plan. The Committee presently consists of Mr. Gueth, Dr. Jacob and Mr. Samson, each of whom is a non-employee director of our Company.

Eligibility for Participation.   All of our employees and the employees of our subsidiaries, all of our non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors who perform services for us and our subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under the 2008 Plan. As of March 31, 2014, approximately 60 employees and seven non-employee directors are eligible to receive grants under the 2008 Plan. The Committee is authorized to select the persons to receive grants from among those eligible and the Committee will determine the number of shares of common stock that are subject to each grant.

Types of Awards.

Stock Options

The Committee may grant options intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of section 422 of the Code (“ISOs”) or “nonqualified stock options” that are not intended to so qualify (“NQSOs”) or any combination of ISOs and NQSOs. Anyone eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan may receive a grant of NQSOs. Only our employees and employees of our subsidiaries may receive a grant of ISOs.

The Committee will fix the exercise price per share of options on the date of grant. The exercise price of options granted under the 2008 Plan will be equal to or greater than the last reported sale price of the underlying shares of common stock on the date of grant. However, if the grantee of an ISO is a person who holds more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock, the exercise price per share of an ISO granted to such person must be at least 110% of the last reported sale price of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

The Committee will determine the term of each option which shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant, or, for Swiss employees, if any, eleven years from the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the grantee of an ISO is a person who holds more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock, the term of the ISO may not exceed five years from the date of grant. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of shares of common stock, determined on the date of grant, with respect to which ISOs become exercisable for the first time by a grantee during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such ISOs will be treated as NQSOs.

The Committee will determine the terms and conditions of options, including when they become exercisable. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any options. The Committee will also determine under what circumstances a grantee may exercise an option after termination of employment or service. Generally, if a grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us for any reason other than disability, death, or termination for cause, the grantee’s options will terminate 90 days following the date on which the grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us. If a grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us on account of the grantee’s disability or death, the grantee’s options will terminate one year following the date on which the grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us. In each case described above, the Committee may specify a different option termination date, but in any event no later than the expiration of the option term. If a grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us on account of termination for cause, the grantee’s options will terminate immediately.

A grantee may exercise an option by delivering notice of exercise to us. The grantee will pay the exercise price and any withholding taxes for the option: (i) in cash, (ii) unless the Committee determines otherwise, by delivering shares of common stock already owned by the grantee and having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price or by attestation to ownership of shares of common stock having a fair market value on the date of exercise at least equal to the exercise price, (iii) by payment through a broker in accordance with the procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) through a net exercise procedure whereby a number of shares of common stock having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the option and/or withholding taxes are withheld and the remainder of the shares subject to such exercised option are delivered to the grantee, or (v) by such other method as the Committee may approve.

 

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Stock Awards

The Committee may grant stock awards to anyone eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan. The Committee may require that grantees pay consideration for the stock awards and may impose restrictions on the stock awards. If restrictions are imposed on stock awards, the Committee will determine whether they will lapse over a period of time or according to such other criteria as the Committee determines.

The Committee will determine the number of shares of common stock subject to the grant of stock awards and the other terms and conditions of the grant. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a grantee will have the right to vote shares of common stock and to receive dividends paid on such shares during the restriction period. The Committee may determine that a grantee’s entitlement to dividends with respect to stock awards will be subject to the achievement of performance goals or other conditions.

Unless the Committee determines otherwise, if a grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us during the restriction period, or if other specified conditions are not met, then the grantee’s stock award will terminate as to all shares covered by the award as to which the restrictions have not lapsed, and those shares of common stock must be immediately returned to us.

Stock Units

The Committee may grant stock units to anyone eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan. Each stock unit provides the grantee with the right to receive a share of common stock or an amount based on the value of a share of common stock at a future date. The Committee will determine the number of stock units that will be granted, whether stock units will become payable based on achievement of performance goals or other conditions, and the other terms and conditions applicable to stock units.

Stock units may be paid at the end of a specified period or deferred to a date authorized by the Committee. If a stock unit becomes distributable, it will be paid to the grantee in cash, in shares of common stock, or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock, as determined by the Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, if a grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, us before the stock units vest, or if other conditions are not met, the grantee’s stock units will be forfeited.

SARs

The Committee may grant SARs to anyone eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan. SARs may be granted in connection with, or independently of, any option granted under the 2008 Plan. Upon exercise of a SAR, the grantee will receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of common stock on the date of exercise over the base amount for the SAR. Payment will be made in shares of common stock.

The base amount of each SAR will be determined by the Committee and will be equal to the per share exercise price of the related option or, if there is no related option, an amount that is at least equal to the last reported sale price of a share of common stock on the date of grant of the SAR. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions of SARs, including when they become exercisable. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any SARs. SARs may only be exercised while the grantee is employed by, or providing service to, us and our subsidiaries or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or service, as determined by the Committee.

Dividend Equivalents

The Committee may grant dividend equivalents in connection with stock units or other stock-based awards. Dividend equivalents are payable in cash or shares of common stock and may be paid currently or accrued as contingent obligations. The terms and conditions of dividend equivalents will be determined by the Committee. Any dividend equivalents granted in connection with stock units or other stock-based awards that are subject to specified performance goals will be payable only if and to the extent the underlying stock units or other stock-based awards are payable, as determined by the Committee.

 

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Other Stock-Based Awards

The Committee may grant other stock-based awards, which are grants other than options, SARs, stock units, and stock awards. The Committee may grant other stock-based awards to anyone eligible to participate in the 2008 Plan. These grants will be based on or measured by shares of common stock, and will be payable in cash, in shares of common stock, or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms and conditions for other stock-based awards will be determined by the Committee.

Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.   The 2008 Plan permits the Committee to impose objective performance goals that must be met with respect to grants of stock units, stock awards, other stock-based awards or dividend equivalents granted to employees under the 2008 Plan, in order for the grants to be considered qualified performance-based compensation for purposes of section 162(m) of the Code (see “Federal Income Tax Consequences” below). Prior to, or soon after the beginning of, the performance period, the Committee will establish in writing the performance goals that must be met, the applicable performance period, the amounts to be paid if the performance goals are met, and any other conditions. The Committee may provide in the grant agreement that qualified performance-based grants will be payable or restrictions on such grants will lapse, in whole or part, in the event of the grantee’s death or disability during the performance period or under other circumstances consistent with Treasury regulations.

The performance goals, to the extent designed to meet the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code, will be based on one or more of the following measures: stock price, earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, earnings before income taxes, EBITDA (earnings before income tax expense, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization expense), return on assets, stockholder return, return on equity, growth in assets, unit volume, sales or market share, or strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue goals, market penetration goals, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures.

The Committee will not have the discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated performance goals. After the announcement of our financial results for the performance period, the Committee will certify and announce the results for the performance period. If and to the extent that the Committee does not certify that the performance goals have been met, the grants of stock awards, stock units, other stock-based awards and dividend equivalents for the performance period will be forfeited or will not be made, as applicable.

Deferrals.   The Committee may permit or require grantees to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares of common stock that would otherwise be due to the grantee in connection with any stock units or other stock-based awards under the 2008 Plan. The Committee will establish the rules and procedures applicable to any such deferrals and may provide for interest or other earnings to be paid on such deferrals.

Adjustment Provisions.   If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of common stock outstanding (i) by reason of a stock dividend, spinoff, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) by reason of a merger, reorganization or consolidation, (iii) by reason of a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) by reason of any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting the outstanding shares of common stock as a class without our receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of common stock is substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or payment by us of an extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2008 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock for which any individual may receive grants in any year, the kind and number of shares covered by outstanding grants, the kind and number of shares issued and to be issued under the 2008 Plan, and the price per share or the applicable market value of such grants will be equitably adjusted by the Committee, in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate, to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, the issued shares of common stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under the 2008 Plan and such outstanding grants. Any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment will be eliminated. In addition, in the event of a change of control, the provisions applicable to a change in control will apply. Any adjustments to outstanding grants shall be consistent with section 409A or 422 of the Code, to the extent applicable.

 

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Change of Control.   Unless the Committee determines otherwise, effective upon the date of the change of control:

 

    All outstanding options and SARs will automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable;
    The restrictions and conditions on all outstanding stock awards will immediately lapse; and
    All stock units, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards will become fully vested and will be paid at their target value, or in such greater amounts as the Committee may determine.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a change of control, the Committee may take any of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding grants under the 2008 Plan:

 

    Require that grantees surrender their options and SARs in exchange for payment by us, in cash or shares of common stock as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the amount by which the then fair market value of the shares subject to the grantee’s unexercised options and SARs exceeds the exercise price of the options or the base amount of the SARs, as applicable;
    After giving grantees the opportunity to exercise their options and SARs, terminate any or all unexercised options and SARs at such time as the Committee deems appropriate; or
    Determine that outstanding options and SARS that are not exercised will be assumed by, or replaced with comparable options or rights by, the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation), and other outstanding grants that remain in effect after the change of control will be converted to similar grants of the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation).

For purposes of the 2008 Plan, a change of control will be deemed to have occurred if one of the following events occurs:

 

    Any person becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing 50% or more of the voting power of our securities, provided that a change of control will not occur as a result of a transaction in which we become a subsidiary of another corporation and in which our stockholders, immediately prior to the transaction, will own shares representing more than 50% of the parent corporation;
    Consummation of a merger or consolidation whereby our stockholders immediately before the transaction do not own more than 50% of the voting power of the voting securities of the surviving company;
    A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; or
    A liquidation or dissolution of our Company.

Transferability of Grants.   Only the grantee may exercise rights under a grant during the grantee’s lifetime. A grantee may not transfer those rights except by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that a grantee may transfer a grant other than an ISO pursuant to a domestic relations order. The Committee may also provide, in a grant agreement, that a grantee may transfer NQSOs to his or her family members, or one or more trusts or other entities for the benefit of or owned by such family members, consistent with applicable securities laws, according to such terms as the Committee may determine.

Participants Outside of the United States.   If any individual who receives a grant under the 2008 Plan is subject to taxation in a country other than the United States, the Committee may make the grant on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with the laws of the applicable country.

No Repricing of Options.   Neither our Board nor the Committee can amend the price of outstanding options or SARs under the Plan to reduce the exercise price or cancel such options or SARs in exchange for cash or other awards of options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or SARs, without prior stockholder approval.

Amendment and Termination of the 2008 Plan.   The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2008 Plan at any time, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required under any applicable laws or stock exchange requirements. The 2008 Plan will terminate on May 13, 2018, unless the 2008 Plan is terminated earlier by the Board of Directors or is extended by the Board of Directors with stockholder consent.

 

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Stockholder Approval for Qualified Performance-Based Compensation.   If stock awards, stock units, other stock-based awards or dividend equivalents are granted as qualified performance-based compensation under section 162(m) of the Code, the 2008 Plan must be re-approved by our stockholders no later than the first stockholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which our stockholders previously approved the 2008 Plan. Stockholder approval of this proposal will constitute reapproval of the Plan for this purpose.

Clawback Policy.   All grants made under the Plan are subject to applicable provisions of our company’s clawback or recoupment policy approved by the Board of Directors, as such policy may be in effect from time to time

New Plan Benefits

No award has been or will be granted under the 2008 Plan that is contingent upon approval of this proposal by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Grants under the 2008 Plan are discretionary, so it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares of common stock that will be granted or who will receive grants under the 2008 Plan after the Annual Meeting. The last reported sale price of a share of common stock on March 31, 2014, was $3.50 per share.

As part of the compensation plan for non-employee directors of the Company, options and/or stock having a fair value of approximately $880,000 are awarded as payment for their services at every Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, typically occurring in May. In addition, in May of each year, the directors can elect to take restricted stock or options in lieu of the cash retainers they received. The number of restricted shares of common stock issued would be based on the market value of the stock and the number of shares of common stock subject to options granted would be determined based on a valuation using a Black-Scholes calculation. See “Compensation of Directors” for additional information. If this proposal is approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, we expect to grant options and/or stock having a fair value of $880,000 to our non-employee directors as a group. It is not currently possible to predict how many shares would be awarded in either restricted stock or stock options in lieu of cash retainers for our non-employee directors.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2008 Plan

The federal income tax consequences of grants under the 2008 Plan will depend on the type of grant. The following description provides only a general description of the application of federal income tax laws to grants under the 2008 Plan. This discussion is intended for the information of stockholders considering how to vote at the Annual Meeting and not as tax guidance to grantees, as the consequences may vary with the types of grants made, the identity of the grantees and the method of payment or settlement. The summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes (including possible “golden parachute” excise taxes) or taxes imposed under state, local, or foreign tax laws.

From the grantees’ standpoint, as a general rule, ordinary income will be recognized at the time of delivery of shares of common stock or payment of cash under the 2008 Plan. Future appreciation on shares of common stock held beyond the ordinary income recognition event will be taxable as capital gain when the shares of common stock are sold. The tax rate applicable to capital gain will depend upon how long the grantee holds the shares. We, as a general rule, will be entitled to a tax deduction that corresponds in time and amount to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee, and we will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to capital gain income recognized by the grantee.

Exceptions to these general rules arise under the following circumstances:

(i)     If shares of common stock, when delivered, are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture by reason of any employment or performance-related condition, ordinary income taxation and our tax deduction will be delayed until the risk of forfeiture lapses, unless the grantee makes a special election to accelerate taxation under section 83(b) of the Code.

