PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT SUBJECT TO COMPLETION – DATED MARCH 28, 2025
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT SUBJECT TO COMPLETION – DATED MARCH 28, 2025
Registered in Ireland—No. 498284
Connaught House
1 Burlington Road
Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6
NOTICE OF 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SCHEDULED To be held MAY 21, 2025
To the Shareholders of Alkermes plc:
The 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Annual Meeting”) of Alkermes plc (the “Company” or “Alkermes”), a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland, is scheduled to be held on May 21, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Irish Standard Time, at the Company’s offices at Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, for the following purposes:
a. Shane M. Cooke b. Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. c. Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. d. Nancy S. Lurker e. Brian P. McKeon |
f. Richard F. Pops g. Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. h. Frank Anders Wilson i. Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D.
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Proposal 1 relates solely to the election of directors nominated by the Board and does not include any other matters relating to the election of directors. A separate resolution will be presented at the Annual Meeting for each of the director nominees. Proposals 2 through 5 are ordinary resolutions under Irish law, requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) on each resolution at the Annual Meeting for approval. Proposal 6 is a special resolution under Irish law, requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting for approval. The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice. Shareholders as of March 14, 2025, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
ALKERMES PLC Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting
During the Annual Meeting, following a review of the Company’s affairs, management will present the Company’s Irish statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the reports of the directors and the independent auditor and accounting firm thereon. There is no requirement under Irish law that the Irish statutory financial statements be approved by shareholders, and no such approval will be sought at the Annual Meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. It is important that your voice be heard and your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting whether or not you are able to attend. We encourage you to cast your vote promptly so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting. Any shareholder entitled to attend, speak and vote at the Annual Meeting may appoint one or more proxies, who need not be a shareholder of record of the Company. If you wish to appoint as proxy any person other than the individuals specified on the Company’s proxy card, you may do so by contacting the Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary or by delivering to the Company Secretary a proxy card in the form mailed to you or in the form set forth in Section 184 of the Irish Companies Act 2014. Your appointed proxy must attend the Annual Meeting in person in order for your votes to be cast. We recommend that you review the further information on the process for, and deadlines applicable to, voting and appointing a proxy under the section entitled “General Information about the Meeting and Voting” commencing on page 15 of the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
DAVID J. GAFFIN
Secretary
Dublin, Ireland
[], 2025
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 21, 2025. This notice, the accompanying proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (together, the “Proxy Materials”) are available at www.proxydocs.com/ALKS. The Proxy Materials are also available free of charge on the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
The Company’s Irish statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, including the related reports thereon (together, the “Irish Statutory Reports”), are available on the Annual Reports page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
Shareholders may obtain printed copies of the Proxy Materials and the Irish Statutory Reports free of charge by writing to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C576, Attention: Company Secretary.
ALKERMES PLC Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting
Registered in Ireland—No. 498284
PROXY STATEMENT
2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21, 2025
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Table of Contents |
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2 |
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15 |
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22 |
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30 |
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33 |
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39 |
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43 |
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47 |
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48 |
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PROPOSAL 2—NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
52 |
53 |
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PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF ALKERMES PLC 2018 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED |
54 |
PROPOSAL 5—RENEW BOARD AUTHORITY TO ALLOT AND ISSUE SHARES UNDER IRISH LAW |
64 |
PROPOSAL 6—RENEW BOARD AUTHORITY TO DISAPPLY THE STATUTORY PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS UNDER IRISH LAW |
66 |
68 |
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69 |
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69 |
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70 |
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73 |
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75 |
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99 |
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103 |
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104 |
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116 |
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119 |
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120 |
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121 |
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122 |
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APPENDIX A—ALKERMES PLC 2018 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED |
A-1 |
APPENDIX B—GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION / NON-GAAP FINANCIAL TARGETS |
B-1 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 1
Proxy Summary
This proxy summary highlights certain information that is described in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting. For additional information regarding our business and 2024 performance, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 12, 2025 (the “Annual Report”). Your vote is very important.
2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
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Meeting Date and Time: |
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May 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m., Irish Standard Time |
Place: |
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Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6 |
Record Date: |
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March 14, 2025 |
COMPANY INFORMATION |
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Ticker: |
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ALKS |
Listing Exchange: |
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Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Transfer Agent: |
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Computershare Trust Company, N.A |
Corporate Website: |
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www.alkermes.com |
Investor Relations Website: |
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investor.alkermes.com |
Corporate Governance Documents: |
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investor.alkermes.com/corporate-governance |
Purpose of this Proxy Statement
The board of directors of Alkermes plc (the “Board”) is soliciting proxies for use at the 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders of Alkermes plc (including any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Annual Meeting”). This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully. This proxy statement is first being made available to our shareholders on or about [], 2025. This proxy statement is also available online at www.proxydocs.com/ALKS. The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the Annual Meeting are summarized below and described in more detail in this proxy statement.
Voting Matters and Recommendations of the Board
Proposals for Consideration |
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Board Recommendation |
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1 |
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Election of Directors |
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FOR ALL BOARD NOMINEES |
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22 |
2 |
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Non-Binding, Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation |
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FOR |
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52 |
3 |
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Non-Binding Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor and Accounting Firm and Binding Authorization of Audit and Risk Committee to Set Independent Auditor and Accounting Firm’s Remuneration |
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FOR |
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53 |
4 |
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Approval of Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended |
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FOR |
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54 |
5 |
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Renewal of Board Authority to Allot and Issue Shares under Irish Law |
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FOR |
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64 |
6 |
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Renewal of Board Authority to Disapply the Statutory Pre-emption Rights under Irish Law |
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FOR |
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66 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 2
How to Cast Your Vote If you are a shareholder of record, you have four ways to vote: |
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Telephone: By calling the toll-free telephone number indicated on your proxy card. Easy-to-follow voice prompts allow you to submit your proxy and confirm your instructions have been properly recorded. |
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Internet: By going to the Internet website indicated on your proxy card. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. |
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Mail: By completing, signing, dating and returning a printed proxy card (or proxy form set out in section 184 of the Irish Companies Act 2014, as amended (the “Companies Act”)) via the postage-paid envelope provided with your proxy card (which will be forwarded to the Company’s registered address) or by delivery to the Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 C5Y6. |
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In Person: By submitting a written ballot in person at the Annual Meeting. To obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please contact our Investor Relations team at investor_relations@alkermes.com. |
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Votes via the Internet or by telephone must be received prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 20, 2025 (4:59 a.m. Irish Standard Time on May 21, 2025). Votes by mail must be received by the judge of elections at the Annual Meeting prior to the closing of the polls at the Annual Meeting. If your ordinary shares are held through a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the voting instructions provided by such bank, broker or other nominee in order for your shares to be voted. If you do not give instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will not be able to vote your shares with respect to certain of the proposals at the Annual Meeting. We urge you to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to vote your shares in accordance with the Board’s recommendations. For more information, see the section entitled “General Information About the Meeting and Voting” beginning on page 15 of this proxy statement. |
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. We encourage you to vote as soon as possible so that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.
Frequently Requested Information
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Corporate Governance Highlights |
8 |
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Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability |
48 |
Active Shareholder Engagement |
10 |
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Audit Fees |
69 |
Board Skills Matrix |
24 |
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Executive Officers |
73 |
Board Leadership Structure and Committees |
30 |
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Compensation, Discussion & Analysis |
75 |
Overboarding Policy |
32 |
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Peer Group Selection and Review |
83 |
Meeting Attendance |
32 |
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Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines |
99 |
Oversight of Risks and Opportunities |
33 |
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Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy |
99 |
Communications with the Board |
40 |
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Executive Compensation Tables |
104 |
Board Refreshment and Tenure |
42 |
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Related Party Transactions |
120 |
Director Compensation |
43 |
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Other Information |
122 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 3
Summary of Proposals and Board Recommendations
Election of Directors |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the election of each of the Board Nominees |
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We are asking you to vote, by separate resolutions, to elect each of the director nominees listed in this proxy statement (each, a “Board Nominee,” and collectively, the “Board Nominees”), each to hold office for a one-year term until our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders. Each Board Nominee was nominated for election by our Board upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) based on an assessment of their unique experience, qualifications, attributes and skills and their ability to devote sufficient time and attention to Board duties and to otherwise fulfill the responsibilities required of directors. For additional information, see Proposal 1 beginning on page 22 of this proxy statement and the section entitled “The Board of Directors” beginning on page 30 of this proxy statement. The below table provides summary information about the Board Nominees. |
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Name |
Director Since |
Board Position |
Audit and Risk |
Compensation |
Nominating and Corporate Governance |
Financial Operating |
Independent |
Outside Public Boards* |
Shane M. Cooke |
2018 |
Member |
Member |
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1 |
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
2019 |
Member |
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Chair |
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1 |
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
2021 |
Member |
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Member |
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1 |
Nancy S. Lurker |
2024 |
Member |
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Member |
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2 |
Brian P. McKeon |
2020 |
Member |
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Member |
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Chair |
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0 |
Richard F. Pops |
2011 |
Chair |
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Member |
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1 |
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
2016 |
Member |
Member |
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Chair |
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1 |
Frank Anders Wilson |
2019 |
Lead Ind. |
Chair |
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Member |
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2 |
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
2022 |
Member |
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Member |
Member |
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0 |
* Represents the number of public company boards on which the director serves in addition to our Board.
Richard F. Pops Chairman |
Frank Anders Wilson Lead Ind. Director |
Shane M. Cooke |
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
Nancy S. Lurker |
Brian P. McKeon |
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 4
Non-Binding, Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 2 We are asking you to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers for 2024. For additional information, see Proposal 2 beginning on page 52 of this proxy statement. |
Non-Binding Ratification of PwC as Independent Auditor and Accounting Firm; Binding Authorization of Audit and Risk Committee to Set PwC’s Remuneration |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 3 We are asking you to ratify, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as our independent auditor and accounting firm, and to authorize, on a binding basis, the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board (the “Audit and Risk Committee”) to set PwC’s remuneration. For additional information, see Proposal 3 beginning on page 53 of this proxy statement. |
Approval of Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as Amended |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 4 We are asking you to approve the Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2018 Plan”), as proposed to be further amended to, among other things, increase the number of ordinary shares that are authorized for issuance thereunder by 4,250,000 (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events) and increase the number of ordinary shares that may be awarded in the form of incentive stock options by the same amount. For additional information, see Proposal 4 beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement. |
Renewal of Board Authority to Allot and Issue Shares under Irish Law |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 5 Under Irish law, the directors of an Irish public limited company (“plc”) such as Alkermes must have specific authority from its shareholders to allot and issue any shares, including shares which are part of the company’s authorized but unissued share capital. Our Board’s authority to allot and issue ordinary shares was most recently approved at our 2024 annual general meeting of shareholders (our “2024 Annual Meeting”) and, if not renewed, will lapse on November 30, 2025. We are asking you to renew our Board’s authority to allot and issue shares, up to a maximum of 20% of our issued share capital as at [], 2025, for a period of 18 months in accordance with the terms set forth in Proposal 5. Granting to a company’s board of directors authority to allot and issue shares is a routine matter for Irish plcs such as Alkermes. For additional information, see Proposal 5 beginning on page 64 of this proxy statement. |
Renewal of Board Authority to Disapply the Statutory Pre-emption Rights under Irish Law |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 6 Under Irish law, unless otherwise authorized by its shareholders, an Irish plc such as Alkermes generally may not issue shares for cash without first offering those shares on the same or more favorable terms to its existing shareholders on a pro-rata basis. Our Board’s authority to disapply these statutory pre-emption rights and issue new shares for cash was most recently approved at our 2024 Annual Meeting and, if not renewed, will lapse on November 30, 2025. We are asking you to renew our Board’s authority to disapply these statutory pre-emption rights, up to a maximum of 20% of our issued share capital as at [], 2025, for a period of 18 months in accordance with the terms set forth in Proposal 6. Granting to a company’s board of directors authority to disapply these statutory pre-emption rights is a routine matter for Irish plcs such as Alkermes. For additional information, see Proposal 6 beginning on page 66 of this proxy statement. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 5
Business Overview
Alkermes plc (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Alkermes” or the “Company” and referred to herein using terms such as “us,” “our” or “we”) is a global biopharmaceutical company. We apply our deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products that we manufacture and commercialize for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for neurological disorders, including narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. We also manufacture commercial products that incorporate our proprietary technologies under license and receive manufacturing revenues and/or royalties from these and other products that incorporate our proprietary technologies. Headquartered in Ireland, we also have a corporate office and research and development (“R&D”) center in Massachusetts and a manufacturing facility in Ohio.
2024 Business Priorities and Highlights
Four strategic priorities guided our management of the business in 2024: deliver strong commercial growth and profitability, advance our orexin 2 receptor agonist program, expand our neuroscience pipeline, and plan for significant cash generation. Underpinning these priorities and the operation of our business is our foundation of strong corporate governance, our dedication to patients and to our employees, and our commitment to operating in an ethical and responsible manner.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 6
WE ACHIEvED these priorities AND MORE IN 2024. highlights included:
Successfully grew our revenue |
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Exceeded $1 billion in proprietary product net sales, representing 18% growth year-over-year, and achieved total revenues of over $1.5 billion. |
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Surpassed $457 million in VIVITROL annual net sales, representing a 14% increase year-over-year, and exceeding the high end of our annual net sales financial expectations range by over $25 million. |
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Increased LYBALVI annual net sales by 46% year-over-year, generating $280 million. |
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Achieved ARISTADA annual net sales of $346 million, representing a 6% increase year-over-year. |
Significantly advanced our development pipeline |
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Generated positive topline results in phase 1b proof-of-concept study of ALKS 2680, an orexin 2 receptor agonist, in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (“NT1”), narcolepsy type 2 (“NT2”) and idiopathic hypersomnia (“IH”). |
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Initiated phase 2 studies of ALKS 2680 in patients with NT1 and NT2 and completed significant planning activities to enable initiation of our phase 2 study in patients with IH in 2025. |
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Significantly advanced preclinical assessments of our orexin agonist portfolio and nominated ALKS 7290, a new orexin candidate, expected to enter the clinic in 2025. |
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Hosted an Investor Event in October 2024, highlighting ALKS 2680 and our broader orexin portfolio, including our development strategy in additional disease states. |
EXPANDED profitability, ACHIEVED efficiencies and STRATEGICALLY DEPLOYED capital |
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Achieved GAAP net income from continuing operations of $372 million, and EBITDA from continuing operations of $452 million. See Appendix B for a reconciliation of net income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) to earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). |
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Repurchased $200 million of our ordinary shares pursuant to a $400 million share repurchase program announced in February 2024. |
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Completed the sale of our development and manufacturing business in Athlone, Ireland, consistent with our focus on aligning our infrastructure and cost structure with the needs of our business. |
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Retired all of our outstanding debt (approximately $290 million) prior to its scheduled maturity. |
Strengthened our commitment to our people and our stakeholders |
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Published our 7th Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting our key environmental performance data, site-specific conservation and sustainability efforts, employee engagement, wellness and career development programs, community engagement and other employee-related initiatives. |
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Engaged with third-party sustainability consultants to support our efforts to enhance, measure and report our environmental performance, in preparation for compliance with sustainability reporting directives. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 7
Corporate Governance Highlights
We strive to maintain strong corporate governance practices that promote the long-term interests of the Company and our shareholders and strengthen the oversight of our management and our Board. Highlights of these practices include the following:
Board and Governance Practices |
Alignment with Shareholder Interests |
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Independent Board (other than our CEO) |
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Active shareholder engagement program with independent director participation |
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Engaged Lead Independent Director |
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Shareholder representation on Board |
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Standing Board committees comprised solely of independent directors |
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Prohibition of hedging and pledging by executive officers and directors |
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Robust director overboarding policy and review of outside commitments |
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Alignment of executive pay with performance |
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Regular scheduled executive sessions of independent, non-employee directors |
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Share ownership and holding guidelines for executive officers and directors |
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Annual Board, committee and individual director self-assessments |
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Declassified Board, with annual director elections for one-year terms |
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Active Board refreshment |
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Single class of voting shares |
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Comprehensive new director orientation |
Compensation Practices |
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Transparent corporate political contributions |
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Independent compensation consultant |
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Plurality voting for contested director elections |
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No repricing of stock options |
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Majority voting for uncontested director elections |
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Significant portion of CEO and other executive compensation is “at-risk” |
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Board access to senior management and independent advisors |
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Annual use of equity awards with performance-based vesting |
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Board participation in executive succession planning and talent management |
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Incorporation of corporate responsibility considerations into short-term incentive-plan |
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Annual review of Corporate Governance Guidelines and other corporate policies |
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Caps on payouts from our short-term and long-term incentive plans |
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
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No excessive perquisites |
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Annual publication of environmental, social and health performance data |
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Double trigger change in control vesting provisions for grants to executive officers |
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Executive-sponsored employee resource groups in support of employee initiatives |
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Annual advisory vote on executive compensation program |
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Board and committee oversight of enterprise risk management, including in respect of sustainability matters |
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Clawback policy and recoupment policy in respect of certain equity and cash compensation |
We regularly review and refine our governance policies and practices based on market practices, shareholder feedback and the evolving needs of our business. In recent years, we took a number of actions to further enhance our corporate governance policies and practices and our Board structure, composition and diversity, as described below under “Recent Enhancements to Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” beginning on page 11 of this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 8
Board of Directors – Overview
Each year, as part of our annual Board evaluation process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the qualifications and experience of our Board as a whole to assess alignment with our strategic priorities. The Board Nominees possess significant experience in the areas set forth below. For a listing of qualifications and experience by individual Board Nominee, see the Board skills matrix on page 24 of this proxy statement. |
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Our Board is substantially independent, has a strong representation of directors who are diverse in terms of skills, experience, background, perspective and personal attributes, and has a mix of newer and longer-tenured directors, providing what we consider to be an appropriate balance of experience, institutional knowledge, fresh perspectives and skillsets.
The following graphics reflect the composition and attributes of the Board Nominees as of April [], 2025.
For additional information about our Board, including specific qualifications and experience of, and other information about, the Board Nominees, see the section entitled “Director Qualifications and Considerations” beginning on page 39 of this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 9
Active Shareholder Engagement
Our management team and our Board value, and frequently solicit and respond to, the views of our shareholders. We interact with investors throughout the year and regularly engage with our shareholders through open dialogue and direct communication on a variety of topics, including our business and growth strategy, financial performance, corporate governance, executive compensation practices and corporate responsibility and sustainability matters.
Shareholder Outreach, Engagement and Feedback
For the past several years, we have increased the frequency and scope of our shareholder engagement activities, actively solicited shareholder feedback and, when appropriate and determined by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, made changes to our governance, compensation and other practices in response to the shareholder feedback received. Our Lead Independent Director and other members of our Board have participated in certain shareholder engagements alongside representatives of management. The primary areas of discussion during these engagements related to:
Board Responsiveness to Shareholder Feedback
We remain committed to engaging with shareholders and other stakeholders on a regular basis to solicit and consider their views on our business strategy and performance, executive compensation programs and corporate responsibility, sustainability and governance practices. When feedback is received from our shareholder meetings, it is discussed with management and relayed to the full Board and the relevant committees of the Board, as appropriate.
Our Board and management team have taken actions in response to shareholder feedback in recent years, including:
Enhanced Corporate Governance • Significantly refreshed the Board • Declassified and diversified the Board • Enhanced sustainability disclosures • Refined corporate governance policies and practices See page 11 of this proxy statement. |
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Enhanced Compensation Program • Further aligned pay and performance • Enhanced measurability and disclosure of executive pay • Refined peer group • Linked incentive compensation opportunities to profitability See page 77 of this proxy statement. |
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Continued Focus on Profitability • Actively managed our business to optimize costs and operational efficiencies in support of profitability • Formed a new committee of the Board to oversee achievement of profitability, cost optimization and capital allocation |
2024 Annual Meeting Results and Continued Engagement
At our 2024 Annual Meeting, all proxy proposals were approved, with high levels of shareholder support ranging from approximately 90% to 99% of the votes cast, including average support of 97.5% of the votes cast for the re-election of our directors. Following the 2024 Annual Meeting, we continued our engagement efforts, requesting meetings with shareholders who collectively held approximately 75% of our outstanding shares and holding meetings with shareholders who collectively held approximately 50% of our outstanding shares. Our Lead Independent Director participated in certain of these meetings alongside representatives of management.
~75% OUTREACH |
~50% ENGAGEMENT |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 10
Recent Enhancements to Corporate Governance Policies and Practices
Following careful consideration of shareholder feedback, the evolving needs of our business and market trends in governance practices, our Board has taken the following actions in recent years to enhance our corporate governance policies and practices:
Declassified the Board |
In 2021, our shareholders approved amendments to our articles of association (the “Articles of Association”) that served to declassify the Board over a three-year period. Since 2022, each director nominee is eligible for a one-year term, and the Board is now fully declassified. |
Refreshed Board and committee membership and leadership |
Since 2019, the Board has engaged in significant refreshment activities, resulting in the appointment of eight new, independent directors, including one in 2024, each further strengthening the Board’s expertise in targeted areas of importance to our business strategy and adding to its diversity of experiences, skills and other attributes. In addition, six of our longer-serving directors have retired from the Board since 2019 and two additional directors will retire from the Board as of the Annual Meeting. See the section entitled “Board Refreshment and Tenure” beginning on page 42 of this proxy statement. In December 2023, our Board appointed a new Lead Independent Director and in September 2024, refreshed the membership of the Compensation Committee by adding a new independent member. |
Limited outside directorships |
Since 2022, we have further limited the number of public company boards on which our directors may serve (as set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and on page 32 of this proxy statement, our “overboarding” policy). Each of our directors is, and was at all times during 2024, in compliance with our overboarding policy. |
Enhanced disclosure of Board composition |
In recent years, we have included a Board skills matrix in our proxy statement, which highlights the overall composition of our Board and specific skills, qualifications, and other attributes of each of our Board Nominees that contribute to the diversity and effectiveness of our Board and its committees. See page 24 of this proxy statement. |
Board self-assessment facilitated by independent party |
In 2024, our Board engaged an independent third-party advisor to facilitate our annual self-assessment of the Board, its committees and individual directors. See the section entitled “2024 Board Self-Assessment Process” beginning on page 41 of this proxy statement. |
Implemented plurality voting for contested elections |
In 2022, our shareholders approved amendments to our Articles of Association that provide for a plurality vote standard for contested director elections, while maintaining a majority voting standard for uncontested director elections. |
Refined share ownership and holding guidelines |
In 2022, we revised our Share Ownership and Holdings Guidelines to exclude, for purposes of determining the value of shares owned by a director or officer, the value of (i) vested but unexercised options and (ii) unvested performance-based restricted stock unit awards. |
Expanded scope of Clawback Policy
Adopted new Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy |
In 2021, we expanded the Clawback Policy of Alkermes plc (our “Clawback Policy”) to apply to certain cash-based incentive compensation in addition to equity-based incentive compensation. Effective October 2023, we adopted the Alkermes plc Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (our “Recoupment Policy”), which complies with Rule 10D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. For additional detail, see the section entitled “Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy” beginning on page 99 of this proxy statement. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 11
Continued to integrate corporate responsibility and sustainability considerations and policies into our business |
Since 2020, we have included objectives related to corporate responsibility and sustainability in our annual corporate objectives and short-term incentive plans for our employees, including our named executive officers. In addition, our Board has adopted various amendments to its committees’ charters to codify the oversight responsibilities of each committee in respect of our corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives. Our committee charters are available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com. In 2024, we adopted: • a new Human Rights Policy, setting forth our commitment to the protection of human rights, fair labor practices and responsible and ethical conduct; and • a new Supplier Code of Conduct, outlining our expectations for the suppliers with whom we do business.
