0001551163-14-000284.txt : 20141015 0001551163-14-000284.hdr.sgml : 20141015 20141010165509 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001551163-14-000284 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14C PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20141010 FILED AS OF DATE: 20141010 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20141010 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20141010 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EASTGATE ACQUISITIONS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001099574 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTORS, NEC [6799] IRS NUMBER: 870639378 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14C SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-52886 FILM NUMBER: 141152908 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2681 EAST PARLEYS WAY - SUITE 204 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84109 BUSINESS PHONE: 8013223401 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2681 EAST PARLEYS WAY - SUITE 204 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84109 DEF 14C 1 esaqdefinitive14cv2vedgar2.htm Converted by EDGARwiz

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14C

Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934  

Check the appropriate box:

x

Preliminary Information Statement

o

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))

[X]

Definitive Information Statement

 

 

 

(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x

No fee required

o

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) 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:

 

 

o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

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:

 

 

1



 

EASTGATE ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION

 

NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN BY WRITTEN CONSENT

OF THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN LIEU OF A MEETING

 

To the Shareholders of

Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation

 

We are writing to inform you that on September 15, 2014, shareholders holding a majority of our Common Stock have executed a written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting, which we refer to herein as the “Written Consent”, to approve:

 

1. An amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation to change our name to “Eastgate Biotech Corp.” from “Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation”;


2. An amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares of authorized capital stock to 500,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 450,000,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock from 100,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 0 shares of preferred stock; and

 

3.     The Eastgate Biotech Corp. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

 

These items, each a “Proposal” and collectively the “Proposals,” are more fully described in the accompanying Information Statement.  The Written Consent was taken pursuant to Section 78.320 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and our bylaws, each of which permits that any action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may also be taken by the written consent of the holders of the numbers of Common Stock required to approve the action at a meeting.  The accompanying Information Statement is being furnished to all of our shareholders in accordance with Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) thereunder, solely for the purpose of informing out shareholders of the action taken by the Written Consent before it becomes effective.  Because we are incorporating certain information by reference, the actions under the Written Consent cannot be taken or become effective sooner than 20 business days after the Information Statement is first sent or given to the Company’s shareholders.  Because the accompanying Information Statement is first being mailed to shareholders on or about October 10, 2014, the Proposals described herein will become effective on or after October  31, 2014.

 

This is not a notice of a special meeting of shareholders and no shareholder meeting will be held to consider any matter which is described herein.  THE ACCOMPANYING INFORMATION STATEMENT IS BEGING MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 10, 2014.  WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

/s/ Anna Gluskin

 

Anna Gluskin, Chief Executive Officer

 

and Director

 

October 10, 2014










 

 

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EASTGATE ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION

2681 East Parleys Way, Suite 204

Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 

October 10, 2014

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

In this Information Statement we refer to Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our.”

 

The Information Statement is furnished in connection with an action by written consent (the “Written Consent”) of shareholders of the Company owning 27,642,400 shares of our Common Stock, or approximately 55.28%, of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (the “Majority Shareholders”).  The actions taken by the Written Consent will not become effective until at least 20 business days after the Information Statement is sent or given to our shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The close of business on September 15, 2014, the date that the Majority Shareholders gave their written consent, is the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of the action by the Written Consent.

 

Pursuant to the Written Consent, the Majority Shareholders (i) approved an amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation  to (x) change our name to “Eastgate Biotech Corp.” from “Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation” and (y) increase the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company has the authority to issue from 100,000,000 to 450,000,000 shares and the number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Company has the authority to issue from 0 shares to 50,000,000 shares and (ii) approved the Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Proposals”).

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously approved the Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan on May 20, 2014 and the amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation on September 15, 2014.  Also on September 15, 2014, the Board of Directors set the Record Date as September 15, 2014.

 

This Information Statement contains a brief summary of the material aspects of each of the Proposals approved by the Board and the Majority Shareholders.

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

 

ABOUT THE INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

What is the Purpose of the Information Statement?

 

This Information Statement is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act to notify our shareholders of certain corporate actions taken by the Majority Shareholders pursuant to the Written Consent.  In order to eliminate the costs and management time involved in obtaining proxies and in order to effect the Proposals as early as possible to accomplish the purposes hereafter described, the Board elected to seek the written consent of the Majority Shareholders to reduce the costs and implement the Proposals in a timely manner. 

  

Who is Entitled to Notice?

 

Each outstanding share of Common Stock as of record on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of the actions to be taken pursuant to the Written Consent.

 

What Vote is Required to Approve the Proposals?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is required for approval of the Proposals.  As of the Record Date, the Company had 50,004,070 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.  Each share of Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders.  However, because the Majority Shareholders, holding a majority of the outstanding Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, voted in favor of the Proposals, no other shareholder consents will be obtained in connection with this Information Statement.


  3



PROPOSAL 1

 

AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE THE COMPANY’S NAME

Our Board of Directors and Majority Shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) to change the name of the Company to “Eastgate Biotech Corp.” from “Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation”.  Our Board of Directors has determined that this name change is in the best interests of our stockholders and will more accurately reflect our new business strategy of exploring drug delivery innovations in the development of novel formulations and alternative dosage forms of existing biologically active molecules.


 A copy of the proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation is attached hereto as Attachment A. The amendment will become effective upon filing with the Nevada Secretary of State as required by the Nevada Revised Statutes. It is anticipated that this will occur promptly following October 31, 2014.



 PROPOSAL 2


AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE

NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO 450,000,000

AND AUTHORIZED SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK TO 50,000,000

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share, and 0 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.00001 par value per share. On September 15, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock to 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, consisting of 450,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.00001 per share, all subject to shareholder approval.

 

Purpose and Effect of the Amendment

 

The Company currently has 100,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock. As of September 19, 2014, the Company had 50,004,070 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding; 0 shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, and warrants to purchase 8,997,300 shares issued and outstanding.

 

The Board of Directors believes it continues to be in our best interest to have sufficient additional authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock available in order to provide flexibility for corporate action in the future. Management believes that the availability of additional authorized shares for issuance from time to time in the Board of Directors’ discretion in connection with possible acquisitions of other companies, future financings, investment opportunities, stock splits or dividends or for other corporate purposes is desirable in order to avoid repeated separate amendments to our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the delay and expense incurred in holding special meetings of the Stockholders to approve such amendments.


Following adoption of the Amendment, the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be fifty million (50,000,000) shares with par value of $0.00001 per share. The board of directors shall have the authority to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and to state in the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following:

  

        (a)   Whether or not the class or series shall have voting rights, full or limited, the nature and qualifications, limitations and restrictions on those rights, or whether the class or series will be without voting rights;

 

        (b)   The number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designation thereof;

 

        (c)   The preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

 

        (d)   Whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable and if redeemable, the redemption price or prices, and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;


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        (e)   Whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and if such retirement or sinking funds be established, the amount and the terms and provisions thereof;

 

        (f)    The dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Company, or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividend shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

 

        (g)   The preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any class or series thereof are entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of assets of, the Company;

 

        (h)   Whether or not the shares of any class or series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Company and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and

 

        (i)    Such other rights and provisions with respect to any class or series as may to the board of directors seem advisable.