(ii)     If an employee exercises a stock option that qualifies as an ISO, no ordinary income will be recognized, and we will not be entitled to any tax deduction, if shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of the stock option are held until the later of (A) one year from the date of exercise and (B) two years from the date of grant. However, if the employee disposes of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO before satisfying both

 

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holding period requirements, the employee will recognize ordinary income at the time of the disposition equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or the amount realized on the disposition, if less) and the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a tax deduction in that amount. The gain, if any, in excess of the amount recognized as ordinary income will be long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of time the employee held the shares before the disposition.

(iii) A grant may be subject to a 20% tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, at the time the grant becomes vested, plus interest, if the grant constitutes deferred compensation under section 409A of the Code and the requirements of section 409A of the Code are not satisfied.

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a publicly held corporation’s tax deduction for compensation paid to its chief executive officer or certain other officers in excess of $1 million in any year. Qualified performance-based compensation is excluded from the $1 million deductibility limit, and therefore remains fully deductible by the corporation that pays it. We intend that options and SARs granted under the 2008 Plan will be qualified performance-based compensation. Stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards granted under the 2008 Plan may be designated as qualified performance-based compensation if the Committee conditions such grants on the achievement of specific performance goals in accordance with the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code. While deductibility of executive compensation for federal income tax purposes is among the factors the Committee considers when structuring our executive compensation arrangements, it is not the sole or primary factor considered. We retain the flexibility to authorize compensation that may not be deductible if we believe it is in the best interests of the Company.

We have the right to require that grantees pay to us an amount necessary for us to satisfy our federal, state or local tax withholding obligations with respect to grants. We may withhold from other amounts payable to a grantee an amount necessary to satisfy these obligations. The Committee may permit a grantee to satisfy our withholding obligation with respect to grants paid in shares of common stock by having shares withheld, at the time the grants become taxable, provided that the number of shares withheld does not exceed the individual’s minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal, state and local tax liabilities.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, will be required to approve the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2008 Plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR approval of the amendment and restatement of the Antares Pharma, Inc. 2008 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance thereunder.

 

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Proposal No. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to the proxy rules under the Exchange Act and as required by Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Company is presenting its stockholders with an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement (sometimes referred to as “Say on Pay”).

Accordingly, the following resolution is being presented by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive

officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the

Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative

discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

This vote is non-binding. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee, which is composed of independent directors, expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions to the extent they can determine the cause or causes of any significant negative voting results.

During fiscal year 2013, we made significant forward strides toward achieving our strategic growth targets and improved our overall financial stability. Specifically, we made great progress toward our product development goals. Most notably, we received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for OTREXUP™ for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. We built an internal organization to commercialize OTREXUP™, including hiring seasoned marketing and sales professionals and expanding our regulatory and compliance capabilities. Consistent with its pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee considered the impact of our corporate performance during 2013 in determining named executive officer compensation for 2013, as well as each named executive officer’s individual performance, macroeconomic conditions generally, and data from peer group companies.

As described in detail under our Compensation Discussion and Analysis on pages 27 through 35 of this proxy statement, our executive compensation programs are designed to motivate our executives to achieve our primary goals of developing and commercializing novel injectable therapeutic products using our advanced device delivery systems for improved safety and efficacy, reduced side effects, and enhanced patient comfort and adherence and providing our stockholders with a long-term, positive return on their investment. Further, the Company’s compensation philosophy is to pay for performance, support the Company’s business strategies, and offer competitive compensation arrangements. In the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we have provided stockholders with a description of our compensation programs, including the philosophy and strategy underpinning the programs, the individual elements of the compensation programs, and how our compensation plans are administered.

We believe that our executive compensation program, with its balance of short-term and long-term incentives and performance based grants, reward sustained performance that is aligned with long-term stockholder interests. We are mindful not to rely on highly leveraged incentives that would result in risky short-term behavior. Our compensation program provides long-term incentives to ensure that our executives continue in employment with us and directly tie executive compensation to achievement of our strategic objectives and generation of stockholder value. Stockholders are encouraged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in this proxy statement.

The Compensation Committee has and will continue to take action to structure our executive compensation practices in a manner that is performance-based with a view towards maximizing long-term stockholder value. The Board of Directors believes that the executive compensation as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, tabular disclosures, and other narrative executive compensation disclosures in this proxy statement aligns with our peer group pay practices and coincides with our compensation philosophy.

 

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Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, is required to approve the advisory resolution on executive compensation.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

 

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Proposal No. 4

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION

OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a vote will be taken on a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014. KPMG LLP has audited our financial statements since 1995.

Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to make a statement, if they so desire, and to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither our bylaws nor any other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the appointment of KPMG LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain KPMG LLP. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Audit Fees

Aggregate fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP during 2013 and 2012 for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, review of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports, and comfort letter provided for the Company’s equity financing transaction totaled $275,000 and $293,500, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

There were no fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP during 2013 or 2012 for audit-related services.

Tax Fees

Aggregate fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP during 2013 and 2012 for professional services rendered in connection with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning totaled $32,200 and $30,686, respectively.

All Other Fees

There were no other fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP in 2013 and 2012.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding pre-approval of non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy prohibits engaging the independent auditor to perform the following services:

 

    bookkeeping or other services relating to the accounting records or financial statements,
    financial information systems design and implementation,
    appraisal and valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports,
    actuarial services,
    internal audit outsourcing services,
    management functions,
    human resource services,
    broker-dealer, investment advisor or investment banking services,
    legal services, and
    expert services unrelated to the audit.

 

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The policy requires the pre-approval of the Audit Committee for all audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy contains lists of the above categories of services that the Audit Committee has pre-approved, subject to an annual aggregate dollar limit for each category. Any proposed services exceeding these limits require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Services not listed in one of the above categories also require specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee.

The policy permits the Audit Committee to delegate pre-approval authority to one or more members of the Audit Committee, provided that the member or members report(s) to the entire Audit Committee pre-approval actions taken since the last Audit Committee meeting. The policy expressly prohibits delegation of pre-approval authority to management. In 2013, 100% of all services provided by our principal accounting firm were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or one or more of its members.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, is required to ratify the selection of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

The following individuals served as our executive officers as of December 31, 2013:

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position

Paul K. Wotton, Ph.D.    53      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert F. Apple    47      Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and President of the Parenteral Products Division

Paul K. Wotton, is Antares’ President, Chief Executive Officer and a director. Please see Dr. Wotton’s biographical information set forth in the Election of Directors section in this proxy statement.

Robert F. Apple is currently Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and President of the Parenteral Products Division. He joined the Company in February 2006 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Apple served as Chief Operating and Financial Officer at InKine Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. from 2003 to 2005, and Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2002. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Apple was employed by Genaera Corporation, Inc., a biotechnology company, where he held the position of Corporate Controller. From May 1994 until July 1995, Mr. Apple was employed by Liberty Technologies, Inc. as Corporate Controller. Prior to May 1994, Mr. Apple held various positions of increasing responsibility at Arthur Andersen & Company LLP. He holds a B.A. degree in accounting from Temple University and is a CPA. Mr. Apple also serves on the Board of Directors of Kerathin, LLC, a private medical device company in the podiatry field.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

None.

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties

We engage in a process whereby we identify and review all relationships and transactions in which the Company and its directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest. As required under SEC rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related party would be disclosed in our proxy statement; however, during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we did not have any related party transactions. The process for the review of all potential related party transactions is documented in our written corporate policies. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and approves or ratifies any related party transaction that is required to be disclosed.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

The following discussion provides an overview and analysis of our Compensation Committee’s philosophy and objectives in designing compensation programs as well as the compensation determinations and the rationale for those determinations relating to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the other executive officer who served as an executive officer during the year, to whom we refer to collectively as our “named executive officers.” Our named executive officers for 2013 were Dr. Wotton, Mr. Apple and Dr. Dave. Dr. Dave resigned from his position with the Company, effective September 15, 2013.

Executive Summary

During fiscal year 2013, we made considerable forward strides toward achieving our strategic growth targets and continued to improve our overall financial stability. Specifically, we made significant progress with respect to our product development goals, which generated revenue in 2013 of approximately $21 million. Most notably, after filing the OTREXUP™ NDA in 2012, we received approval from the Food & Drug Administration in October 2013. Approval of OTREXUP™ is one of the Company’s most important achievements in its history. In 2013, we also created an internal organization to commercialize OTREXUP™, including hiring experienced and capable professionals in marketing, sales, managed markets, distribution and medical and scientific communications. We simultaneously expanded our regulatory and compliance capabilities to match these activities, and we were able to bolster our supply chain and meet our OTREXUP™ supply forecast for 2014.

Additionally, we completed the Phase 2 trial for our next potential combination product, QuickShot Testosterone for the treatment of testosterone deficiency in men. We have also made considerable progress in expanding our development pipeline. In 2013, the Company increased visibility to the investment community and ended 2013 with a cash and investments balance of more than $69 million. We also maintained double-digit product revenue growth for 2013. We continued to progress our device development programs with our partner, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., including negotiating significant additional design and engineering work. We made significant advances with our business development activities by securing a partner for the psoriasis indication for OTREXUP™ with significant upfront and milestone payments. Our market capitalization increased 20% from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and was $575 million as of the end of 2013. Our three-year compound annual growth rate was 38%, which is between the median and 75th percentile among our comparator group.

Consistent with its pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee considered the impact of our corporate performance during 2013 in determining named executive officer compensation for 2013, as well as each named executive officer’s individual performance, macroeconomic conditions generally, and data from peer group companies.

Our Compensation Committee and senior management are focused on providing an appropriate mix of short-term and long-term incentives, and we are mindful not to rely on highly leveraged incentives that would result in risky short-term behavior. Our compensation program provides long-term incentives to ensure that our named executive officers continue in employment with us and directly tie executive compensation to achievement of our strategic objectives and generation of stockholder value. Based upon the strong level of achievement of the foregoing corporate objectives, the Compensation Committee took the following actions with respect to 2013 compensation for our named executive officers:

 

    Re-engaged Buck Consultants, LLC to update the Company’s compensation study of our executive compensation as compared to the executive compensation of the companies in our peer group;
    Awarded salary increases to all of our named executive officers, as discussed in more detail below under the section entitled “Salaries;” and

 

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    Awarded cash bonuses and vested shares for their 2013 performance to our named executive officers who were employed in 2014, awarding our Chief Executive Officer a cash bonus of $308,000 and vested shares worth $50,000 and our Chief Financial Officer a cash bonus of $200,000 and vested shares worth $50,000, as discussed in more detail below under the section entitled “Annual Incentive Awards.”

In May 2013, we held a stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay vote. We had significant support from our stockholders with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers, with approximately 96% of stockholder votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay resolution. As we evaluated our named executive officer compensation program during 2013, our Compensation Committee considered the strong support our stockholders expressed for our named executive officer compensation practices which emphasizes short and long-term incentive compensation that rewards our most senior executives when they deliver value for our stockholders.

In late 2013, our Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”) and worked directly with Richard King to provide an executive compensation analysis in January for 2014 using peer group proxy data. The purpose of the executive compensation analysis was to provide an understanding of how our executive compensation program compares to market practice, perspective on our total stockholder return relative to the market on a one and three year basis and to serve as the basis for our Compensation Committee’s discussion regarding current pay competitiveness and potential actions for 2014.

Determination of Competitive Compensation

In 2012, our Compensation Committee engaged Buck Consultants to provide an executive compensation review of our overall executive compensation against that provided by our peer group. The report was issued in June 2012. In that June 2012 report, to assess compensation levels, Buck Consultants, in collaboration with our senior management and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, identified a comparator group of peer companies listed below. The comparator group was selected for the following key comparator factors: our competitors, primary area of business being drug delivery methods and technologies within specialty pharmaceuticals, revenue size, number of employees and market capitalization. In general, the comparator group consists of companies up to two times our size and is comprised of 15 new drug delivery and specialty pharmaceutical companies that are of comparable size to the Company in terms of market capitalization as of April 30, 2012 or revenues as of December 31, 2011.

 

•   Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Cadance Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

•   Affymax, Inc.

 

•   Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.

 

•   Map Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

•   Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Depomed, Inc.

 

•   Novavax, Inc.

•   Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Delcath Systems, Inc.

 

•   Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc

•   Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

•   Vical Incorporated

In 2013, our Compensation Committee re-engaged Buck Consultants to issue a competitive pay analysis of our executive compensation. To conduct the analysis, Buck Consultants reviewed the executive pay packages provided to similar roles among the comparator group determined in the June 2012 report. Our Compensation Committee referred to the report by Buck Consultants from May 2013 as a guide in assessing the level of overall compensation of our executives in connection with its setting and adjusting of 2013 cash compensation and equity compensation levels and its assessment of 2013 performance and determining the level of salary increase and bonus amounts to be awarded and for base salary adjustments for 2013.

Based on our compensation objectives and philosophy with reference to the May 2013 study conducted by Buck Consultants and published reports, the Compensation Committee determined that overall compensation, including base salary, annual incentive target payout and long-term incentives, should be targeted at a level that approximates the 50th percentile of our peer group, but the target value opportunity under the Company’s long-term incentive program should be targeted at a level that approximates the 75th percentile of our peer group. The Compensation Committee determined that targeting the 75th percentile of the value granted by the Company’s peer group was appropriate given that the Company outperformed most of the comparator group with respect to stockholder return over the last five years. The Compensation Committee also considered the level of experience of

 

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the executive management team and the critical role the executive management team plays in achieving the Company’s strategic goals. The Compensation Committee has from time to time made and will continue to make, determinations that represent a departure from the general guideline of targeting the 50th percentile for certain compensation elements. In addition, because a significant portion of our compensation is performance-based, if performance targets are achieved (or not achieved), actual cash and equity compensation paid to our named executive officers may vary considerably from that paid to executives in our peer group.