These documents are available on the Responsibility section of our website at www.alkermes.com. |
Enhanced corporate responsibility and sustainability disclosure |
Each year since 2018, we have published a Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting our corporate responsibility, sustainability and employee initiatives, and certain environmental performance data and related risk management activities. These reports are available on the Responsibility section of our website at www.alkermes.com. For additional information about our corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives, see the section entitled “Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability” beginning on page 48 of this proxy statement. |
We remain committed to corporate governance best practices and regular engagement with our shareholders and other stakeholders to solicit and consider their views on these practices, our executive compensation programs, our corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives, and our business strategy and performance. We invite shareholders to email us at investor_relations@alkermes.com with any suggestions, comments or inquiries. Shareholder proposals, nominations and other notifications required under the Companies Act or our Articles of Association should not be sent to this e-mail address, but rather should be delivered as set forth in this proxy statement, our Articles of Association and/or the Companies Act, as applicable.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 12
Executive Compensation Program Highlights
Our executive compensation program is overseen by the Compensation Committee of our Board (the “Compensation Committee”), in consultation with an independent compensation consultant. The program is focused on attracting and retaining experienced and well-qualified executive officers who will help advance our critical business objectives, and rewarding such executive officers for performance that contributes meaningfully to the creation of shareholder value. The guiding principles and objectives of our executive compensation program include:
Pay-for-Performance |
Align with Interests of our Shareholders |
Balance Short- and Long-Term Incentives |
Attract and Retain Key Talent |
We believe in a pay-for-performance approach to compensation that supports our business goals. As such, a significant portion of each named executive officer’s compensation is performance based and at-risk. |
We provide overall compensation packages that reward individual and Company performance against our corporate objectives to support value creation for the Company and its shareholders. |
We structure our executive compensation program to align with, and balance, the short- and long-term focus required for success in the biopharmaceutical industry. |
We seek to attract and retain a highly-skilled workforce by providing a total compensation package that is competitive with other employers who compete with us for talent. |
2024 Compensation Highlights
Our 2024 executive compensation program highlights include the following:
2024 Advisory Vote on 2023 Executive Compensation. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, shareholders expressed strong support for our executive compensation program, with approximately 98% of the votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay proposal. As noted above under “Active Shareholder Engagement,” we value, and frequently solicit, shareholder feedback on our executive compensation programs, and shareholders have generally acknowledged the Board and Compensation Committee’s responsiveness and the significant enhancements to our executive compensation programs in recent years.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 13
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Matters
Corporate responsibility is inherent in our mission and our values as an organization. We actively work to support people living with complex and difficult-to-treat neurological and psychiatric disorders, including opioid dependence, alcohol dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and to help break down barriers that prevent access to care. As we do this important work, we strive to manage our business in a manner that promotes transparent governance and strong ethics; maintains extensive patient, employee and other stakeholder engagement; and helps us grow our organization strategically, sustainably and responsibly, including with respect to our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) impacts.
Our ESG Pillars
The following pillars are deeply integrated into our business, and we incorporated goals related to these pillars into the Company’s 2024 corporate objectives and corresponding 2024 short-term incentive plan.
Environmental We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship. We have implemented enterprise-wide Environmental, Health, Safety and Security initiatives and management strategies designed to mitigate or reduce risk, protect employee health and safety, minimize our environmental impacts and enhance the sustainability of our operations. |
Social We strive to foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace in which employees are engaged and have resources and support to help them thrive personally and professionally. Our patient-centered approach drives our external-facing efforts such as patient engagement and advocacy activities, and corporate grant programs, which seek to support patient communities in our therapeutic areas of focus. |
Governance We govern the Company with strong ethics and governance practices, management and Board oversight of our business and operations, compliance with applicable laws and engagement with our stakeholders. Our policies are designed to support risk mitigation, enhance the security of our people and information, and maintain our commitment to product quality and patient safety. |
Our ESG Oversight Structure
Our management team, led by our Executive ESG Committee, is responsible, at the direction and subject to the oversight of the Board, for development and implementation of our corporate responsibility strategy and initiatives and for conduct of activities related to sustainability reporting obligations. Our Board oversees the Company’s execution of this strategy, including our management of related risks and opportunities tied to our business, and delegates to the standing committees of the Board certain of these oversight responsibilities, as shown in the table below and reflected in the committee charters.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Responsible for overseeing our significant corporate governance practices and policies, including those related to: |
|||
☑ |
Corporate responsibility and sustainability, and environmental, health and safety matters |
☑ |
Employee development, engagement and inclusion initiatives and executive succession planning |
☑ |
Board evaluation, composition and refreshment |
☑ |
Compliance, conflicts of interest and overboarding |
☑ |
Shareholder engagement and other matters |
☑ |
Political contributions and lobbying activities |
Audit and Risk Committee Responsible for overseeing our enterprise risk management process and for integration of sustainability-related disclosures into our filings with the SEC, Irish statutory reports and other required reporting, including in respect of: |
|||
☑ |
Enterprise risk management processes, mitigations and annual assessments |
☑ |
Internal controls and audit and assurance activities for financial and non-financial reporting |
☑ |
Cybersecurity, information technology, data privacy and related initiatives |
☑ |
Compliance with, and risks related to, sustainability-related disclosure requirements |
Compensation Committee Responsible for overseeing our compensation-related policies and disclosures, including those related to: |
|||
☑ |
Talent and leadership development, recognition and retention |
☑ |
Compensation programs, incentives, and related risk assessments |
☑ |
Human capital management initiatives |
☑ |
Incorporation of corporate responsibility considerations in incentive compensation plans |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 14
General Information about the Meeting and Voting
Why am I receiving these proxy materials?
We are making this proxy statement available to you on or about [], 2025 on the Internet or by delivering printed versions to you by mail, because our Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your ordinary shares, $0.01 par value per share, of Alkermes plc (referred to in this proxy statement as “shares” or “ordinary shares”) at the Annual Meeting scheduled to be held on May 21, 2025. This proxy statement contains information about the Company and the items being voted on at the Annual Meeting.
This proxy statement and our Annual Report are also available through the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com or at www.proxydocs.com/ALKS. The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into, and should not be considered part of, this proxy statement. Shareholders may also request a printed copy of these documents free of charge, by writing to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C576, Attention: Company Secretary.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
If you owned ordinary shares of the Company as of the close of trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 14, 2025 (the “Record Date”), you are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 164,836,227 ordinary shares issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted.
Am I a shareholder of record or a beneficial owner?
Shareholders of Record. If, as of the Record Date, your ordinary shares were registered in your name (and not in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee) with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., then you are a shareholder of record.
Beneficial Owners. If, as of the Record Date, your ordinary shares were not registered in your name, but rather were held in an account at a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee in the name of your bank, broker, or other nominee, then such shares are held in “street name” and you are the beneficial owner of such shares.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each ordinary share you owned as of the Record Date.
When and where is the Annual Meeting scheduled to be held?
The Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held on May 21, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Irish Standard Time, at the Company’s offices at Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6. Admission to the Annual Meeting is restricted to shareholders as of the Record Date and/or their proxy holders.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 15
How do proxies work and how will shares be voted?
You may choose to designate another person as your ‘proxy’ to vote the shares you own on your behalf. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a ‘proxy’ or a ‘proxy card.’ Any proxy that you designate must attend the Annual Meeting in person for your shares to be voted. Any proxy card that is properly executed and received by the Company will be voted in accordance with the instructions provided on the proxy card. Our Board is asking for your proxy to authorize the Company’s named proxy holders to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in the manner you direct. We encourage you to promptly vote on each of the Company’s proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
If you return a validly executed proxy card without indicating how your shares should be voted on one or more specific proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting and you do not revoke your proxy, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations set forth in this proxy statement for each proposal for which you did not indicate a vote as follows:
You can revoke your proxy and change your vote as described in the section entitled “Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?” on page 20 of this proxy statement. If your shares are held through a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions provided by such bank, broker or other nominee to vote your shares.
Our Board is not aware of any matters that are expected to come before the Annual Meeting other than those described in this proxy statement. If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting upon which a vote may be properly taken, ordinary shares represented by all proxy cards received by the Company will be voted at the discretion of the named proxy holders as set forth on the proxy card.
What is the deadline for voting my shares if I do not vote in person at the Annual Meeting?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by Internet or submit your proxy by telephone prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 20, 2025 (4:59 a.m. Irish Standard Time on May 21, 2025), or, if you elect to vote by mail, your validly executed proxy card must be received by the judge of elections at the Annual Meeting prior to the closing of the polls at the Annual Meeting.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held through a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to determine whether you may submit voting instructions by telephone or by Internet to your bank, broker or other nominee and whether any deadlines apply for submission of such voting instructions.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 16
How do I vote?
It is important that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting in person. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST,” or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on, each proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Shareholders of Record. As a shareholder of record, there are four ways to vote:
Telephone: By calling the toll-free telephone number indicated on your proxy card. Easy-to-follow voice prompts allow you to submit your proxy and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. |
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|
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Internet: By going to the Internet website indicated on your proxy card. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. |
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Mail: By completing, signing, dating and returning a printed proxy card (or proxy form set out in section 184 of the Companies Act) via the postage-paid envelope provided with your proxy card (which will be forwarded to the Company’s registered address) or by delivery to the Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 C5Y6. |
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In Person: By submitting a written ballot in person at the Annual Meeting. To obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please contact our Investor Relations team at investor_relations@alkermes.com. We will distribute ballots at the Annual Meeting to anyone who wishes to vote in person. |
If you are a shareholder of record and you choose to submit your proxy by telephone by calling the toll-free number on your proxy card, your use of that telephone system and in particular the entry of your pin number or other unique identifier, will be deemed to constitute your appointment, in writing and under hand, and for all purposes of the Companies Act, of Christopher McLaughlin, Carol McNelis, Richie Paul and Thomas Riordan as your named proxy holders, each with power to act without the other and with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on your behalf in accordance with your telephone instructions.
Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held through a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. In most cases, you may submit voting instructions by telephone or by Internet to your bank, broker or other nominee, or you can mark, sign, date and return a voting instruction form to your bank, broker or other nominee. If you provide specific voting instructions by telephone, by Internet or by mail, your bank, broker or other nominee must vote your shares as you have directed. If you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must request and submit a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee.
What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions when I deliver my proxy?
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record and you:
then the Company’s named proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this proxy statement and such proxy holders may determine in their discretion how to vote your shares in respect of any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee and you do not instruct your bank, broker or other nominee as to how to vote your shares, your bank, broker or other nominee may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion on certain proposals. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE Rules”), banks, brokers and other securities intermediaries that are subject to the NYSE Rules (as are the vast majority of the banks, brokers and other securities intermediaries who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners of our shares) ordinarily may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “routine” under the NYSE Rules. However, such banks, brokers or other securities intermediaries may not use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “non-routine” under the NYSE Rules, resulting in such circumstances in what are commonly referred to as “broker non-votes.” We believe Proposals 1, 2 and 4 are considered “non-routine” matters under the NYSE Rules, meaning that your broker therefore may not vote your shares on such proposals in the absence of your voting instructions, resulting in “broker non-votes” for such proposals. We believe Proposals 3, 5 and 6 are considered to be “routine” matters under
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 17
NYSE rules, meaning that if you do not return voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee by its deadline, your shares may ordinarily be voted by your broker in its discretion on such proposals. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other securities intermediary by the deadline provided in the materials provided by your broker, bank or other securities intermediary.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials on the Internet, as permitted by the rules of the SEC. Accordingly, unless a shareholder has instructed us otherwise, we are mailing only a notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials to our shareholders, which notice contains instructions on how to access our proxy materials on the Internet or request printed versions by mail. In addition, you may request, either by mail or electronically by email, to receive future proxy materials in printed form on an ongoing basis.
What does it mean if I receive more than one notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials or more than one set of printed proxy materials?
If your shares are held in more than one account, you will receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form. You can, and are urged to, vote all of your shares by completing, signing, dating and returning every proxy card you receive from the Company. If you choose to vote via the Internet, please vote using the details on each proxy card you receive to ensure that all of your shares are voted. Please sign each proxy card exactly as your name or names appear on the proxy card. For joint accounts, each owner should sign the proxy card. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee, guardian or other representative, please print your full name and title on the proxy card.
Which ordinary shares are included on a proxy card or voting instruction form?
Each proxy card or voting instruction form represents the ordinary shares in each account that you own as of the close of business on the Record Date. You may receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form if you hold your shares in multiple accounts, if some of your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, or if some of your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee. Please vote the shares on each proxy card or voting instruction form in order to ensure that all of your shares are counted at the Annual Meeting.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
The Company will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting, including expenses relating to the preparation, filing and mailing to shareholders of this proxy statement and/or other proxy materials. We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist us in the solicitation of proxies. We will also reimburse banks, brokers and nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with forwarding proxy materials to, and soliciting voting instructions from, beneficial owners who hold ordinary shares in “street name” in the name of such bank, broker or other nominee. Proxies may also be solicited by our directors and certain of our officers and regular employees, whether in person, by mail, by telephone or by email or other electronic means. Our directors, officers and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for any such solicitation efforts.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid Annual Meeting. Under our Articles of Association, a quorum will be present if at least one or more shareholders holding not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 164,836,227 ordinary shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of 82,418,114 ordinary shares must be present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting for a quorum to exist. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your bank, broker or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted toward the quorum requirement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 18
What vote is required to approve each proposal? How are abstentions and broker non-votes treated?
Proposal |
Vote Required for Approval |
Effect of Abstentions / Broker-Non-Votes |
Election of Directors
|
Each Board Nominee must, by separate resolution, receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy. |
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the Board Nominees, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
Non-Binding, Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation |
This proposal is advisory and non-binding; the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy is required for the advisory approval of this proposal. |
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this advisory proposal, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
Non-Binding Ratification of PwC as Independent Auditor and Accounting Firm; Binding Authorization of Audit and Risk Committee to Set PwC’s Remuneration |
Affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy. The ratification component of this proposal is advisory and non-binding; the authorization component of this proposal is binding.
|
Abstentions and broker-non votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
Approval of Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended |
Affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy. |
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
Renewal of Board Authority to Allot and Issue Shares under Irish Law |
Affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy. |
Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
Renewal of Board Authority to Disapply the Statutory Pre-emption Rights under Irish Law |
Affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy. In addition, approval of Proposal 6 is conditioned upon prior approval of Proposal 5, because Irish law requires that a general authority to issue shares be granted before an authority can be granted to issue shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis. |
Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal, as they are not considered to be votes cast. |
How will voting on any other business be conducted?
The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons identified as the named proxy holders (or any other person designated as your proxy) are entitled to vote on each such matter in their discretion.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 19
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy by taking any of the following actions:
Beneficial Owners. If you are a beneficial owner, you must contact the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares in order to revoke your proxy. If you are a beneficial owner and you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must request and submit a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee.
Who will count the votes and how are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the judge of elections appointed by the Board for the Annual Meeting, who, for each resolution, will separately count votes “FOR,” “AGAINST,” abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes.
What do I need for admission to the Annual Meeting?
All shareholders attending the Annual Meeting in person will be required to show valid government-issued picture identification. If your ordinary shares are held in street name by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will also need to bring evidence of your ordinary share ownership as of the Record Date, such as your most recent brokerage account statement or a copy of your voting instruction form. If you do not have valid picture identification and, if applicable, proof of your share ownership, you may not be admitted to the meeting.
Do shareholders have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights on the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
No, shareholders will not have rights of appraisal or dissenters’ rights with respect to any matter identified in this proxy statement to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We plan to report final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8‑K (“Form 8-K”) to be filed with the SEC within four business days after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8‑K within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8‑K with preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Form 8‑K to report the final results. You will be able to find a copy of any such Form 8‑K on the Internet electronic data system of the SEC, referred to as EDGAR, available at www.sec.gov or through the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 20
What are the Irish statutory financial statements and where can I access them?
As an Irish company, the Company is required to prepare statutory financial statements under the Companies Act and to deliver those financial statements, together with reports of our directors and auditors thereon, to shareholders of record in connection with our annual general meetings of shareholders.
These statutory financial statements cover our results of operations and financial position for the year ended prior to each annual general meeting of shareholders and are approved each year by the Board. There is no requirement under Irish law that such financial statements be approved by the Company’s shareholders, and no such approval will be sought at the Annual Meeting.
The Company’s Irish statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, including the reports of the directors and auditors thereon, will be presented at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act. These financial statements and the related reports are available on the Annual Reports page of the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.alkermes.com. Shareholders may also request a printed copy of these statements and reports free of charge, by writing to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C576, Attention: Company Secretary.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Annual Meeting?
If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact the firm assisting us with the solicitation of proxies, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022 or (212) 750-5833.
We also invite shareholders to reach out to our Investor Relations team at investor_relations@alkermes.com.
Important Notice Regarding the Internet and Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
All shareholders have the ability to access this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report at www.proxydocs.com/ALKS or through the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com. Shareholders may also request a printed set of these materials free of charge, by writing to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary.
In addition, any shareholder may request to receive, on an ongoing basis, future proxy materials in printed form, by mail or electronically by email. A shareholder’s election as to the format for its receipt of proxy materials will remain in effect until such shareholder revokes such election.
Note Regarding Trademarks
We are the owner of various United States (“U.S.”) federal trademark registrations (“®”) and other trademarks (“TM”) and service marks (“SM”), including ALKERMES®, ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS®, ARISTADA®, ARISTADA INITIO®, LYBALVI® and VIVITROL®. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this proxy statement are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names in this proxy statement are referred to without the ® and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.
Note Regarding Product References
Except as otherwise suggested by the context, (a) references in this proxy statement to “products” or “our products” include our marketed products, marketed products using our proprietary technologies, our licensed products, our product candidates, and product candidates using our proprietary technologies and (b) references in this proxy statement to the “biopharmaceutical industry” are used interchangeably with references to the “biotechnology industry” and/or the “pharmaceutical industry.”
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 21
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Ordinary resolutions)
Our Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated each of the following Board Nominees for election to the Board, in each case for a one-year term expiring at the close of the Company’s 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders or until their respective successor is appointed or their earlier resignation or removal:
Name |
|
Age+ |
|
Director Since |
|
Committee Memberships / Leadership |
Independent |
Outside Public |
Shane M. Cooke |
|
62 |
|
2018 |
|
Audit and Risk |
|
1 |
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D |
|
75 |
|
2019 |
|
Compensation (C) |
|
1 |
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
66 |
|
2021 |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance |
|
1 |
Nancy S. Lurker |
|
67 |
|
2024 |
|
Compensation |
|
2 |
Brian P. McKeon |
|
63 |
|
2020 |
|
Compensation; Financial Operating (C) |
|
0 |
Richard F. Pops |
|
63 |
|
2011 |
|
Chairman; Financial Operating |
|
1 |
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
|
73 |
|
2016 |
|
Audit and Risk; Nominating and Corporate Governance (C) |
|
1 |
Andy Wilson |
|
66 |
|
2019 |
|
Lead Independent Director; Audit and Risk (C); Financial Operating |
|
2 |
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
59 |
|
2022 |
|
Compensation; Nominating and Corporate Governance |
|
0 |
(C) = Chair of the committee; + Ages presented are as of April [], 2025.
* Represents the number of public company boards on which the director serves in addition to our Board.
Ongoing Board Refreshment. The Board has an active Board refreshment program and has engaged in significant ongoing Board refreshment activities since 2019. Consistent with these activities, our Lead Independent Director and the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly speak to members of the Board about their roles on the Board, their contemplated tenure on the Board and their commitments outside of their Board service. Emily Peterson Alva and David A. Daglio, Jr. will retire from the Board and all committees of the Board on which they serve as of the close of the Annual Meeting and are not standing for re-election to the Board.
Annual Director Elections. We hold annual director elections for all members of the Board. Accordingly, each Board Nominee elected pursuant to this Proposal 1 will be elected to serve for a one-year term expiring at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders.
Recommendation. The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of each of the Board Nominees. As described in detail below, each of the Board Nominees has considerable professional and business expertise. Our Board’s recommendation is based on its carefully considered judgment that the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of the Board Nominees qualify them to serve on our Board. The Board has been informed that each of the Board Nominees has consented to serve as a nominee, to serve as a director if elected pursuant to this Proposal 1, and to be named as a nominee in this proxy statement. If, however, any Board Nominee should, prior to the Annual Meeting, decline to serve or become unavailable for election at the Annual Meeting, an event which the Board does not anticipate, the named proxy holders intend to vote for such other director nominee or nominees as may be designated by the Board, unless the Board reduces the number of directors which comprise the Board accordingly.
Majority Voting Standard. Each Board Nominee that receives a majority of the votes cast on their respective resolution in person or by proxy (meaning that the number of shares voted “FOR” such Board Nominee exceeds the number of shares voted “AGAINST” such Board Nominee) will be elected to serve on the Board. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the Board Nominees because they are not considered to be votes cast. If, at the Annual Meeting, the number of directors is reduced below the
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 22
minimum prescribed by our Articles of Association due to the failure of any one or more Board Nominee(s) to receive a majority of the votes cast, then the director nominee or nominees who receive the highest number of votes in favor of election will be elected in order to maintain such prescribed minimum number of directors.
The text of the resolutions in respect of this Proposal 1 is as follows:
“RESOLVED, by separate resolutions, to elect each of the following director nominees for a term expiring at the close of the Company’s 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders and until their respective successor is appointed or their earlier resignation or removal:
a. Shane M. Cooke b. Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. c. Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. d. Nancy S. Lurker e. Brian P. McKeon |
f. Richard F. Pops g. Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. h. Frank Anders Wilson i. Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR election of each of the Board Nominees |
Board Nominees: Composition, Qualifications and Experience
Each year, as part of our annual Board evaluation process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the qualifications and experience of our Board as a whole to assess alignment with our strategic priorities. The Board Nominees possess significant experience in the areas set forth below. For a listing of qualifications and experience by individual Board Nominee, see the Board skills matrix below.
The Board Nominees are substantially independent, have a broad range of skills, experience, background, viewpoints and personal attributes, and represent a mix of newer and longer-tenured directors, providing what we consider to be an appropriate balance of experience, institutional knowledge, fresh perspectives and skillsets.