 

        The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any respect. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any existing class or series of the Preferred Stock and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company currently has no arrangements or understandings for the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, although opportunities for acquisitions and equity financings could arise at any time. If this proposal is approved, all or any of the authorized shares may be issued without further shareholder action (unless such approval is required by applicable law or regulatory authorities) and without first offering those shares to the stockholders for subscription. The issuance of shares otherwise than on a pro-rata basis to all stockholders would reduce the proportionate interest in the Company of each share.


While we do not currently have any plans for the authorization or issuance of any series of preferred stock, the issuance of such preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock, and therefore reduce the value of such stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the potential future issuance of any series of preferred stock on the rights of holders of our currently outstanding stock unless and until our Board of Directors determines the specific rights of the holders of any such additional preferred stock; however, these effects may include:

 

 

·

Restricting dividends on the common or preferred stock;

 

·

Diluting the voting power of the common stock;

 

·

Impairing the liquidation rights of the common or preferred stock; or

 

·

Delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders.

 

The increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock could have an anti-takeover effect. If the Company’s Board of Directors desire to issue additional shares in the future, such issuance could dilute the voting power of a person seeking control of the Company, thereby deterring or rendering more difficult a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or an extraordinary corporate transaction opposed by the Company. because the authorization of “blank check” preferred stock could be used by our Board of Directors for the adoption of a shareholder rights plan or “poison pill,” the preferred stock may be viewed as having the effect of discouraging an attempt by another person or entity to acquire control of us through the acquisition of a substantial numbers of shares of common stock.

 A copy of the proposed amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation is attached hereto as Attachment A. The amendment will become effective upon filing with the Nevada Secretary of State as required by the Nevada Revised Statutes. It is anticipated that this will occur promptly following October 31, 2014.

  







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PROPOSAL 3

 

TO APPROVE THE EASTGATE ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION

2014 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders approve the Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

 

The purposes of the Plan are to promote the success of the Company and to increase stockholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons. The following is a summary of the principal features of the Plan.

 

A copy of the Plan is attached hereto as Attachment B.

 

Administration

 

The Plan shall be administered by and all awards under the Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The “Administrator” means the Board of Directors or one or more committees appointed by the Board of Directors or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of the Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to one or more officers of the Company, its powers under the Plan (a) to designate “Eligible Persons” who will receive grants of awards under the Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under the Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Company or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (a) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute due authorization of an action by the acting Administrator.

  

With respect to awards intended to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code); provided, however, that the failure to satisfy such requirement shall not affect the validity of the action of any committee otherwise duly authorized and acting in the matter. Award grants, and transactions in or involving awards, intended to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, must be duly and timely authorized by the Board or a committee consisting solely of two or more non-employee directors (as this requirement is applied under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act). To the extent required by any applicable stock exchange, the Plan shall be administered by a committee composed entirely of independent directors (within the meaning of the applicable stock exchange). Awards granted to non-employee directors shall not be subject to the discretion of any officer or employee of the Corporation and shall be administered exclusively by a committee consisting solely of independent directors. 

 

Types of Awards


The types of awards that may be granted under the Plan are:

 

Stock Options. A stock option is the grant of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock during a specified period as determined by the Administrator. An option may be intended as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “ISO”) or a nonqualified stock option (an option not intended to be an ISO). The maximum term of each option (ISO or nonqualified) shall be ten (10) years. The per share exercise price for each option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the option, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator. When an option is exercised, the exercise price for the shares to be purchased shall be paid in full in cash or such other method permitted by the Administrator consistent with the Plan.

 

 Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right or “SAR” is a right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the number of shares of Common Stock being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised, over (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR was granted as specified in the applicable award agreement. The maximum term of a SAR shall be ten (10) years.





6

Restricted Shares.  Restricted shares are shares of Common Stock subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Administrator may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Administrator may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement relating to the restricted stock, a participant granted restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Administrator).

 

Restricted Share Units.  A restricted share unit, or “RSU”, represents the right to receive from the Company on the respective scheduled vesting or payment date for such RSU, one share of Common Stock. An award of RSUs may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, subject to the provisions of this Plan. At the time an award of RSUs is made, the Administrator shall establish a period of time during which the restricted share units shall vest and the timing for settlement of the RSU.


Cash Awards. The Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant cash bonuses. Cash awards shall be awarded in such amount and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.

 

Other Awards. The other types of awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) stock bonuses, performance stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the Common Stock, upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) any similar securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the Common Stock and/or returns thereon. 

 

Shares Authorized for Issuance

 

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted to Eligible Persons under the Plan may not exceed 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock. 

 

Shares Subject to the Plan

 

Except as set forth below, shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the exercise of, or as other payment for, an Award will be charged against the total number of shares issuable under the Plan.

 

In order to reflect such events as stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalization, mergers, consolidations or reorganizations by the Company, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, adjust the number of shares subject to each outstanding Award, the exercise price and the aggregate number of shares from which grants or awards may be made.

 

Change in Control

 

Upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), each then-outstanding option and SAR shall automatically become fully vested, all restricted shares then outstanding shall automatically fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under the Plan that is then outstanding shall automatically become vested and payable to the holder of such award unless the Administrator has made appropriate provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of the award pursuant to the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may choose (in an award agreement or otherwise) to provide for full or partial accelerated vesting of any award upon a Change In Control (or upon any other event or other circumstance related to the Change in Control, such as an involuntary termination of employment occurring after such Change in Control, as the Administrator may determine), irrespective of whether such any such award has been substituted, assumed, exchanged or otherwise continued pursuant to the Change in Control.


Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

To the extent then required by applicable law or any applicable stock exchange or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the Code to preserve the intended tax consequences of this Plan, or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, the Plan and any amendment to the Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval.






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Certain awards  that are either granted or become vested, exercisable or payable based on attainment of one or more performance goals related, as well as Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs granted to persons that are approved by a committee composed solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code) shall be deemed to be intended as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code unless such committee provides otherwise at the time of grant of the award. It is the further intent of the Corporation that (to the extent the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries or awards under this Plan may be or become subject to limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code) any such awards and any other Performance-Based Awards that are granted to or held by a person subject to Section 162(m) will qualify as performance-based compensation or otherwise be exempt from deductibility limitations under Section 162(m).

   

The Board intends that, except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator, any awards under the Plan are either exempt from or satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”) to avoid the imposition of any taxes, including additional income or penalty taxes, thereunder. If the Administrator determines that an award, award agreement, acceleration, adjustment to the terms of an award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a participant’s award to become subject to Section 409A, unless the Administrator expressly determines otherwise, such award, award agreement, payment, acceleration, adjustment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be undertaken and the related provisions of the Plan and/or award agreement will be deemed modified or, if necessary, rescinded in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent determined by the Administrator without the content or notice to the participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any participant under Section 409A and neither the Company nor the Administrator will have any liability to any participant for such tax or penalty.