We believe our approach to goal setting, weighting of targets, and evaluation of performance results assist in mitigating excessive risk-taking by our named executive officers that could harm our value or reward poor judgment by our named executive officers. Several features of our programs reflect sound risk management practices. Specifically, we allocate our compensation among base salary and short and long-term incentive compensation target opportunities in such a way as to not encourage excessive risk-taking; we apply Company-wide metrics to encourage decision making that is in the best long-term interests of the Company and our stockholders; we use a mix of equity award instruments under our long-term incentive program, including both stock options and full value awards; and our equity awards vest over multiyear periods and/or are based on performance based vesting. All of the foregoing features are designed to mitigate risk and properly account for the time horizon of risk based on our strategic business objectives. For a more detailed discussion of these features, refer to the discussion below under “Annual Incentive Awards” and “Long-Term Incentives – Equity Compensation.”

Each named executive officer has an employment agreement with us that includes base salary and annual and long-term incentives. Further details regarding the terms of these agreements, including the terms of Dr. Wotton’s agreement, are described below.

The charts below represent the mix of target total direct compensation awarded to our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers in 2013. Consistent with our pay for performance philosophy, a majority of the target total direct compensation is variable as it is based on performance. The company’s Chief Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the same executive programs as the named executive officers; however, a larger proportion of his target total direct compensation is at risk. The charts below show that approximately 34% of the target total direct compensation awarded to the Chief Executive Officer and 30% awarded to the other named executive officers in 2013 was based on elements that may vary from year to year depending on performance.

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

Role of our Named Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation.

The Compensation Committee has established an annual performance review program for our named executive officers pursuant to which annual corporate and individual performance goals are determined and communicated in writing to each executive at the beginning of each calendar year. For named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, individual goals are proposed by the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer’s goals are approved by the Compensation Committee. Each named executive officer’s evaluation begins with a written self-assessment which is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer then prepares a written evaluation based on the named executive officer’s self-assessment and the Chief Executive Officer’s own evaluation. This process leads to a recommendation by the Chief Executive Officer for annual executive salary increases and bonuses, if any, which is then reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, his individual performance evaluation is conducted by the Board Chair and Compensation Committee, which determines his compensation changes and awards. For all named executive officers, annual base salary increases and annual bonuses, to the extent granted, are implemented during the first calendar quarter of the year but before March 15. In connection with 2013 compensation, Dr. Wotton provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee to assist it in determining compensation levels. Dr. Wotton did not make recommendations as to his own compensation. While the Compensation Committee utilized this information, and valued Dr. Wotton’s observations with regard to other named executive officers, the ultimate decisions regarding named executive officer compensation were made by the Compensation Committee.

Salaries

In February 2013, the Compensation Committee approved salary increases of approximately 5.1% for Dr. Wotton, 6.6% for Mr. Apple and 5.2% for Dr. Dave.

In May 2013, based on the updated compensation review conducted by Buck Consultants, the Compensation Committee approved an increase to Dr. Wotton’s salary from $510,000 to $560,000. Mr. Apple’s and Dr. Dave’s base salaries were already above the 50th percentile, therefore no adjustment was required.

In February 2014, in connection with the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of Company and named executive officer performance during 2013 and to more closely align base salaries with those for the same positions in our peer group in 2014 based on the compensation review conducted in January 2014 by Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases as set forth in the table below.

 

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In assessing performance, the Compensation Committee agreed that the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer performed well and made significant strides during 2013, including, most notably, the approval by the Food & Drug Administration of OTREXUP™.

 

Name

     Base Salary for 2013      Base Salary after
  Increase in May 2013  
   Base Salary after
Increase in February
  2014 (effective 1/1/14)  

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

   $510,000    $560,000    $575,000

Mr. Robert F. Apple

   $360,000    $360,000    $380,000

Dr. Kaushik Dave

   $345,000    $345,000    N/A

Annual Incentive Awards

Our principal objective in providing incentive compensation is to provide pay for performance. While we target our opportunities for incentive compensation to be comparable to the median level of our peer group of companies, this guideline is based on target award levels, and actual payouts to the named executive officers can vary significantly based on actual performance.

We set target award levels for our executives based on a percentage of their base salary. The applicable percentages for 2013 are set forth below. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to award bonuses in excess of the target award. The Compensation Committee reviewed the performance goals for each of the named executive officers at its February 2013 meeting and finalized and approved the goals at its May 2013 meeting. Upon Dr. Dave’s resignation in September 2013, his performance goals were reallocated to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and other Company executives. In setting the goals for 2013, the Compensation Committee determined that the weight any particular goal carried within the applicable category, would be determined after the end of the year by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, based on actual performance, with input from Dr. Wotton (except with respect to his own performance). The Compensation Committee determined at its February 2014 meeting whether and to what extent the applicable performance goals were achieved for 2013 and approved the specific bonus amounts to be paid to each named executive officer in February of 2014. For executives other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee took into account the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.

After the reallocation of Dr. Dave’s performance goals, Dr. Wotton had eleven specific goals in 2013 divided over three categories: corporate objectives, development objectives and business objectives. In addition, Dr. Wotton is also evaluated based on his overall responsibility for the organization and progress made by the entire management team. The Compensation Committee determined that Dr. Wotton met or exceeded all of his goals. The corporate objectives related to revenue growth, managing net cash burn consistent with the 2013 budget, completing evaluation for one new pipeline product to enter development in 2014 and ensuring additional investment exposure by presenting to investors during at least two new high quality investor conferences. Dr. Wotton accomplished and exceeded all of the corporate objective goals set. Specifically, we had revenue of $21 million for 2013. Our net cash burn in 2013 did not exceed budget and we ended 2013 with a cash and investments balance of approximately $69 million. Evaluation of one new pipeline product was completed and is ready to enter into development in 2014. In addition, Dr. Wotton presented at four new high quality investor conferences, which results in significant exposure for potential investors in the Company. Dr. Wotton’s development objectives related to obtaining Food & Drug Administration approval of OTREXUP™, establishing a second supply source for a specific product, completing formulation and stability work for a specific product to allow for IND filing in the first quarter of 2014 and filing amendments for certain regulatory filings relating to the approval of an ANDA for a specific product. Food & Drug Administration approval of OTREXUP™ was obtained, and a second supply source for a specific product was established. Stability work for a specific product and filing amendments for certain regulatory filings relating to the approval of an ANDA for a specific product are in process. The business objectives related to solidifying partnerships, completing a license agreement of one product and continuing to manage aggressive intellectual property strategy to protect the pipeline portfolio, all of which were completed in 2013.

For 2013, Dr. Wotton’s bonus target was 55% of his base salary. In February 2014, the Compensation Committee determined that a bonus of 55% of base salary was appropriate.

After the reallocation of Dr. Dave’s performance goals, Mr. Apple had nine goals in 2013 divided over four categories: corporate objectives, development objectives, business objectives and organizational objectives. The corporate objectives were the same as two of Dr. Wotton’s, which related to revenue growth and managing net cash

 

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burn consistent with the 2013 budget. The development objectives related to ensuring launch quantities of OTREXUP™ available for launch to trade in December 2013 with six months of reserves and filing amendments for certain regulatory filings relating to the approval of an ANDA for a specific product. The business objectives related to solidifying partnerships, pioneering a new injectables partnership, completing manufacturing, supply and quality agreements for OTREXUP™ and shipping commercial epinephrine devices to one of our partners and achieving threshold revenues. The organization goal related to completion of the expansion of the Company’s offices to house our commercial group and manage overall employee growth under his human resource function. With input from Dr. Wotton, the Compensation Committee determined Mr. Apple met or exceeded all of his goals. Specifically, as discussed above with respect to Dr. Wotton, the corporate objectives were met or exceeded. With respect to Mr. Apple’s development goals, launch quantities of OTREXUP™ were available by the end of 2013 and filing amendments for certain regulatory filings relating to the approval of an ANDA for a specific product are in process. Mr. Apple’s business objective goals were met through the LEO Pharma partnership agreement and other achievements. Mr. Apple’s bonus target is 40% of his base salary. Based on his and the Company’s performance, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to award a bonus in excess of target and determined that a bonus of 55.5% of Mr. Apple’s base salary was appropriate.

Dr. Dave resigned from his position effective September 15, 2013 and, therefore, did not earn a bonus for 2013.

Based on the applicable performance ratings described above, payments to the named executive officers were as follows:

 

                    Name                     

     Bonus
      Amount      
     Percentage of Salary
    Payable at Target Award    
Level
     Actual 2013
  Bonus Award  

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

     $308,000      55%      55% of base
salary

Mr. Robert F. Apple

     $200,000      40%      55.5% of base
salary

Dr. Kaushik Dave

     $0      35%      N/A

In accordance with applicable SEC regulations, the award payments appear in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.

As noted above, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to award bonuses in excess of the target award. In February 2014, the Compensation Committee authorized the issuance of fully vested shares of our common stock worth $50,000 to each of Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple in reward of their exceptional performance in 2013.

Long-Term Incentives – Equity Compensation

We maintain the 2008 Equity Compensation Plan, which is a broad based omnibus equity compensation program that permits the Compensation Committee to award various types of equity based awards. The Compensation Committee approves all equity grants. The Compensation Committee may make off-cycle grants for newly hired or newly promoted officers, and otherwise makes other grants only in special circumstances. We do not backdate grants of stock options or common stock, nor do we time grants to coincide with the release of material non-public information about us. We believe that our grant practices are appropriate and minimize questions regarding “timing” of grants in anticipation of material events, since grants become effective in accordance with standard grant procedures.

Pursuant to the Company’s modified long-term incentive program for senior officers, as approved by the Board on May 22, 2013, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, certain of its senior officers, including its executive officers, will receive performance stock units, restricted stock and stock option grants to purchase the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value. Under the program, one-third of the value of the annual award for each senior officer was delivered in the form of performance stock units, one-third of the value of the annual award was delivered in shares of restricted stock and one-third of the value of the annual award was delivered in the form of stock options, in each case granted under the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan,

 

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as amended (the “2008 Plan”). Previously, the value of the annual award for each senior officer was delivered one-third in the form of performance stock units and two-thirds in the form of stock options. The total value of the annual award to each senior officer is targeted at the 75th percentile of the value of annual awards granted by other companies in the Company’s peer group. Previously, the value of the annual awards was targeted at the median value of the annual awards granted by other companies in the Company’s peer group. The Compensation Committee determined that increasing the target value of the annual awards granted pursuant to the long-term incentive program was appropriate given the level of experience of the senior officers and the role the senior officers play in furthering the Company’s strategic corporate goals.

We believe that stock options provide a strong incentive to increase stockholder value, because the value of the options is entirely dependent on the increase in the market price of our common stock following the date of grant. We believe the restricted stock awards deliver excellent value to our senior officers, but use fewer shares than options, thereby benefitting stockholders because the dilutive effect is minimized. We believe that the performance-based restricted stock unit portion of the annual award also provides a strong incentive to create stockholder value because the milestones are related directly to revenue-generating product development.

The stock options (i) have a ten-year term, (ii) have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock, as reported on NASDAQ on the date of grant, (iii) vest in quarterly installments over three years, and (iv) are otherwise granted on the same standard terms and conditions as other stock options granted pursuant to the 2008 Equity Compensation Plan.

The performance stock unit awards were granted in May 2013, following the completion of the updated report by Buck Consultants. The performance stock unit awards are earned and vested and convert into actual shares of our common stock based on our attainment of certain performance goals measured over the three-year period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015 and certain other performance goals measured over the four-year period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2016, in each case, subject to continued employment with us through the specified periods. The actual number of shares of our common stock into which the performance stock units may convert will be calculated by multiplying the number of performance stock units by a performance percentage ranging from 0% to 150% based on the attained level of our performance as measured in terms of the following three performance goals: three-year net revenue targets, three-year targets relating to clinical trials and filings with the Food & Drug Administration and product development and business development targets. All of the performance criteria are equally weighted. For purposes of the first criterion, net revenue will mean GAAP revenue received by us in connection with ongoing operations. The performance goals were chosen by the Compensation Committee because the Compensation Committee believes that net revenue and product development are the best indicators of increased value for stockholders.

Each performance criterion has levels of achievement designated as threshold; target and maximum with 50% of the performance stock units vesting if the threshold level is achieved; 100% of the performance stock units vesting if the target level is achieved and 150% of the performance stock units vesting if the maximum level is achieved. Additionally the net revenue target also provides for 75% of the performance stock units vesting if the median performance level is achieved, which is defined as the midpoint between the threshold and target net revenue levels.

The actual number of performance stock units earned and vested will be based on the actual performance level achieved. In the event that the actual performance level achieved does not meet threshold performance (i.e., less than 50%) for an applicable performance measure, then no performance stock units will be earned and vested for that performance measure. Threshold level performance may be achieved for one performance measure and not another based on our actual performance during the three year performance period.

The actual number of performance stock units earned and vested will be determined by the Compensation Committee based on the actual performance level achieved with respect to the applicable performance goals based upon the audited financials for the performance period, subject to the items for which performance goals may be adjusted pursuant to the 2008 Equity Compensation Plan and factoring in the weighting for each performance measure (as described above).