The following graphics reflect the composition and attributes of the Board Nominees as of April [], 2025:
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 23
Board Skills Matrix
The following table highlights the specific skills, qualifications, and other attributes of our Board Nominees that were considered in the Board’s nomination of our Board Nominees. The lack of a mark for a particular item for a director does not mean the director lacks that skill or qualification; rather, a mark indicates a specific area of focus or expertise of such director on which the Board relies. Additional information about each Board Nominee’s background, business experience and other matters, including a description of how each individual’s experience qualifies them to serve on the Board, is provided below, beginning on the following page of this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 24
Board Nominee Biographical Information
Shane M. Cooke |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: March 2018 Committee Memberships: Audit and Risk Current Public Company Boards: Prothena Corporation plc (Nasdaq: PRTA) since 2012 |
Experience: Mr. Cooke served as our President and as President of Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (“APIL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, from September 2011 until his retirement in March 2018. He became a member of our Board upon his retirement. In addition, Mr. Cooke has been chairman of the board of directors of APIL since September 2011. Mr. Cooke served as Executive Vice President of Elan Corporation, plc (“Elan”) and Head of Elan Drug Technologies from May 2007 to September 16, 2011 and as the Chief Financial Officer of Elan from July 2001 until May 2011. Mr. Cooke served as a director of Elan from May 2005 to September 16, 2011. Prior to joining Elan, Mr. Cooke was Chief Executive of Pembroke Capital Limited, an aviation leasing company, and prior to that, he held a number of senior finance positions in the banking and aviation industries. Mr. Cooke previously served on the board of directors of then publicly-traded healthcare companies UDG Healthcare plc from February 2019 to August 2021 and Endo International plc from July 2014 to April 2024. He is a chartered accountant. Qualifications and Skills: Mr. Cooke is an Irish citizen, resident in Ireland. His depth of experience in managing Irish corporate entities and his extensive network within the Irish business and finance community, as well as his familiarity with Irish policy and regulation, are highly beneficial to the Company as an Irish-incorporated entity. In addition to Mr. Cooke’s global experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he also has significant experience in business development and transactional activities. Mr. Cooke’s substantial experience as an executive in the biopharmaceutical industry, including having served as a chief financial officer and as a president of publicly-traded companies, brings strategic leadership attributes and expertise in operations, finance, and commercial management to our Board. |
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: September 2019 Committee Memberships: Compensation (Chair) Current Public Company Boards: Zai Lab Limited (Nasdaq: ZLAB) since November 2021 |
Experience: Since May 2020, Dr. Gaynor has served as President, Chief of Research and Development at BioNTech US Inc. (f/k/a Neon Therapeutics, Inc. (“Neon”)), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioNTech SE focused on the development of novel neoantigen-targeted T cell therapies. Dr. Gaynor had previously served as President of Research and Development at Neon since November 2016. Prior to joining Neon, Dr. Gaynor held roles in clinical development and medical affairs at Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”) from August 2002 to October 2016, including serving as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs of Lilly Oncology. During his time at Lilly, Dr. Gaynor chaired the Lilly Oncology Research and Development Committee and helped oversee various collaborations, including with General Electric, AstraZeneca, Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Dr. Gaynor started his career in academia, initially serving on the faculty at UCLA School of Medicine, followed by 11 years at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, during which he spent time as the Chief of Hematology-Oncology and Director of the Simmons Cancer Center. Dr. Gaynor holds an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed fellowship training in hematology-oncology at UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Gaynor is on the editorial board of several scientific journals and has published extensively, including over 140 scientific articles. He previously served on the board of directors of Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a formerly publicly-traded biotechnology company, from March 2020 to March 2024. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the scientific advisory committee of Stand Up to Cancer and the finance committee of the American Association of Cancer Research, each a not-for-profit organization. Dr. Gaynor is a licensed physician with board certifications in oncology and hematology. Qualifications and Skills: Dr. Gaynor brings to our Board a deep scientific and medical background, having practiced in academic medicine, conducted extensive scientific research and held leadership roles at various biopharmaceutical companies. The Board benefits from his technical expertise and business experience in research and development, drug development, clinical development and business development across multiple therapeutic areas and his insights from years as an academic and practicing physician. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 25
Sir Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., K.C.S.L. |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: November 2021* Committee Memberships: Nominating and Corporate Governance Current Public Company Boards: MiMedx Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDXG) since November 2020 |
Experience: Dr. Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut (“UConn”) and also serves as a Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Laurencin also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering and, before that, as Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine at UConn. Prior to that he served as Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief of the University of Virginia Health System. In addition, he was formerly a member of each of the FDA Device Panel and the FDA National Science Advisory Board. Dr. Laurencin is NACD Directorship Certified®. In March 2025, Dr. Laurencin was awarded knighthood (Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia) with the approval of His Majesty King Charles III of England. Dr. Laurencin received his B.S.E. degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University, his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/ biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his M.D. from the Harvard Medical School. Qualifications and Skills: Dr. Laurencin brings to our Board extensive medical, scientific and managerial experience. The Board benefits from his deep medical and scientific knowledge, his experience as a medical practitioner, and in management and leadership of large health systems. His dedication to social justice research and to addressing health disparities, and his expertise in public health and health policy, are supportive of the Company’s values and business strategy. |
* Dr. Laurencin was appointed to the Board in November 2021 in connection with an agreement between the Company and Sarissa Capital Offshore Master Fund LP in April 2021. |
Nancy S. Lurker |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: March 2024 Committee Memberships: Compensation Current Public Company Boards: EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EYPT) since September 2016 Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLL) since February 2025 |
Experience: Ms. Lurker most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“EyePoint”), a publicly-traded specialty biopharmaceutical company, from September 2016 to July 2023, at which time she transitioned to her current role as Vice-Chair of EyePoint’s board of directors. She also served as President of EyePoint from September 2016 to January 2023. Prior to that, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of PDI, Inc., a publicly-traded healthcare commercialization company (now Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.), from 2008 to 2015 and as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation from 2006 to 2007. Prior to that, Ms. Lurker held various executive and other senior roles at leading pharmaceutical companies, including ImpactRx, Inc., a privately held healthcare information company, Pharmacia Corporation (now a part of Pfizer, Inc.), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. In addition to EyePoint and Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., Ms. Lurker currently serves on the boards of directors of Altasciences, LLC, a private contract research organization, and National Sanitation Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving human health through quality standards. Ms. Lurker previously served on the boards of directors of Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded specialty pharmaceutical company, from 2018 to April 2022, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America from 2016 to 2020 and, at various times from 2004 to 2018, current and formerly publicly-traded companies Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mallinckrodt plc, PDI, Inc., Elan Corporation, plc and ConjuChem Biotechnologies. Ms. Lurker received a B.S. in Biology from Seattle Pacific University and an M.B.A. from the University of Evansville. Qualifications and Skills: Ms. Lurker brings to our Board broad-ranging experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including executive leadership, governance and strategic planning, and expertise in product development and commercialization, with a track record of successful U.S. and global product launches. The Board benefits from her extensive public company management and board leadership experience, industry knowledge and valuable insights with respect to strategy, operations and the development, launch and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 26
Brian P. McKeon |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: December 2020 Committee Memberships: Compensation; Financial Operating (Chair) Current Public Company Boards: None
|
Experience: Mr. McKeon serves as Executive Vice President and Special Advisor to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (“IDEXX”), a public multinational corporation providing products and services in the veterinary, livestock and poultry, dairy and water testing markets and will continue in this role until his announced retirement on June 1, 2025. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of IDEXX from January 2014 to February 2025, during which time he led IDEXX’s finance and investor relations functions and, from June 2019 to January 2025, oversaw IDEXX’s livestock, water and human diagnostics businesses. He also served on the board of directors of IDEXX from 2003 to 2013, including as Chair of its Audit Committee and as a member of its Compensation Committee. Prior to joining IDEXX, Mr. McKeon served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Iron Mountain Incorporated from 2007 to 2013 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Timberland Company from 2000 to 2007. Prior to these roles, he held several finance and strategic planning positions at PepsiCo Inc., serving most recently as Vice President, Finance, at Pepsi-Cola, North America. Mr. McKeon previously served as a director of athenahealth, Inc. from September 2017 to February 2019. Mr. McKeon holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A with high distinction from Harvard University. Qualifications and Skills: Mr. McKeon brings to our Board strong financial and management expertise as well as public company executive and director leadership experience. The Board benefits from his experience in finance, strategic planning, corporate development and investor relations, and from his prior service on public company boards of directors, including as a member of audit and compensation committees. |
Richard F. Pops |
|
Director since: September 2011
Leadership: Chairman Committee Memberships: Financial Operating Current Public Company Boards: Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) since 1998
|
Experience: Prior to assuming his current positions, Mr. Pops served as Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes, Inc. from February 1991 to April 2007 and as Chief Executive Officer and President from September 2009 to September 2011. Mr. Pops serves on the boards of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (“BIO”) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (“PhRMA”). He previously served on the boards of directors of Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, from 2004 to December 2019, Epizyme, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, from 2008 to October 2020, and the National Health Council, a nonprofit organization, from 2016 to December 2019. Mr. Pops also previously served on the advisory board of Polaris Venture Partners and as a member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows through June 2012. Qualifications and Skills: Mr. Pops’ qualifications for our Board include his leadership experience, business judgment and deep industry knowledge. As a senior executive of Alkermes, he provides in-depth knowledge of the Company derived from leading our day-to-day operations. His ongoing involvement as a board member of BIO and PhRMA brings to the organization extensive knowledge of the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and the policy issues impacting healthcare today. As a Co-Chair of BIO’s Regulatory Environment Committee, and a member of its Health Section Governing Board, and as a member of PhRMA’s FDA and Biomedical Research Committee, Mr. Pops is an influential industry leader on FDA regulatory policy issues, including recent Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorizations. Mr. Pops has also played a leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry in identifying pathways to allow patient voices to be incorporated into the drug development and approval process, which is a fundamental principle on which we operate our business. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 27
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: May 2016 Committee Memberships: Audit and Risk; Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair) Current Public Company Boards: Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LYRA) since October 2020 |
Experience: Dr. Snyderman is an oncologic surgeon and clinical researcher. She was a consulting professor at Stanford University Center for Innovation in Global Health from July 2019 to July 2022, served as Chief Medical Editor at NBC News from 2006 until 2015 and was a clinical professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania from August 2003 to December 2015. Dr. Snyderman was Senior Vice President Corporate Communications at Johnson & Johnson, a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company, from January 2003 to September 2006. She practiced as an Otolaryngologist at UC San Francisco and the California Pacific Medical Center from July 1994 to June 2003 and acted as Medical Editor for ABC News from 1987 until May 2003. Dr. Snyderman previously served on the board of directors of Future Health ESG Corp., a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, from September 2021 to March 2024 and Axonics, Inc., a publicly-traded medical device company, from April 2019 to November 2024. Dr. Snyderman is a Kellogg Fellow, a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons and co-founder of the Stanford University-NBC News Global Media Fellowship. During Dr. Snyderman’s tenure as a medical journalist at NBC News and ABC News, she received Emmy Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Columbia University DuPont Award, and a Gracie Award for her reporting. Dr. Snyderman attended medical school at the University of Nebraska and completed residencies in Pediatrics and Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh. Qualifications and Skills: Dr. Snyderman’s experiences as a surgeon and clinical researcher, a veteran healthcare journalist, and an executive at a pharmaceutical company, as well as her roles in academia and as advisor to policy organizations, make her uniquely qualified for our Board. The Board benefits from her expert insight into the intersection of healthcare policy, public relations and journalism from the perspective of both a practitioner and an academic. |
Frank Anders “Andy” Wilson |
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INDEPENDENT Director since: September 2019 Leadership: Lead Independent Director Committee Memberships: Audit and Risk (Chair); Financial Operating Current Public Company Boards: Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) since September 2018 Novanta Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVT) since May 2021 |
Experience: Mr. Wilson most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of PerkinElmer, Inc. (“PerkinElmer”), a life sciences diagnostics, discovery and analytical solutions company, from 2009 to 2018, with responsibility for oversight of the organization’s growth strategy. Prior to PerkinElmer, Mr. Wilson held key business development and finance roles at Danaher Corporation, a global science and technology conglomerate, from 1997 to 2009, including the position of Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wilson worked at AlliedSignal, Inc. (now Honeywell International Inc.), where he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Commercial Avionics Systems division. Prior to that, Mr. Wilson’s work included financial and controllership positions of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo, Inc., as well as roles at E.F. Hutton and Company and KPMG Peat Marwick. He was previously a member of the board of directors of Sparton Corporation, a provider of complex and sophisticated electromechanical devices, from 2015 to early 2019, where he last served as chairman of the board. Mr. Wilson is a certified public accountant. Qualifications and Skills: Mr. Wilson’s financial expertise and decades of experience in strategic planning, investor relations and business development for global public companies provide valuable insight for our Board as the Company’s strategic priorities expand and evolve. His background as a chief financial officer and certified public accountant provides significant expertise to our Board in matters relating to finance, value creation and commercial growth. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 28
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
INDEPENDENT Director since: May 2022 Committee Memberships: Compensation; Nominating and Corporate Governance Current Public Company Boards: None |
Experience: Since February 2023, Dr. Wright has served as Chief Medical Officer, Head of Translational Research at Ring Therapeutics, Inc. (“Ring”), a company focused on revolutionizing gene therapy with its commensal virome platform. Prior to joining Ring, Dr. Wright served as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of AavantiBio, Inc., a company focused on development of precision gene therapies for the treatment of debilitating diseases, from May 2021 through its acquisition by Solid Biosciences Inc. in December 2022. From April 2019 to March 2021, Dr. Wright served as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. (“Cyclerion”), a publicly-traded spin-off from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Ironwood”), where he led global development functions across therapeutic areas. From March 2017 to April 2019, Dr. Wright served as Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer of Ironwood. Prior to that, Dr. Wright served as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of Axcella Health Inc. and Senior Vice President of Global Medicines Development and Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, where he led global development functions across therapeutic areas. Dr. Wright was previously an Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and was a practicing neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for 20 years. He previously served as a Scientific Advisor for Cyclerion. Dr. Wright earned his A.B. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, his M.D. in Medicine and Neuroscience from Harvard Medical School, his Ph.D. in Neuroanatomy from Vrije Universiteit and his MMSc. in Clinical Investigation from Harvard Medical School. Qualifications and Skills: Dr. Wright is a highly accomplished scientific and medical leader in the academic and biopharmaceutical communities with nearly three decades of drug development, clinical and medical research experience in diseases of the central nervous system. The Board benefits from his significant expertise in the field of neuroscience, his extensive service in executive leadership positions at publicly-traded companies overseeing global drug development functions across therapeutic areas, including regulatory affairs, clinical development and operations, pharmaceutical development, and securing approval of new therapies, and his background as a practicing neurologist. |
Retiring Directors
Emily Peterson Alva
Director since May 2021 |
“On behalf of Alkermes and the Board, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Emily Peterson Alva and David Daglio for their contributions to the Board and to the Company’s growth and success”
-- Richard Pops, CEO and Chairman
|
David A. Daglio, Jr. Director since December 2020 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 29
The Board of Directors
Board Size and Structure
In accordance with our Articles of Association, the Board reviews the appropriateness of the size of the Board from time to time and increases or decreases the number of director seats on the Board as it deems appropriate. In March 2025, the Board approved a decrease in the size of the Board from 11 directors to 9 directors, effective upon the close of the Annual Meeting.
Annual Director Elections. We hold annual director elections for all members of the Board.
Chairperson of the Board. The chairperson of the Board presides at meetings of the Company’s shareholders and the Board and is primarily responsible for overseeing development of the Company’s strategic goals and objectives. Richard F. Pops has served as Chairman of the Board since 2011.
In deciding to appoint Mr. Pops to the combined role of CEO and Chairman, the Board recognized Mr. Pops’ ability to provide effective, consistent and continuous leadership to both the Board and the Company, his ability to align the strategic objectives of both management and the Board, his extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations and the industry and markets in which the Company operates and competes, and his ability to promote communication and synchronize activities between the Board and senior management.
Lead Independent Director. Recognizing the equal importance of effective independent oversight of the Company, the independent members of the Board annually elect an independent non-employee director to serve as Lead Independent Director of the Board, whose leadership responsibilities include, among others:
A current copy of our Charter of the Lead Independent Director is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews the Charter of the Lead Independent Director and works with the Board to make such revisions to the charter as it and the Board consider appropriate.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 30
Andy Wilson has served as the Board’s Lead Independent Director since December 2023. In this capacity, Mr. Wilson has played an active and engaged leadership role in activities and meetings of the Board, including executive sessions of the independent directors, and participated alongside Company management in shareholder engagement activities.
Assessment of Board Leadership Structure. The Board periodically reviews its composition and leadership structure. The Board believes that its current leadership structure provides an efficient and effective balance between management and independent leadership and is the most appropriate Board leadership structure for the Company at this time.
Committees of the Board. The Board delegates substantial responsibilities to its three standing committees—Audit and Risk, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance—each of which is comprised solely of independent directors and led by an independent chair, and to other committees that the Board may establish from time to time, including the currently constituted Financial Operating Committee. These committees and their respective oversight responsibilities are discussed in detail below in the section entitled “The Role of the Board and its Committees” beginning on page 33 of this proxy statement.
As discussed below, the composition and functioning of our Board and each of its committees complies with all applicable rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq,” and such rules and regulations, the “Nasdaq Rules”) and requirements of the Exchange Act and other SEC regulations.
Independence of Members of the Board
In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, not less than a majority of the Board must meet the independence requirements set forth in the Nasdaq Rules. The Board annually makes a determination as to whether each director is “independent” as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Nasdaq Rules and the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. To assist in making its determination, the Board periodically reviews each director’s status as an independent director, including soliciting information from each director regarding whether such director, or any member of their immediate family, had a direct or indirect material interest in any transactions involving the Company, was involved in a debt relationship with the Company, received personal benefits outside the scope of such person’s normal compensation for service as a director or has any other relationship with the Company or members of Company management that, in the judgment of the Board, would interfere with such director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out such director’s responsibilities as a director.
Based on the information provided by each of the Company’s directors, the Board has determined that, with the exception of Richard F. Pops (our CEO), each of our current directors and each director who served on our Board during any part of 2024, and each member of each standing committee of our Board—Audit and Risk, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance—is (or was at the time of their service on our Board) “independent” (as defined in the applicable provisions of the Nasdaq Rules and the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder). There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
Expectations of Board Members
Director Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board believes that each director should be aware of corporate governance issues, their legal duties and obligations, and best practices involved in serving on a public company board of directors. The Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Chief Financial Officer or their designees are responsible for the orientation and onboarding of new directors, and for periodically providing materials or briefing sessions for directors on subjects that may assist them in exercising their duties. The Company also provides frequent opportunities for the Board or individual directors to engage with team leaders in different functional areas of the Company and visit Company facilities in order to support greater understanding of the Company’s business, strategy and operations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers potential continuing education resources and topics for the Board and provides recommendations to management or the Board as it deems appropriate.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 31
Director Commitments and Service on Other Boards
Board members are expected to ensure that their existing and planned future outside commitments do not materially interfere with their service as an effective member of our Board. Any existing outside commitments are considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board when reviewing new director candidates and current directors for nomination for election or re-election to the Board. In addition, Board members must seek approval from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee before accepting an invitation to serve on any new board of directors, and service on boards and committees of other companies must be consistent with the Company’s conflict of interest policies in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Overboarding Policy
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines limit the number of public company boards on which our directors may serve (our “overboarding policy”). In accordance with this policy, unless otherwise agreed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our directors may serve on public company boards as follows:
Non-Employee Directors |
Maximum of three outside public company boards (in addition to our Board) at any given time |
Named Executive Officer/ Employee Directors (including CEO) |
Maximum of one outside public company board (in addition to our Board) at any given time |
Each member of our Board is currently, and was at all times during 2024, in compliance with this policy.
Meetings of the Board
Frequency and Format of Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board are scheduled in advance at least four times a year. Furthermore, additional Board meetings may be called upon appropriate notice at any time to address specific needs of the Company or as requested by the Board. Each director may propose the inclusion of items on the agenda, request the presence of, or a report by, any member of Company management, or raise subjects at any Board meeting that are not on the agenda for that meeting. The Company Secretary solicits feedback from the Board on the proposed agenda, and the Lead Independent Director reviews and approves the agenda in advance of each Board meeting. The meetings of the Board are frequently hosted at the Company’s headquarters in Ireland, but may be hosted at other locations or conducted by audio or video conference at the discretion of the Board. We held four regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board during 2024.
In accordance with our Articles of Association, the Board may, from time to time, take action by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. The Board took one action by written consent in 2024.
Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings
Absent extenuating circumstances, directors are expected to attend, prepare for and participate in all Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which they serve. Attendance rates are taken into account by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board in connection with their assessments of current Board members for re-nomination for election as directors. In 2024, each of the Company’s directors attended 75% or more in the aggregate of all regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board and committee(s) on which they served, held during the time in which they were a director or committee member, as applicable.
Meetings of Non-Employee Directors
The Board’s policy is to hold meetings of the non-employee directors of the Board (currently all directors other than Richard F. Pops) following each regularly scheduled in-person Board meeting. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for chairing such meetings. Meetings of the non-employee directors were held following each regularly-scheduled Board meeting during 2024. At times when the non-employee directors on the Board include any directors who are not independent, the Board’s policy is to hold executive sessions of the independent directors of the Board from time to time, as the Board deems appropriate.
Attendance at Annual General Meetings of Shareholders
All directors and director nominees are encouraged to attend the Company’s annual general meetings of shareholders, and a majority of the Company’s directors attended our 2024 Annual Meeting.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 32
The Role of the Board and its Committees
The Company’s business, property and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. Members of the Board are kept informed of the Company’s business through discussions with the CEO and other officers of the Company, review of materials provided to them, visits to the Company’s facilities and participation in meetings of the Board and its committees and the Company’s annual general meetings of shareholders.
The Board has delegated to the CEO, working with the other executive officers of the Company, the authority and responsibility for managing the business of the Company in a manner consistent with the standards, values and practices of the Company, and in accordance with any specific plans, instructions or directions of the Board. The CEO and management are responsible for seeking the advice, and in appropriate situations, the approval, of the Board with respect to certain actions to be undertaken by the Company.
The Board’s Role in Oversight of Risks and Opportunities
Assessing and managing risks and opportunities is the responsibility of our management, and our Board oversees and reviews various aspects of the Company’s processes for management of such risks and opportunities. The Board executes this oversight responsibility directly and through its committees, including as set forth below:
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 33
In performing their oversight functions, the Board and each Board committee has full access to management, including our Chief Risk Officer and our Chief Compliance Officer, and the ability to engage outside advisors.
The Committees of the Board
The Board has three standing committees: Audit and Risk, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance, each of which is comprised entirely of independent directors. The Board may also, from time to time, form new committees or subcommittees, such as the currently constituted Financial Operating Committee, based on Company circumstances or when a desire for a more focused committee is identified. The Board may also disband current committees or subcommittees as it deems appropriate.
Each of the standing committees of the Board, and the Financial Operating Committee, has a written charter, approved by the Board, which describes the committee’s general authority and responsibilities. Each standing committee of the Board undertakes an annual review of its charter and works with the Board to make such revisions as it and the Board consider appropriate. Current copies of the charters for each of the standing committees and the Financial Operating Committee are available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 34
The Board is responsible for the appointment of committee members and relies on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to recommend to the Board candidates for such appointments, and for service as the chairs of the committees. Each committee of the Board has the authority to engage outside experts, advisors and counsel, or to establish subcommittees, in each case to the extent it considers appropriate to assist the committee in its work.
The chair of each Board committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and appropriate members of management, determines the frequency and length of each committee meeting and works with management to develop the agenda for each meeting. The agendas and meeting minutes of the Board committees are available to the full Board, and all Board members are welcome to attend Board committee meetings, except that non-independent directors are not permitted to attend the executive sessions of any standing Board committee. Each Board committee regularly reports to the full Board concerning its activities.
Audit and Risk Committee |
|
Frank Anders Wilson (Chair) Shane M. Cooke* David A. Daglio, Jr. Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D.
Meetings held in 2024: 4
Committee Independence+: 100%
Audit Committee Financial Expert: Andy Wilson** * Mr. Cooke joined the committee in February 2024 Mr. Daglio will retire from the committee effective as of the close of the Annual Meeting + Independence as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) and 5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards and the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act ** In compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Board has determined based on available facts and circumstances that Mr. Wilson is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC |
The Audit and Risk Committee’s responsibilities include, among others: • appointing, compensating and retaining, and overseeing the work performed by, the Company’s independent auditor and accounting firm; • reviewing the Company’s financial reports to be furnished to or filed with the SEC or pursuant to Irish law, the Company’s internal financial and accounting controls and all related-party transactions; • overseeing the Company’s procedures designed to improve the quality and reliability of the disclosure of its financial condition and results of operations; • assessing and overseeing the Company’s enterprise risk management framework and major risk exposures to the Company’s business, including strategic, legal, financial, accounting, operational, regulatory, sustainability, privacy, security, cybersecurity and information technology and healthcare compliance risk exposures, and steps taken to monitor and address such exposures; • reviewing procedures of the Company designed to facilitate (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints relating to accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or other compliance matters, in consultation with other Board committees as needed; and (ii) the receipt of confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting, auditing or other compliance matters; • discussing with management, the independent auditor and accounting firm and the Board, the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Company, and the Company’s compliance with such requirements and any legal matters that may impact the Company’s financial statements; • appointing, compensating and retaining, and overseeing the work performed by, independent third parties engaged to provide assurance services in respect of Company disclosures made pursuant to applicable laws that require independent assurance; • reviewing and discussing the Company’s investment policies; and • preparing an annual Report of the Audit and Risk Committee for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement per applicable rules and regulations. |
The Audit and Risk Committee engages and determines compensation for advisors as necessary and directs the distribution of funding provided by the Company to such advisors. The Audit and Risk Committee evaluates the performance of the independent auditor and accounting firm, ensures regular rotation of the audit partners from the independent auditor and accounting firm and considers the discharge of the independent auditor and accounting firm when circumstances warrant. Additionally, the Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for review and approval, in advance, of any and all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditor and accounting firm. The authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit and Risk Committee. All services provided by PwC during 2024 were pre-approved by the Audit and Risk Committee.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 35
Compensation Committee |
|
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. (Chair) Nancy S. Lurker* Brian P. McKeon Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D.