 

Although the Company intends that awards under the Plan will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law. The Company shall not be liable to any participant for any tax, interest or penalties the participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise or payment of any award under the Plan.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all Executive Officers and Directors as a group as of September 19, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of

Shares(1)

 

Percent of

Class(2)

 

   Directors and Officers

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Gluskin

 

5,852,000(3)

 

 

9.9%

 

Mirjana Hasanagic

 

3,486,800 (4)

 

 

5.9%

 

Brian Lukian

 

2,507,600 (5)

 

 

4.3%

 

Joseph Schwarz

 

3,064,000 (6)

 

 

5.2%

 

Michael Weisspapir

 

3,064,000 (7)

 

 

5.2%

 

   5% Stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

TGT Investments Group Corp.(8)

 

12,007,600(9)  

 

 

20.4%

 

Edward F. Cowle

 

4,650,000

 

 

7.9%

 

   All Directors and Officers as a group (5 persons)

 

17,974,400

 

 

30.5%

 


Note: Unless otherwise indicated, we have been advised that each person above has sole voting power over the shares indicated above.  

(1) Includes outstanding warrants as if they were exercised. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days of September 19, 2014.

(2) Based upon 50,004,070 shares of common stock and 8,997,300 warrants outstanding on September 19, 2014.

(3) Includes warrants to purchase 1,008,000 shares of common stock.

(4) Includes warrants to purchase 637,200 shares of common stock.

(5) Includes warrants to purchase 860,400 shares of common stock.

(6) Includes warrants to purchase 396,000 shares of common stock.

(7) Includes warrants to purchase 396,000 shares of common stock.

(8) TGT Investments Group Corp. is a privately held investment holding company, of which investment and 100% voting control are held by Rose Perri.

(9) Also included are 1,147,200 shares and 860,400 warrants owned directly by Rose Perri.



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


We have not paid any salaries or other compensation to officers, directors or employees for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Further, we have not entered into an employment agreement with any of our officers, directors or any other persons and no such agreements are anticipated in the immediate future.   


On March 14, 2014, the Company issued units of its securities to its officers and directors with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a five year warrant to purchase 0.75 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share. The issuance of these securities was deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.  


These units were issued in the amounts and to the individuals set forth below in satisfaction of accrued liabilities.  


 

 

 

Name

Shares

Warrants

Mirjana Hasanagic, Director

576,000

432,000

Anna Gluskin, Chief Executive Officer and Director

864,000

648,000

Brian Lukian, Chief Financial Officer and Director

720,000

540,000

Joseph Schwarz, Chief Scientific Officer

480,000

360,000

 

On June 6, 2014, the Company issued 140,000 shares of common stock to each of Michael Weisspapir and Joseph Schwarz officers of the Company.     


On June 9, 2014, the Company issued units of its securities to its officers and directors with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a five year warrant to purchase 0.75 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share. These units are in the amounts and were issued to the individuals set forth below in satisfaction of accrued liabilities.   


 

 

 

Name

Shares

Warrants

Hasanagic, Mirjana

273,600

 205,200

Gluskin, Anna

480,000

 360,000

Lukian, Brian

427,200

 320,400

Schwarz, Joseph

48,000

 36,000

Weisspapir, Michael

48,000

 36,000


Following the issuances above, all outstanding accrued compensation was satisfied. These securities were not issued under the Plan.


DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation


The Company does not have a compensation committee or other board committee performing equivalent functions.  Until a formal committee is established, our board of directors will perform the functions associated with a compensation committee, including reviewing all forms of compensation provided to our executive officers, directors, consultants and employees, including stock compensation.   During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not pay any compensation to its our executive officers, directors, consultants and employees.

 

Under the Nevada Revised Statutes, our shareholders are not entitled to dissenters’ appraisal rights with respect to any of the Proposals, and we do not intend to independently provide shareholders with any such right.






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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Information Statement and the documents incorporated by reference into this Information Statement contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Information Statement and the materials accompanying this Information Statement are forward-looking statements.

 

Frequently, but not always, forward-looking statements are identified by the use of the future tense and by words such as ‘believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “projects,” “continues,” “estimates,” or similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our company or its industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Information Statement are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include declarations regarding our plans, intentions, beliefs or current expectations.

 

The forward-looking statements included in this Information Statement are made only as of the date of this Information Statement.  The forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results of those anticipated.  These uncertainties and other risk factors include, but are not limited to:  changing economic and political conditions in the United States and in other countries;  the ability to integrate effectively acquired companies;  the loss of current customers or the inability to obtain new customers;  war or other acts of political unrest;  changes in governmental spending and budgetary policies;  governmental laws and regulations surrounding various matters such as environmental remediation, contract pricing, and international trading restrictions;  customer product acceptance;  continued access to capital markets;  and foreign currency risks.

 

We further caution investors that other factors might, in the future, prove to be important in affecting our results of operations.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

 

As previously described under Proposal 2, 20,000,000 shares of our Common Stock will be reserved for future issuance to directors, officers, consultants, advisors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries under the Plan.  Accordingly, members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Company will likely be recipients of Awards under the Plan.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Distribution of the Information Statement

 

We will pay the costs associated with this Information Statement, including the costs of printing and mailing.  We will reimburse brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding the Information Statement to beneficial owners.

 










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Where You Can Find Additional Information

 

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.  You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the Commission’s public reference rooms at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost.  Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference rooms.  Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and our website at www.spherixincorporated.com.  We have not incorporated by reference into this Information Statement the information contained on our website and you should not consider it to be part of this Information Statement.


 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

/s/ Anna Gluskin

 

Anna Gluskin, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

October 10, 2014

 







































  

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ATTACHMENT A

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

 

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

For Nevada Profit Corporations


(Pursuant to NRS 78.385 and 78.390 - After Issuance of Stock)



Eastgate Acquisitions Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Nevada (the “Corporation”) hereby certifies as follows:


1. ARTICLE 1 of the Corporation’s Restated Articles shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:


The name of the Corporation is Eastgate Biotech Corp. (the “Corporation”).


2. ARTICLE 4 of the Corporation’s Restated Articles shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:


4.01    Authorized Capital Stock.    The total number of shares of stock this Corporation is authorized to issue shall be five hundred million (500,000,000) shares. This stock shall be divided into two classes to be designated as "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock."

 

4.02    Common Stock.    The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock shall be four hundred and fifty million (450,000,000) shares with par value of $0.00001 per share.

 

4.03    Preferred Stock.    The total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be fifty million (50,000,000) shares with par value of $0.00001 per share. The board of directors shall have the authority to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, and to state in the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the following:

  

        (a)   Whether or not the class or series shall have voting rights, full or limited, the nature and qualifications, limitations and restrictions on those rights, or whether the class or series will be without voting rights;

 

        (b)   The number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designation thereof;

 

        (c)   The preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

 

        (d)   Whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable and if redeemable, the redemption price or prices, and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;

 

        (e)   Whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and if such retirement or sinking funds be established, the amount and the terms and provisions thereof;

 

        (f)    The dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation, or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividend shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

 

        (g)   The preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any class or series thereof are entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of assets of, the Corporation;






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        (h)   Whether or not the shares of any class or series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and

 

        (i)    Such other rights and provisions with respect to any class or series as may to the board of directors seem advisable.

 

        The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any respect. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any existing class or series of the Preferred Stock and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.