If a named executive officer’s employment with us terminates prior to the completion of the performance period, then his performance stock unit award will be forfeited, whether or not the performance goals are met. If a change of control occurs while a grantee is employed by us, the performance stock unit award will vest as if target

 

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performance had been achieved as to each performance goal, such that the target number of shares subject to the award is deemed fully earned and vested as of the date of the change of control.

The grants made to the named executive officers pursuant to the long-term incentive program were made in on May 22, 2013, based on the on the peer group review completed by Buck Consultants. The stock option, restricted stock and performance stock unit awards made in May 2013 are listed below:

The table below summarizes the 2013 performance stock unit awards for the executive officers of the Company:

 

    Named Executive Officer    

       Minimum Number of    
Actual Shares That

May Be Earned
       Target Number of    
Shares that May

Be Earned
       Maximum Number of    
Actual Shares That

May Be Earned

    Dr. Paul Wotton

   0    92,593    138,890

    Mr. Robert F. Apple

   0    33,670      50,505

    Dr. Kaushik J. Dave

   0    29,461      44,192

The table below summarizes the 2013 restricted shares of common stock and stock options awarded to the executive officers of the Company:

 

    Named Executive Officer    

         Shares of Restricted      
Common Stock
       Number of Stock    
Options

    Dr. Paul Wotton

   92,593     163,690

    Mr. Robert F. Apple

   33,670       59,524

    Dr. Kaushik J. Dave

   29,461       52,083

With respect to performance-based stock units granted to Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple in 2011 under the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan, pursuant to which a certain number of stock units could be earned based on the level of achievement of performance goals over the three year performance period commencing January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2013, the Compensation Committee determined that the goals related to completing Food & Drug Administration product approval and the commercial launch of OTREXUP™ were achieved. Accordingly, effective February 11, 2014, Dr. Wotton was issued 34,000 shares of our common stock and Mr. Apple was issued 25,000 shares of our common stock. Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple did not achieve all of the original performance goals established in 2011, thus forfeiting 34,000 and 25,000 shares respectively.

As noted above, the Compensation Committee may make off cycle grants in special circumstances, and described under “Annual Incentive Awards” above, in February 2014 the Compensation Committee authorized the issuance of fully vested shares of our common stock worth $50,000 to each of Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple with respect to their 2013 achievements.

For additional information regarding stock option and restricted stock award terms, see the narrative accompanying the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table. The dollar amount shown in the Summary Compensation Table reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards. See the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table for further information.

Perquisites

We do not have programs for providing personal benefit perquisites to named executive officers, such as separate parking or dining facilities.

Broad-Based Programs

Our named executive officers participate in our broad-based group health plan and 401(k) savings plan offered to all full time employees of the Company. There is no mandatory matching provided by the Company during the year. Annually, the Compensation Committee determines if a discretionary match is to be made based on the performance and financial position of the Company. Under the 401(k) plan, we matched employee contributions

 

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at the rate of 50% for each dollar contributed up to the maximum dollar amount that may be deferred under the 401(k) plan for 2013, excluding the age fifty or over “catch up” contribution. Employees can designate the investment of their 401(k) accounts from among a broad range of mutual funds. We do not allow investment in our common stock through the 401(k) plan. Please see the table titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information regarding stock ownership of our named executive officers.

COMPENSATION ADVISER INDEPENDENCE

In connection with the compensation review conducted by Buck Consultants that the Compensation Committee used when setting 2013 compensation, the Compensation Committee worked directly with Larry Schumer of Buck Consultants. Buck Consultants and Mr. Schumer reported directly to the Compensation Committee and all work conducted by Buck Consultants for the Company is on behalf, under the direction and the authority, of the Compensation Committee. Buck Consultants was engaged to provide an executive compensation analysis for 2013, as well as a non-employee director analysis. As noted above in the “Executive Summary,” in late 2013, the Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer and worked directly with Richard King to provide an executive compensation analysis for 2014 using peer group proxy data, as well as to make severance compensation recommendations. Pearl Meyer and Mr. King reported directly to the Compensation Committee and all work conducted by Pearl Meyer for the Company is on behalf, under the direction and the authority, of the Compensation Committee. Neither Buck Consultants nor Pearl Meyer provide services to the Company other than the foregoing consulting services and have no other direct or indirect business relationships with the Company or any of its affiliates. For all of these services, the Company, on behalf of the Compensation Committee, paid Buck Consultants approximately $36,000 and Pearl Meyer $18,000 in 2013.

After examining whether there was a conflict of interest present between the Company and Buck Consultants or between the Company and Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee concluded that neither Buck Consultants nor Pearl Meyer had any conflicts of interest during 2013. In reaching this conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered the six independence factors relating to committee advisers that are specified in SEC Exchange Act Rule 10C-1.

STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

While we do not have formal stock ownership guidelines or holding requirements, all of our current named executive officers continue to hold a majority of the shares issued to them upon vesting or upon attainment of the performance criteria under the performance stock bonus awards. As of December 31, 2013, three of our executive officers sold an aggregate of 646,100 shares of stock under 10(b)5-1 plans since establishment of their respective plans. Please see the table entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information regarding the holdings of common stock of our current named executive officers.

Pursuant to the Company’s insider trading policy, the Company prohibits any director, officer or other employee from buying or selling puts or calls of our stock (i.e., entering into a hedging transaction). None of our directors or executive officers has hedged our common stock. Additionally, none of our directors or executive officers has any outstanding pledges of our common stock.

CLAWBACK POLICY

We have not yet adopted a formal clawback policy because we await the issuance of clarifying regulations by the SEC regarding required elements of any such clawback policy. As required by section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we intend to adopt a clawback policy upon issuance by the SEC of final rules regarding clawbacks. The 2008 Plan includes a provision that all grants made under the 2008 Plan are subject to applicable provisions of our company’s clawback or recoupment policy approved by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, as such policy may be in effect from time to time, whether or not approved before or after the effective date of the 2008 Plan.

ONGOING AND POST-EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Our employment agreements with our named executive officers provide for special benefits upon certain types of termination events. These agreements were designed to be part of a competitive compensation package. The description of these agreements below does not include plans that are available generally to our salaried

 

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employees and provide for the same method of allocation of benefits for management and non-management employees.

Dr. Dave was a party to an employment agreement with the Company, dated March 3, 2008, and amended December 14, 2012 and August 8, 2013. Although Dr. Dave resigned from his position with the Company effective September 15, 2013 and his employment agreement was terminated upon his resignation, Dr. Dave’s obligations to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information obtained by him as a result of his employment with the Company continue following the termination of his employment. In addition, for the six month period after Dr. Dave’s termination of employment, Dr. Dave was not permitted to (1) compete against the Company, (2) solicit in any way the customers of the Company; or (3) recruit in any way the employees of the Company. As a result of Dr. Dave’s resignation, the Company paid Dr. Dave his base salary and expenses accrued, but unpaid as of the date of his termination, and any benefits accrued and due under any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company. Dr. Dave was not entitled to, nor was he paid any, severance as a result of his resignation.

Employment Agreements

Our employment agreements with Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple provide for certain severance payments and other benefits if we terminate such named executive officers’ employment without “cause,” or if the executive officer terminates employment for “good reason,” in each case, without regard to whether the termination occurs in the context of a “change of control.” A general description of the definitions of those terms is set forth at the end of this section.

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

Dr. Wotton was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer on July 7, 2008, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on October 10, 2008. We amended and restated Dr. Wotton’s former employment agreement dated July 7, 2008 to (i) affirm Dr. Wotton’s appointment to the position of Chief Executive Officer, (ii) adjust target bonus percentages and (iii) make certain other desired changes. Dr. Wotton’s amended employment agreement became effective on November 12, 2008. The amended employment agreement supersedes and replaces the prior agreement in its entirety. The amended employment agreement was further amended on December 14, 2012 to clarify the Compensation Committee’s discretion to award bonuses in excess of the target award. The amended employment agreement provides for a base salary of $337,000 per year, which is subject to increase (but not decrease) based on Dr. Wotton’s and our performance, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Dr. Wotton’s base salary at the end of 2013 was $560,000, and it was increased to $575,000, effective January 1, 2014. The amended agreement also stipulates that Dr. Wotton is eligible to receive a target annual bonus of up to 75% of base salary upon attainment of certain pre-set performance goals, as determined and approved by the Compensation Committee. This target bonus percentage was adjusted to 55% in connection with the approval of the increase in Dr. Wotton’s salary in February 2010. Dr. Wotton is also eligible to participate in any other equity compensation plans established by the Company for members of management. Dr. Wotton’s amended employment agreement has a term of three years and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless notice is given by the Company at least 90 days prior to the end of a renewal period.

Under his amended employment agreement, provided that he executes and does not revoke a release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates, Dr. Wotton is entitled to severance in the event of a termination without cause or for good reason both before and after a change of control equal to (i) 12 months of his then-current base salary (or 24 months of base salary if Dr. Wotton’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason during the one-year period following a change of control in which the transaction proceeds equals or exceeds $175 million), (ii) a pro-rated bonus payment for the year of termination based on actual performance and the number of days Dr. Wotton was employed by us in the year of his termination, (iii) continued health and dental benefits through COBRA subject to the same cost-sharing as if he were an employee for the shorter of 12 months or until the date he obtains coverage from a new employer and (iv) continued eligibility to receive performance stock bonuses for the 90-day period following Dr. Wotton’s termination of employment. Dr. Wotton is also entitled to the same severance payments and benefits if he voluntarily resigns without good reason within 30 days after a change of control or remains employed for a specified transition period following a change of control and then resigns without good reason within 30 days after the transition period. In the event that Dr. Wotton’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Dr. Wotton for good reason and Dr. Wotton does not execute or revokes a release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates, Dr. Wotton will not be entitled to the severance benefits set forth above and he will be entitled to receive only the

 

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amounts due under the Company’s severance plan for employees, if any, but only to the extent payment of such amounts is not conditioned on the execution of a release.

If Dr. Wotton’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, on account of Dr. Wotton’s death or disability, or if Dr. Wotton terminates his employment without good reason, then the Company will pay Dr. Wotton his base salary, bonus and expenses accrued and owing, but unpaid as of the date of his termination, and any benefits accrued and due under any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company.

Notwithstanding the terms of the 2008 Plan (or successor plan) or any applicable agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a change of control, (i) all outstanding equity rights held by Dr. Wotton immediately prior to such change of control that vest or become exercisable based on Dr. Wotton’s continued service with the Company over time will become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, immediately prior to such change of control (without regard to Dr. Wotton’s termination of his employment) and (ii) all outstanding grants that vest based upon the attainment of performance criteria will vest immediately prior to the change of control at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

Dr. Wotton’s amended employment agreement also provides that if the payments and benefits otherwise payable to Dr. Wotton under the amended employment agreement would constitute excess parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code, then the Company will reduce such payments and benefits to an amount that would avoid any excise taxes under section 4999 of the Code, provided that such reduction would provide Dr. Wotton with a greater net after-tax benefit than would no reduction.

In addition, during the term of Dr. Wotton’s employment with the Company, and for the one-year period after Dr. Wotton’s termination of employment for any reason, Dr. Wotton cannot (1) compete against the Company, (2) solicit in any way the customers of the Company; or (3) recruit in any way the employees of the Company. At all times during and after the term of his employment with the Company, Dr. Wotton must not divulge any of the Company’s confidential information or disparage the Company in any way.

The following table sets forth information regarding potential payments upon termination of employment or a change of control estimated as of December 31, 2013 for Dr. Wotton under the terms of his amended employment agreement:

 

    

Salary

($)(1)

 

Prorated  

Bonus

($)(2)

 

Accelerated  
Equity

($)(3)

 

All Other
Compensation  

($)(4)

  Impact of  
280G (5)
 

Total

($)

Termination without cause

  560,000     308,000     18,613     886,613  

Termination for good reason

  560,000     308,000     18,613     886,613  
Voluntary resignation in connection with a change of control(6)   1,120,000     308,000   1,325,709   18,613     2,765,211  

Termination by death

  —             —  

Termination by disability

  —             —  

Non-renewal of agreement

  560,000     308,000     18,613     886,613  

Change of control(7)

  1,120,000     308,000   1,325,709   18,613     2,765,211  

 

  (1) Payable in regular payroll installments.
  (2) The figure in the chart above represents the value of Dr. Wotton’s discretionary bonus earned for 2013.
  (3) Includes the value of the unvested options granted to Dr. Wotton on May 17, 2011, May 17, 2012, July 6, 2012 and May 22, 2013, the value of a time-based restricted stock grant granted to Dr. Wotton on May 22, 2013 and the value of performance-based restricted stock unit grants granted to Dr. Wotton on July 6, 2012 and May 22, 2013, all of which will accelerate upon a change in control. The performance-based restricted stock unit grants will vest at target on a change in control.
  (4)

All Other Compensation consists of the continuation of health and dental insurance benefits. Although no value was assumed for purposes of this table, Dr. Wotton is also entitled to continued eligibility to receive performance-based stock bonuses for the 90-day period following his termination of employment without cause or for good reason, or if he voluntarily resigns without good reason within 30 days after a change of control or remains employed for a specified

 

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transition period following a change of control and then resigns without good reason within 30 days after the transition period.