Meetings held in 2024: 9
Committee Independence+: 100%
+ Independence as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards
* Ms. Lurker joined the committee in September 2024
Limited Compensation Sub-Committee: Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. Independent Compensation Consultant: Alpine Rewards LLC (since mid-2024) |
The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include, among others: • discharging the Board’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of the Company’s executives; • establishing and reviewing the Company’s compensation philosophy and programs in light of its strategies, objectives and culture, and in conjunction with review of compensation trends and practices of comparable companies to assess the competitiveness of the Company’s compensation programs; • adopting, reviewing, amending or terminating, and administering, the Company’s incentive compensation and equity plans, including approval of the timing of grants and awards under such plans, the Company’s Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy and/or any other compensation recovery policy, and all compensation-related agreements or arrangements with the Company’s executive officers; • approving an annual Compensation Committee Report for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and/or annual report on Form 10-K in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; • reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s executive compensation disclosure, including its “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” disclosure, included in reports, proxy statements and registration statements filed with the SEC; • directing the appointment and compensation, and overseeing the work, of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisor retained by the Compensation Committee, with the Company required to provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Compensation Committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to any such compensation consultant, legal counsel or other advisor; • reviewing and assessing risks and opportunities arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices, including as they may impact human capital development and management initiatives; • reviewing, evaluating and recommending to the Board appropriate compensation for the Company’s non-employee directors and ensuring proper disclosure of any payments to the Company’s non-employee directors; and • reviewing and considering the results of any advisory vote on executive compensation and any feedback from the Company’s engagement with shareholders and proxy advisory firms on executive compensation matters. |
In determining the members of the Compensation Committee, the Board considers whether the members qualify as “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and as “outside directors” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation: The directors who served as members of the Compensation Committee during 2024 were Richard B. Gaynor, M.D., Nancy S. Lurker, Brian P. McKeon, and Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D., none of whom is currently, or ever has been, an officer or employee of the Company, or had any relationship that is required to be disclosed in this proxy statement as a transaction with a related party. During 2024, none of our executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that had one or more of its executive officers serving on our Compensation Committee or Board.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 36
Limited Compensation Sub-Committee: The Compensation Committee has established procedures for the grant of equity awards, including grants of equity awards to eligible new employees. Since December 2023, the Board has appointed Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. to serve as the sole member of the Limited Compensation Sub-Committee of the Board. The Compensation Committee has delegated to such sub-committee the authority to make individual grants of equity awards, up to certain specified award values, to certain newly hired employees of the Company. The Limited Compensation Sub-Committee typically grants equity awards to eligible new hires on the first Wednesday following the first Monday of each month (or the first business day thereafter if such first Wednesday is a holiday), referred to as the “New Hire Grant Date,” for all equity-eligible new hires who began their employment the prior month. The Limited Compensation Sub-Committee’s current approval authority is for new hire employees whose job level is below the level of Senior Vice President and for equity awards of up to $550,000 in aggregate award value per individual. New hire grants that exceed the authority of the Limited Compensation Sub-Committee must be granted by the full Compensation Committee, either on the New Hire Grant Date or as soon as practicable thereafter. All actions taken by the Limited Compensation Sub-Committee in 2024 were by written consent.
Key Contributor Award Committee: The Compensation Committee has established a Key Contributor Award Committee, consisting solely of the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Richard F. Pops, and delegated to such committee the authority to make periodic grants of equity awards outside of the Company’s annual and new hire equity grant cycles to employees whose job level is below the level of Senior Vice President (such awards, “Key Contributor Awards”) in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by the Compensation Committee for grants of such Key Contributor Awards. Recipients of Key Contributor Awards are periodically selected by the Key Contributor Award Committee, in consultation with members of Company management and the Company’s Human Resources department. Key Contributor Awards are intended to reward and retain key contributors to critical Company programs. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews and confirms the Key Contributor Award Committee’s authority to continue to grant such Key Contributor Awards and the overall parameters of any proposed periodic grants of such awards, and receives detailed reports following each such grant.
Financial Operating Committee |
|
Brian P. McKeon (Chair) Emily Peterson Alva* David A. Daglio, Jr.* Richard F. Pops Frank Anders Wilson
Meetings held in 2024: 4
Committee Independence+: 80%
+Independence as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards
* Ms. Alva and Mr. Daglio will retire from the committee effective as of the close of the Annual Meeting |
The Financial Operating Committee was formed in December 2020.
The Financial Operating Committee’s responsibilities include, among others: • reviewing and advising the Board and Company management, and overseeing risks and opportunities, with respect to: ▪ the Company’s profitability profile and related initiatives aligned with the Company’s strategic plan; ▪ capital structure and capital allocation strategy and priorities; ▪ material mergers and acquisitions and other business development activities; ▪ material financing transactions, including any debt or equity financings, recapitalizations and dividends; ▪ return of capital to shareholders, including share repurchase and redemption programs; and • retaining independent advisors (including financial and legal advisors) as the committee deems necessary, to assist the committee in performing its responsibilities. |
The Financial Operating Committee plays an active role in the Company’s capital allocation decisions and in its evaluation of strategic and financial transactions. In 2024, based in part on the recommendations of the Financial Operating Committee, the Board authorized a share repurchase program in an aggregate amount of up to $400 million of the Company’s ordinary shares, and the early retirement of all of the Company’s outstanding debt (approximately $290 million).
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 37
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. (Chair) Emily Peterson Alva* Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D.
Meetings held in 2024: 4
Committee Independence+: 100%
+ Independence as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing standards
* Ms. Alva will retire from the committee effective as of the close of the Annual Meeting |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include, among others: • periodically reviewing and evaluating the size, composition and organization of the Board and its committees to comply with regulatory requirements, to assess whether the Board members continue to possess the proper skills, diversity, expertise and personal and professional backgrounds for service as a director of the Company, and to assess the effectiveness of the Board and its committees; • establishing criteria for Board and Board committee membership, including descriptions of any specific minimum qualifications, qualities or skills that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes director nominees or committee members should possess; • identifying qualified director candidates, including with the assistance of third-party consultants, as appropriate, and recommending that the Board nominate qualified individuals for election by the Company’s shareholders; • periodically reviewing, and monitoring compliance with, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees, its Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines, and its Corporate Governance Guidelines and related matters; • facilitating annual Board self-assessments with respect to the performance and effectiveness of individual directors, the Board as a whole and each Board committee, and making recommendations to the Board regarding composition and leadership of the Board and each Board committee; • periodically monitoring and reviewing the Company’s governance objectives, practices and policies and initiatives, and overseeing related risks and opportunities, including in respect of director overboarding and conflicts of interest; political activities and contributions; human capital management initiatives, including talent assessment and leadership development, employee engagement, workforce retention and diversity, inclusion and belonging; and environmental, health, safety and security and other corporate responsibility and sustainability matters; • reviewing and discussing corporate succession plans for the CEO and other key executives with the Board; and • monitoring shareholder outreach and engagement, reviewing all shareholder proposals and nominations properly submitted to the Company and recommending appropriate action to the Board. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 38
Board Nominations, Evaluations and Refreshment
Board Process for Evaluating and Recommending Director Nominees for Election
The Board is responsible for the nomination of directors for election to the Board. The Board delegates the evaluation and nomination of director nominees to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with the expectation that other members of the Board and management will be requested to take part in the process as appropriate. In evaluating and nominating director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the diversity of specific experience, skills and characteristics (including, without limitation, areas of expertise, geographic and cultural background, race and ethnicity, age, viewpoints, tenure, gender and sexual orientation) desirable for the optimal composition and functioning of the Board over both the short and long term.
Once a candidate has been identified, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the candidate to confirm that the candidate meets all of the minimum director qualifications established by the Board (as set forth below) and any additional qualifications, skills or characteristics that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board deem appropriate at such time. Based on the results of this evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will decide whether to recommend such candidate to the Board for election. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also recommends candidates for the Board’s appointment to the committees of the Board.
The Board retains the ultimate authority to appoint directors to the Board outside of an annual meeting, to recommend director nominees for election by the Company’s shareholders, to fill any vacancy on the Board and to appoint directors to the committees of the Board.
Director Qualifications and Considerations
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing, and recommending to the Board from time to time, the appropriate background and experience, qualities, skills and expertise, and characteristics desired of Board members in the context of the then-current composition of the Board and its alignment with the Company’s values, strategy and business needs.
This assessment includes consideration of the following minimum qualifications that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes must be met by all current directors and all individuals nominated for a director position:
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers numerous other qualities, skills and characteristics when evaluating all current directors and individuals nominated for a director position, such as:
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 39
These factors and others are considered useful by the Board and are reviewed periodically by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at particular points in time. The Board has full authority to modify these criteria from time to time as it deems necessary or advisable.
When identifying potential director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee includes, and instructs any search firm that it engages to include, a diverse slate of candidates in any pool from which individuals are selected for nomination. This practice is codified in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Procedure for Recommendations by Shareholders of Director Nominees
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders for nomination by the Board for election at an annual general meeting of shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate such recommended director candidates using the same criteria that it uses to evaluate other candidates. A shareholder who wishes to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board may do so only by delivering a written recommendation to Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary, with the director candidate’s name, biographical information and qualifications, and a document providing evidence of the director candidate’s willingness to be named in any proxy statement related to the election of directors and to serve if elected.
Procedure for Nomination by Shareholders of Director Nominees
The above procedure applies to recommendations by shareholders of director candidates to be nominated by the Board. Shareholders who instead desire to nominate on their own behalf one or more persons for election to the Board at an annual general meeting of shareholders must comply with the deadlines and other requirements set forth in our Articles of Association in respect of shareholder nominations, including the applicable notice, information and consent provisions. Pursuant to our Articles of Association, nominations by our shareholders of persons for election to the Board at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders must be received by our Company Secretary between [], 2025 and [], 2025; provided, however, that in the event that the date of our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders is changed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary date of the Annual Meeting, notice must be delivered no earlier than 180 days prior to, nor later than 120 days prior to, our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders is first made.
In addition to the applicable notice requirements under our Articles of Association described in the preceding paragraph, in order to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules, shareholders who desire to nominate one or more persons for election to the Board at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders must provide notice to the Company by the same deadline noted in the preceding paragraph and such notice must comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act.
Other Shareholder Communications with the Board
Generally, shareholders who have suggestions, comments or inquiries should contact our Investor Relations team at investor_relations@alkermes.com. However, our Board believes that shareholders should also have an opportunity to communicate with the Board directly. Shareholders interested in communicating with the Board or an individual director or directors (including the Chairman or the Lead Independent Director) may do so by sending written communication by mail to Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, or by facsimile to +353 1 772-8001, in each case to the attention of either the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, or the individual director(s), as applicable. Each communication should set forth the shareholder’s name and address as it appears on the records of our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (and, if the shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, the name and address of the shareholder who beneficially owns the shares), and the number of shares that are owned or beneficially owned, as applicable, by such shareholder. The Company will forward any such shareholder communications to the Chairman of the Board or the Lead Independent Director, as representatives of the Board, and/or to the individual director(s) to whom the communication is addressed, by certified mail to an address specified by the applicable director and/or the Chairman of the Board or Lead Independent Director for such purposes or by secure electronic transmission.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 40
Annual Board Evaluation and Self-Assessment
The Board recognizes the value and importance of annually assessing the composition and effectiveness of the Board, its committees and its members in order to align with the current and expected future business and stakeholder needs of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the annual Board evaluation. As part of this process, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:
2024 Board Self-Assessment Process: In 2024, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee engaged an independent third-party advisor (the “independent advisor”) to facilitate the Board self-assessment process in the manner described in the following graphic:
Feedback Incorporated |
Based on feedback from the assessments conducted in recent years, our Lead Independent Director has worked with management to, among other things: |
• Change the structure of Board meetings to facilitate more time for full Board and independent director discussions focused on Company strategy, execution, risks and opportunities; |
• Increase opportunities for director interactions with members of management; |
• Introduce new topics for Board discussion, as suggested by directors; and |
• Engage in ongoing management and Board refreshment discussions, with a focus on ensuring representation of skills, experience and perspectives in support of the Company’s strategy. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 41
Board Refreshment and Tenure
The Board does not believe that establishing term limits on directors’ service or a mandatory retirement age would be in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. Such limitations on service may result in losing the contributions of directors who, through their tenure, have developed valuable insight into the Company and its operations and provide valuable contributions to the Company, its shareholders and the Board. The Board believes that the Company and its shareholders benefit from the balance of experience and institutional knowledge of longer-serving Board members and the fresh perspectives and evolving skillsets of newer Board members.
If, as a result of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s annual evaluation of the composition of, and desired skillsets for, the Board, or as a result of the Board’s annual self-assessment process, the Board identifies specific qualifications, attributes or areas of expertise that may be additive to the Board in light of the Company’s evolving business strategy and areas of focus, the Board may identify, or engage an external recruitment firm to identify, new director candidates with attributes, experience and expertise in the identified areas.
Ongoing Board Refreshment: 2019–Present
The Board has an active Board refreshment program and has engaged in significant Board refreshment activities since 2019 in order to further strengthen the Board’s expertise in targeted areas of importance to the Company’s business strategy. As part of these refreshment activities, the average tenure of our Board members has decreased significantly since 2019.
Details of the Board’s refreshment activities and changes to average tenure since 2019 are as follows:
2025 Updates. As disclosed above, Ms. Alva and Mr. Daglio will retire from the Board and all committees of the Board on which they serve as of the close of the Annual Meeting. The Board extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Alva and Mr. Daglio for their contributions to the Company over the last several years.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 42
Director Compensation
Directors who are employees of the Company do not receive additional compensation for Board membership beyond their employee compensation.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
Our non-employee director compensation program is intended to be current, competitive and fair, and is designed to attract and retain optimal talent and expertise on our Board and provide compensation commensurate with the time and effort that our directors are required to devote to the Company given the size and complexity of our operations and the Board’s significant oversight and advisory responsibilities.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating and recommending to the Board for its approval an annual non-employee director compensation program. In this context, the Compensation Committee annually reviews and evaluates, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, recent trends in director compensation, related corporate governance best practices, and comparable market data, including data from the same peer group that the Compensation Committee uses for executive compensation purposes. The Compensation Committee makes its recommendations for non-employee director compensation to the Board based on such review and evaluation. The Board retains the ultimate authority to determine the form and amount of non-employee director compensation.
Key Features of Our Non-Employee Director Compensation Program |
|
☑ |
Program reviewed annually in comparison to peers and to align with best practices |
☑ |
Consists of a mix of cash and equity-based compensation |
☑ |
Directors are subject to stock ownership guideline of 3x their annual retainer (CEO, with a guideline of 6x base salary) |
☑ |
Prohibition on hedging and pledging by directors under our Insider Trading Policy |
☑ |
General policy that no perquisites be provided to directors |
Annual Cash Retainers
Each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer for their Board service and an additional annual cash retainer if they serve as Lead Independent Director of the Board or as a member or chair of a committee of the Board. In May 2024, following a review of the annual non-employee director cash retainers approved by the Board in May 2023 and determination that such cash retainers remained competitive and generally aligned with the Company’s peer group, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that no changes be made in 2024 to the annual cash retainer amounts for Board service, service as Lead Independent Director, or service as a member or chair of the Audit and Risk Committee or the Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, increases of $2,000 in the annual cash retainer amounts for service as a member or chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Financial Operating Committee, in recognition of the expanded responsibilities and significant time and effort expended by such committees in recent years. The following annual cash retainers are thus in effect for the current year (the approximately 12-month period between our annual general meetings of shareholders), each paid pro-rata on a quarterly basis:
Service |
|
Retainer Fee |
|||
Board Member |
|
$ |
74,000 |
|
* |
Lead Independent Director |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
Audit and Risk Committee Chair |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
Audit and Risk Committee Member |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
Compensation Committee Chair |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
Compensation Committee Member |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
Financial Operating Committee Chair |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
Financial Operating Committee Member |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
* This amount includes compensation for attendance at the first five regularly-scheduled Board meetings held each year. An additional fee of $3,500 is paid to each non-employee director for their attendance at any regularly-scheduled Board meeting in excess of the fifth regularly-scheduled Board meeting occurring in such year.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 43
Equity Compensation
Each non-employee director is also granted equity for their Board service, in the form of an annual award (the “Annual Grant”) that is typically granted to all continuing non-employee directors each year on the date of the Company’s annual general meeting of shareholders, following the election of directors at such meeting. Any newly appointed non-employee director who joins the Board after the annual general meeting of shareholders is granted, on a date that is proximate to such director’s election to the Board, (i) a prorated portion of the Annual Grant, with the value of the award prorated based on the number of days remaining until the one-year anniversary of the grant date of the Company’s prior year Annual Grant, divided by 365 (each such grant, a “Pro-Rata Annual Grant”), and (ii) an initial award for joining the Board (each, a “New Director Grant”), with the award value equal to 1.5 times the approved award value of the Annual Grant for that year.
Vesting. Per our non-employee director equity grant procedures, Annual Grants and Pro-Rata Annual Grants vest in full on the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date, and New Director Grants vest in three equal annual installments, commencing on the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date.
No changes to award values in 2024. Each year, prior to the grant date of the applicable Annual Grant, the Compensation Committee recommends to the Board for its approval equity award values and terms for the Annual Grant and any New Director Grants for the coming year. In May 2024, following review of the target equity compensation values approved in May 2023 of $375,000 for the Annual Grant and $562,500 for the New Director Grant, and determination that such equity compensation values remained aligned to and competitive with the Company’s peer group, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that no changes be made to the non-employee director equity award values for the coming year and the Board subsequently approved this recommendation. These equity compensation values for non-employee directors have remain unchanged since 2018.
Equity mix and share number calculation methodology. All grants to our non-employee directors in 2024 consisted of 50% restricted stock unit awards and 50% stock options, with the number of shares underlying each restricted stock unit award calculated by dividing the approved aggregate value of such awards by the closing price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of the close of trading on the applicable grant date (the “Grant Date Closing Share Price”), and the number of shares underlying each stock option calculated utilizing the Grant Date Closing Share Price and the Black-Scholes valuation model, in each case with the resulting share number rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares.
Our non-employee directors are not granted any equity other than the Annual Grant (or Pro-Rata Annual Grant, as applicable) each year and a one-time New Director Grant upon joining the Board. For a description of our share ownership and holding guidelines applicable to our directors, see the section entitled “Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines” on page 99 of this proxy statement.
Conflicts of Interest
Independent directors do not receive consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the Company if the receipt of such fees would result in disqualifying the director from being considered an “independent” director in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Nasdaq Rules and the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. To the extent practicable or required by applicable rule or regulation, independent directors who are affiliated with the Company’s service providers, partners or collaborators will undertake to ensure that their compensation from such providers, partners or collaborators does not include amounts connected to payments by the Company.
Reimbursement of Expenses and Insurance
We reimburse each non-employee director for necessary business expenses incurred in the performance of their Board service and extend coverage to each non-employee director under our travel accident and directors’ and officers’ indemnity insurance policies.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 44
2024 Director Compensation Table
Each of Emily Peterson Alva, Shane M. Cooke, David A. Daglio, Jr., Richard B. Gaynor, M.D., Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., Brian P. McKeon, Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D., Frank Anders Wilson and Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. served as non-employee directors during all of 2024. Nancy S. Lurker was appointed to the Board in March 2024 and served as a non-employee director from such date through the end of 2024. Richard F. Pops, CEO and Chairman of the Board, was an employee during all of 2024. As an employee, Mr. Pops does not receive any cash or equity compensation for his Board service.
The following table presents and summarizes the cash retainer fee amounts earned or paid to our non-employee directors for service during 2024, and the equity compensation granted to our non-employee directors in 2024:
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Name |
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
||||
(a) |
|
(b)(1) |
|
|
(c)(2)(4) |
|
|
(d)(3)(5) |
|
|
(h) |
|
||||
Emily Peterson Alva |
|
|
96,340 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
471,334 |
|
Shane M. Cooke |
|
|
87,146 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
462,140 |
|
David A. Daglio, Jr. |
|
|
100,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
475,164 |
|
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
473,994 |
|
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
85,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
460,164 |
|
Nancy S. Lurker |
|
|
65,595 |
|
|
|
526,818 |
|
|
|
526,147 |
|
|
|
1,118,560 |
|
Brian P. McKeon |
|
|
108,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
483,164 |
|
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
|
|
108,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
483,164 |
|
Frank Anders Wilson |
|
|
150,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
525,164 |
|
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
100,170 |
|
|
|
187,504 |
|
|
|
187,490 |
|
|
|
475,164 |
|
Notes to 2024 Director Compensation Table
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 45
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 46
Other Corporate Governance Matters
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s directors, employees and officers, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” (as defined in the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Exchange Act) and a “code of conduct” (as defined in the Nasdaq Rules). A current copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com. We intend to disclose any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or any waivers of its requirements, on our website. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may also be obtained, free of charge, upon request directed to: Alkermes Investor Relations, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6.
Members of the Board shall act at all times in accordance with the requirements of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to each director in connection with their activities relating to the Company. This obligation at all times includes, without limitation, adherence to the Company’s policies with respect to conflicts of interest, confidentiality, protection and proper use of the Company’s assets, ethical conduct in business dealings and respect for, and compliance with, applicable law. Any request for a waiver of any of the requirements of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics with respect to any individual director or any executive officer shall be reported to the Board or its designee and subject to its or their approval.
Insider Trading Policy and Hedging and Pledging Prohibitions
Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our officers, directors, employees (including contract employees) and independent contractors from, among other things, engaging in speculative transactions in our securities, including by way of the purchase or sale of “put” or “call” options or other derivative securities directly linked to our equity; short sales of our equity; the use of our equity as a pledge or as collateral in a margin account; and trading in straddles, equity swaps, or other hedging transactions directly linked to our equity, even if such persons do not possess material nonpublic information at the time of any such proposed transaction.
Talent Development and Succession Planning
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews with management the Company’s succession planning and talent assessment to ensure that the performance, development, retention and succession plans for key leadership roles within the Company, including the CEO, chief financial officer, other named executive officers and certain members of management, are structured to meet the short- and long-term strategic objectives of the Company and to support successor development and readiness. As part of this annual assessment, management also reviews with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and/or the full Board the process undertaken by the Company annually, and at times more frequently, to review and assess performance, retention risk and leadership and development potential for employees of the Company at non-executive levels.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 47
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
We are committed to operating and growing our business in a sustainable and responsible manner, including in respect of our ESG impacts, and in a manner that promotes transparent governance and strong ethics.
Our most recent Corporate Responsibility Report, published in August 2024, highlights:
The report is available on the Responsibility section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
We actively engage with our stakeholders, including our shareholders, employees, customers, vendors, patients and caregivers, policy makers and members of our local communities, in order to understand the corporate responsibility and sustainability matters of interest to them, guide our advocacy efforts and help inform our approach to the development and commercialization of our medicines. When feedback is received from our stakeholders, it is communicated to our management team, the full Board and committees of the Board, as appropriate.
Human Capital Management
Our employees are the foundation upon which our business is built. As of the Record Date, we had approximately 1,840 full-time employees, of which approximately 1,740 were based in the U.S. and approximately 100 were based in Ireland.