3. The foregoing amendments have been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes 78.385 and 78.390 by the vote of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.  


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate of Amendment as of this ___ day of __________

2014.



/s/ Anna Gluskin

Anna Gluskin, Chief Executive Officer






































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ATTACHMENT B

 

EASTGATE BIOTECH CORP.
2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 

1.

PURPOSE OF PLAN

 

1.1           The purpose of this 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) of Eastgate Biotech Corp., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), is to promote the success of the Corporation and to increase stockholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons.

 

2.

ELIGIBILITY

 

2.1           The Administrator (as such term is defined in Section 3.1) may grant awards under this Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be Eligible Persons. An “Eligible Person” is any person who is either: (a) an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; (b) a director of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; or (c) an individual consultant who renders bona fide services (other than services in connection with the offering or sale of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in a capital-raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries) to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and who is selected to participate in this Plan by the Administrator; provided, however, that a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person under clause (c) above may participate in this Plan only if such participation would not adversely affect either the Corporation’s eligibility to use Form S-8 to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the offering and sale of shares issuable under this Plan by the Corporation, or the Corporation’s compliance with any other applicable laws.  An Eligible Person who has been granted an award (a “participant”) may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional awards if the Administrator shall so determine. As used herein, “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; and “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

3.

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1 The Administrator.  This Plan shall be administered by and all awards under this Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The “Administrator” means the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of this Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by Section 78.200 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and any other applicable law, to one or more officers of the Corporation, its powers under this Plan (a) to Eligible Persons who will receive grants of awards under this Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under this Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Corporation or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (a) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute due authorization of an action by the acting Administrator.

 

With respect to awards intended to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), this Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code); provided, however, that the failure to satisfy such requirement shall not affect the validity of the action of any committee otherwise duly authorized and acting in the matter. Award grants, and transactions in or involving awards, intended to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), must be duly and timely authorized by the Board or a committee consisting solely of two or more non-employee directors (as this requirement is applied under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act). To the extent required by any applicable stock exchange, this Plan shall be administered by a committee composed entirely of independent directors (within the meaning of the applicable stock exchange). Awards granted to non-employee directors shall not be subject to the discretion of any officer or employee of the Corporation and shall be administered exclusively by a committee consisting solely of independent directors.

 





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3.2 Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization of awards and the administration of this Plan (in the case of a committee or delegation to one or more officers, within the authority delegated to that committee or person(s)), including, without limitation, the authority to:

 

(a)           determine eligibility and, from among those persons determined to be eligible, the particular Eligible Persons who will receive awards under this Plan;

   

(b)           grant awards to Eligible Persons, determine the price at which securities will be offered or awarded and the number of securities to be offered or awarded to any of such persons, determine the other specific terms and conditions of such awards consistent with the express limits of this Plan, establish the installments (if any) in which such awards shall become exercisable or shall vest (which may include, without limitation, performance and/or time-based schedules), or determine that no delayed exercisability or vesting is required, establish any applicable performance targets, and establish the events of termination or reversion of such awards;

 

(c)           approve the forms of award agreements (which need not be identical either as to type of award or among participants);

 

(d)           construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries, and participants under this Plan, further define the terms used in this Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan or the awards granted under this Plan;

 

(e)           cancel, modify, or waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

 

(f)           accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all such outstanding awards (in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, within the maximum ten-year term of such awards) in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature) subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

 

(g)           adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any award, adjust the price of any or all outstanding awards or otherwise change previously imposed terms and conditions, in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate, in each case subject to compliance with applicable stock exchange requirements, Sections 4 and 8.6 and the applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m) and treasury regulations thereunder with respect to awards that are intended to satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), and provided that in no case (except due to an adjustment contemplated by Section 7 or any repricing that may be approved by stockholders) shall such an adjustment constitute a repricing (by amendment, cancellation and regrant, exchange or other means) of the per share exercise or base price of any stock option or stock appreciation right or other award granted under this Plan, and further provided that any adjustment or change in terms made pursuant to this Section 3.2(g) shall be made in a manner that, in the good faith determination of the Administrator will not likely result in the imposition of additional taxes or interest under Section 409A of the Code;

 

(h)           determine the date of grant of an award, which may be a designated date after but not before the date of the Administrator’s action (unless otherwise designated by the Administrator, the date of grant of an award shall be the date upon which the Administrator took the action granting an award);

 

(i)           determine whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7 hereof and authorize the termination, conversion, substitution, acceleration or succession of awards upon the occurrence of an event of the type described in Section 7;

 

(j)           acquire or settle (subject to Sections 7 and 8.6) rights under awards in cash, stock of equivalent value, or other consideration; and

 

(k)           determine the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 5.6) of the Common Stock or awards under this Plan from time to time and/or the manner in which such value will be determined.

 







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3.3 Binding Determinations.  Any action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Subsidiary, or the Administrator relating or pursuant to this Plan and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. Neither the Board, the Administrator, nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any award made under this Plan), and all such persons shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Corporation in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, legal fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time.

 

3.4 Reliance on Experts.  In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Administrator may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including professional advisors to the Corporation. The Administrator shall not be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith based upon such advice.

 

   3.5 Delegation of Non-Discretionary Functions.  In addition to the ability to delegate certain grant authority to officers of the Corporation as set forth in Section 3.1, the Administrator may also delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or to third parties.

 

4.

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; SHARE LIMIT

 

4.1 Shares Available.  Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the capital stock available for issuance under this Plan shall be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock.  For purposes of this Plan, “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Corporation and such other securities or property as may become the subject of awards under this Plan, or may become subject to such awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 7.1.

 

4.2 Share Limit.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted to Eligible Persons under this Plan may not exceed 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Share Limit”).

 

The foregoing Share Limit is subject to adjustment as contemplated by Section 4.3, Section 7.1, and Section 8.10.

 

4.3 Awards Settled in Cash, Reissue of Awards and Shares.  The Administrator may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments in accordance with this Section 4.3. Shares shall be counted against those reserved to the extent such shares have been delivered and are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, (i) to the extent that an award under the Plan, in whole or in part, is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, settled by delivery of fewer shares than the number of shares underlying the award, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to the participant, the shares retained by or returned to the Corporation will not be deemed to have been delivered under the Plan and will be deemed to remain or to become available under this Plan; and (ii) shares that are withheld from such an award or separately surrendered by the participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to such an award shall be deemed to constitute shares not delivered and will be deemed to remain or to become available under the Plan. The foregoing adjustments to the Share Limit of this Plan are subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to awards intended as performance-based compensation thereunder.

 

4.4 Reservation of Shares; No Fractional Shares.  The Corporation shall at all times reserve a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to cover the Corporation’s obligations and contingent obligations to deliver shares with respect to awards then outstanding under this Plan (exclusive of any dividend equivalent obligations to the extent the Corporation has the right to settle such rights in cash). No fractional shares shall be delivered under this Plan. The Administrator may pay cash in lieu of any fractional shares in settlements of awards under this Plan.

 

5.