  (5) Dr. Wotton’s amended employment agreement also provides that if the payments and benefits otherwise payable to Dr. Wotton under the amended employment agreement would constitute excess parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code, then the Company will reduce such payments and benefits to an amount that would avoid any excise taxes under section 4999 of the Code, provided that such reduction would provide Dr. Wotton with a greater net after-tax benefit than would no reduction. Based on estimates as of December 31, 2013, Dr. Wotton would be subject to an excise tax under section 4999 of the Code if all amounts were paid, so a reduction in the amount $7,111 has been applied to the total.
  (6) Dr. Wotton is entitled to these amounts if he voluntarily resigns without good reason within 30 days after a change of control or remains employed for a specified transition period following a change of control and then resigns without good reason within 30 days after the transition period and the amount (net of transaction related expenses) of any and all unrestricted cash, secured debt and/or securities of the buyer paid and/or distributed to the Company and/or the holders of all classes of the Company’s common stock with respect to such common stock in connection with the change in control equals or exceeds $175 million.
  (7) These amounts assume that Dr. Wotton’s employment was terminated without cause or for good reason during the one-year period following a change in control and the amount (net of transaction related expenses) of any and all unrestricted cash, secured debt and/or securities of the buyer paid and/or distributed to the Company and/or the holders of all classes of the Company’s common stock with respect to such common stock in connection with the change in control equals or exceeds $175 million.

Mr. Robert F. Apple

Mr. Apple entered into an employment agreement dated February 9, 2006 and further amended on November 12, 2008 in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and to make certain other clarifying changes. The employment agreement was further amended on December 14, 2012 to clarify the Compensation Committee’s discretion to award bonuses in excess of the target award. The employment agreement provides for a base salary of $250,000, which is subject to increase (but not decrease) upon approval by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Apple’s base salary in 2013 was $360,000, and it was increased to $380,000, effective January 1, 2014. The agreement also stipulates that Mr. Apple is eligible to receive a target annual bonus of at least 20% up to a maximum of 35% of base salary upon attainment of certain pre-set performance goals as determined and approved by the Compensation Committee. The target annual bonus percentage was increased to 40% in August 2009. Mr. Apple’s agreement is for two years and automatically renews for consecutive one-year periods unless one of the parties delivers 60 days prior written notice of non-renewal.

Under his employment agreement, provided that he executes and does not revoke a release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates, Mr. Apple is entitled to severance in the event of a termination without cause or for good reason both before and after a change of control equal to (i) 12 months of his then-current base salary and (ii) continued health and dental benefits through COBRA subject to the same cost-sharing as if he were an employee for 12 months following termination of employment.

If Mr. Apple’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, on account of his disability or death, or by Mr. Apple without good reason, the Company will pay Mr. Apple (or in the event of his death, his estate) his base salary, bonus and expenses accrued, but unpaid as of the date of his termination of employment and the Company will fulfill its obligations as a result of any of Mr. Apple’s vested benefits as of the date of such termination under any health or welfare benefit plan maintained, or contributed to, by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of each such plan or program.

Mr. Apple’s outstanding stock options and time-based restricted stock will fully vest upon a change of control. Except as provided below, grants that vest based upon the attainment of performance criteria will only vest upon a change of control as determined by the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Apple’s employment agreement also provides that if the payments and benefits otherwise payable to Mr. Apple under the employment agreement would constitute excess parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code, then the Company will reduce such payments and benefits to an amount that would avoid any excise taxes under section 4999 of the Code, provided that such reduction would provide Mr. Apple with a greater net after-tax benefit than would no reduction.

In addition, during the term of Mr. Apple’s employment with the Company, and for the one-year period after Mr. Apple’s termination of employment for any reason, Mr. Apple cannot (1) compete against the Company,

 

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(2) solicit in any way the customers of the Company; or (3) recruit in any way the employees of the Company. At all times during and after the term of his employment with the Company, Mr. Apple must not divulge any of the Company’s confidential information or disparage the Company in any way.

The following table sets forth information regarding potential payments upon termination of employment or a change of control estimated as of December 31, 2013 for Mr. Apple under the terms of his amended employment agreement:

 

    

Salary  

($)(1)  

 

Prorated  

Bonus  

($)  

 

Accelerated  
Equity  

($)(2)  

 

All Other  
Compensation  

($)(3)  

  Impact of  
280G (4)  
 

Total

($)

Termination without cause

  360,000     —       23,653   —     383,653  

Termination for good reason

  360,000     —       23,653   —     383,653  

Termination by death

  —     —         —     —  

Termination by disability

  —     —         —     —  

Non-renewal of agreement

  360,000     —       23,653   —     383,653  

Change of control(5)

  360,000     —     570,463   23,653   —     954,116  

 

  (1) Payable in regular payroll installments.
  (2) Includes the value of the unvested options granted to Mr. Apple on May 17, 2011, May 17, 2012, July 6, 2012 and May 22, 2013 the value of a time-based restricted stock grant granted to Mr. Apple on May 22, 2013, and the value of performance-based restricted stock unit grants granted to Mr. Apple on July 6, 2012 and May 22, 2013, all of which will accelerate upon a change in control. The performance-based restricted stock unit grants will vest at target on a change in control.
  (3) All Other Compensation consists of the continuation of health and dental insurance benefits.
  (4) Mr. Apple’s employment agreement also provides that if the payments and benefits otherwise payable to Mr. Apple under the amended employment agreement would constitute excess parachute payments within the meaning of section 280G of the Code, then the Company will reduce such payments and benefits to an amount that would avoid any excise taxes under section 4999 of the Code, provided that such reduction would provide Mr. Apple with a greater net after-tax benefit than would no reduction. Based on estimates as of December 31, 2013, Mr. Apple would not be subject to an excise tax under section 4999 of the Code so no reduction to his payments would apply.
  (5) These amounts assume a termination without cause or good reason following a change of control.

Termination for “good reason” generally means a termination initiated by Dr. Wotton or Mr. Apple in response to one or more of the following events: (i) a material decrease in the base salary of the named executive officer, (ii) a decrease in the target annual bonus below a specified percentage, (iii) a change in the designation of title, unless such change is to a higher title and level of responsibility, that results in a material diminution of the named executive officer’s authority, duties and responsibilities, (iv) a relocation of the principal business location to a location that is 60 miles or more from Center City, Philadelphia, (v) the Company’s failure to materially comply with the terms of the employment agreement, (vi) the failure of the Company to require a successor to assume the obligations of the Company to the named executive officer under the named executive officer’s employment agreement or any other agreement between the named executive officer and the Company, or (vii) the Company’s delivery to the named executive officer of a notice of its intent not to renew the term of the employment agreement, provided that the named executive officer is willing and able to execute a new contract providing terms and conditions substantially similar to the those in the agreement and to continue providing services to the Company. In order for a termination to be on account of good reason, the named executive officer must notify the Company of his intention to terminate for good reason, the Company has an opportunity to cure the action or omission that constitutes the ground for good reason and the named executive officer must terminate employment for good reason shortly after the end of the Company’s cure period.

Generally, a change of control under the employment agreements means: (1) the acquisition by any person or entity of 50 percent or more of the Company’s then outstanding voting stock or voting securities; (2) a merger or consolidation as a result of which our stockholders do not own at least 50 percent of the value of our outstanding equity or combined voting power of our voting securities; or (3) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets occurs.

 

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A named executive officer’s employment may be terminated for “cause,” which generally includes the following: (A) dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation in connection with employment, (B) theft, misappropriation or embezzlement of the Company’s funds or resources, (C) conviction of or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in connection with any felony, crime involving fraud or misrepresentation, or any other crime, or (D) a breach by the officer of any material term of the employment agreement. Dr. Wotton’s employment agreement provides that in the event of a material breach by Dr. Wotton of any term of the employment agreement, if such breach is curable as determined by our Board of Directors, Dr. Wotton has 30 days to cure. In the event of termination for cause, the employment agreements generally require termination of all compensation as of the termination date, except as to amounts already earned.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a publicly held corporation’s tax deduction for compensation paid to its chief executive officer or certain other officers in excess of $1 million in any year. Qualified performance-based compensation is excluded from the $1 million deductibility limit, and therefore remains fully deductible by the corporation that pays it. We intend that options and SARs granted under the 2008 Plan will be qualified performance-based compensation. Stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards granted under the 2008 Plan may be structured to meet the qualified performance-based compensation exception under section 162(m) of the Code if the Compensation Committee determines to condition such grants on the achievement of specific performance goals in accordance with the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code. While deductibility of executive compensation for federal income tax purposes is among the factors the Compensation Committee considers when structuring our executive compensation arrangements, it is not the sole or primary factor considered. We retain the flexibility to authorize compensation that may not be deductible if we believe it is in the best interests of the Company.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by SEC regulations. Based on its review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Anton G. Gueth (Chair)

Dr. Leonard S. Jacob

Marvin Samson

Members of the Compensation Committee

 

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COMPENSATION TABLES

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table provides information regarding the compensation for 2013, 2012 and 2011 of our named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal Position            

 
Year
    Salary     Stock
Awards

(1)
    Option
Awards

(2)
      Non-Equity
  Incentive Plan
  Compensation

  (3)
      All Other
  Compensation
  (4)
          Total      

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

    2013      $  540,705      $  711,998      $  366,551      $ 308,000      $ 8,750      $ 1,936,004   

Chief Executive Officer

    2012        477,000        25,900        466,666        430,000        8,500        1,408,066   
    2011        446,000        262,517        99,863        350,000        8,250        1,166,630   

Mr. Robert F. Apple

    2013      $  360,000      $  322,611      $  133,292      $ 200,000      $ 8,750      $ 1,024,653   

Chief Financial Officer

    2012        337,500        -        213,333        230,000        8,500        789,333   
    2011        325,000        166,328        82,091        150,000        8,250        731,669   

Dr. Kaushik Dave (5)

    2013      $  260,630      $  116,666      $  116,629      $ -      $ -      $ 493,925   

Executive Vice President of

    2012        314,000        64,750        180,001        200,000        8,500        767,251   

Product Development

    2011        278,000        153,750        43,161        200,000        8,250        683,161   

 

(1)

The amounts shown for stock awards relate to shares granted under our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan. These amounts are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards and include both incremental restricted stock awards and potential shares that may be earned pursuant to performance based stock awards. The full grant date fair value of the potential shares that may be earned upon achievement of a performance goal is included in this table in the year the performance goal is first determined to be probable of achievement, even if the expense for accounting purposes will be recorded in more than one year and the shares will be issued in a subsequent year. The assumptions used in determining the amounts in this column are set forth in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. As additional compensation for their performance in 2013, Dr. Wotton and Mr. Apple were each granted shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $50,000. The restricted stock was granted in 2014 and vested 100% on the date of grant. For information regarding the number of shares subject to 2013 awards, other features of the award and the grant date fair value of the award, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45. The value of stock awards in this table do not include the value of performance stock unit awards made to the executive officers on May 22, 2013, which will be earned and vested and converted into actual shares of the Company’s common stock based on the Company’s attainment of certain performance goals, as described in note 1 to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45, but were not attained during the year ending December 31, 2013. The grant date fair value of these awards assuming the maximum possible number of shares is earned is as follows for each of the executive officers: $550,000 for Dr. Wotton and $200,000 for Mr. Apple.

(2)

The amounts shown for option awards relate to option awards granted under our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan. These amounts are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards. The assumptions used in determining the amounts in this column are set forth in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Of the 52,083 options awarded to Dr. Dave in 2013, 47,743 with a grant date fair value of $107,210 were forfeited upon his separation from the Company, as these options had not vested. For information regarding the number of shares subject to 2013 awards, other features of those awards, and the grant date fair value of the awards, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 45.

(3)

The amounts shown represent performance based incentive compensation paid in cash.

(4)

All Other Compensation includes the value of discretionary matching contributions under the 401(k) plan.

(5)

Dr. Dave terminated his employment with the Company effective September 15, 2013.

 

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS – 2013

The following table provides details regarding plan-based awards granted to our named executive officers in 2013.

 

            Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
     All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
     All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
     Exercise or
  Base Price of 
     Grant Date
Fair Value
of
 

Name                                         

     Grant  
Date
      Threshold 
(#)(1)
   Target 
(#)(1)
     Maximum 
(#)(1)
     of Stock
or Units

(#)
      Underlying 
Options
(#) (2)
     Option
Awards

($/Sh)
     Stock and
Option
  Awards (3) 
 

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

     05/22/13           92,593        138,891         92,593         163,690          3.96       $ 733,219   

Mr. Robert F. Apple

     05/22/13           33,670        50,505         33,670         59,524          3.96         266,625   

Dr. Kaushik Dave

     05/22/13           29,461        44,193         29,461         52,083          3.96         233,295   

 

(1)

Represent performance stock unit awards made to the executive officers which will be earned and vested and converted into actual shares of the Company’s common stock based on the Company’s attainment of certain performance goals measured over the three or four-year period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2016, respectively, and the executive officer’s continued employment with the Company through that period. The actual number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which the performance stock units may convert will be calculated by multiplying the number of performance stock units by a performance percentage ranging from 0% to 150% based on the attained level of Company performance as measured in terms of the following three performance goals: 3-year net revenue targets, 3 to 4-year targets relating to initiation of pivotal clinical trials or commencement of business development partnership with significant revenue potential, and timing targets for the completion of clinical trials and filing a New Drug Application with the Food & Drug Administration. All of the performance criteria are equally weighted. Each performance criterion has levels of achievement designated as threshold; target and maximum with 50% of the performance stock units vesting if the threshold level is achieved; 100% of the of the performance stock units vesting if the target level is achieved and 150% of the performance stock units vesting if the maximum level is achieved. The actual number of performance stock units earned and vested will be based on the actual performance level achieved. In the event that the actual performance level achieved does not meet threshold performance (i.e., less than 50%) for an applicable performance measure, then no performance stock units will be earned and vested for that performance measure. Threshold level performance may be achieved for one performance measure and not another based on the Company’s actual performance during the three or four year performance period. Dr. Dave’s award of 29,461 shares was forfeited upon his separation from the Company, as none of the shares had vested.