Corporate Culture and Employee Development
We strive to foster and maintain a culture that embodies collaboration, respect for all, and an unwavering commitment to, and passion for, our work. The expertise, intelligence and creativity of our employees drive our innovation, and their passion and commitment to excellence are the cornerstone of our success. We are committed to supporting our employees’ well-being in a transparent, diverse, inclusive and collaborative environment, and to providing our employees with access to training, support and resources intended to help them succeed professionally while appropriately balancing their personal and professional lives. |
|
We encourage our employees to seek out professional learning opportunities both within Alkermes and externally, through part-time education and tuition reimbursement programs, and frequent offerings of voluntary Company-hosted trainings that cover topics including performance management, problem-solving, leadership development, diversity education and awareness, communication and mentorship, and as appropriate, more specialized skills-based programs. We also provide all employees access to our LinkedIn Learning platform, which provides on-demand learning opportunities. We also conduct ongoing health and safety trainings in compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state, Irish and local regulations. |
Employee Engagement
Our distinctive culture is characterized by a sense of inclusion and belonging among employees that reflects our company values of collaboration, respect for each voice and unwavering commitment. Through our multiple engagement initiatives, we strive to ensure that our employees feel part of our mission and that they have a voice in the Alkermes community. Since 2017, we have conducted periodic engagement surveys to understand employee sentiment regarding, and satisfaction with, their work and workplace experience. We have used, and plan to continue to use, the data collected to help inform and evolve our human capital management strategy, including employee engagement initiatives.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 48
In response to employee feedback, we have sought to further cultivate and strengthen our unique culture through the launch of new employee engagement programs, including that:
These ERGs and the activities they sponsor, which are employee-led, voluntary and open to all employees, share a common purpose of supporting and enhancing the inclusiveness of our company culture and providing opportunities for professional development, networking, learning and building deeper connections within Alkermes.
|
Health, Safety and Wellness
We ask our employees to help us promote and sustain workplace environments that are safe, productive and protective of the health and well-being of our people and in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. We maintain extensive Environment, Health, Safety and Security (“EHSS”) corporate policies, adhere to all health and safety standards set by regulators in the locations in which we operate, and routinely assess workplace risks, conduct employee trainings and monitor our sites to reduce the risk of workplace accidents. These efforts contributed to our ability to maintain rates of workplace accidents resulting in recordable injuries, and of accidents resulting in lost employee work time, below U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry averages in 2024.
We are proud to have received external recognitions for our employee health, safety, well-being and benefits programs, and as a respected employer in our local communities. In 2024, Alkermes was certified as a Great Place to Work in the United States, named to Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces in BioPharma 2024 and, for the third consecutive year, awarded the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, presented by Mental Health America. Also in 2024, our Waltham, Massachusetts site was named a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe, and was awarded a renewed three-year Fitwel® certification in recognition of our facility design intended to foster a healthy and productive workplace. Our site in Wilmington, Ohio was named a Healthiest Employers® of Ohio by Healthiest Employers in 2022 and 2023, and in 2024 was named a 2024 Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier. In Ireland,
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 49
we have, since 2020, maintained our certification to the Irish Business Employers Confederation’s (“IBEC”) KeepWell Mark, an evidence-based workplace well-being accreditation awarded to companies that meet or exceed industry standards for well-being, health and safety, and Alkermes was included in IBEC’s listing of Ireland’s Leading in Wellbeing Top 100 Companies 2024, which recognizes companies that have implemented well-being best practices for employees and local business communities.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
At Alkermes, our goal is to conduct our business activities in a manner that minimizes the environmental impacts of our operations and promotes effective stewardship of environmental resources. We are committed to complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations and operating with the highest standards of conduct. All Alkermes facilities are subject to routine regulatory inspections, including in respect of EHSS, to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We work collaboratively across internal stakeholder groups and functions to identify ways to reduce our environmental impact, mitigate EHSS risk and increase operational efficiencies. These efforts and our environmental performance metrics are discussed in detail in our Corporate Responsibility Report. As a testament to these efforts, in 2021 we successfully completed certification in Ireland to the Business Working Responsibly Mark, an independently audited standard for corporate social responsibility and sustainability based on ISO26000, which we have retained since that time.
In recent years, we further strengthened our governance related to environmental sustainability matters through the establishment of cross-functional steering teams and oversight committees tasked with development and implementation of our environmental sustainability strategy. In support of this strategy, in 2024, we continued to work with third-party environmental service providers to support our efforts to enhance our environmental performance and our measurement and reporting of such performance, and to refine our environmental sustainability risk assessments and mitigations.
Product Quality and Patient Safety
Across our business, we maintain an unwavering focus on product quality and safety. All Alkermes facilities are subject to routine regulatory inspections in respect of product quality and safety to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We have robust policies and procedures in place designed to promote safe and sustainable research, development, manufacture and commercialization of products, including a comprehensive quality management system that is designed to ensure that products we manufacture, store, test or distribute consistently meet applicable product specifications, safety and efficacy standards, “good practice” GxP quality guidelines and regulations (e.g., GCP, GMP, GLP) and other regulatory requirements.
We are committed to ensuring the authenticity of our medicines and guarding against counterfeit products (those not equivalent in quality, safety and efficacy, or not containing the correct amount of active ingredient and/or containing impurities) in the marketplace. We have standard operating procedures for the timely and efficient removal from the market of any commercial drug product suspected or found to not meet our product quality or patient safety standards, which include notification of and consultation with applicable regulatory authorities, conduct of a health hazard assessment, and communications to customers, partners, healthcare providers and patients as directed by regulators or our internal policies.
Responsibility in Manufacturing and Supply Chain
We are committed to meeting our manufacturing objectives reliably and responsibly through the establishment and maintenance of a safe, sustainable and ethical supply chain. We contract with a broad network of third-party manufacturers to formulate certain products and produce components of products or product packaging for clinical and commercial use. All service providers involved in the manufacture and packaging of our products are subject to inspection by the FDA or comparable agencies in other jurisdictions and we require that our contract manufacturers adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) in the manufacture of these products and product components. All contract manufacturers and GxP suppliers must undergo an assessment and/or inspection by our quality personnel to assess their compliance with applicable standards and regulations prior to initiating work for Alkermes.
We strive to conduct our business activities in a manner that minimizes the environmental impacts of our operations, and this commitment extends to our supply chain. We have a global, cross-functional steering team responsible for developing and informing our strategy for a sustainable procurement program and, since 2023,
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 50
have been working with EcoVadis, an independent sustainability ratings provider, to evaluate our suppliers against numerous sustainability metrics. In 2024, we adopted a new Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines our expectations for the suppliers with whom we do business related to labor and human rights, safety, health and well-being, environmental protection and sustainability, and ethical business conduct.
Social Responsibility and Community Impact
We are committed to caring for the people and the environment in the local communities in which we work. Since 2008, many of our employees have volunteered each year as part of our ALKERMES IN ACTION volunteer program, with in-person events across our sites to support local organizations focused on education, caring for veterans, maintaining outdoor community spaces and providing for families and children in need. |
We also support research and advocacy efforts to raise awareness of patient needs in the disease areas that our medicines are designed to treat, and to increase access to medicines and other forms of treatment in support of patient health and well-being. We proudly support not-for-profit organizations and independent researchers working in our therapeutic areas of focus:
Since 2018, our Alkermes Pathways Research Awards® program has provided funding to 25 early-career researchers working to advance our understanding of diseases in the field of neuroscience. |
Early Access Policy
We endeavor to make safe and effective medicines by conducting rigorous clinical trials and obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities, including the FDA. Participation in one of our clinical trials is the optimal way for patients to gain access to our investigational medicines prior to regulatory approval. However, we understand that some patients may not be able to participate in a clinical trial. If early data from our clinical trials suggest that an investigational treatment might offer benefits for patients facing serious or life-threatening conditions, we have a policy under which patients may be eligible to receive access to an investigational medicine outside the context of a clinical trial. Additional details, including eligibility criteria, can be found in the Alkermes Early Access Policy, a copy of which is available on the Early Access page of the Research and Development section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
Patient Advocacy and Community Engagement
Patient advocacy and community engagement are core to our mission. We regularly engage with policymakers and leaders in the patient advocacy community to better understand their perspectives and goals and the complex systems of care for individuals living with complex neurological and psychiatric disorders. Learnings from these interactions help to inform our business activities, including design of our clinical development and lifecycle management programs for our investigational and marketed medicines with specific patient outcomes in mind, and the nature and substance of our policy and advocacy efforts.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 51
PROPOSAL 2
NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(Ordinary resolution)
Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 75 of this proxy statement, describes our executive compensation program and the compensation decisions that the Compensation Committee made with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers for 2024. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our Board is asking that our shareholders cast a non-binding, advisory vote FOR the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and related compensation tables and narrative discussion.”
Non-Binding, Advisory Vote. Our Board is asking that shareholders support this Proposal 2. This proposal is advisory and non-binding; as an ordinary resolution, approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy (meaning that the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal 2 must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal 2). Although the vote you are being asked to cast is advisory, and therefore non-binding, we value the views of our shareholders, and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when designing our future compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal 2 because they are not considered to be votes cast.
Recent Enhancements to Executive Compensation Programs. We value, and frequently solicit, shareholder feedback on our executive compensation programs, and have made meaningful enhancements to our executive compensation programs in recent years in response to such feedback and to further align the interests of our CEO and other named executive officers with those of our shareholders. For additional information, see the section entitled “Board Responsiveness – Enhancements to Compensation Practices” beginning on page 77 of this proxy statement.
Prior Say-on-Pay Vote on 2023 Executive Compensation. At our 2024 Annual Meeting, shareholders strongly supported our 2023 executive compensation program, with approximately 98% of the votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay proposal. We believe this say-on-pay support reflects recognition of the meaningful changes that our Compensation Committee has made to our executive compensation programs in recent years in response to shareholder feedback and the substantial alignment of pay and performance in our executive compensation programs.
Prior Say-on-Frequency Vote. At our 2024 Annual Meeting, shareholders approved our say-on-frequency proposal providing for advisory say-on-pay votes to occur each year at our annual general meeting of shareholders. Based on these results, we intend to hold advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers on an annual basis. We expect to next advance an advisory say-on-frequency proposal to shareholders at our 2030 annual general meeting of shareholders.
2024 Compensation Highlights. For highlights of our 2024 executive compensation program, see the section entitled “2024 Compensation Highlights” beginning on page 13 of this proxy statement and the disclosure set forth in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which begins on page 75 of this proxy statement.
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 2 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 52
PROPOSAL 3
NON-BINDING RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
AND ACCOUNTING FIRM AND BINDING AUTHORIZATION OF AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE
TO SET INDEPENDENT AUDITOR AND ACCOUNTING FIRM’S REMUNERATION
(Ordinary resolution)
PwC served as our independent auditor and accounting firm for 2024. The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed and discussed the performance of PwC as the Company’s independent auditor and accounting firm for 2024 and, following such review and discussion, has retained PwC to serve as the Company’s independent auditor and accounting firm for 2025. Although we are not required to submit the appointment of PwC for shareholder approval, as a matter of good corporate governance, the Board has determined, upon the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, to submit the selection of PwC for ratification by the Company’s shareholders and to ask that the Company’s shareholders authorize the Audit and Risk Committee to set the independent auditor and accounting firm’s remuneration. Even if the selection of PwC is ratified, the Audit and Risk Committee, in its discretion, may still select a different independent auditor and independent accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Majority Voting Standard. As an ordinary resolution, approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy (meaning that the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal 3 must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal 3). Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal 3 because they are not considered to be votes cast. The ratification of the appointment of PwC as the Company’s independent auditor and accounting firm is advisory and non-binding; the authorization for the Audit and Risk Committee to set PwC’s remuneration is binding.
One or more representatives of PwC is expected to attend the Annual Meeting. Such representative(s) will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The text of the resolution in respect of this Proposal 3 is as follows:
“RESOLVED, to ratify, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor and accounting firm of Alkermes plc and to authorize, in a binding vote, the Audit and Risk Committee to set the independent auditor and accounting firm’s remuneration.”
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 3 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 53
PROPOSAL 4
APPROVAL OF
ALKERMES PLC 2018 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
(Ordinary resolution)
Overview
Our Board is requesting shareholder approval of amendments to the current Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended. We refer to the current Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended, as the “2018 Plan” and to the 2018 Plan, as it is proposed to be amended pursuant to this Proposal 4, as the “Amended 2018 Plan.” The proposed amendments would make the following material changes to the 2018 Plan:
The proposed Amended 2018 Plan is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. If this Proposal 4 is approved by our shareholders, the Amended 2018 Plan will become effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting. In the event our shareholders do not approve this Proposal 4, the Amended 2018 Plan will not become effective and the 2018 Plan will continue to be effective in its current form.
Why do we believe our shareholders should approve the Amended 2018 Plan (including the increased number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder)?
1. We believe the size of our share reserve increase request is reasonable.
The size of our share reserve increase request for the Amended 2018 Plan is equal to 4,250,000 new ordinary shares (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events). We expect our request will provide us with sufficient ordinary shares to support approximately one to two years of equity awards at our current market value. Equity awards are key to our ability to attract, retain and incentivize employees who are integral to the successful development of our pipeline candidates, the manufacture and commercialization of our products and the accomplishment of transformative business transactions. Our compensation philosophy with respect to equity awards is to target around the 50th percentile by value of our comparable peer group, as determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options and market prices for restricted stock unit awards, with the opportunity to increase or decrease the value of equity awards from the 50th percentile based upon individual performance and other factors. If our request is not approved, we may not have sufficient ordinary shares to support our next round of annual equity awards at our current market value.
2. Equity awards are integral to our compensation program and to our success.
Equity awards, similar to those typically offered by our competitors, have been, and we believe will continue to be, an integral component of our overall compensation program, enabling us to attract qualified and skilled employees and directors, retain our existing employees, including our experienced management team, and provide incentives for our employees to exert maximum efforts for our success, ultimately contributing to the creation of shareholder value.
We have built, and continue to devote significant resources to further develop and enhance, a comprehensive cross-functional infrastructure designed to support product development from discovery through commercialization and lifecycle management. We have a portfolio of proprietary products that we manufacture, market and sell in the U.S. and we are currently developing a pipeline of potential new proprietary products. We also manufacture commercial products that incorporate our proprietary technologies under license that are owned and commercialized by other biopharmaceutical companies and for which we receive manufacturing and/or royalty revenues.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 54
We seek to attract, hire, develop, retain and motivate qualified and highly-skilled personnel with experience in areas such as R&D, including early discovery, medicinal chemistry, translational medicine, formulation development and clinical trial operations capabilities; intellectual property prosecution, enforcement and defense; medical affairs; manufacturing operations; U.S. federal and state government affairs; regulatory affairs; sales and marketing; and market access, among others. Competition for such personnel in our industry and the geographic regions in which we operate is intense, with numerous companies also developing, manufacturing or marketing products, including products against which our products directly compete.
3. We balance equity usage, talent needs and shareholder alignment.
We carefully and thoughtfully manage our equity award program, balancing attraction, retention and incentivization of our employees against dilution and burn rate considerations. As of the Record Date, our full dilution was approximately 18.2%, which is calculated as: (shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity awards) / (shares outstanding + shares available for grant + shares subject to outstanding equity awards).
The following two tables provide certain additional information regarding our equity incentive program and include awards granted under all of our equity incentive plans.
|
|
As of the |
|
|
Total number of ordinary shares subject to outstanding stock options |
|
|
17,130,173 |
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options |
|
$ |
31.25 |
|
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options |
|
6.11 years |
|
|
Total number of ordinary shares subject to outstanding full value awards(1) |
|
|
6,222,577 |
|
Total number of ordinary shares available for grant under the 2018 Plan(2) |
|
|
13,211,222 |
|
Total number of ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
164,836,227 |
|
Per-share closing price of ordinary shares as reported on Nasdaq |
|
$ |
34.03 |
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Burn Rate(1) |
|
|
3.27 |
% |
|
|
3.98 |
% |
|
|
3.78 |
% |
The following table sets forth our historic use of equity in 2024, 2023 and 2022:
|
|
Year |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|||
Stock options granted(1) |
|
|
2,615,357 |
|
|
|
3,479,898 |
|
|
|
3,164,468 |
|
|
Time-vesting full value awards granted(1) |
|
|
2,260,345 |
|
|
|
2,884,122 |
|
|
|
3,031,864 |
|
|
Performance-vesting full value awards vested |
|
|
536,243 |
|
(2) |
|
252,375 |
|
(3) |
|
— |
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
165,392,113 |
|
|
|
166,223,297 |
|
|
|
163,741,592 |
|
|
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 55
Important Aspects of the Amended 2018 Plan Designed to Protect our Shareholders’ Interests
The Amended 2018 Plan contains certain provisions, including those set forth below, designed to protect our shareholders’ interests and to reflect corporate governance best practices. The descriptions of these and other features of the Amended 2018 Plan contained in this Proposal 4 are intended to be summaries only and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the Amended 2018 Plan attached hereto as Appendix A.
Majority Voting Standard
The resolution in respect of this Proposal 4 is an ordinary resolution that requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy (meaning that the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal 4 must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal 4). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal 4 because they are not considered to be votes cast.
The text of the resolution in respect of this Proposal 4 is as follows:
“RESOLVED, that the Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended, be APPROVED.”
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 4 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 56
Principal Features of the Amended 2018 Plan
The material features of the Amended 2018 Plan are described below. These descriptions are intended to be summaries only and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the Amended 2018 Plan attached hereto as Appendix A.
The maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued under the Amended 2018 Plan is equal to the sum of the following (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events): (i) 53,447,405 ordinary shares; (ii) 1,199,965 ordinary shares, which is the number of 2011 Plan Available Shares (as defined in the 2018 Amended Plan and described below); and (iii) the Prior Plans Returning Shares, as such shares become available from time to time. For purposes of this limitation, shares underlying any awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan that are forfeited, canceled, repurchased or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) will be added back to the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan. Shares tendered or held back upon exercise of an option or stock appreciation right or settlement of an award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding for such option, right or award are not added back to the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan. Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds from the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights will not be added to the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan. In addition, in the event that a stock appreciation right is settled in shares, the gross number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right will be deducted from the number of shares available for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan. The shares issued under the Amended 2018 Plan may be issued from treasury or otherwise.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 57
The term “2011 Plan Available Shares” generally means the 1,199,965 ordinary shares that remained available for grant under the 2011 Plan as of May 20, 2020 (the date of the Company’s 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders), which ordinary shares ceased to be available for grant under the 2011 Plan (and became available for issuance pursuant to Awards under the 2018 Plan) as of such date.
Summary of the Amended 2018 Plan
Plan Administration. The Administrator has full power to select, from among the individuals eligible for awards, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to participants, and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the Amended 2018 Plan. The Administrator may also determine and modify the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Amended 2018 Plan, of any award and accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any award, except that within the minimum vesting periods described below, vesting may be accelerated only in the case of a grantee’s death, disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator may also delegate to a subcommittee comprised of one or more members of the Board all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of awards to employees who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price, if applicable, and the vesting criteria.
Eligibility and Limitations on Grants. Persons eligible to participate in the Amended 2018 Plan will be those officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries as selected from time to time by the Administrator. The intention in making awards to eligible persons under the Amended 2018 Plan will be to align the compensation of these individuals over a multi-year period directly with the interests of our shareholders and serve as a tool in the recruitment and retention of these individuals. As of the Record Date, we (including our subsidiaries) had approximately 1,840 employees (including officers), 10 non-employee directors, and approximately 550 consultants. The maximum number of ordinary shares that can be awarded in the form of incentive stock options under the Amended 2018 Plan will not exceed 62,950,000 ordinary shares (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar events).
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Amended 2018 Plan permits the granting of (1) stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, (2) stock options that do not so qualify and (3) stock appreciation rights. Options granted under the Amended 2018 Plan will be non-qualified options if they fail to qualify as incentive stock options or exceed the annual limit on incentive stock options. Non-qualified options and stock appreciation rights may be granted to any persons eligible to receive incentive stock options and to non-employee directors and consultants. The exercise price of each option and stock appreciation right will be determined by the Administrator but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that for any incentive stock option granted to an employee who, at the time of grant, owns or is deemed to own shares possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any subsidiary (a “10% Owner”), such exercise price will not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of grant.
The term of each option and stock appreciation right will be fixed by the Administrator and will not exceed ten years from the date of grant; provided, however, that for any incentive stock option granted to a 10% Owner, such term will not exceed five years from the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. The Administrator will determine at what time or times each option and stock appreciation right may vest and becomes exercisable. Options and stock appreciation rights may vest and become exercisable in installments, provided they shall not vest or become exercisable for a period of at least one year from the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights may be exercised in whole or in part with written or electronic notice to the Company’s delegate. Upon exercise of non-qualified stock options, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the purchase price must be paid through a net reduction in the number of ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise, based on the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of exercise. Upon exercise of incentive stock options and those non-qualified options for which the Administrator elects not to utilize the above payment method, the option exercise price may be paid in full either in cash, by certified check, bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator or by delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of ordinary shares that are beneficially owned by the optionee based on the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date of exercise or, subject to
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 58
applicable law, by delivery to the Company of an exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver cash or a check payable to the Company for the purchase price. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a stock appreciation right will not be greater than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value (on the date of exercise) of a number of shares equal to the number of share equivalents being exercised under the stock appreciation right, over (ii) the exercise price of such share equivalents. The appreciation distribution may be paid in ordinary shares, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable award certificate.
To qualify as incentive stock options, options must meet additional U.S. federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of our ordinary shares subject to incentive stock options that first become exercisable by a participant in any one calendar year.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Administrator may award stock units as restricted stock unit awards to participants. Restricted stock unit awards are ultimately payable in the form of ordinary shares and may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine, subject to a mandatory minimum vesting period of one year from the date of grant. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment with the Company through a specified vesting period. To the extent a restricted stock unit award is subject to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), it may contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in order for such award to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of a restricted stock unit award. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of phantom stock units (which may be fully vested) based on the fair market value of our ordinary shares on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred.
Restricted Stock. The Administrator may award ordinary shares as restricted stock to participants, subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine, and subject to a mandatory minimum vesting period of one year from the date of grant. These conditions and restrictions may include the achievement of certain performance goals and/or continued employment with us through a specified restricted period.
Cash-Based Awards. Each cash-based award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a cash-based award may be made in cash or in ordinary shares, as the Administrator determines. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator, a grantee’s right in all cash-based awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason (including if a subsidiary ceases to be a subsidiary of the Company).
Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may grant performance share awards independent of, or in connection with, the granting of other awards under the Amended 2018 Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines whether and to whom performance share awards will be granted, the performance goals subject to the award, the period during which performance is to be measured, which will not be less than one year, and such other conditions as the Administrator shall determine. Upon the attainment of the performance goal, the grantee is entitled to receive ordinary shares.
Performance-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant performance-based awards under the Amended 2018 Plan (consisting of restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, cash-based awards or performance share awards) that are payable upon the attainment of performance goals established by the Administrator, subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Administrator may determine, and subject to a mandatory minimum vesting period of one year from the date of grant. The Administrator will define the manner of calculating the performance criteria it selects to use for any performance goals, which may be expressed in terms of overall performance of the Company or the performance of a subsidiary, unit, division, group, or an individual. The performance criteria that may be used to establish such performance goals are the following: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 59
after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of our ordinary shares, economic value-added, initiation or completion of clinical trials, results of clinical trials, drug development or commercialization milestones, collaboration milestones, operational measures including production capacity and capability, hiring and retention of key managers, expense management, capital raising transactions, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, shareholder returns, gross or net profit levels, operating margins, earnings (loss) per ordinary share, sales or market shares, and any other measures of performance selected by the Administrator, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.
The Administrator may adjust or modify the calculation of any performance goals to make adjustments deemed appropriate by the Administrator, including but not limited to, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of an individual (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its subsidiaries, or the financial statements of the Company or its subsidiaries, or (iii) in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.
Tax Withholding. Participants in the Amended 2018 Plan are responsible for the payment of any U.S. federal, state or local taxes, and non-U.S. or other taxes that the Company is required by law to withhold upon any option or stock appreciation right exercise or vesting of other awards. The Company has the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to a grantee, including the right to reduce the number of ordinary shares otherwise required to be issued to the grantee in an amount that, on the date of issuance, would have a fair market value equal to all such taxes required to be withheld by the Company, or such other amount as may be permitted while still avoiding classification of the award as a liability for financial accounting purposes.