AWARDS

 

5.1 Type and Form of Awards.  The Administrator shall determine the type or types of award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The types of awards that may be granted under this Plan are:

 








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5.1.1 Stock Options.  A stock option is the grant of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock during a specified period as determined by the Administrator. An option may be intended as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “ISO”) or a nonqualified stock option (an option not intended to be an ISO). The award agreement for an option will indicate if the option is intended as an ISO; otherwise it will be deemed to be a nonqualified stock option. The maximum term of each option (ISO or nonqualified) shall be ten (10) years. The per share exercise price for each option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. When an option is exercised, the exercise price for the shares to be purchased shall be paid in full in cash or such other method permitted by the Administrator consistent with Section 5.5.

 

5.1.2 Additional Rules Applicable to ISOs.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant of the applicable option) of stock with respect to which ISOs first become exercisable by a participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account both Common Stock subject to ISOs under this Plan and stock subject to ISOs under all other plans of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries (or any parent or predecessor corporation to the extent required by and within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), such options shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. In reducing the number of options treated as ISOs to meet the $100,000 limit, the most recently granted options shall be reduced first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the $100,000 limit, the Administrator may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which shares of Common Stock are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries (for this purpose, the term “subsidiary” is used as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, which generally requires an unbroken chain of ownership of at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of each subsidiary in the chain beginning with the Corporation and ending with the subsidiary in question). There shall be imposed in any award agreement relating to ISOs such other terms and conditions as from time to time are required in order that the option be an “incentive stock option” as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time the option is granted, owns (or is deemed to own under Section 424(d) of the Code) shares of outstanding Common Stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, unless the exercise price of such option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the option and such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such option is granted.

 

   5.1.3 Stock Appreciation Rights.  A stock appreciation right or “SAR” is a right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the number of shares of Common Stock being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised, over (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR was granted as specified in the applicable award agreement (the “base price”). The maximum term of a SAR shall be ten (10) years.

 

5.1.4  Restricted Shares.

 

(a)           Restrictions. Restricted shares are shares of Common Stock subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Administrator may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Administrator may determine at the date of grant or thereafter.  Except to the extent restricted under the terms of this Plan and the applicable award agreement relating to the restricted stock, a participant granted restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Administrator).

 

(b)           Certificates for Shares. Restricted shares granted under this Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. If certificates representing restricted stock are registered in the name of the participant, the Administrator may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such restricted stock, that the Corporation retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the participant deliver a stock power to the Corporation, endorsed in blank, relating to the restricted stock.  The Administrator may require that restricted shares are held in escrow until all restrictions lapse

 

(c)           Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of an award of restricted stock, subject to applicable law, the Administrator may require or permit a participant to elect that any cash dividends paid on a share of restricted stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of restricted stock or applied to the purchase of additional awards under this Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, stock distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the restricted stock with respect to which such stock or other property has been distributed.

 




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5.1.5           Restricted Share Units.


(a)           Grant of Restricted Share Units. A restricted share unit, or “RSU”, represents the right to receive from the Corporation on the respective scheduled vesting or payment date for such RSU, one Common Share. An award of RSUs may be subject to the attainment of specified performance goals or targets, forfeitability provisions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, subject to the provisions of this Plan.  At the time an award of RSUs is made, the Administrator shall establish a period of time during which the restricted share units shall vest and the timing for settlement of the RSU.


(b)           Dividend Equivalent Accounts. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable award agreement, as well as any procedures established by the Administrator, prior to the expiration of the applicable vesting period of an RSU, the Administrator may determine to pay dividend equivalent rights with respect to RSUs, in which case, the Corporation shall establish an account for the participant and reflect in that account any securities, cash or other property comprising any dividend or property distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying each RSU.  Each amount or other property credited to any such account shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as the RSU to which it relates.  The participant shall have the right to be paid the amounts or other property credited to such account upon vesting of the subject RSU.

 

  (c)           Rights as a Shareholder. Subject to the restrictions imposed under the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable award agreement, each participant receiving RSUs shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to such RSUs until such time as shares of Common Stock are issued to the participant.  No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a RSU is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such award.   Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, shares of Common Stock issuable under an RSU shall be treated as issued on the first date that the holder of the RSU is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as determined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and the holder shall be the owner of such shares of Common Stock on such date.  An award agreement may provide that issuance of shares of Common Stock under an RSU may be deferred beyond the first date that the RSU is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, provided that such deferral is structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.


5.1.6           Cash Awards.  The Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant cash bonuses (including without limitation, discretionary awards, awards based on objective or subjective performance criteria, awards subject to other vesting criteria or awards granted consistent with Section 5.2 below).  Cash awards shall be awarded in such amount and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.

 

5.1.7 Other Awards.  The other types of awards that may be granted under this Plan include: (a) stock bonuses, performance stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price or ratio related to the Common Stock (subject to the requirements of Section 5.1.1 and in compliance with applicable laws), upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) any similar securities with a value derived from the value of or related to the Common Stock and/or returns thereon.

 

5.2 Section 162(m) Performance-Based Awards.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of the types of awards listed in Sections 5.1.4 through 5.1.7 above may be, and options and SARs granted with an exercise or base price not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the date of grant (“Qualifying Options” and “Qualifying SARs,” respectively) typically will be, granted as awards intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Performance-Based Awards”). The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of Performance-Based Awards may depend (or, in the case of Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs, may also depend) on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using the Business Criteria provided for below for the Corporation on a consolidated basis or for one or more of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing. Such criteria may be evaluated on an absolute basis or relative to prior periods, industry peers, or stock market indices. Any Qualifying Option or Qualifying SAR shall be subject to the requirements of Section 5.2.1 and 5.2.3 in order for such award to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Any other Performance-Based Award shall be subject to all of the following provisions of this Section 5.2.

 

5.2.1 Class; Administrator.  The eligible class of persons for Performance-Based Awards under this Section 5.2 shall be officers and employees of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The Administrator approving Performance-Based Awards or making any certification required pursuant to Section 5.2.4 must be constituted as provided in Section 3.1 for awards that are intended as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 




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5.2.2 Performance Goals.  The specific performance goals for Performance-Based Awards (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall be, on an absolute or relative basis, established based on such business criteria as selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion (“Business Criteria”), including the following: (1) earnings per share, (2) cash flow (which means cash and cash equivalents derived from either (i) net cash flow from operations or (ii) net cash flow from operations, financing and investing activities), (3) total stockholder return, (4) price per share of Common Stock, (5) gross revenue, (6) revenue growth, (7) operating income (before or after taxes), (8) net earnings (before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), (9) return on equity, (10) capital employed, or on assets or on net investment, (11) cost containment or reduction, (12) cash cost per ounce of production, (13) operating margin, (14) debt reduction, (15) resource amounts, (16) production or production growth, (17) resource replacement or resource growth, (18) successful completion of financings, or (19) any combination of the foregoing.  To qualify awards as performance-based under Section 162(m), the applicable Business Criterion (or Business Criteria, as the case may be) and specific performance goal or goals (“targets”) must be established and approved by the Administrator during the first 90 days of the performance period (and, in the case of performance periods of less than one year, in no event after 25% or more of the performance period has elapsed) and while performance relating to such target(s) remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance targets shall be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of material, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses, accounting changes or other extraordinary events not foreseen at the time the targets were set unless the Administrator provides otherwise at the time of establishing the targets; provided that the Administrator may not make any adjustment to the extent it would adversely affect the qualification of any compensation payable under such performance targets as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of Code. The applicable performance measurement period may not be less than 3 months nor more than 10 years.