(2)

The stock awards were granted under our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan. The stock awards vest over three years, becoming exercisable as to 33.33% of the underlying shares annually following the date of grant. Dr. Dave’s award of 29,461 shares was forfeited upon his separation from the Company, as none of the shares had vested.

(3)

The option awards were granted under our 2008 Equity Compensation Plan. Option awards generally vest over three years, becoming exercisable as to 8.33% of the underlying shares quarterly following the date of grant. Option awards generally become fully exercisable in the event of the grantee’s death, normal retirement or termination of employment in connection with a change of control. Of the 52,083 options awarded to Dr. Dave in 2013, 47,743 with a grant date fair value of $107,210 were forfeited upon his separation from the Company, as these options had not vested.

(4)

The grant date fair value is computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718. The total in this column does not include the grant date fair value of the estimated future payouts under equity incentive plan awards.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END — 2013

The following table provides details regarding outstanding equity awards for the named executive officers at December 31, 2013.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

Exercisable
(1)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

Unexercisable
(1)
     Option
Exercise
Price
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested

(#)
     Market
Value of
Shares

or Units
of Stock
That

Have
Not
Vested
($) (2)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(2)
 

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

     2,500          $ 0.8400         8/15/14         92,593       $ 413,891         147,366       $ 658,726   
     5,000            1.4000         10/24/14               
     20,000            1.4000         1/2/15               
     20,000            1.5400         1/2/16               
     10,000            1.5500         5/2/16               
     30,000            1.6500         5/9/17               
     30,000            0.8500         5/13/18               
     400,000            0.8000         8/5/18               
     80,900            0.5000         10/19/18               
     150,000            1.1000         11/11/19               
     150,000            1.5200         11/10/20               
     98,333         19,667         1.6600         5/16/21               
     75,000         75,000         2.9400         5/16/22               
     45,956         64,337         4.2600         7/5/22               
     27,281         136,409         3.9600         5/21/23               

Mr. Robert F. Apple

     400,000            1.4300         2/9/16         33,670         150,505         58,709         262,429   
     60,000            1.2300         1/15/17               
     40,000            1.6500         5/9/17               
     82,500            0.8500         5/13/18               
     53,000            0.4700         11/11/18               
     100,000            1.1000         11/11/19               
     100,000            1.5200         11/10/20               
     80,833         16,167         1.6600         5/16/21               
     55,001         54,999         2.9400         5/16/22               
     9,025         12,633         4.2600         7/5/22               
     9,920         49,604         3.9600         5/21/23               

Dr. Kaushik Dave

     115,000            0.4700         3/31/14                  -   
     25,000            0.3700         3/31/14               
     25,000            0.9500         3/31/14               
     75,000            1.1000         3/31/14               
     68,750            1.5200         3/31/14               
     38,250            1.6600         3/31/14               
     29,167            2.9400         3/31/14               
     11,372            4.2600         3/31/14               
     4,340            3.9400         3/31/14               

 

(1) The option awards vest 33 1/3% annually in 8.33% installments each calendar quarter until the underlying shares are fully vested.
(2) The dollar values are based on the closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2013 ($4.47).

 

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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED — 2013

The following table provides information regarding stock award vesting for our named executive officers in 2013.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

     Number of  
Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
     Value
Realized
    on Exercise  
     Number of
Shares
Acquired
    on Vesting (1)    
         Value Realized  
on Vesting
 

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

     364,100       $ 1,316,836         53,846       $ 186,307   

Mr. Robert F. Apple

     172,000         632,725         27,692         95,814   

Dr. Kaushik Dave

     185,000         602,597         19,615         67,868   

 

(1)    Represents fully vested shares of stock granted as special performance based awards. Dr. Wotton, Mr. Apple and Dr. Dave used a portion of the shares acquired on vesting to pay the withholding taxes on the value of the shares that vested, reducing the number of shares actually received. Dr. Wotton received 40,000 shares, Mr. Apple received 19,000 shares and Dr. Dave received 12,000 shares.

         

PENSION BENEFITS – 2013

The Company does not provide pension benefits. The Company provides a discretionary match under the Company’s 401(k) plan to the participating employees’ accounts.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION – 2013

The Company does not have nonqualified deferred compensation plans in which our named executive officers participate.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2014, the name, address (where required) and beneficial ownership of each person (including any “group” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock:

 

Name

     Shares Beneficially  
Owned (1)
    Percentage
 of Outstanding 

Shares
 

BlackRock, Inc.

     7,270,789 (2)      5.60

40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

    

Deerfield Mgmt, L.P. and Deerfield Partners, L.P.

     4,443,438 (3)      3.42

780 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York,
NY 10017

    

Deerfield Mgmt, L.P. and Deerfield International
Master Fund, L.P.

     5,697,736 (4)      4.38

780 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York,
NY 10017

    

 

 

 

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC, and includes generally voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2014, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, the Company believes that the persons named in this table, based on information provided by such persons, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated. As of March 31, 2014, 129,938,017 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

(2)

According to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 28, 2014 by BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 7,270,789 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of the Schedule 13G described in this footnote.

(3)

According to Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014 by Deerfield Mgmt, L.P., Deerfield Partners, L.P. is the beneficial owner of 4,443,438 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of the Schedule 13G/A described in this footnote.

 

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Table of Contents
(4)

According to Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014 by Deerfield Mgmt, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P. is the beneficial owner of 5,697,736 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of the Schedule 13G/A described in this footnote.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information concerning beneficial ownership of common stock as of March 31, 2014, with respect to each of our directors, our nominees for directors, each of our named executive officers, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The addresses of those listed below are the same as that of the Company unless otherwise provided.

 

Name

   Shares
    Beneficially    

Owned (1)
     Right to
    Acquire    

(1) (2)
               Total                Percentage
 of Outstanding 
Shares
 

Dr. Jacques Gonella (3)(4)

     11,874,913         250,000         12,124,913         9.31

Dr. Leonard Jacob

     182,385         624,847         807,232         *   

Thomas J. Garrity

     125,213         200,000         325,213         *   

Anton G. Gueth

     247,776         206,951         454,727         *   

Eamonn P. Hobbs

     99,360         130,000         229,360         *   

Marvin Samson

     27,778         6,667         34,445         *   

Robert P. Roche, Jr.

     5,000         5,000         10,000         *   

Dr. Paul K. Wotton

     461,639         1,212,401         1,674,040         1.28   

Robert F. Apple

     262,762         1,028,309         1,291,071         *   

Dr. Kaushik Dave (5)

     443,858         -         443,858         *   

All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (9 persons)

     13,286,826         3,664,175         16,951,001         12.67

 

 

*

Less than 1%.

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC, and includes generally voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. In addition, shares of Common Stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2014, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, the Company believes that the persons named in this table, based on information provided by such persons, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated.

(2)

Shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(3)

Dr. Jacques Gonella owns controlling interest in Permatec Holding AG, which owns 2,900,000 shares of common stock. Therefore, he exercises voting and investment control for the entity and beneficially owns these shares of stock.

(4)

Dr. Gonella’s address is 100 Princeton South, Suite 300, Ewing, New Jersey 08628.

(5)

Dr. Dave terminated his employment with the Company effective September 15, 2013.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. In 2013, the Audit Committee consisted of Messrs. Garrity (Chair), Gueth and Hobbs. Management has the primary responsibility for the consolidated financial statements and the reporting process. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited consolidated financial statements to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

In this context, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the audited consolidated financial statements for 2013. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committees.” In addition, the Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm the written disclosures required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and discussed with them their independence from us and our management. The Audit Committee determined that the tax services provided to our Company by our independent registered public accounting firm are compatible with the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be

 

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included in our Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. Garrity (Chair)

Mr. Gueth

Mr. Hobbs

Members of the Audit Committee

 

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OTHER MATTERS

Solicitation

We will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy card, proxy statement and/or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to our stockholders in connection with this solicitation. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock, in which case they will be reimbursed by us for their expenses in doing so. Proxies are being solicited primarily by Internet or mail, but our officers and directors may solicit proxies personally by telephone or special letter, but such persons will not receive compensation from us for doing so.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, certain officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Forms 4 or 5 with the SEC. Such officers, directors and ten percent stockholders are also required by the SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

Specific due dates for such reports have been established by the SEC and we are required to disclose in this proxy statement any failure to file reports by such dates. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports received by us or by written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2013, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to officers, directors and ten percent stockholders were met.

Advance Notice Provisions

Under our Bylaws, no business may be brought before an Annual Meeting of Stockholders unless it is specified in the notice of the meeting or is otherwise brought before the meeting at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a stockholder of record entitled to vote who has delivered written notice to our Corporate Secretary at the address set forth on the first page of this proxy statement, and such notice is received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting and such notice has complied with the information requirements in our Bylaws. In addition, any stockholder who wishes to submit a nomination to the Board of Directors must deliver written notice of the nomination within this time period and comply with the information requirements in our Bylaws relating to stockholder nominations. See “Corporate Governance – Director Nominations” for additional information about stockholder nominations. These requirements are separate from and in addition to requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to have a stockholder proposal included in our proxy statement as described below. For the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such notice must be received no earlier than January 29, 2015 and no later than February 28, 2015.

Stockholder Proposals

Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholder proposals must be prepared in accordance with the SEC’s proxy rules and received by our Corporate Secretary no later than December 18, 2014.

Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

Certain banks, brokers, broker-dealers and other similar organizations acting as nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of this proxy statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. If you would prefer to receive separate copies of a proxy statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K for other stockholders in your household, either now or in the future, please contact your bank, broker, broker-dealer or other similar organization serving as your nominee. Upon written or oral request to our Corporate Secretary at the address set forth on the first page of this proxy statement, or via telephone to our Corporate Secretary at 609-359-3020, we will promptly provide separate copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-K and/or this proxy statement. Stockholders sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of this proxy statement and/or Annual Report on Form 10-K and who wish to receive a single copy of these materials in the future will need

 

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to contact their bank, broker, broker-dealer or other similar organization serving as their nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all stockholders at the shared address in the future.

Other

The Board of Directors does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting any matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters that may be presented to the stockholders meeting by others. However, if other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

 

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EXHIBIT A

ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

2008 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

The Antares Pharma, Inc. 2008 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) was established effective as of May 14, 2008 as a successor to the 1993 Stock Option Plan (the “1993 Plan”), 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Consultants (the “2001 Directors and Consultants Plan”), Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan for Employees (the “2001 Employees Plan”) and 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) (the 1993 Plan, 1996 Plan, 2001 Directors and Consultants Plan, 2001 Employees Plan and the 2006 Plan collectively, the “Prior Plans”). The Prior Plans were merged with and into this Plan as of May 14, 2008, and no additional grants shall be made thereafter under the Prior Plans. Outstanding grants under the Prior Plans shall continue in effect according to their terms as in effect before the Plan merger (subject to such amendments as the Committee (as defined below) determines, consistent with the Prior Plans, as applicable), and the shares with respect to outstanding grants under the Prior Plans shall be issued or transferred under this Plan.

The purpose of the Plan is to provide (i) employees of Antares Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, (ii) certain consultants and advisors who perform services for the Company or its subsidiaries and (iii) non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company with the opportunity to receive grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards. The Company believes that the Plan will encourage the participants to contribute materially to the growth of the Company, thereby benefiting the Company’s stockholders, and will align the economic interests of the participants with those of the stockholders. The Plan was originally effective as of May 14, 2008 upon approval by the stockholders of the Company. This amendment and restatement is effective as of February 11, 2014; provided that the share increase contemplated under Section 4(a) will be effective May 29, 2014, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company.

Section 1.             Definitions

The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below for purposes of the Plan:

(a)         “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b)         “Cause” shall mean, except to the extent specified otherwise by the Committee, a finding by the Committee that the Grantee (i) has breached his or her employment or service contract with the Employer, (ii) has engaged in disloyalty to the Employer, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty, (iii) has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Employer to persons not entitled to receive such information, (iv) has breached any written non-competition, non-solicitation or confidentiality agreement between the Grantee and the Employer or (v) has engaged in such other behavior detrimental to the interests of the Employer as the Committee determines.

(c)         “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i)         Any “person” (as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; provided that a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a subsidiary of another corporation and in which the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the parent corporation would be entitled in the election of directors.

 

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(ii)         The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors, or where the members of the Board, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, would not, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a majority of the board of directors of the surviving corporation, (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (C) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any Grants subject to the requirements of section 409A of the Code that will become payable on a Change of Control, the transaction constituting a “Change of Control” must also constitute a “change in control event” for purposes of section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code.

(d)         “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e)         “Committee” shall mean the committee, consisting of members of the Board, designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

(f)         “Company” shall mean Antares Pharma, Inc. and shall include its successors.

(g)         “Company Stock” shall mean common stock of the Company.

(h)         “Disability” or “Disabled” shall mean a Grantee’s becoming disabled within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code, within the meaning of the Employer’s long-term disability plan applicable to the Grantee or as otherwise determined by the Committee.

(i)         “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean an amount determined by multiplying the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a Grant by the per-share cash dividend paid by the Company on its outstanding Company Stock, or the per-share fair market value (as determined by the Committee) of any dividend paid on its outstanding Company Stock in consideration other than cash.