Change in Control Provisions. The following provisions apply to outstanding awards granted on or after the date of our 2024 Annual Meeting under the Amended 2018 Plan in the event of a Sale Event, unless otherwise provided in the applicable award certificate, in any other written agreement between us or one of our subsidiaries and the grantee, or in any director compensation policy we adopt.
In the event of a Sale Event, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 Plan, or may substitute similar awards for such outstanding awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to our shareholders pursuant to the Sale Event), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us in respect of shares issued pursuant to any outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 Plan may be assigned by us to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company). The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board or the Administrator.
In the event of a Sale Event in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 Plan, or substitute similar awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by grantees whose service with us has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Sale Event (the “Current Grantees”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions or requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the greater of (i) the target level of performance or (ii) the actual level of performance measured in accordance with the applicable performance goals as of the date of the Sale Event) to a date prior to the effective time of the Sale Event (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Sale Event) as the Administrator will determine (or, if the Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Sale Event), and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Sale Event in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Sale Event).
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 60
In the event of a Sale Event in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 Plan, or substitute similar awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by individuals other than the Current Grantees, such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Sale Event in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Sale Event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding award under the Amended 2018 Plan held by an individual will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Sale Event, the Administrator may provide that such individual may not exercise such award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property such individual would have received upon the exercise of such award immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event, over (ii) any exercise price payable by such individual in connection with such exercise.
Shareholder Rights. Until shares are delivered in accordance with the Amended 2018 Plan, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a shareholder will exist with respect to shares to be issued in connection with equity awards, notwithstanding the exercise of a stock option or stock appreciation right or any other action by the grantee with respect to an equity award.
Amendments and Termination. Our Board or the Administrator may at any time amend or discontinue the Amended 2018 Plan, and the Administrator may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding award for the purpose of satisfying changes in applicable law or for any other lawful purpose. However, except as otherwise provided in the applicable award certificate, no such action may adversely affect any rights under any outstanding award without the award holder’s consent. Amendments will be subject to approval by our shareholders to the extent such approval is required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which our ordinary shares are listed or any other applicable rules. Amendments shall also be subject to approval by our shareholders if and to the extent such approval is determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code in order to preserve the qualified status of incentive stock options. In addition, except in connection with a reorganization or other similar change in the capital shares of the Company or a merger or other transaction, without prior shareholder approval, the Administrator will not reduce the exercise price of an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right, or effect a re-pricing of an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right through cancellation or re-grants or through cancellation in exchange for cash or another award. Unless the Amended 2018 Plan is sooner terminated, awards of incentive stock options may be granted under the Amended 2018 Plan until March 29, 2028 (which is the tenth anniversary of the date the 2018 Plan was first approved by the Board).
Changes in Shares. If, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, share dividend, share split, reverse share split or other similar change in the Company’s capital shares, the Company’s outstanding ordinary shares are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such ordinary shares or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company’s outstanding ordinary shares are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator will make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Amended 2018 Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of incentive stock options, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding awards under the Amended 2018 Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding restricted stock award, and (iv) the price for each share subject to any then outstanding option and stock appreciation right, without changing the aggregate exercise price with which such option or stock appreciation right remains exercisable. The Administrator will also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 61
New Plan Benefits under the Amended 2018 Plan
Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan to our executive officers, directors and other employees are discretionary and are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2018 Plan, and our Board and Compensation Committee have not granted any awards under the Amended 2018 Plan subject to shareholder approval of Proposal 4. Accordingly, the benefits or amounts that will be received by, or allocated to, the Company’s CEO, the Company’s other named executive officers, all current executive officers as a group, all current directors who are not executive officers as a group, and all employees (including all current officers who are not executive officers) as a group under the Amended 2018 Plan, are not determinable.
Plan Benefits under the 2018 Plan
The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of ordinary shares subject to awards that have been granted under the 2018 Plan as of the Record Date.
|
|
Number of Shares* |
|
|
Named executive officers |
|
|
|
|
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
3,628,841 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
|
|
|
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
799,173 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
1,112,858 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
1,151,937 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
|
1,358,350 |
|
Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer |
|
|
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
820,509 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
|
|
|
|
All current executive officers as a group |
|
|
8,072,495 |
|
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group |
|
|
1,133,966 |
|
Each nominee for election as a director |
|
|
|
|
Shane M. Cooke |
|
|
121,009 |
|
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
|
|
121,009 |
|
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
110,277 |
|
Nancy S. Lurker |
|
|
66,019 |
|
Brian P. McKeon |
|
|
131,272 |
|
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
3,628,841 |
|
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
|
|
121,009 |
|
Frank Anders Wilson |
|
|
121,009 |
|
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
90,302 |
|
Each associate of any executive officer, current director or director nominee |
|
|
— |
|
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards |
|
|
|
|
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
3,628,841 |
|
All employees (including all current officers who are not executive officers) as a group |
|
|
19,431,257 |
|
* The share numbers reported in this table reflect the number of shares underlying equity awards granted under the 2018 Plan on the date they were granted and, in the case of equity awards granted prior to the separation of the Company’s former oncology business in November 2023, do not reflect subsequent adjustments made in connection with this separation in accordance with the provisions of the 2018 Plan.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the Amended 2018 Plan. It does not describe all U.S. federal tax consequences under the Amended 2018 Plan, U.S. state or local tax consequences or tax consequences outside of the U.S. Our ability to realize the benefit of any tax deductions described below depends on our generation of taxable income as well as the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”) and the satisfaction of our tax reporting obligations.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 62
Incentive Stock Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. If ordinary shares issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option are sold or transferred after two years from the date of grant and after one year from the date of exercise, then (1) upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price (the amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain, and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (2) we will not be entitled to any deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The exercise of an incentive stock option will give rise to an item of tax preference that may result in alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee. An incentive stock option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment (or one year in the case of termination of employment by reason of disability). In the case of termination of employment by reason of death, the three-month rule does not apply. If ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above, generally (1) the optionee will realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares) over the option price thereof, and (2) we will be entitled to deduct such amount. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the incentive stock option is paid by tendering shares.
Non-Qualified Options. No taxable income is generally realized by the optionee upon the grant of a non-qualified option. Generally (1) at exercise, ordinary income is realized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, and we receive a tax deduction for the same amount, and (2) at disposition, appreciation or depreciation after the date of exercise is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares have been held. Special rules will apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of the non-qualified option is paid by tendering shares. Upon exercise, the optionee will also be subject to Social Security taxes on the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price of the option.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Generally, if a stock appreciation right is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares or cash received upon such exercise, and we will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.
Other Awards. We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the Amended 2018 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant at the time the income is recognized. Participants typically are subject to income tax and recognize that tax at the time that an award is exercised, vests or becomes non-forfeitable, unless the award provides for a further deferral.
Parachute Payments
The vesting of any portion of a stock option or other award that is accelerated due to the occurrence of a change in control may cause a portion of the payments with respect to such accelerated award to be treated as “parachute payments” as defined in the Code. Any such parachute payments may be non-deductible to us, in whole or in part, and may subject the recipient to a non-deductible 20% U.S. federal excise tax on all or a portion of such payments (in addition to other taxes ordinarily payable).
Limitation on the Company’s Deductions
Under Section 162(m), compensation paid to any publicly held corporation’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year for any covered employee is generally non-deductible. Awards granted under the Amended 2018 Plan will be subject to the deduction limit under Section 162(m) and will not be eligible to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) pursuant to the transition relief provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. For more information regarding the deduction limit under Section 162(m), see the section entitled “Tax and Accounting Considerations” on page 102 of this proxy statement.
A copy of the Amended 2018 Plan is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 63
PROPOSAL 5
RENEWAL OF BOARD AUTHORITY TO ALLOT AND ISSUE SHARES UNDER IRISH LAW
(Ordinary resolution)
Background. Under Irish law, the directors of an Irish plc must have specific authority from the company’s shareholders to allot and issue any shares, including shares which are part of the company’s authorized but unissued share capital. Under Irish law, this authority can be granted by a company’s shareholders for up to the maximum of a company’s authorized but unissued share capital and for a period of up to five years, at which point such authority will lapse unless renewed by the company’s shareholders.
At our 2024 Annual Meeting, our shareholders approved our Board’s authority to allot and issue shares up to a maximum of 20% of our issued share capital, for a period of 18 months. Accordingly, our Board’s current authority to allot and issue shares will expire on November 30, 2025, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked.
Renewal Request. Under this Proposal 5, we are asking our shareholders to renew our Board’s authority to allot and issue our authorized shares, up to a maximum of 20% of our issued share capital as at [], 2025 (the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement), for a period of 18 months from the date of shareholder approval of the below resolution, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked. Granting to a company’s board of directors authority to allot and issue shares is a routine matter for public companies incorporated in Ireland. We expect to next propose renewal of the Board’s general authority to allot and issue shares at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders.
We are not asking our shareholders to approve an increase to our authorized ordinary share capital or to approve a specific issuance of shares; rather, approval of this Proposal 5 will simply provide our Board with certain continued flexibility to allot and issue shares that are already within our authorized share capital on the terms set forth in this proposal, in order to advance our business and drive shareholder value, including, if applicable, in connection with capital-raising and potential strategic transactions.
Because we are a Nasdaq-listed company and considered a U.S. domestic reporting company under SEC rules, we are and will continue to be subject to applicable SEC disclosure and other regulations, and Nasdaq requirements to obtain shareholder approval prior to certain share issuances, and our Board will continue to exercise its fiduciary duties under Irish law to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
This authorization is required as a matter of Irish law and is not required for other Nasdaq-listed companies not incorporated in Ireland with which we compete. Accordingly, failure to approve this proposal could put us at a distinct disadvantage compared to many of our peers who are not similarly required to obtain share issuance authorities from their shareholders.
If our shareholders approve this Proposal 5, our Board’s authority to allot and issue shares, as set forth in this Proposal 5, will be effective as of the date of such approval. If our shareholders do not approve this Proposal 5, our Board’s current authority will continue to apply until November 30, 2025; however, after such date, our Board will generally not be able to allot and issue any shares (other than to certain employees pursuant to our employee equity plans or pursuant to a pre-existing contractual obligation), without first seeking and obtaining shareholder approval for each such issuance.
Majority Voting Standard. Under Irish law, the resolution in respect of this Proposal 5 is an ordinary resolution that requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy (meaning that the number of shares voted “FOR” this Proposal 5 must exceed the number of shares voted “AGAINST” this Proposal 5). Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal 5 because they are not considered to be votes cast.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 64
The text of the resolution in respect of this Proposal 5 is as follows:
“RESOLVED, that the directors of the Company be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorized pursuant to section 1021(1) of the Irish Companies Act 2014, with effect from the passing of this resolution, to exercise all powers of the Company to allot and/or issue relevant securities (within the meaning of section 1021(12) of the Irish Companies Act 2014) up to an aggregate nominal amount of $[] (equivalent to [] shares) (being equivalent to approximately 20% of the aggregate nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as of [], 2025 (the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement)), and the authority conferred by this resolution shall expire 18 months from the date of passing of this resolution, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked; provided that the Company may make an offer or agreement before the expiry of this authority, which would or might require any such securities to be allotted after this authority has expired and, in that case, the directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.”
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 5 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 65
PROPOSAL 6
RENEWAL OF BOARD AUTHORITY TO DISAPPLY
THE STATUTORY PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS UNDER IRISH LAW
(Special resolution)
Background. Under Irish law, the directors of an Irish plc must have specific authority from the company’s shareholders to allot and issue any shares (see Proposal 5 above) and, unless otherwise authorized by its shareholders, an Irish plc generally may not issue any such shares for cash without first offering those shares on the same or more favorable terms to existing shareholders of the company on a pro-rata basis (commonly referred to as the “statutory pre-emption rights”). Shareholders of an Irish plc can grant their boards of directors authority to “dis-apply” these statutory pre-emption rights for up to the maximum of a company’s authorized but unissued share capital and for a period of up to five years, at which point such authority will lapse unless renewed by the company’s shareholders.
At our 2024 Annual Meeting, our shareholders approved our Board’s authority to issue new shares for cash, up to the amount of approximately 20% of our issued share capital, without first offering them to existing shareholders on a pro-rata basis (referred to as the “pre-emption disapplication authority”), for a period of 18 months. Accordingly, our Board’s current pre-emption disapplication authority will expire on November 30, 2025, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked. The statutory pre-emption rights do not apply where shares are issued for non-cash consideration or pursuant to employee equity plans.
Renewal Request. Under this Proposal 6, we are asking our shareholders to renew our Board’s pre-emption disapplication authority in accordance with the terms described herein, for a period of 18 months from the date of shareholder approval of the below resolution, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked.
Specifically, we are asking our shareholders to renew the Board’s authority to disapply the statutory pre-emption rights that would otherwise apply under Irish law in the event of issuances of shares for cash if the issuances (in the aggregate excluding issuances pursuant to employee equity plans) are limited to up to 20% of our issued share capital as at [], 2025 (the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement), subject to renewal of the Board’s authority to allot and issue such shares as set forth in Proposal 5. Granting pre-emption disapplication authority to a company’s board of directors is a routine matter for public companies incorporated in Ireland. We expect to next propose renewal of the Board’s pre-emption disapplication authority at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders.
Under this Proposal 6, we are not asking our shareholders to approve an increase to our authorized ordinary share capital or to approve a specific issuance of shares; rather, approval of this Proposal 6 will simply provide our Board with certain continued flexibility to issue shares for cash (subject to renewal of the Board’s authority to allot and issue such shares as set forth in Proposal 5) that are already within our authorized share capital for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis, in accordance with the terms described herein, to advance our business and drive shareholder value, including, if applicable, in connection with potential capital-raising or strategic transactions.
Furthermore, this authorization is required as a matter of Irish law and is not otherwise required for Nasdaq-listed companies not incorporated in Ireland with which we compete. Failure to approve this proposal could put us at a distinct disadvantage compared to many of our peers in competing for acquisitions, licensing and similar transactions, would considerably reduce the speed at which we could complete capital-raising activities undertaken in furtherance of transactional opportunities, would increase our costs and otherwise might make it difficult for us to complete strategic transactions, thus potentially limiting our ability to deploy capital in support of our business strategy and in the best interests of our shareholders.
If our shareholders approve this Proposal 6, our Board’s pre-emption disapplication authority, as set forth in this Proposal 6, will be effective as of the date of such approval. If our shareholders do not approve this Proposal 6, our Board’s current authority will continue to apply until November 30, 2025; however, after such date, our Board will generally not be able to issue any shares for cash to any new shareholders without first offering such shares on the same or more favorable terms to our existing shareholders on a pro-rata basis
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 66
(other than to certain employees pursuant to our employee equity plans or pursuant to a pre-existing contractual obligation), without first seeking and obtaining shareholder approval for each such issuance.
Supermajority Voting Standard. Under Irish law, the resolution in respect of this Proposal 6 is a special resolution that requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes cast on the resolution in person or by proxy for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal 6 because they are not considered to be votes cast.
In addition, approval of this Proposal 6 is conditioned upon approval of Proposal 5 above because Irish law requires that a general authority to issue shares be granted before a pre-emption disapplication authority in respect of any issuances of such shares can be granted. Therefore, if Proposal 5 is not approved by our shareholders, this Proposal 6 will fail and not be implemented, notwithstanding any approval of this Proposal 6 by our shareholders.
The text of the resolution in respect of this Proposal 6 is as follows:
“RESOLVED, as a special resolution, that, subject to the passing of the resolution in respect of Proposal 5 (Board authority to allot and issue shares) as set out above, and with effect from the date of the passing of this resolution, the directors of the Company be and they are hereby empowered pursuant to section 1023 of the Irish Companies Act 2014 to allot equity securities (as defined in section 1023 of that Act) for cash, pursuant to the authority conferred by Proposal 5 as if sub-section (1) of section 1022 did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal value of $[] (equivalent to [] shares) (being equivalent to approximately 20% of the aggregate nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as of [], 2025 (the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement)); and the authority conferred by this resolution shall expire 18 months from the passing of this resolution, unless sooner renewed, varied or revoked; provided that the Company may make an offer or agreement before the expiry of this authority, which would or might require any such securities to be allotted after this authority has expired and, in that case, the directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of any such offer or agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.”
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 6 |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 67
Report of the Audit and Risk Committee
No portion of this Report of the Audit and Risk Committee shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act through any general statement incorporating by reference in its entirety the proxy statement in which this report appears, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this report or a portion of it by reference. In addition, this report shall not be deemed ‘soliciting material’ or deemed to be ‘filed’ under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
As more fully described in its charter, the Audit and Risk Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has day-to-day responsibility for the Company’s
financial reporting process, including assuring that the Company develops and maintains adequate
financial controls and procedures and monitoring and assessing compliance with those controls and
procedures, including internal control over financial reporting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent auditor and accounting firm (“PwC”), is responsible for performing an independent audit of the annual financial statements and expressing opinions on the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
In its performance of its oversight function, the Audit and Risk Committee has, among other things:
Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit and Risk Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for filing with the SEC.
Respectfully submitted by the Audit and Risk Committee,
Frank Anders Wilson (Chair)
Shane M. Cooke
David A. Daglio, Jr.
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D.
For more information about the Audit and Risk Committee and its charter, see the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 68
Audit Fees
Aggregate Fees for 2024 and 2023
During 2024 and 2023, PwC provided various audit, audit-related, tax and other services to us. The Audit and Risk Committee understands the need for PwC to maintain objectivity and independence in its audit of our financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. To minimize relationships that could appear to impair the objectivity of PwC, the Audit and Risk Committee has adopted policies and procedures which require such committee to review and pre-approve all audit and non-audit services performed by PwC. All of the services provided by PwC to the Company for 2024 and 2023 described below were pre-approved by the Audit and Risk Committee.
The aggregate fees of PwC payable by the Company for 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Audit fees(1) |
|
$ |
3,050,345 |
|
|
$ |
3,554,536 |
|
Audit-related fees(2) |
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
2,348,100 |
|
Tax fees(3) |
|
|
746,864 |
|
|
|
1,803,000 |
|
All other fees(4) |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
6,650 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,809,709 |
|
|
$ |
7,712,286 |
|
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our ordinary shares, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our ordinary shares. To the Company’s knowledge, all such reports were timely filed during 2024, with the exception of one report on Form 4 for Blair Jackson related to the vesting of performance-based restricted stock unit awards, which was inadvertently filed late due to an administrative error.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 69
The following table and notes provide information about the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the Record Date by:
According to SEC rules, the Company has included in the column entitled “Number of Issued Ordinary Shares” all shares over which the person has sole or shared voting or investment power, and in the column entitled “Number of Ordinary Shares Issuable” all shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the Record Date through the exercise of any stock option, vesting of any stock award or other right. All shares that a person has a right to acquire within 60 days of the Record Date are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficially owned by the person, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person.
Unless otherwise indicated, each person has the sole power (except to the extent authority is shared by spouses) to invest and vote the shares listed opposite the person’s name. The Company’s inclusion of shares in this table as beneficially owned is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by the person listed in the table. The business address of each of the Company’s current non-employee directors and Board Nominees is c/o Alkermes, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6. The business address of each of the Company’s current executive officers is 900 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451.
Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers
|
|
Number of Issued Ordinary Shares |
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Issuable(1) |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Percent(2) |
|
||||
Emily Peterson Alva |
|
|
27,302 |
|
|
|
65,112 |
|
|
|
92,414 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Shane M. Cooke |
|
|
99,906 |
|
|
|
215,672 |
|
|
|
315,578 |
|
|
* |
|
|
David A. Daglio, Jr. |
|
|
107,780 |
|
|
|
72,092 |
|
|
|
179,872 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. |
|
|
24,995 |
|
|
|
140,039 |
|
|
|
165,034 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
23,013 |
|
|
|
46,625 |
|
|
|
69,638 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Nancy S. Lurker |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
* |
|
|
Brian P. McKeon |
|
|
37,780 |
|
|
|
72,092 |
|
|
|
109,872 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
1,290,390 |
|
|
|
2,091,615 |
|
|
|
3,382,005 |
|
|
|
2.05 |
% |
Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. |
|
|
25,422 |
|
|
|
165,233 |
|
|
|
190,655 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Frank Anders Wilson |
|
|
24,995 |
|
|
|
140,039 |
|
|
|
165,034 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
14,416 |
|
|
|
37,584 |
|
|
|
52,000 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
148,196 |
|
|
|
532,179 |
|
|
|
680,375 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
201,368 |
|
|
|
643,205 |
|
|
|
844,573 |
|
|
* |
|
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
204,255 |
|
|
|
663,541 |
|
|
|
867,796 |
|
|
* |
|
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
|
77,740 |
|
|
|
281,431 |
|
|
|
359,171 |
|
|
* |
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
92,875 |
|
|
|
361,655 |
|
|
|
454,530 |
|
|
* |
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) |
|
|
2,252,237 |
|
|
|
4,995,935 |
|
|
|
7,248,172 |
|
|
|
4.40 |
% |
* Represents less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding ordinary shares.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 70
Ownership by Principal Shareholders
The following table and notes provide information about the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the Record Date, or as of the date otherwise set forth below, by each shareholder known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our ordinary shares.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, it is believed that each shareholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all of our ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by that shareholder. The percentages of beneficial ownership listed in the table below are based on the most recent Schedule 13G filings made with the SEC as of the Record Date and based on 164,836,227 ordinary shares outstanding as of the Record Date.
|
|
Number of Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Percent |
|
||
BlackRock, Inc.(1) |
|
|
30,021,312 |
|
|
|
18.21 |
% |
50 Hudson Yards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
New York, NY 10001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The Vanguard Group(2) |
|
|
18,971,637 |
|
|
|
11.51 |
% |
100 Vanguard Blvd. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Malvern, PA 19355 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3) |
|
|
12,998,606 |
|
|
|
7.89 |
% |
100 E. Pratt Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
State Street Corporation(4) |
|
|
9,352,970 |
|
|
|
5.67 |
% |
1 Congress Street, Suite 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Boston, MA 02114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 71
Disclosure of Shareholder Interests under the Companies Act
Under the Companies Act, our shareholders must notify us if, as a result of a transaction, the shareholder will become interested in 3% or more of our shares or, if as a result of a transaction, a shareholder who was interested in more than 3% of our shares ceases to be so interested. When a shareholder is interested in more than 3% of our shares, the shareholder must notify us of any alteration of its interest that brings its total holdings through the nearest whole percentage number, whether an increase or a reduction. The relevant percentage figure is calculated by reference to the aggregate nominal value of the shares in which the shareholder is interested as a proportion of the entire nominal value of our issued share capital (or any such class of share capital in issue). When the percentage level of the shareholder’s interest does not amount to a whole percentage this figure may be rounded down to the next whole number. We must be notified within five business days of the transaction or alteration of the shareholder’s interest that gave rise to the notification requirement. If a shareholder fails to comply with these notification requirements, the shareholder’s rights in respect of any of our shares that it holds shall not be enforceable, either directly or indirectly. However, such person may apply to the Irish High Court to have the rights attaching to such shares reinstated.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 72
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth our executive officers, their ages and the position held by each such person as of April [], 2025, and the biographical descriptions that follow set forth additional information regarding each executive officer, including such officer’s business experience that is most relevant to such officer’s current position(s). Each of our executive officers is employed by Alkermes, Inc., our U.S. operating subsidiary.
|
|
|
|
Name |
Age |
|
Position |
Richard F. Pops |
63 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Blair C. Jackson* |
52 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
David J. Gaffin+ |
53 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
57 |
|
Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer |
C. Todd Nichols |
56 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
* The responsibilities of principal financial officer of the Company were assigned to Mr. Jackson on an interim basis as of February 1, 2024.
+ Mr. Gaffin also serves as Secretary of the Company.