   

5.2.3 Form of Payment. Grants or awards intended to qualify under this Section 5.2 may be paid in cash or shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof.

 

5.2.4 Certification of Payment.  Before any Performance-Based Award under this Section 5.2 (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) is paid and to the extent required to qualify the award as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator must certify in writing that the performance target(s) and any other material terms of the Performance-Based Award were in fact timely satisfied.

 

5.2.5 Reservation of Discretion.  The Administrator will have the discretion to determine the restrictions or other limitations of the individual awards granted under this Section 5.2 including the authority to reduce awards, payouts or vesting or to pay no awards, in its sole discretion, if the Administrator preserves such authority at the time of grant by language to this effect in its authorizing resolutions or otherwise.

 

5.2.6 Expiration of Grant Authority.  As required pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Administrator’s authority to grant new awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall terminate upon the first meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Corporation’s stockholders first approve this Plan (the “162(m) Term”).

 

5.2.7           Compensation Limitations.  The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to any Eligible Person during the term of this Plan pursuant to Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs may not exceed 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock.  The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to any Eligible Person pursuant to Performance-Based Awards granted during the 162(m) Term (other than cash awards granted pursuant to Section 5.1.6 and Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs) may not exceed 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock.  The maximum amount that may be paid to any Eligible Person pursuant to Performance-Based Awards granted pursuant to Sections 5.1.6 (cash awards) during the 162(m) Term may not exceed $1,000,000.

 

5.3 Award Agreements.  Each award shall be evidenced by a written or electronic award agreement in the form approved by the Administrator and, if required by the Administrator, executed by the recipient of the award. The Administrator may authorize any officer of the Corporation (other than the particular award recipient) to execute any or all award agreements on behalf of the Corporation (electronically or otherwise). The award agreement shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the award as established by the Administrator consistent with the express limitations of this Plan.

 









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5.4 Deferrals and Settlements.  Payment of awards may be in the form of cash, Common Stock, other awards or combinations thereof as the Administrator shall determine, and with such restrictions as it may impose. The Administrator may also require or permit participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the settlement of awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under this Plan. The Administrator may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferral amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares.  All mandatory or elective deferrals of the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the settlement of cash awards shall be structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

5.5 Consideration for Common Stock or Awards.  The purchase price for any award granted under this Plan or the Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator and subject to compliance with applicable laws, including, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

 

  

services rendered by the recipient of such award;

 

  

cash, check payable to the order of the Corporation, or electronic funds transfer;

 

  

notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;

 

  

the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock that are fully vested and unencumbered;

 

  

by a reduction in the number of shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the award; or

 

  

subject to such procedures as the Administrator may adopt, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” with a third party who provides financing for the purposes of (or who otherwise facilitates) the purchase or exercise of awards.

 

   In the event that the Administrator allows a participant to exercise an award by delivering shares of Common Stock previously owned by such participant and unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, any shares delivered which were initially acquired by the participant from the Corporation (upon exercise of a stock option or otherwise) must have been owned by the participant at least six months as of the date of delivery (or such other period as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment). Shares of Common Stock used to satisfy the exercise price of an option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. The Corporation will not be obligated to deliver any shares unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise or purchase price therefor and any related withholding obligations under Section 8.5 and any other conditions to exercise or purchase, as established from time to time by the Administrator, have been satisfied. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, the Administrator may at any time eliminate or limit a participant’s ability to pay the purchase or exercise price of any award by any method other than cash payment to the Corporation.

 

5.6 Definition of Fair Market Value.  For purposes of this Plan “Fair Market Value” shall mean, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Administrator in the circumstances, the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the trading day immediately before the grant date, as furnished by the OTC Markets (the “OTC Markets”) or on the principal stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed for the date in question. If the Common Stock is no longer listed or is no longer actively traded on the OTC Markets or listed on a principal stock exchange as of the applicable date, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Administrator for purposes of the award in the circumstances.

 

5.7 Transfer Restrictions.

 

5.7.1 Limitations on Exercise and Transfer.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 5.7, by applicable law and by the award agreement, as the same may be amended, (a) all awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; (b) awards shall be exercised only by the participant; and (c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the participant.

 

5.7.2 Exceptions.  The Administrator may permit awards to be exercised by and paid to, or otherwise transferred to, other persons or entities pursuant to such conditions and procedures, including limitations on subsequent transfers, as the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, establish in writing (provided that any such transfers of ISOs shall be limited to the extent permitted under the federal tax laws governing ISOs). Any permitted transfer shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

 



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5.7.3 Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer.  The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 5.7.1 shall not apply to:

 

(a)           transfers to the Corporation,

 

(b)           the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the participant’s death or, if the participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution,

 

(c)           subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, transfers to a family member (or former family member) pursuant to a domestic relations order if approved or ratified by the Administrator,

 

(d)           subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, if the participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the participant by his or her legal representative, or

 

(e)           the authorization by the Administrator of “cashless exercise” procedures with third parties who provide financing for the purpose of (or who otherwise facilitate) the exercise of awards consistent with applicable laws and the express authorization of the Administrator.

 

5.8 International Awards.  One or more awards may be granted to Eligible Persons who provide services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries outside of the United States. Any awards granted to such persons may, if deemed necessary or advisable by the Administrator, be granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of any applicable sub-plans, if any, appended to this Plan and approved by the Administrator.

 

5.9 Vesting.  Subject to Section 5.1.2  hereof, awards shall vest at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant; provided, however, that in the absence of any award vesting periods designated by the Administrator at the time of grant in the applicable award agreement, awards shall vest as to one-third of the total number of shares subject to the award on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

   

6.

EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON AWARDS

 

6.1 Termination of Employment.

 

6.1.1           The Administrator shall establish the effect of a termination of employment or service on the rights and benefits under each award under this Plan and in so doing may make distinctions based upon, inter alia, the cause of termination and type of award. If the participant is not an employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and provides other services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrator shall be the sole judge for purposes of this Plan (unless a contract or the award agreement otherwise provides) of whether the participant continues to render services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and the date, if any, upon which such services shall be deemed to have terminated.

 

6.1.2           For awards of stock options or SARs, unless the award agreement provides otherwise, the exercise period of such options or SARs shall expire: (1) three months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary (provided; however, that in the event of the participant’s death during this period, those persons entitled to exercise the option or SAR pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution shall have one year following the date of death within which to exercise such option or SAR); (2) in the case of a participant whose termination of employment is due to death or disability (as defined in the applicable award agreement), 12 months after the last day that the participant is employed by or provides services to the Corporation or a Subsidiary; and (3) immediately upon a participant’s termination for “cause”. The Administrator will, in its absolute discretion, determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to a termination of employment, including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment and whether a participant’s termination is for “cause.”