(j)         “Employee” shall mean an employee of an Employer (including an officer or director who is also an employee), but excluding any person who is classified by the Employer as a “contractor” or “consultant,” no matter how characterized by the Internal Revenue Service, other governmental agency or a court. Any change of characterization of an individual by the Internal Revenue Service or any court or government agency shall have no effect upon the classification of an individual as an Employee for purposes of this Plan, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

(k)         “Employed by, or providing service to, the Employer” shall mean employment or service as an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the Board (so that, for purposes of exercising Options and SARs and satisfying conditions with respect to Stock Awards and Performance Units, a Grantee shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service until the Grantee ceases to be both an Employee, Key Advisor and member of the Board).

(l)         “Employer” shall mean the Company and each of its subsidiaries.

(m)         “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(n)         “Exercise Price” shall mean the purchase price of Company Stock subject to an Option.

(o)         “Fair Market Value” shall mean:

(i)         If the Company Stock is publicly traded, then the Fair Market Value per share shall be determined as follows: (A) if the principal trading market for the Company Stock is a national

 

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securities exchange, the last reported sale price of Company Stock during regular trading hours thereof on the relevant date or (if there were no trades on that date) the last reported sale price of Company Stock during regular trading hours on the latest preceding date upon which a sale was reported, or (B) if the Company Stock is not principally traded on any such exchange, the last reported sale price of a share of Company Stock during regular trading hours on the relevant date, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board or, if shares are not reported on the OTC Bulletin Board, as determined by the Committee through any reasonable valuation method authorized under the Code.

(ii)         If the Company Stock is not publicly traded or, if publicly traded, is not subject to reported transactions as set forth above, the Fair Market Value per share shall be as determined by the Committee through any reasonable valuation method authorized under the Code.

(p)         “Grant” shall mean a grant of Options, SARs, Stock Awards, Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan.

(q)         “Grant Instrument” shall mean the agreement that sets forth the terms of a Grant, including any amendments.

(r)         “Grantee” shall mean an Employee, Key Advisor or Non-Employee Director who receives a Grant under the Plan.

(s)         “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option to purchase Company Stock that is intended to meet the requirements of section 422 of the Code.

(t)         “Key Advisor” shall mean a consultant or advisor of an Employer

(u)         “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

(v)         “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an option to purchase Company Stock that is not intended to meet the requirements of section 422 of the Code.

(w)         “Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option granted under the Plan.

(x)         “Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any Grant based on, measured by or payable in Company Stock, as described in Section 10.

(y)         “SAR” shall mean a stock appreciation right with respect to a share of Company Stock.

(z)         “Stock Award” shall mean an award of Company Stock, with or without restrictions.

(aa)         “Stock Unit” shall mean a unit that represents a hypothetical share of Company Stock.

Section 2.             Administration

(a)         Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Board or by a Committee appointed by the Board. The Committee, if applicable, should consist of two or more persons who are “outside directors” as defined under section 162(m) of the Code, and related Treasury regulations, and “non-employee directors” as defined under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Board shall approve and administer all grants made to Non-Employee Directors. The Committee may delegate authority to one or more subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. To the extent that the Board or a subcommittee administers the Plan, references in the Plan to the “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board or such subcommittee. In the absence of a specific designation by the Board to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee of the Board or any successor Board committee performing substantially the same functions.

 

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(b)         Committee Authority. The Committee shall have the sole authority to (i) determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made to each such individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability, (iv) amend the terms of any previously issued grant, subject to the provisions of Section 18 below, and (v) deal with any other matters arising under the Plan.

(c)         Committee Determinations. The Committee shall have full power and express discretionary authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion. The Committee’s interpretations of the Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any interest in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder. All powers of the Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.

Section 3.             Grants

Awards under the Plan may consist of grants of Options as described in Section 6, Stock Awards as described in Section 7, Stock Units as described in Section 8, SARs as described in Section 9 and Other Stock-Based Awards as described in Section 10. All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and to such other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to the individual in the Grant Instrument. All Grants shall be made conditional upon the Grantee’s acknowledgement, in writing or by acceptance of the Grant, that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the Grantee, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under such Grant. Grants under a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform as among the Grantees.

Section 4.             Shares Subject to the Plan

(a)         Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment as described below, the aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that may be issued or transferred under the Plan shall be equal to the sum of the following: (i) 6,000,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock subject to outstanding grants under the Plan as of May 29, 2014, plus (iii) the number of shares of Company Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan but not subject to previously exercised, vested or paid grants as of May 29, 2014; provided that in no event shall the maximum aggregate numbers of shares that may be issued or transferred under the Plan exceed 21,000,000 shares. Shares issued or transferred under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired shares of Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for purposes of the Plan. If and to the extent Options or SARs granted under the Plan (including options granted under the Prior Plans) terminate, expire or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without having been exercised or if any Stock Awards, Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards (including Stock Awards granted under the Prior Plans) are forfeited, terminated or otherwise not paid in full, the shares subject to such Grants shall again be available for purposes of the Plan. Shares of Company Stock surrendered in payment of the Exercise Price of an Option, and shares of Company Stock withheld or surrendered for payment of taxes, shall not be available for re-issuance under the Plan. Upon the exercise of an Option through the net exercise procedure under Section 6(g)(iv) or upon the exercise of a SAR, then both for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan and the number of shares of Company Stock remaining available for exercise under such Option or SAR, the number of such shares shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option or SAR is exercised and without regard to any cash settlement of a SAR. Except as provided with respect to cash settlement of SARs, to the extent that any Grants are paid in cash and not in shares of Company Stock, any shares previously subject to such Grants shall again be available for issuance or transfer under the Plan and shall not count against the share limits in this Section 4(a).

 

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(b)         Individual Limits. All Grants under the Plan shall be expressed in shares of Company Stock. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that shall be subject to Grants made under the Plan to any individual during any calendar year shall be 1,000,000 shares, subject to adjustment as described below.

(c)         Adjustments. If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of Company Stock outstanding by reason of (i) a stock dividend, spinoff, recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation, (iii) a reclassification or change in par value, or (iv) any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company’s payment of an extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock available for issuance under the Plan, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock for which any individual may receive Grants in any year, the kind and number of shares covered by outstanding Grants, the kind and number of shares issued and to be issued under the Plan, and the price per share or the applicable market value of such Grants shall be equitably adjusted by the Committee, in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate, to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, the issued shares of Company Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under the Plan and such outstanding Grants; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control of the Company, the provisions of Section 16 of the Plan shall apply. Any adjustments to outstanding Grants shall be consistent with section 409A or 424 of the Code, to the extent applicable. Any adjustments determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

Section 5.             Eligibility for Participation

(a)         Eligible Persons. All Employees (including, for all purposes of the Plan, an Employee who is a member of the Board) and Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. Key Advisors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if the Key Advisors render bona fide services to the Employer, the services are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and the Key Advisors do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

(b)         Selection of Grantees. The Committee shall select the Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors to receive Grants and shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a particular Grant in such manner as the Committee determines.

Section 6.             Options

The Committee may grant Options to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Options:

(a)         Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock that will be subject to each Grant of Options to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

(b)         Type of Option and Price.

(i)         The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options or any combination of the two, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in section 424 of the Code. Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.

(ii)         The Exercise Price of Company Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date the Option is granted. However, an Incentive Stock Option may not be granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in section 424 of the

 

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Code, unless the Exercise Price per share is not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date of grant.

(c)         Option Term. The Committee shall determine the term of each Option. The term of any Option for US Employees shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The term of any Option for Swiss Employees shall not exceed eleven years from the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of any Incentive Stock Option that is granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in section 424 of the Code, shall not have a term that exceeds five years from the date of grant.

(d)         Exercisability of Options. Options shall become exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee and specified in the Grant Instrument. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding Options at any time for any reason.

(e)         Grants to Non-Exempt Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such Options may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Grantee’s death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

(f)         Termination of Employment, Disability or Death.

(i)         Except as provided below, an Option may only be exercised while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer as an Employee, member of the Board or Key Advisor.

(ii)         In the event that a Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer for any reason other than Disability, death or termination for Cause, any Option which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee’s Options that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

(iii)         In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Company on account of a termination for Cause by the Employer, any Option held by the Grantee shall terminate as of the date the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 6, if the Committee determines that the Grantee has engaged in conduct that constitutes Cause at any time while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or after the Grantee’s termination of employment or service, any Option held by the Grantee shall immediately terminate and the Grantee shall automatically forfeit all shares underlying any exercised portion of an Option for which the Company has not yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of the Exercise Price paid by the Grantee for such shares. Upon any exercise of an Option, the Company may withhold delivery of share certificates pending resolution of an inquiry that could lead to a finding resulting in a forfeiture.

(iv)         In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer because the Grantee is Disabled, any Option which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee’s Options which are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

 

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(v)         If the Grantee dies while employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed or provide service on account of a termination specified in Section 6(e)(ii) above (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), any Option that is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer (or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, any of the Grantee’s Options that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer shall terminate as of such date.

(g)         Exercise of Options. A Grantee may exercise an Option that has become exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise Price for an Option as specified by the Committee (i) in cash, (ii) unless the Committee determines otherwise, by delivering shares of Company Stock owned by the Grantee and having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise at least equal to the Exercise Price or by attestation (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to ownership of shares of Company Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise at least equal to the Exercise Price, (iii) by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) through a net exercise of the Option whereby the Grantee instructs the Company to withhold that number of shares of Company Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option being exercised and deliver to the Grantee the remainder of the shares subject to such exercise, or (v) by such other method as the Committee may approve. Shares of Company Stock used to exercise an Option in (ii) above shall have been held by the Grantee for the requisite period of time necessary to avoid adverse accounting consequences to the Company with respect to the Option. Payment for the shares to be issued or transferred pursuant to the Option, and any required withholding taxes, must be received by the Company by the time specified by the Committee depending on the type of payment being made, but in all cases prior to the issuance or transfer of such shares.

(h)         Limits on Incentive Stock Options. Each Incentive Stock Option shall provide that, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the date of the grant with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year, under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company or a parent or subsidiary, exceeds $100,000, then the Option, as to the excess, shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company.

Section 7.             Stock Awards

The Committee may issue or transfer shares of Company Stock to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor under a Stock Award, upon such terms as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Stock Awards:

(a)         General Requirements. Shares of Company Stock issued or transferred pursuant to Stock Awards may be issued or transferred for consideration or for no consideration, and subject to restrictions or no restrictions, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, establish conditions under which restrictions on Stock Awards shall lapse over a period of time or according to such other criteria as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals. The period of time during which the Stock Awards will remain subject to restrictions will be designated in the Grant Instrument as the “Restriction Period.”

(b)         Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of Company Stock to be issued or transferred pursuant to a Stock Award and the restrictions applicable to such shares.

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other specified conditions are not met, the Stock Award shall terminate as to all shares covered by the Grant as to which the restrictions have not lapsed, and those shares of Company Stock must be immediately returned to the Company. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

(d)         Restrictions on Transfer and Legend on Stock Certificate. During the Restriction Period, a Grantee may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of a Stock Award except under Section 15(a) below. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company will retain possession of certificates for shares of Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed. Each certificate for a Stock Award, unless held by the Company, shall contain a legend giving appropriate notice of the restrictions in the Grant. The Grantee shall be entitled to have the legend removed from the stock certificate covering the shares subject to restrictions when all restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The Committee may determine that the Company will not issue certificates for Stock Awards until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed.

(e)         Right to Vote and to Receive Dividends. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, during the Restriction Period, the Grantee shall have the right to vote shares of Stock Awards and to receive any dividends or other distributions paid on such shares, subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, including, without limitation, the achievement of specific performance goals.

(f)         Lapse of Restrictions. All restrictions imposed on Stock Awards shall lapse upon the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period and the satisfaction of all conditions, if any, imposed by the Committee. The Committee may determine, as to any or all Stock Awards, that the restrictions shall lapse without regard to any Restriction Period.

Section 8.             Stock Units

The Committee may grant Stock Units, each of which shall represent one hypothetical share of Company Stock, to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor upon such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are applicable to Stock Units:

(a)         Crediting of Units. Each Stock Unit shall represent the right of the Grantee to receive a share of Company Stock or an amount of cash based on the value of a share of Company Stock, if and when specified conditions are met. All Stock Units shall be credited to bookkeeping accounts established on the Company’s records for purposes of the Plan.

(b)         Terms of Stock Units. The Committee may grant Stock Units that are payable if specified performance goals or other conditions are met, or under other circumstances. Stock Units may be paid at the end of a specified performance period or other period, or payment may be deferred to a date authorized by the Committee. The Committee shall determine the number of Stock Units to be granted and the requirements applicable to such Stock Units.

(c)         Requirement of Employment or Service. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Employer prior to the vesting of Stock Units, or if other conditions established by the Committee are not met, the Grantee’s Stock Units shall be forfeited. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.

(d)         Payment With Respect to Stock Units. Payments with respect to Stock Units shall be made in cash, Company Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.

Section 9.             Stock Appreciation Rights

The Committee may grant SARs to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor separately or in tandem with any Option. The following provisions are applicable to SARs:

 

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(a)         General Requirements. The Committee may grant SARs to an Employee or Non-Employee Director separately or in tandem with any Option (for all or a portion of the applicable Option). Tandem SARs may be granted either at the time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter while the Option remains outstanding; provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, SARs may be granted only at the time of the Grant of the Incentive Stock Option. The Committee shall establish the base amount of the SAR at the time the SAR is granted, which shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR. The base amount of each SAR shall be equal to the per share Exercise Price of the related Option, provided such Exercise Price is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR, or, if there is no related Option, an amount equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of grant of the SAR.