Information about the number of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by our executive officers, directly and indirectly, appears in the section entitled “Ownership of the Company’s Ordinary Shares” beginning on page 70 of this proxy statement.
Biographical Information
Richard F. Pops Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
|
Appointment to Current Position(s): September 2011 |
Experience: Prior to assuming his current positions, Mr. Pops served as Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes, Inc. from February 1991 to April 2007 and as Chief Executive Officer and President from September 2009 to September 2011. Mr. Pops currently serves on the boards of directors of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, BIO and PhRMA. He previously served on the boards of directors of Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from 2004 to December 2019; Epizyme, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from 2008 to October 2020; and the National Health Council, a nonprofit organization, from 2016 to December 2019. Mr. Pops also previously served on the advisory board of Polaris Venture Partners and as a member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows through June 2012. |
Blair C. Jackson Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
|
Appointment to Current Position(s): April 2024 |
Experience: Prior to assuming his current positions, Mr. Jackson served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer from January 2021 to April 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Jackson served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning of Alkermes, Inc. from July 2018 to January 2021, responsible for our business development and alliance management, business planning, new product planning, data analytics and market research and corporate operations functions. From May 2016 to July 2018, Mr. Jackson served as Senior Vice President, Business Development of Alkermes, Inc. From 2006 to May 2016, Mr. Jackson served as Vice President, Business Development of Alkermes, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Jackson held various scientific and corporate roles within Alkermes, Inc. since joining Alkermes in 1999. Mr. Jackson is a member of the board of directors of Synchronicity Pharma, Inc., a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 73
David J. Gaffin Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer; Secretary of Alkermes plc |
|
Appointment to Current Position(s): July 2022 |
Experience: Prior to assuming his current positions, Mr. Gaffin served as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Alkermes, Inc. and Secretary of the Company from March 2018 to July 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Gaffin served as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Alkermes, Inc. and Secretary of the Company from December 2017 to March 2018; Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Alkermes, Inc. from May 2016 to December 2017; Vice President, U.S. General Counsel of Alkermes, Inc., from January 2014 to May 2016; and Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of Alkermes, Inc. from October 2011 to January 2014; and prior to that in roles of increasing responsibility since joining Alkermes, Inc. in 2005. Prior to joining Alkermes, Mr. Gaffin held the role of Assistant General Counsel at Biogen Inc. (“Biogen”), a global biopharmaceutical company, where he provided legal counsel on product-related matters and collaboration and licensing transactions. |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer |
|
Appointment to Current Position(s): January 2020 |
Experience: Prior to assuming his current positions, Dr. Hopkinson was our Chief Medical Officer, and Senior Vice President of Medicines Development and Medical Affairs of Alkermes, Inc. from February 2018 to January 2020, and Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs of Alkermes, Inc. from May 2017 to February 2018. Prior to joining Alkermes, Dr. Hopkinson served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a global biopharmaceutical company, from July 2014 until May 2017. Prior to that, Dr. Hopkinson held various executive management positions at Eisai Pharmaceuticals, including President Eisai Value Maximization Systems from January 2013 to July 2014 and President and Chief Medical Officer of the Frontier Product Creation Unit from October 2011 to December 2012. Dr. Hopkinson has extensive experience in research and development, medical affairs, and interactions with the FDA. Dr. Hopkinson served on the board of directors of Albireo Pharma, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, from December 2022 through its acquisition by Ipsen in March 2023. |
C. Todd Nichols Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
|
Appointment to Current Position(s): May 2020 |
Experience: Prior to assuming his current position, Mr. Nichols served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Alkermes, Inc. from May 2019 to May 2020. Prior to joining Alkermes, Inc., Mr. Nichols served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Inflammation and Immunology at Celgene Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical company, from 2018 to 2019 and as Vice President of Sales and Field Operations, Neurology and Hemophilia at Biogen from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Nichols worked for Merck, serving as Vice President and Head of the US Vaccines Business Unit from 2011 to 2014 and as National Sales Leader, Specialty Commercial Operations-Women’s Health Care from 2009 to 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Nichols held a variety of positions at Schering-Plough Corporation (acquired by Merck in 2009), including Area Vice President, Sales and Regional Sales Director. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 74
Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)
Frequently viewed compensation information:
Executive Summary |
Page 75 |
|
2024 Executive Compensation Decisions > Base Salary |
Page 86 |
2024 Business Priorities and Performance Highlights |
Page 76 |
|
> Annual Cash Performance Pay— Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP) |
Page 86
|
Multi-Year Shareholder Engagement and Board Responsiveness |
Page 77 |
|
> Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation—Annual Grant |
Page 93 |
Executive Compensation Program Highlights |
Page 79 |
|
2022 LTIP – Achievements and Payout |
Page 96 |
2024 CEO “At-Risk” Compensation |
Page 80 |
|
Stock Ownership Guidelines |
Page 99 |
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives |
Page 82 |
|
Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy |
Page 99 |
2024 Peer Group |
Page 83 |
|
Equity Grant Timing |
Page 101 |
Executive Compensation Program Design and Key Elements |
Page 85 |
|
Compensation Risk Assessment |
Page 101 |
Executive Summary
This CD&A discusses our executive compensation policies and arrangements as they relate to the following executive officers of the Company, referred to as our “named executive officers” or “NEOs”, for 2024:
Named Executive Officer |
Position in 2024 |
Richard F. Pops |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
Iain M. Brown* |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
Blair C. Jackson |
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
David J. Gaffin |
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer |
C. Todd Nichols |
Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
* Mr. Brown’s responsibilities as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company were reassigned as of February 1, 2024, at which time he went on a medical leave of absence and did not return for the remainder of 2024.
Business Overview
We are a global biopharmaceutical company that seeks to develop innovative medicines in the field of neuroscience. We manufacture and commercialize VIVITROL for the treatment of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence, ARISTADA for the treatment of schizophrenia, ARISTADA INITIO for initiation onto ARISTADA for the treatment of schizophrenia and LYBALVI for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. We also manufacture commercial products that incorporate our proprietary technologies under license and receive manufacturing revenues and/or royalties from these and other products that incorporate our proprietary technologies. We have a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for neurological disorders, including narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Headquartered in Ireland, we also have a corporate office and R&D center in Massachusetts and a manufacturing facility in Ohio.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 75
2024 Business Priorities and Performance Highlights
Four strategic priorities guided our management of the business in 2024: deliver strong commercial growth and profitability, advance our orexin 2 receptor agonist program, expand our neuroscience pipeline, and plan for significant cash generation. Underpinning these priorities and the operation of our business is our foundation of strong corporate governance, our dedication to patients and to our employees, and our commitment to operating in an ethical and responsible manner.
We achieved these priorities and more in 2024. Highlights included:
Successfully grew our revenue |
|
|
Exceeded $1 billion in proprietary product net sales, representing 18% growth year-over-year, and achieved total revenues of over $1.5 billion. |
|
Surpassed $457 million in VIVITROL annual net sales, representing a 14% increase year-over-year, and exceeding the high end of our annual net sales financial expectations range by over $25 million. |
|
Increased LYBALVI annual net sales by 46% year-over-year, generating $280 million. |
|
Achieved ARISTADA annual net sales of $346 million, representing a 6% increase year-over-year. |
Significantly advanced our development pipeline |
|
|
Generated positive topline results in phase 1b proof-of-concept study of ALKS 2680, an orexin 2 receptor agonist, in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (“NT1”), narcolepsy type 2 (“NT2”) and idiopathic hypersomnia (“IH”). |
|
Initiated phase 2 studies of ALKS 2680 in patients with NT1 and NT2 and completed significant planning activities to enable initiation of our phase 2 study in patients with IH in 2025. |
|
Significantly advanced preclinical assessments of our orexin agonist portfolio and nominated ALKS 7290, a new orexin candidate, expected to enter the clinic in 2025. |
|
Hosted an Investor Event in October 2024, highlighting ALKS 2680 and our broader orexin portfolio, including our development strategy in additional disease states. |
EXPANDED profitability, ACHIEVED efficiencies and STRATEGICALLY DEPLOYED capital |
|
|
Achieved GAAP net income from continuing operations of $372 million, and EBITDA from continuing operations of $452 million. See Appendix B for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA. |
|
Repurchased $200 million of our ordinary shares pursuant to a $400 million share repurchase program announced in February 2024. |
|
Completed the sale of our development and manufacturing business in Athlone, Ireland, consistent with our focus on aligning our infrastructure and cost structure with the needs of our business. |
|
Retired all of our outstanding debt (approximately $290 million) prior to its scheduled maturity. |
Strengthened our commitment to our people and our stakeholders |
|
|
Published our 7th Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting our key environmental performance data, site-specific conservation and sustainability efforts, employee engagement, wellness and career development programs, community engagement and other employee-related initiatives. |
|
Engaged with third-party sustainability consultants to support our efforts to enhance, measure and report our environmental performance, in preparation for compliance with sustainability reporting directives. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 76
Multi-Year Shareholder Engagement and Board Responsiveness
Our Compensation Committee and Board are committed to implementing executive compensation policies and practices that support the Company’s strategic objectives and align with best practices and the creation of shareholder value. We regularly engage with our shareholders on a variety of topics, including our business and growth strategy, financial performance, corporate governance, corporate responsibility and sustainability matters and executive compensation.
Shareholder Outreach, Engagement and Feedback
For the past several years, the Board and Compensation Committee have been actively soliciting, and responding to, shareholder feedback. Following each of our annual meetings held from 2019 through 2024, we requested engagement meetings with shareholders who collectively held more than 60% of our outstanding shares and, based on our shareholders’ expressed interest in meeting with us, held meetings each year with shareholders who collectively held greater than 50% of our outstanding shares.
OUTREACH >60% OF SHAREHOLDINGS EACH YEAR |
ENGAGEMENT >50% OF SHAREHOLDINGS EACH YEAR |
Our Lead Independent Director and numerous other members of our Board participated in certain of these meetings alongside representatives of management. Shareholder feedback received during these engagements was communicated to management, the full Board and committees of the Board, as appropriate.
During our 2024 engagements, shareholders did not raise any specific concerns in respect of our executive compensation programs. They acknowledged the Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s responsiveness to their, and other shareholders’, prior feedback and, in this context, the meaningful improvements made in recent years to our executive compensation programs. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, shareholders strongly supported our executive compensation program, with approximately 98% of the votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay proposal.
Board Responsiveness – Enhancements to Compensation Practices
Our Compensation Committee continually seeks to enhance our executive compensation program based on the evolving needs of our business, market trends in compensation practices and shareholder feedback. This year, and over the past few years, the Compensation Committee has implemented significant changes to our executive compensation program based on these considerations in order to enhance its performance-based nature and alignment with shareholder value creation, including:
Developed objective and measurable approach to the determination of STIP payouts |
2024 STIP. Enhanced STIP design to include objective, measurable, pre-determined objectives, including financial and commercial (50% weighting), neuroscience pipeline (40% weighting) and corporate responsibility (10% weighting). For additional information on the 2024 STIP, see the section entitled “2024 STIP Design In Line with Shareholder Feedback” on page 87 of this proxy statement. |
Enhanced disclosure around determination of STIP payouts |
Enhanced our Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosure detailing how our company performance, as measured against our annual corporate objectives, and the individual performance of each of our named executive officers (other than the CEO) translated into individual STIP payouts. |
Expanded use of performance-based equity |
Since 2020, structured our executive compensation to ensure that a majority of the total target value of our CEO’s annual equity grant consisted of performance-based restricted stock unit awards (“PRSUs”) and expanded use of PRSUs as part of the annual equity grants for all of our named executive officers. In 2024, granted PRSUs comprising approximately 53% and 25% of the total target value of the annual equity grants to our CEO and other named executive officers, respectively. In 2025, increased the percentage of PRSUs granted to our named executive officers (other than our CEO) from 25% to 33% of the total target value of their annual equity grants, while maintaining greater than 50% of the CEO’s total target value of annual equity awards as performance-vesting. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 77
Double Trigger Change in Control Vesting |
Since 2023, eliminated single trigger change in control vesting provisions in all equity awards granted to our named executive officers, replacing them with double trigger change in control vesting provisions. |
Tied long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) metrics to shareholder value creation |
2024 LTIP. Incorporated three-year financial (50% weighting) and pipeline (50% weighting) performance goals that are distinct from the annual corporate objectives utilized in our 2024 STIP and that align with our long-term business strategy. Included a relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) modifier that may increase or decrease the total number of vested shares underlying the PRSUs by up to 25%. For additional information on the 2024 LTIP, see the section entitled “2024 LTIP – PRSU Design In Line with Shareholder Feedback” on page 93 of this proxy statement. |
Linked executive compensation to profitability
|
2024 STIP. Included an annual objective based on the Company’s annual EBITDA expectations, as guided by the Company in February 2024. See Appendix B for information regarding the non-GAAP financial target underlying this objective. 2024 LTIP. Included a financial performance goal tied to profitability contribution from the Company’s proprietary products, to be achieved during the second or third years of the 2024 LTIP’s three-year performance period. For additional detail, see the sections entitled “2024 Corporate Objectives” beginning on page 87 of this proxy statement and “2024 LTIP – PRSU Design In Line with Shareholder Feedback” beginning on page 93 of this proxy statement. |
Incorporated corporate responsibility objectives into the Company’s short-term compensation plan |
2024 STIP. Included corporate responsibility objectives related to advancement of our corporate responsibility and sustainability strategy and human capital management initiatives in support of the business, with performance metrics focused on environmental performance, data collection and reporting, and career development, education and recruitment. For details, see the section entitled “2024 Corporate Objectives” beginning on page 87 of this proxy statement. |
Utilized a peer group that reflects our company profile |
Updated our peer group at least annually to align with our Company profile, including to eliminate companies whose market capitalizations were significantly higher than ours or whose profiles were expected to change significantly based on company events. For additional detail, see the section entitled “Peer Group Selection and Review Process” on page 83 of this proxy statement. |
Expanded scope of Clawback Policy
Adopted new Recoupment Policy |
In May 2021, we expanded our Clawback Policy to apply to certain cash-based incentive compensation in addition to equity-based incentive compensation. Effective October 2023, we adopted our Recoupment Policy, as prescribed by Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. For additional detail, see the section entitled “Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy” beginning on page 99 of this proxy statement. |
For information on additional actions taken by our Board in recent years in response to shareholder feedback on matters relating to corporate governance, see the section entitled “Recent Enhancements to Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” beginning on page 11 of this proxy statement.
We remain committed to executive compensation best practices and regular engagement with our shareholders and other stakeholders to solicit and consider their views on these practices, our business strategy and performance, and our corporate governance and corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives. We invite stakeholders to email us at investor_relations@alkermes.com with any suggestions, comments or inquiries. Shareholder proposals, nominations and other notifications required under the Companies Act or our Articles of Association should not be sent to this e-mail address, but rather should be delivered as set forth in this proxy statement, our Articles of Association and/or in the Companies Act, as applicable.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 78
Executive Compensation Program Highlights
Our executive compensation program is focused on attracting, retaining and incentivizing experienced and well-qualified executive officers to advance our critical business objectives and create long-term shareholder value.
Strong Compensation Governance Attributes
Our policies and practices are designed to align pay and performance, enhance governance of our executive compensation program and further our compensation objectives. These policies and practices include:
Key Features of Our Executive Compensation Program |
|||
☑ |
Alignment of executive pay and performance |
☑ |
Independent compensation consultant |
☑ |
Annual advisory vote on executive compensation program |
☑ |
Annual risk assessment of compensation policies and practices |
☑ |
Annual use of performance-based equity awards for all executive officers |
☑ |
Compensation Committee comprised of 100% independent directors |
☑ |
Significant portion of CEO and other executive compensation is “at-risk” |
☑ |
No excessive perquisites |
☑ |
Incorporation of corporate responsibility objectives into STIP |
☑ |
Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy in respect of certain equity and cash compensation |
☑ |
Incorporation of profitability objectives into LTIP |
☑ |
Prohibition of hedging and pledging by executive officers and directors |
☑ |
Inclusion of a relative TSR modifier in LTIP to align payouts with shareholder experience |
☑ |
Share ownership and holding guidelines for executive officers and directors |
☑ |
Annual review of peer group companies |
☑ |
No guaranteed bonuses or base salary increases |
☑ |
Caps on payouts from our short-term and long-term incentive plans |
☑ |
No tax gross-ups on severance or change in control benefits for individuals hired after 2009 |
☑ |
Double trigger change-in-control provisions in all equity awards to executives |
☑ |
No repricing of underwater stock options without prior shareholder approval |
Focus on Pay for Performance; Alignment with Shareholder Interests
We believe in a pay-for-performance approach to executive compensation that supports our business strategy and aligns the interests of our named executive officers with those of our shareholders and other stakeholders. Our executive compensation program is focused on total direct compensation opportunity utilizing a balance of compensation elements, including:
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 79
2024 Executive Compensation At a Glance
Pay Mix – Significant Portion of Executive Compensation is “At-Risk”
A significant portion of the target total direct compensation opportunity for each of our named executive officers, including our CEO, is comprised of “at-risk” compensation in the form of annual cash performance pay opportunities and long-term equity awards which are either performance-vesting awards tied to achievement of pre-determined corporate objectives designed to drive value creation for our shareholders, or time-vesting awards that, in the case of stock options, have value only if our share price increases from the price on the grant date or, in the case of restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”), have value that fluctuates based on our share price performance.
The following chart represents the breakdown of 2024 total direct compensation for our CEO and the average breakdown for our other named executive officers, and illustrates the predominance of long-term equity incentives, performance-based components, and compensation that is “at-risk” in our executive pay. Included in each chart are: (i) the approved annual base salary for 2024; (ii) the annual bonus award paid for 2024; and (iii) the approved target value of equity awards granted in 2024.
90% of 2024 CEO Compensation “At-Risk”
84% of 2024 Other NEO Compensation “At-Risk”
2024 Equity Grants Conditioned on Performance
The Compensation Committee conditioned:
on the achievement, over a three-year performance period, of financial and pipeline goals intended to increase shareholder value over the long-term, and on relative total shareholder return over the same period, to align executive compensation with shareholder experience.
All equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2024 contained double trigger change in control vesting provisions. For additional detail regarding the long-term equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2024, see the section entitled “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation – Annual Grant” beginning on page 93 of this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 80
2024 STIP and LTIP Designs Reflective of Shareholder Feedback
Our Compensation Committee approved 2024 STIP and 2024 LTIP designs that include short-term and long-term, respectively, measurable, performance-based pre-determined goals–including financial, operational, pipeline and corporate responsibility-related goals–that aligned with the Company’s short-term and long-term business priorities, respectively, and with shareholder feedback.
2024 STIP (Annual Cash Bonus) |
|
2024 LTIP (Long-Term Equity) |
|
|
Time-Based |
||
|
• Stock Options / RSUs • 4-year annual vesting |
||
|
Performance-Based (53% for CEO; 25% for other NEOs) |
||
|
|||
CEO Payout |
100% Company Performance |
|
|
Other NEO Payouts |
75% Company Performance; 25% Individual Performance |
|
Performance-Based Achievements and Payouts in 2024
Annual Bonus Payouts Based on Pay-for-Performance Philosophy
2024 was a year of important achievements that furthered our short- and long-term objectives and supported significant cash generation and value creation for our shareholders. Our 2024 corporate objectives were each set at a level that our Compensation Committee considered rigorous and attainable only with strong performance, and emphasized the Company’s strategic business priorities, including, among others, profitability, capital allocation, advancement of our pipeline, commercial and manufacturing execution, and advancement of our corporate responsibility initiatives.
In recognition of the Company’s performance in 2024, the Compensation Committee approved a Company performance payout percentage of 100% under the 2024 STIP. After assessing the individual performance of each named executive officer (other than our CEO, whose annual cash performance pay opportunity was based entirely on Company performance), the Compensation Committee approved 2024 STIP cash performance payouts for our named executive officers ranging from 100% to 110% of their performance pay targets.
2022 LTIP Achievements and Payout
2022 PRSUs Performance Goals |
% Weighting |
Achievement Level |
Total Vested (% of category) |
Total Vested (% of PRSUs) |
Financial |
40% |
Between threshold and target performance, resulting in linear interpolation between the two |
80.8% of metric weighting |
32.32% |
Commercial |
30% |
Below threshold performance |
None |
0% |
Pipeline |
30% |
Stretch performance |
150% of metric weighting |
45% |
Payout (% of Target) |
77.32% |
|||
|
x |
|||
Relative TSR Modifier |
+/- 25% |
~80th percentile of iShares Biotechnology ETF |
+ 25% |
1.25x |
Actual Payout (% of Target) |
96.65% |
For additional details on 2024 performance-based achievements and payouts to our named executive officers, see the sections entitled “2024 Cash Performance Payouts” and “2022 LTIP – Achievements and Payout” beginning on page 92 and page 96 of this proxy statement, respectively.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 81
Detailed Discussion and Analysis
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our executive compensation program is focused on attracting and retaining experienced and well-qualified executive officers who will help advance our critical business objectives, and rewarding them for performance that contributes meaningfully to the creation of shareholder value. We structure our executive compensation based on scope of job responsibility, external peer comparisons, individual performance and our overall Company performance. The Compensation Committee establishes our executive compensation program each year with the following objectives:
ALIGNMENT OF PAY AND PERFORMANCE |
Structure a significant proportion of an individual’s compensation as performance-based |
ALIGNMENT WITH SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS |
Provide an overall compensation package that rewards individual and Company performance against corporate objectives as a means to promote the creation and retention of value for the Company and its shareholders |
BALANCE OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVES |
Align with the short- and long-term focus required for success in the biopharmaceutical industry |
MARKET COMPETITIVENESS AND RETENTION |
Attract and retain a highly-skilled workforce by providing a total compensation package that is competitive with other employers who compete with us for talent |
How Target Compensation is Determined for our Named Executive Officers
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews, oversees and administers our compensation policies, plans and programs, and reviews and determines the compensation to be paid to our executive officers. The Compensation Committee’s full set of roles and responsibilities are set forth in the Compensation Committee’s written charter adopted by the Board, which is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee annually engages an independent compensation consulting firm to review market data and the Company’s various incentive programs and to advise on executive compensation structure and compensation levels. This includes assistance with establishing our cash- and equity-based compensation targets and awards in support of our business strategy, based, in large part, upon a peer group identification and assessment, and the retentive value of current holdings.
In mid-2023, the Compensation Committee renewed its engagement of Aon’s Human Capital Solutions practice, a division of Aon plc (“Aon”), to serve as its independent compensation consultant to provide advisory services related to executive compensation and non-employee director compensation decisions for 2024. As part of this work, Aon assisted the Compensation Committee in developing its 2024 peer group, evaluating current pay practices and philosophies, and analyzing peer group and other market data to determine 2024 compensation for our named executive officers (including performance pay targets and pay ranges, base salaries and target equity awards) and for our non-employee directors (including cash retainers and equity awards). Aon was also retained in 2024 by Company management to provide additional services, including surveys and assessments, and certain corporate governance advisory services. Aon maintains policies and practices to protect the independence of the consultants engaged by the Compensation Committee.
In mid-2024, following a comprehensive process in which it evaluated independent compensation consultant firms, the Compensation Committee decided to retain Alpine Rewards LLC (“Alpine”) as a new independent compensation consultant to provide advisory services related to both executive compensation decisions for the remainder of the 2024 compensation cycle, including analyzing peer group and other market data to determine 2024 annual cash performance payouts for our named executive officers, and executive compensation and non-employee director compensation decisions for 2025. Alpine was not engaged by the Company to provide any additional services other than the services requested by or on behalf of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, in its sole authority, has the right to retain or terminate outside compensation consultants. The Compensation Committee considered whether the work of either Aon or Alpine caused any conflict of interest and concluded that there was no conflict.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 82
Competitive Assessment of Compensation – Peer Companies and Market Data
We seek to attract and retain highly-qualified executive officers in an extremely competitive market. The Compensation Committee believes that it is important, when making compensation decisions, to be informed as to the current practices of comparable public companies with which we compete for executive talent.