 

If not defined in the applicable award agreement, “Cause” shall mean:


(i)           conviction of a felony or a crime involving fraud or moral turpitude; or


(ii)           theft, material act of dishonesty or fraud, intentional falsification of any employment or Company records, or commission of any criminal act which impairs participant’s ability to perform appropriate employment duties for the Corporation; or





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(iii)           intentional or reckless conduct or gross negligence materially harmful to the Company or the successor to the Corporation after a Change in Control , including violation of a non-competition or confidentiality agreement; or


(iv)           willful failure to follow lawful instructions of the person or body to which participant reports; or


(v)           gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of participant’s assigned duties.  Cause shall not include mere unsatisfactory performance in the achievement of participant’s job objectives.


6.1.3           For awards of restricted shares, unless the award agreement provides otherwise, restricted shares that are subject to restrictions at the time that a participant whose employment or service is terminated shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Corporation; provided that, the Administrator may provide, by rule or regulation or in any award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to restricted shares shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Administrator may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of restricted shares.  Similar rules shall apply in respect of RSUs.


6.2 Events Not Deemed Terminations of Service.  Unless the express policy of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator, otherwise provides, the employment relationship shall not be considered terminated in the case of (a) sick leave, (b) military leave, or (c) any other leave of absence authorized by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator; provided that unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or law, such leave is for a period of not more than 3 months. In the case of any employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on an approved leave of absence, continued vesting of the award while on leave from the employ of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be suspended until the employee returns to service, unless the Administrator otherwise provides or applicable law otherwise requires. In no event shall an award be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the award agreement.

 

6.3 Effect of Change of Subsidiary Status.  For purposes of this Plan and any award, if an entity ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation, a termination of employment or service shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Eligible Person in respect of such Subsidiary who does not continue as an Eligible Person in respect of another entity within the Corporation or another Subsidiary that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status.

  

7.           ADJUSTMENTS; ACCELERATION

 

7.1           Adjustments.  Upon or in contemplation of any of the following events described in this Section 7.1,: any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split (“stock split”); any merger, arrangement, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock (whether in the form of securities or property); any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Administrator shall in such manner, to such extent  and at such time as it deems appropriate and equitable in the circumstances (but subject to compliance with applicable laws and stock exchange requirements) proportionately adjust any or all of (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of awards (including the number of shares provided for in this Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any or all outstanding awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or exercise price (which term includes the base price of any SAR or similar right) of any or all outstanding awards, (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or payment of any outstanding awards, and (5) the 162(m) compensation limitations set forth in Section 5.2.7 and (subject to Section 8.8.3(a)) the performance standards applicable to any outstanding awards (provided that no adjustment shall be allowed to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of Code section 162(m)). Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall be made in a manner that, in the good faith determination of the Administrator, will not likely result in the imposition of additional taxes or interest under Section 409A of the Code.  With respect to any award of an ISO, the Administrator may make such an adjustment that causes the option to cease to qualify as an ISO without the consent of the affected participant.

 

7.2           Change in Control.  Upon a Change in Control, each then-outstanding option and SAR shall automatically become fully vested, all restricted shares then outstanding shall automatically fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under this Plan that is then outstanding shall automatically become vested and payable to the holder of such award unless the Administrator has made appropriate provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of the award pursuant to the Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may choose (in an award agreement or otherwise) to provide for full or partial accelerated vesting of any award upon a Change In Control (or upon any other event or other circumstance related to the Change in Control, such as an involuntary termination of employment occurring after such Change in Control, as the Administrator may determine), irrespective of whether such any such award has been substituted, assumed, exchanged or otherwise continued pursuant to the Change in Control.

 



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For purposes of this Plan, “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

 

(i)           a tender offer (or series of related offers) shall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, unless as a result of such tender offer more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to the commencement of such offer), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

 

(ii)           the Corporation shall be merged or consolidated with another entity, unless as a result of such merger or consolidation more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates;

 

(iii)           the Corporation shall sell substantially all of its assets to another entity that is not wholly owned by the Corporation, unless as a result of such sale more than 50% of such assets shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries and their affiliates; or

 

(iv)           a Person (as defined below) shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record), unless as a result of such acquisition more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Corporation (as of the time immediately prior to the first acquisition of such securities by such Person), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, and their affiliates.

 

For purposes of this Section 5(c), ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(I)(i) (as in effect on the date hereof) under the Exchange Act.  In addition, for such purposes, “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof; provided, however, that a Person shall not include (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Administrator may waive the requirement described in paragraph (iv) above that a Person must acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation for a Change in Control to have occurred if the Administrator determines that the percentage acquired by a person is significant (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion) and that waiving such condition is appropriate in light of all facts and circumstances, and (2) no compensation that has been deferred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code shall be payable as a result of a Change in Control unless the Change in Control qualifies as a change in ownership or effective control of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.3           Early Termination of Awards.  Any award that has been accelerated as required or permitted by Section 7.2 upon a Change in Control (or would have been so accelerated but for Section 7.4 or 7.5) shall terminate upon such event, subject to any provision that has been expressly made by the Administrator, through a plan of reorganization or otherwise, for the survival, substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of such award and provided that, in the case of options and SARs that will not survive, be substituted for, assumed, exchanged, or otherwise continued in the transaction, the holder of such award shall be given reasonable advance notice of the impending termination and a reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her outstanding options and SARs in accordance with their terms before the termination of such awards (except that in no case shall more than ten days’ notice of accelerated vesting and the impending termination be required and any acceleration may be made contingent upon the actual occurrence of the event).

 

The Administrator may make provision for payment in cash or property (or both) in respect of awards terminated pursuant to this section as a result of the Change in Control and may adopt such valuation methodologies for outstanding awards as it deems reasonable and, in the case of options, SARs or similar rights, and without limiting other methodologies, may base such settlement solely upon the excess if any of the per share amount payable upon or in respect of such event over the exercise or base price of the award.

 








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7.4           Other Acceleration Rules.  Any acceleration of awards pursuant to this Section 7 shall comply with applicable legal and stock exchange requirements and, if necessary to accomplish the purposes of the acceleration or if the circumstances require, may be deemed by the Administrator to occur a limited period of time not greater than 30 days before the event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may deem an acceleration to occur immediately prior to the applicable event and/or reinstate the original terms of an award if an event giving rise to the acceleration does not occur. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may override the provisions of Section 7.2, 7.3, and/or 7.5 by express provision in the award agreement or otherwise. The portion of any ISO accelerated pursuant to Section 7.2 or any other action permitted hereunder shall remain exercisable as an ISO only to the extent the applicable $100,000 limitation on ISOs is not exceeded. To the extent exceeded, the accelerated portion of the option shall be exercisable as a nonqualified stock option under the Code.

 

7.5           Possible Rescission of Acceleration.  If the vesting of an award has been accelerated expressly in anticipation of an event and the Administrator later determines that the event will not occur, the Administrator may rescind the effect of the acceleration as to any then outstanding and unexercised or otherwise unvested awards; provided, that, in the case of any compensation that has been deferred for purposes of Section 409A of the Code,  the Administrator determines that such rescission will not likely result in the imposition of additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A.