(b)         Tandem SARs. In the case of tandem SARs, the number of SARs granted to a Grantee that shall be exercisable during a specified period shall not exceed the number of shares of Company Stock that the Grantee may purchase upon the exercise of the related Option during such period. Upon the exercise of an Option, the SARs relating to the Company Stock covered by such Option shall terminate. Upon the exercise of SARs, the related Option shall terminate to the extent of an equal number of shares of Company Stock.

(c)         Exercisability. An SAR shall be exercisable during the period specified by the Committee in the Grant Instrument and shall be subject to such vesting and other restrictions as may be specified in the Grant Instrument. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding SARs at any time for any reason. SARs may only be exercised while the Grantee is employed by, or providing service to, the Employer or during the applicable period after termination of employment or service as described in Section 6(e) above. A tandem SAR shall be exercisable only during the period when the Option to which it is related is also exercisable.

(d)         Grants to Non-Exempt Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs granted to persons who are non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, may not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant (except that such SARs may become exercisable, as determined by the Committee, upon the Grantee’s death, Disability or retirement, or upon a Change of Control or other circumstances permitted by applicable regulations).

(e)         Value of SARs. When a Grantee exercises SARs, the Grantee shall receive in settlement of such SARs an amount equal to the value of the stock appreciation for the number of SARs exercised. The stock appreciation for an SAR is the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the underlying Company Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR exceeds the base amount of the SAR as described in subsection (a).

(f)         Form of Payment. The appreciation in an SAR shall be paid in shares of Company Stock, cash or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine. For purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock to be received, shares of Company Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR.

Section 10.             Other Stock-Based Awards

The Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards, which are awards (other than those described in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Plan) that are based on or measured by Company Stock, to any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor, on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded subject to the achievement of performance goals or other conditions and may be payable in cash, Company Stock or any combination of the foregoing, as the Committee shall determine.

Section 11.             Dividend Equivalents

The Committee may grant Dividend Equivalents in connection Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or accrued as contingent cash obligations and may be payable in cash or shares of Company Stock, and upon such terms as the Committee may establish, including, without limitation, the

 

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achievement of specific performance goals. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 11, any Dividend Equivalents granted in connection with Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards that are subject to specified performance goals shall be payable only if and to the extent the underlying Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards are payable, as determined by the Committee

Section 12.             Qualified Performance-Based Compensation

The Committee may determine that Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents granted to an Employee shall be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code. The following provisions shall apply to Grants of Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents that are to be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code:

(a)         Performance Goals.

(i)         When Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents that are to be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” are granted, the Committee shall establish in writing (A) the objective performance goals that must be met, (B) the performance period during which the performance will be measured, (C) the threshold, target and maximum amounts that may be paid if the performance goals are met, and (D) any other conditions that the Committee deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan and Section 162(m) of the Code.

(ii)         The business criteria may relate to the Grantee’s business unit or the performance of the Company and its parents and subsidiaries as a whole, or any combination of the foregoing. The Committee shall use objectively determinable performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: stock price, earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, earnings before income taxes, EBITDA (earnings before income tax expense, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization expense), return on assets, stockholder return, return on equity, growth in assets, unit volume, sales or market share, or strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue goals, market penetration goals, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures.

(b)         Establishment of Goals. The Committee shall establish the performance goals in writing either before the beginning of the performance period or during a period ending no later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the beginning of the performance period or (ii) the date on which 25% of the performance period has been completed, or such other date as may be required or permitted under applicable regulations under section 162(m) of the Code. The performance goals shall satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation,” including the requirement that the achievement of the goals be substantially uncertain at the time they are established and that the goals be established in such a way that a third party with knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether and to what extent the performance goals have been met. The Committee shall not have discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated performance goals.

(c)         Announcement of Grants. The Committee shall certify and announce the results for each performance period to all Grantees after the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the performance period. If and to the extent that the Committee does not certify that the performance goals have been met, the grants of Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents for the performance period shall be forfeited or shall not be made, as applicable. If Dividend Equivalents are granted as “qualified performance-based compensation” under section 162(m) of the Code, a Grantee may not accrue more than $1,000,000 of such Dividend Equivalents during any calendar year.

(d)         Death, Disability or Other Circumstances. The Committee may provide that Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents shall be payable or restrictions on such Grants shall lapse, in whole or in part, in the event of the Grantee’s death or Disability during the performance

 

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period, or under other circumstances consistent with the Treasury regulations and rulings under section 162(m) of the Code.

Section 13.             Deferrals

The Committee may permit or require a Grantee to defer receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of shares that would otherwise be due to such Grantee in connection with any Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards. If any such deferral election is permitted or required, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such deferrals and may provide for interest or other earnings to be paid on such deferrals. The rules and procedures for any such deferrals shall be consistent with applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code.

Section 14.             Withholding of Taxes

(a)         Required Withholding. All Grants under the Plan shall be subject to applicable federal (including FICA), state and local tax withholding requirements. The Employer may require that the Grantee or other person receiving or exercising Grants pay to the Employer the amount of any federal, state or local taxes that the Employer is required to withhold with respect to such Grants, or the Employer may deduct from other wages and compensation paid by the Employer the amount of any withholding taxes due with respect to such Grants.

(b)         Election to Withhold Shares. If the Committee so permits, a Grantee may elect to satisfy the Employer’s tax withholding obligation with respect to Grants paid in Company Stock by having shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the Grantee’s minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax liabilities. The election must be in a form and manner prescribed by the Committee and may be subject to the prior approval of the Committee.

Section 15.             Transferability of Grants

(a)         Nontransferability of Grants. Except as provided below, only the Grantee may exercise rights under a Grant during the Grantee’s lifetime. A Grantee may not transfer those rights except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or (ii) with respect to Grants other than Incentive Stock Options, pursuant to a domestic relations order. When a Grantee dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Grantee may exercise such rights. Any such successor must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Grant under the Grantee’s will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b)         Transfer of Nonqualified Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may provide, in a Grant Instrument, that a Grantee may transfer Nonqualified Stock Options to family members, or one or more trusts or other entities for the benefit of or owned by family members, consistent with the applicable securities laws, according to such terms as the Committee may determine; provided that the Grantee receives no consideration for the transfer of an Option and the transferred Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Option immediately before the transfer.

Section 16.             Consequences of a Change of Control

(a)         Notice and Acceleration. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, effective upon the date of the Change of Control, (i) all outstanding Options and SARs shall automatically accelerate and become fully exercisable, (ii) the restrictions and conditions on all outstanding Stock Awards shall immediately lapse, and (iii) all Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents shall become fully vested and shall be paid at their target values, or in such greater amounts as the Committee may determine.

(b)         Other Alternatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may take one or more of the following actions with respect to any or all outstanding Grants: the Committee may (i) require that Grantees surrender their outstanding Options and SARs in exchange for one or more payments by the Company, in cash or Company Stock as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the

 

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amount by which the then Fair Market Value of the shares of Company Stock subject to the Grantee’s unexercised Options and SARs exceeds the Exercise Price of the Options or the base amount of the SARs, as applicable, (ii) after giving Grantees an opportunity to exercise their outstanding Options and SARs, terminate any or all unexercised Options and SARs at such time as the Committee deems appropriate, or (iii) determine that outstanding Options and SARs that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced with comparable options or rights by, the surviving corporation, (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation), and other outstanding Grants that remain in effect after the Change of Control shall be converted to similar grants of the surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving corporation). Such surrender or termination shall take place as of the date of the Change of Control or such other date as the Committee may specify.

Section 17.             Requirements for Issuance or Transfer of Shares

No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any Grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition any Grant on the Grantee’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of the shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued or transferred under the Plan may be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable laws, regulations and interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.

Section 18.             Amendment and Termination of the Plan

(a)         Amendment. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without stockholder approval if such approval is required in order to comply with the Code or other applicable law, or to comply with applicable stock exchange requirements.

(b)         No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may not reprice Options, nor may the Board amend the Plan to permit repricing of Options, unless the stockholders of the Company provide prior approval for such repricing. An adjustment to an Option pursuant to Section 4(c) above shall not constitute a repricing of the Option.

(c)         Stockholder Re-Approval Requirement. If Stock Awards, Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents are granted as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 12 above, the Plan must be reapproved by the stockholders no later than the first stockholders meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the stockholders previously approved the provisions of Section 12, if required by section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder.

(d)         Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate on May 13, 2018, unless the Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of the stockholders.

(e)         Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Grants. A termination or amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or unless the Committee acts under Section 19(f) below. The termination of the Plan shall not impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding Grant. Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be terminated or amended under Section 19(f) below or may be amended by agreement of the Company and the Grantee consistent with the Plan.

Section 19.             Miscellaneous

(a)         Grants in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the Committee to make Grants under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation,

 

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firm or association, including Grants to employees thereof who become Employees, or (ii) limit the right of the Company to grant stock options or make other awards outside of the Plan. The Committee may make a Grant to an employee of another corporation who becomes an Employee by reason of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company, in substitution for a stock option or stock awards grant made by such corporation. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may establish such terms and conditions of the new Grants as it deems appropriate, including setting the Exercise Price of Options or the base price of SARs at a price necessary to retain for the Grantee the same economic value as the prior options or rights.

(b)         Governing Document. The Plan shall be the controlling document. No other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or written, may amend the Plan in any manner. The Plan shall be binding upon and enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.

(c)         Funding of the Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Grants under the Plan.

(d)         Rights of Grantees. Nothing in the Plan shall entitle any Employee, Non-Employee Director, Key Advisor or other person to any claim or right to be granted a Grant under the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the Employer or any other employment rights.

(e)         No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Grant. Except as otherwise provided under the Plan, the Committee shall determine whether cash, other awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

(f)         Compliance with Law.

(i)         The Plan, the exercise of Options and SARs and the obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock under Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and regulations, and to approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. In addition, it is the intent of the Company that Incentive Stock Options comply with the applicable provisions of section 422 of the Code, that Grants of “qualified performance-based compensation” comply with the applicable provisions of section 162(m) of the Code and that, to the extent applicable, Grants comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any legal requirement of section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code as set forth in the Plan ceases to be required under section 16 of the Exchange Act or section 422, 162(m) or 409A of the Code, that Plan provision shall cease to apply. To the extent applicable, if on the date of a Grantee’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under section 409A of the Code), Company Stock (or stock of any other company required to be aggregated with the Company for purposes of section 409A of the Code and its corresponding regulations) is publicly-traded on an established securities market or otherwise and the Grantee is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and its corresponding regulations) as determined by the Committee (or its delegate) in its discretion in accordance with the requirements of sections 409A and 416 of the Code, then all Grants that are deemed to be deferred compensation subject to the requirements of section 409A of the Code and payable within six months following such Grantee’s “separation from service” shall be postponed for a period of six months following the Grantee’s “separation from service” with the Company. The Committee may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law or modify a Grant to bring it into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this Section.

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shall the Company have any responsibility or liability if a Grant does not meet any applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code. Although the Company intends to administer the Plan to prevent taxation under section 409A of the Code, the Company does not represent or warrant that the Plan or any Grant complies with any provision of federal, state, local or other tax law.

(g)         Employees Subject to Taxation Outside the United States. With respect to Grantees who are believed by the Committee to be subject to taxation in countries other than the United States, the Committee may make Grants on such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate to comply with the laws of the applicable countries, and the Committee may create such procedures, addenda and subplans and make such modifications as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such laws.

(h)         Clawback Rights. All Grants under the Plan will be subject to any compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be applicable to the employees of the Company, as in effect from time to time and as approved by the Board or Committee, whether or not approved before or after the effective date of the Plan.

(h)         Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of the Plan and Grant Instruments issued under the Plan shall be governed and construed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

 

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ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

ATTN: ROBERT APPLE

100 PRINCETON SOUTH, SUITE 300

EWING, NJ 08628

 

  

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

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If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

    

 

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VOTE BY MAIL

    

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:   
M73649-P52226                KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

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   DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

ANTARES PHARMA, INC.    For 
All 
  Withhold 
All
 

 For All

 Except

      

To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the
number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

 

              

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the election of the director nominees listed below to Class I of the Board of Directors:

   ¨   ¨   ¨              

 

1.

  Election of Directors                           
   

 

Nominees:

                        
   

 

01)    Dr. Leonard S. Jacob

                   
    02)    Dr. Paul K. Wotton                    
    03)    Marvin Samson                    

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.

      For     Against    Abstain    
   

2.

  To approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2008 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan from 15,000,000 to 21,000,000.   ¨   ¨   ¨    

 

3.

 

 

To hold an advisory vote to approve our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in our proxy statement.

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

 

 

¨

   
   

4.

  To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.   ¨   ¨   ¨    

 

NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

   

 

NOTE: THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ABOVE. THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

                 

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

 

                 
           
                                    
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Table of Contents

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

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M73650-P52226

 

ANTARES PHARMA, INC.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

May 29, 2014 10:00 AM, Eastern Time

 

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

 

   

The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Paul K. Wotton and Robert F. Apple, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of ANTARES PHARMA, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time on May 29, 2014, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

 

   
                   
   
                   
   
                   
         

    

         

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side