 

8.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

8.1 Compliance with Laws.  This Plan, the granting and vesting of awards under this Plan, the offer, issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock, the acceptance of promissory notes and/or the payment of money under this Plan or under awards are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law, federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any applicable stock exchange listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

 

8.2 Future Awards/Other Rights.  No person shall have any claim or rights to be granted an award (or additional awards, as the case may be) under this Plan, subject to any express contractual rights (set forth in a document other than this Plan) to the contrary.

 

8.3 No Employment/Service Contract.  Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents under this Plan or in any award) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or other participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to change a person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment or other service, with or without cause.  Nothing in this Section 8.3, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of such person under a separate employment or service contract other than an award agreement.

 

   8.4 Plan Not Funded.  Awards payable under this Plan shall be payable in shares or from the general assets of the Corporation, and no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit shall be made to assure payment of such awards. No participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including shares of Common Stock, except as expressly otherwise provided) of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries by reason of any award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and any participant, beneficiary or other person. To the extent that a participant, beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any award hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

 

8.5 Tax Withholding.  Upon any exercise, vesting, or payment of any award, the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right at its option to:

 

(a)           require the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of at least the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment; or

 

(b)           deduct from any amount otherwise payable in cash to the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such cash payment.




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In any case where a tax is required to be withheld in connection with the delivery of shares of Common Stock under this Plan, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to Section 8.1) grant (either at the time of the award or thereafter) to the participant the right to elect, pursuant to such rules and subject to such conditions as the Administrator may establish, to have the Corporation reduce the number of shares to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares, valued in a consistent manner at their Fair Market Value or at the sales price in accordance with authorized procedures for cashless exercises, necessary to satisfy the minimum applicable withholding obligation on exercise, vesting or payment. In no event shall the shares withheld exceed the minimum whole number of shares required for tax withholding under applicable law.

 

8.6 Effective Date, Termination and Suspension, Amendments.

 

8.6.1 Effective Date and Termination.  This Plan was approved by the Board and became effective on May 13, 2013.  Unless earlier terminated by the Board, this Plan shall terminate at the close of business on May 13, 2023. After the termination of this Plan either upon such stated expiration date or its earlier termination by the Board, no additional awards may be granted under this Plan, but previously granted awards (and the authority of the Administrator with respect thereto, including the authority to amend such awards) shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

 

8.6.2 Board Authorization.  The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part. No awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends this Plan.

 

8.6.3 Stockholder Approval.  To the extent then required by applicable law or any applicable stock exchange or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the Code to preserve the intended tax consequences of this Plan, or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, this Plan and any amendment to this Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval.

 

8.6.4 Amendments to Awards.  Without limiting any other express authority of the Administrator under (but subject to) the express limits of this Plan, the Administrator by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on awards to participants that the Administrator in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.2 and 8.6.5) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of awards. Any amendment or other action that would constitute a repricing of an award is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.2(g).

 

8.6.5 Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards.  No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan or change of or affecting any outstanding award shall, without written consent of the participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the participant any rights or benefits of the participant or obligations of the Corporation under any award granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 7 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 8.6.

 

8.7 Privileges of Stock Ownership.  Except as otherwise expressly authorized by the Administrator or this Plan, a participant shall not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any shares of Common Stock not actually delivered to and held of record by the participant. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

 

8.8 Governing Law; Construction; Severability.

 

8.8.1 Choice of Law.  This Plan, the awards, all documents evidencing awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

 

8.8.2 Severability.  If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall continue in effect.

 

8.8.3 Plan Construction.

 

(a)  Rule 16b-3.  It is the intent of the Corporation that the awards and transactions permitted by awards be interpreted in a manner that, in the case of participants who are or may be subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, qualify, to the maximum extent compatible with the express terms of the award, for exemption from matching liability under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall have no liability to any participant for Section 16 consequences of awards or events under awards if an award or event does not so qualify.

 





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(b)  Section 162(m).  Awards under Sections 5.1.4 through 5.1.7 to persons described in Section 5.2 that are either granted or become vested, exercisable or payable based on attainment of one or more performance goals related to the Business Criteria, as well as Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs granted to persons described in Section 5.2, that are approved by a committee composed solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code) shall be deemed to be intended as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code unless such committee provides otherwise at the time of grant of the award. It is the further intent of the Corporation that (to the extent the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries or awards under this Plan may be or become subject to limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code) any such awards and any other Performance-Based Awards under Section 5.2 that are granted to or held by a person subject to Section 162(m) will qualify as performance-based compensation or otherwise be exempt from deductibility limitations under Section 162(m).

 

(c)  Code Section 409A Compliance.  The Board intends that, except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator, any awards under the Plan are either exempt from or satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”) to avoid the imposition of any taxes, including additional income or penalty taxes, thereunder. If the Administrator determines that an award, award agreement, acceleration, adjustment to the terms of an award, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a participant’s award to become subject to Section 409A, unless the Administrator expressly determines otherwise, such award, award agreement, payment, acceleration, adjustment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be undertaken and the related provisions of the Plan and/or award agreement will be deemed modified or, if necessary, rescinded in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent determined by the Administrator without the content or notice to the participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any participant under Section 409A and neither the Company nor the Administrator will have any liability to any participant for such tax or penalty.

 

(d)           No Guarantee of Favorable Tax Treatment.  Although the Company intends that awards under the Plan will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local or foreign law. The Company shall not be liable to any participant for any tax, interest or penalties the participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise or payment of any award under the Plan

 

8.9 Captions.  Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

   

8.10 Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Corporation.  Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee stock options, SARs, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons who are or who will become Eligible Persons in respect of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, in connection with a distribution, arrangement, business combination, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the employing entity. The awards so granted need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, provided the awards reflect only adjustments giving effect to the assumption or substitution consistent with the conversion applicable to the Common Stock in the transaction and any change in the issuer of the security. Any shares that are delivered and any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Corporation, as a result of the assumption by the Corporation of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company (or previously granted by a predecessor employer (or direct or indirect parent thereof) in the case of persons that become employed by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a business or asset acquisition or similar transaction) shall not be counted against the Share Limit or other limits on the number of shares available for issuance under this Plan, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator at the time of such assumption or substitution or as may be required to comply with the requirements of any applicable stock exchange.

 

8.11 Non-Exclusivity of Plan.  Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or the Administrator to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Common Stock, under any other plan or authority.

 







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8.12 No Corporate Action Restriction.  The existence of this Plan, the award agreements and the awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation to make or authorize: (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (b) any merger, arrangement, business combination, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the capital stock (or the rights thereof) of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (e) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or (f) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Corporation or any Subsidiary. No participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim under any award or award agreement against any member of the Board or the Administrator, or the Corporation or any employees, officers or agents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, as a result of any such action.


8.13 Other Corporation Benefit and Compensation Programs.  Payments and other benefits received by a participant under an award made pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of a participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, except where the Administrator expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing or except as otherwise specifically set forth in the terms and conditions of such other employee welfare or benefit plan or arrangement. Awards under this Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, as alternatives to or in payment of grants, awards or commitments under any other plans or arrangements of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

 

8.14 Prohibition on Repricing.  Subject to Section 4, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation (i) reduce the exercise price, or cancel and reissue options so as to in effect reduce the exercise price or (ii) change the manner of determining the exercise price so that the exercise price is less than the fair market value per share of Common Stock.



















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