Market Data
At the direction of the Compensation Committee, the independent compensation consultant periodically conducts peer group analyses to enable the Compensation Committee to compare our executive compensation program as a whole, and also the pay of individual executives, to that of our peer companies. The compensation consultant also includes data from a broader survey group of public commercial-stage biopharmaceutical companies within a relevant revenue range in each of its analyses, using data from public SEC filings and other sources of market data to construct a benchmark for comparison.
Peer Group Selection and Review Process
The Compensation Committee reviews the composition of our peer group at least annually and revises the group as needed to account for changes in our business and in the businesses of the companies in our peer group. As a global biopharmaceutical company, we have built, and continue to devote significant resources to further develop and enhance, a comprehensive cross-functional organization designed to support product development from discovery through commercialization and lifecycle management. As part of this effort, we invest significantly in R&D, including early discovery, medicinal chemistry, translational medicine, formulation development and clinical trial operations capabilities; intellectual property prosecution, enforcement and defense; medical affairs; manufacturing operations; U.S. federal and state government affairs; regulatory affairs; sales and marketing; and market access, among other areas.
There are a limited number of companies who are similar to us in terms of the diversity and complexity of our business. As such, the companies with which we compete directly for executive talent are not always similar to us in size, revenue or market capitalization. In mid-2023, when developing the recommended list of peer group companies to be used in connection with 2024 compensation decisions for our named executive officers, Aon considered a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors, including those listed in the table immediately below.
Factor Considered |
What We Look For |
Similar industry |
Biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry (GICS codes 352010 or 352020) |
Commercial |
Companies who market and sell commercial biopharmaceutical medicines, with a focus on companies who market and sell branded products (as compared to generics) |
R&D expenditure as percentage of revenue |
Significant investment in R&D to develop and advance products from discovery through to regulatory approval and commercialization |
Revenue |
Revenue of approximately 0.3 times to 3.0 times our then-projected annual revenue for 2023, resulting in a revenue range of $550 million to $5 billion |
Market capitalization |
Market capitalization of approximately 0.3 times to 3.0 times our then-current market value, resulting in a market capitalization range of $1.7 billion to $15.5 billion, based on our 30-day average market capitalization as of June 23, 2023 |
Number of employees |
Employee headcount of approximately 0.3 times to 3.0 times our then-current projected 2023 headcount, resulting in a range of 825 to 7,500 employees |
Geography/market competition |
Companies with which we compete directly for executive talent, including those in geographic proximity to our sites of operation |
Alkermes in peer group |
Inclusion of Alkermes in a company’s peer group, as reported in the company’s proxy statement from the prior year |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 83
2024 Peer Group
In September 2023, when selecting our peer group for 2024, the Compensation Committee targeted a group of 10 to 20 peers. Since few companies align with us on all of the factors considered, the Compensation Committee included in our peer group companies meeting a majority of the quantitative and qualitative criteria described above, with a greater weight placed on companies with a similar business model to ours––namely, those that market and sell commercial biopharmaceutical products, generate substantial revenue from such commercial activities and invest significantly in R&D and manufacturing—and with less of a focus placed on market capitalization. In this context, the Compensation Committee excluded from our peer group biopharmaceutical companies with business models that are dissimilar to ours, such as those that focus on over-the-counter and generic pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics or veterinary pharmaceuticals, as we do not compete for executive talent with these companies and including them within our peer group could disadvantage us in attracting and retaining leadership talent.
Following this review, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company was well-positioned in its then-current peer group and approved only incremental refinements to result in the final peer group used in making compensation decisions for 2024, as set forth in the table below under “2024 Peer Group”. In the second half of 2024, the Compensation Committee again reviewed the Company’s peer group and made incremental refinements in preparation for 2025 compensation decisions, as set forth in the table below under “2025 Peer Group”.
Use of Peer Group Data
At the direction of the Compensation Committee, the independent compensation consultant analyzes our peer group and other market data to prepare its executive compensation reports and recommendations each year. The timing of the Compensation Committee’s decision-making with respect to compensation for each of our named executive officers is as follows:
December |
Set performance pay targets and pay ranges for upcoming year |
January |
Review and adjust salaries for current year Determine prior year cash performance pay awards |
February |
Determine target equity award values and equity award mix for current year Determine achievements and any resulting vesting under completed long-term incentive plans |
The Compensation Committee’s philosophy is to generally target around the 50th percentile of the peer group for all elements of pay for our named executive officers. However, the comparative data provided by the compensation consultant is just one of many factors that the Compensation Committee takes into consideration in determining executive compensation. As discussed in detail in this CD&A, the Compensation Committee increases or decreases the variable elements of pay from the 50th percentile based upon actual individual and Company performance and other considerations.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 84
Executive Compensation Program Design and Key Elements
The Compensation Committee establishes the total target compensation opportunity for each named executive officer. The Compensation Committee believes that a mix of fixed and variable, short-term and long-term, and of cash-based and equity-based compensation is appropriate to achieve our executive compensation program goals and corporate objectives.
To align our named executive officers’ incentives with our business priorities and the interests of our shareholders, a significant portion of the compensation opportunity for our named executive officers is variable compensation, comprised of annual cash performance pay opportunities and long-term equity awards.
The table below describes the key elements of our 2024 executive compensation program.
|
|
Purpose |
Time Period |
Payment Form |
% of 2024 Total Compensation* |
Base Salary (page 86) |
▪ Provide a fixed level of compensation that is competitive within our industry and geographic locations to attract and retain executives |
Annual |
Cash |
||
|
Annual Cash Performance Pay (page 86) |
▪ Align executive officers with business strategy and motivate them to achieve short-term corporate objectives ▪ Reward executive officers based on performance against pre-determined targets during the year |
Annual |
Cash |
|
Long-Term Equity Incentives (page 93)
|
▪ Appropriately reward, recognize and retain key executive officers ▪ Align interests of executive officers with the Company’s long-term business strategy and the creation of shareholder value ▪ Provide executive officers with the opportunity to share in the future value of the Company that they are responsible for creating |
Annual vesting over four years
|
Time-Vesting Options |
||
Time-Vesting RSUs |
|||||
▪ Align executive compensation with specific milestones expected to drive value for our shareholders |
Three-year performance period |
Performance-Vesting RSUs |
* Total compensation includes the approved annual base salary for 2024, the annual bonus award paid for 2024, and the approved target value of equity awards granted in 2024; numbers may not sum due to rounding.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 85
Base Salary
In January 2024, the Compensation Committee reviewed and adjusted the base salaries of our named executive officers for 2024. In determining such adjustments, the Compensation Committee considered a number of factors, including peer group market data, the competitive market for executive talent in our industry and the geographic regions in which we operate, individual named executive officer responsibilities and contributions within the Company and the Compensation Committee’s competitive positioning philosophy.
Based on this review, the Compensation Committee determined that each named executive officer should receive an increase of 4.0% in their base salary for 2024, with the exceptions of Mr. Pops and Mr. Jackson, who the Compensation Committee determined should receive increases of 3.0% and 10.0%, respectively, to align their respective base salaries closer to the 50th percentile of the base salaries of executives in similar positions at our peer group companies. As such, the following were the approved base salaries for each of our named executive officers for 2024. There were no additional adjustments to the base salaries of our named executive officers during 2024.
Named Executive Officer |
2023 Base Salary |
2024 Base Salary |
% Increase |
||||||
Richard F. Pops |
$ |
1,178,970 |
|
|
$ |
1,214,339 |
|
|
3.0% |
Iain M. Brown |
$ |
575,000 |
|
|
$ |
598,000 |
|
* |
4.0% |
Blair C. Jackson |
$ |
650,000 |
|
|
$ |
715,000 |
|
|
10.0% |
David J. Gaffin |
$ |
639,000 |
|
|
$ |
664,560 |
|
|
4.0% |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
$ |
714,000 |
|
|
$ |
742,560 |
|
|
4.0% |
C. Todd Nichols |
$ |
574,000 |
|
|
$ |
596,960 |
|
|
4.0% |
* See the Summary Compensation Table on page 104 of this proxy statement for the actual amount paid to Mr. Brown for 2024, which was lower than the approved amount shown in this table due to his medical leave of absence for a significant portion of the year.
Annual Cash Performance Pay – Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
Each of our named executive officers is eligible to receive an annual cash performance pay award, the amount of which is determined by the Compensation Committee based on pre-determined performance pay targets and pay ranges for each named executive officer. The Compensation Committee works with management and the Board to set annual corporate objectives—including financial, operating, pipeline, strategic and corporate responsibility-related objectives—on which the Board believes the Company should focus during the year to achieve its strategic goals. Annual cash performance payouts are based upon the Company’s performance against these annual corporate objectives and, for executive officers other than the CEO, their individual performance in contributing to the achievement of such objectives.
2024 Cash Performance Pay Targets and Pay Ranges
The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves individual performance pay targets and pay ranges (in each case expressed as a percentage of base salary) for each of our named executive officers, taking into consideration comparable competitive market data for officers in similar positions at our peer group companies, and generally selecting performance pay targets around the 50th percentile of such market data.
In December 2023, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance pay targets and pay ranges for the 2024 performance period should remain at the same levels as the targets and pay ranges for the 2023 performance period for all named executive officers. As such, the following were the approved performance pay targets and pay ranges for each named executive officer for 2024:
Named Executive Officer |
2024 Performance Pay Range |
2024 Performance Pay Target |
Richard F. Pops |
0% to 200% |
100% |
Iain M. Brown |
0% to 100% |
50% |
Blair C. Jackson |
0% to 120% |
60% |
David J. Gaffin |
0% to 120% |
60% |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
0% to 120% |
60% |
C. Todd Nichols |
0% to 100% |
50% |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 86
2024 STIP Design In Line with Shareholder Feedback
We design our STIPs to incentivize employees to accomplish annual goals that we believe will meaningfully advance our corporate strategy and create shareholder value. The Compensation Committee recognizes the importance to our employees and shareholders of establishing objective, measurable goals and metrics. In designing the 2024 STIP, the Compensation Committee:
● |
established pre-determined objective quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess performance against each of the Company’s 2024 corporate objectives (see the section entitled “2024 Company Performance Assessment” beginning on page 88 of this proxy statement); |
|
● |
assigned relative percentage weightings (as shown in the graphic to the right) for each category of objectives, reflecting the Compensation Committee’s assessment of their relative importance in contributing to the Company’s overall business strategy and to shareholder value creation; and |
|
● |
assigned relative percentage weightings for corporate and individual performance for each named executive officer for use in the determination of their annual cash performance pay as follows: |
|
|
2024 Corporate Objectives
In December 2023, the Compensation Committee determined, and the Board subsequently approved, eight annual corporate objectives against which to measure the performance of the Company and our employees, including our named executive officers.
The 2024 corporate objectives were each set at a level that our Compensation Committee considered rigorous and attainable only with strong performance, and were designed to meaningfully advance our business strategy and, in so doing, contribute to the creation of shareholder value. Our 2024 business strategy focused on key drivers of shareholder value creation: delivery of strong commercial growth and profitability, planning for significant cash generation, advancement of our lead orexin development candidate and expansion of our neuroscience pipeline. Underpinning these priorities and our business strategy is our commitment to corporate responsibility.
As a result, our 2024 corporate objectives were as follows (with the metrics underlying these objectives set forth in greater detail in the table beginning on the next page of this proxy statement):
Financial and Commercial (50% weighting)
Neuroscience Pipeline (40% weighting)
Corporate Responsibility (10% weighting)
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 87
2024 Company Performance Assessment
The Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the Company’s performance against the 2024 corporate objectives served as the foundation for determining annual cash performance pay for our named executive officers. The following chart shows the Company’s performance against each of its 2024 corporate objectives:
Corporate Objective |
Metrics Used to Assess Performance |
Accomplishments |
Assessment |
Financial and Commercial Goals: 50% weighting |
|||
Develop long-term capital allocation strategy |
Together with the Financial Operating Committee and the Board, develop a long-term capital allocation strategy that contemplates retirement of debt, cash accumulation and business development transactions |
Developed and implemented long-term capital allocation strategy, including: ▪ Retired all outstanding debt (approximately $290 million) prior to its scheduled maturity ▪ Approved a $400 million share repurchase program in February 2024 and repurchased $200 million of our ordinary shares ▪ Ended the year with approximately $825 million in cash, cash equivalents and total investments |
Achieved |
Achieve 2024 financial guidance for annual EBITDA* |
Achieve annual EBITDA (earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization) from continuing operations in the range of $445 to $485 million, and an annual EBITDA margin (EBITDA from continuing operations as a percentage of revenue) of 30% |
Achieved annual EBITDA from continuing operations of approximately $452 million Achieved annual EBITDA margin of 29% * See Appendix B for a GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation of this financial measure |
Partially Achieved |
Grow use of each of VIVITROL, ARISTADA+ and LYBALVI among appropriate patients |
Achieve VIVITROL, ARISTADA* and LYBALVI annual net sales targets
+ References to ARISTADA net sales are inclusive of both ARISTADA and ARISTADA INITIO |
Generated annual net sales as follows: ▪ VIVITROL annual net sales of $457.3 million, exceeding the high end of our financial guidance by over $25 million ▪ ARISTADA annual net sales of $346.2 million, slightly below the $350 million midpoint of our financial guidance ▪ LYBALVI annual net sales of $280 million, slightly below the $285 million midpoint of our financial guidance |
Partially Achieved |
Manufacture commercial products and clinical trial material to meet the Company’s goals of quality, quantity, reliability and efficiency |
Meet Alkermes proprietary commercial product demand from customers at a rate equal to or greater than 98% Develop and execute a clinical drug product supply/distribution plan to support effective overall study execution across clinical programs Receive no critical findings from inspections or audits by regulatory authorities (e.g., FDA, Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (“HPRA”) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) of the Company’s manufacturing facilities |
Achieved commercial order fulfillment levels in excess of 98% Clinical drug product was available as needed in support of all program requirements No critical findings received following multiple inspections by regulatory authorities of our Wilmington, Ohio facility and our Athlone, Ireland facility prior to its sale + In a short timeframe, successfully built and certified a new quality release infrastructure for products manufactured in Ireland, and successfully passed an HPRA inspection of this site |
Exceeded |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 88
Corporate Objective |
Metrics Used to Assess Performance |
Accomplishments |
Assessment |
Neuroscience Pipeline Goals: 40% weighting |
|||
Progress development program for ALKS 2680
|
Complete ALKS 2680 phase 1b proof-of-concept study, obtaining data in patients with NT2 and IH Initiate a phase 2 study of ALKS 2680 |
Completed phase 1b proof-of-concept study in patients with NT2 and IH and reported positive topline results for both cohorts + Initiated two phase 2 studies of ALKS 2680 (one in patients with NT1 and one in patients with NT2) in the first quarter and third quarter of 2024, respectively, with the latter study being initiated within months of announcing positive phase 1b study results and ahead of timeline expectations + Announced, and completed substantial planning activities for, a phase 2 study of ALKS 2680 in patients with IH |
Exceeded |
Complete initial preclinical assessment for the Company’s orexin agonist portfolio development program |
Complete predefined initial preclinical assessment for orexin agonist portfolio development program across prioritized symptomatic domains to generate data in support of further development |
+ Completed predefined initial preclinical assessment across prioritized symptomatic domains on an accelerated timeline, yielding extensive findings that exceeded initial expectations, supported nomination of an additional orexin molecule, and support further study of the Company’s orexin agonist portfolio In addition, the Compensation Committee noted favorably the Company’s comprehensive Investor Event in October 2024 highlighting its ALKS 2680 program and broader orexin agonist portfolio |
Exceeded |
Corporate Responsibility Goals: 10% weighting |
|||
Advance sustainability strategy initiatives in support of the business and continue to enhance external sustainability reporting |
Develop a roadmap for compliance with applicable sustainability disclosure regulations, including conduct of relevant assessments Take actions to optimize environmental sustainability across direct operations Establish platform to assess key suppliers’ capabilities in support of emissions reporting readiness Enhance transparency through disclosure against new voluntary framework Publish annual Corporate Responsibility Report or equivalent |
Developed, and began to implement, a roadmap for compliance with sustainability reporting regulations and related assessments Enhanced sustainability of direct operations, including through integration of sustainable design in infrastructure projects, contracting for new renewable energy sources and adoption of waste optimization initiatives Established sustainability ratings platform to assess key suppliers’ capabilities Published disclosure statement informed by Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures (TCFD) framework Published 7th Corporate Responsibility Report in August 2024 |
Achieved
|
Foster an environment of diversity, inclusion and belonging among our employees |
Enhance diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy through broad employee engagement in identified areas of opportunity among our employees, and earn positive employee ratings (>70%) in respect of such efforts Conduct activities in support of diverse and inclusive recruitment, development and educational initiatives, including through career fairs and development programs |
Implemented actions to address areas of opportunity, including employee recognition, talent development and adoption of more inclusive well-being benefits Achieved positive employee survey ratings of 73%-84% favorable Attended a variety of recruiting events, sponsored employee participation in multiple career development programs, and exceeded goal of hosting voluntary awareness and training programs to foster a positive workplace environment |
Achieved |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 89
2024 Company Performance Overall Assessment
In January 2025, the Compensation Committee considered the Company’s achievements against its 2024 corporate objectives and the relative weightings of the three categories of objectives, and determined an overall Company performance assessment of ‘ACHIEVED’.
Company Performance Payout Percentage
Taking into account the Company’s performance in 2024 against its corporate objectives, the Compensation Committee approved a Company performance payout percentage of 100% of target performance pay for all employees, including our named executive officers. Company performance serves as a significant factor in the Compensation Committee’s determination of individual cash performance payouts for our named executive officers.
2024 Individual Performance Assessments
In January 2025, Mr. Pops presented to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee considered, an assessment of the individual performance during 2024 of each named executive officer other than himself and a corresponding recommendation in respect of the proposed individual performance payout percentage for each named executive officer other than himself. The assessment included discussion of each named executive officer’s overall leadership of their respective functions and their respective contributions to the business and to the Company’s 2024 accomplishments.
Specifically, the Compensation Committee considered the following key contributions and achievements for each named executive officer (other than Mr. Pops):
Named Executive Officers – Individual Contributions in 2024 |
Iain M. Brown* Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
+ Coordinated extensive Company efforts related to the closing and audit of the Company’s 2023 financials, including discontinued operations reporting following the November 2023 separation of the Company’s former oncology business. + Contributed significantly to preparation for the Company’s annual earnings call and issuance of 2024 financial guidance, and supported preparations for, and actively participated in, the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and numerous investor interactions. * Mr. Brown was on a medical leave of absence for a significant portion of 2024; the above reflects his significant efforts and contributions prior to his leave. |
Blair C. Jackson Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
Strong oversight and management of the operations, quality, finance, business development, alliance management, new product planning, data analytics and information technology functions. ü+ Contributed significantly to establishment, communication and achievement of annual profitability guidance, including through disciplined investments and management of expenses. ü+ Acted as interim principal financial officer, overseeing Company financial activities and strategically deploying capital during an exceptional financial year, including execution of a share repurchase program and early retirement of the Company’s outstanding debt. ü+ Provided corporate strategic input and leadership in support of the design and advancement of pipeline programs and oversight of ongoing development activities, including advancement of the ALKS 2680 development program and execution of significant preclinical work to assess the Company’s orexin agonist portfolio. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 90
Named Executive Officers – Individual Contributions in 2024 |
ü Engaged extensively with shareholders and potential investors and assumed a leadership role in internal and external communications. ü Supported corporate responsibility initiatives through active oversight of operations in support of enhancements to environmental performance, preparation for compliance with sustainability-related disclosure regulations and work on the Company’s 7th annual Corporate Responsibility Report. |
David J. Gaffin Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
Strong leadership, oversight and management of the legal, intellectual property and compliance functions to provide strategic legal and compliance support across the organization. + Successfully managed potentially material adversarial and other third-party matters to achieve beneficial outcomes. + Collaborated cross-functionally on commercial activities related to market access, policy and pricing, including implementation of new processes and programs, resulting in significant savings for the Company. Worked closely with the Board and its committees on corporate governance and compensation matters, and achieved high levels of shareholder support on all company proposals at the 2024 Annual Meeting. Managed implementation of the Company’s share repurchase program and the early retirement of the Company’s outstanding debt. Contributed significantly to the successful closing of the sale of the Athlone manufacturing business, which resulted in significant operational efficiencies. Supported corporate responsibility initiatives through talent development activities, ERG sponsorship and active oversight of the Company’s sustainability reporting initiatives, including preparation for compliance with disclosure regulations and work on the Company’s 7th annual Corporate Responsibility Report. |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer |
Strong leadership of the R&D, clinical development, medical affairs and regulatory functions. + Contributed significantly to the expansion and advancement of the Company’s pipeline, on accelerated timelines, while maintaining disciplined R&D capital allocation, including: + Significantly advanced the ALKS 2680 development program, including completion of the phase 1 proof-of-concept study and the report of positive topline results in patients with NT2 and IH; initiation of the phase 2 studies in patients with NT1 and NT2 within months of announcing the phase 1b data and ahead of timeline expectations; and completion of substantial planning activities for a phase 2 study in IH; and + Completed pre-defined initial preclinical assessments for orexin development program across prioritized symptomatic domains, which yielded extensive findings that exceeded expectations and supported nomination of an additional orexin molecule and further study of the Company’s orexin agonist portfolio . Supported lifecycle management activities for LYBALVI and the generation of scientific communications for ARISTADA and VIVITROL. Supported corporate responsibility initiatives, with a focus on employee talent development efforts and support of mentorship and educational programming. |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 91
Named Executive Officers – Individual Contributions in 2024 |
C. Todd Nichols Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
Strong leadership of the commercial organization, including the sales and marketing, commercial operations, and market access functions. + Led commercial efforts resulting in the Company surpassing $1 billion in proprietary product net sales while maintaining operational efficiencies. Developed and led implementation of robust and disciplined cross-functional brand plans, resulting in sales growth and market share gains. + Significantly enhanced access profile for LYBALVI in the commercial payer channel. Sponsored human capital management objectives, including through participation in external talent development programs and implementation of employee engagement and retention initiatives to proactively mitigate risk in a competitive market environment. |
2024 Cash Performance Payouts
Performance Payout for CEO
In January 2025, in determining Mr. Pops’ 2024 cash performance payout, the Compensation Committee considered the Company’s 2024 performance and awarded Mr. Pops a performance payout equal to 100% of his performance pay target, consistent with the Company performance payout percentage as described above.
Performance Payouts for Named Executive Officers Other than the CEO
In January 2025, in determining the cash performance payouts for each named executive officer other than the CEO, the Compensation Committee considered overall Company performance against the 2024 corporate objectives (and the corresponding Company performance payout percentage of 100% of target), the individual performance of the named executive officer as set forth above, the performance pay targets and pay ranges for each named executive officer set by the Compensation Committee in December 2023, data from Alpine regarding cash performance pay for peer group executive officers, comparable market data for experienced executive officers in the biopharmaceutical industry and the recommendations of Mr. Pops with respect to cash performance payouts for each such named executive officer. In consideration of the foregoing, the Compensation Committee approved the following 2024 cash performance payout amounts for each of our named executive officers:
Named Executive Officer |
|
2024 Performance Payout Amount |
|
|
2024 Target Performance Pay as a % of Base Salary |
|
2024 Actual Performance Pay as a % of Base Salary |
|
2024 Actual |
|
Richard F. Pops |
|
$ |
1,214,339 |
|
|
100% |
|
100% |
|
100% |
Iain M. Brown* |
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
50% |
|
8% |
|
17% |
Blair C. Jackson |
|
$ |
471,900 |
|
|
60% |
|
66% |
|
110% |
David J. Gaffin |
|
$ |
398,736 |
|
|
60% |
|
60% |
|
100% |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
$ |
490,090 |
|
|
60% |
|
66% |
|
110% |
C. Todd Nichols |
|
$ |
298,480 |
|
|
50% |
|
50% |
|
100% |
* Mr. Brown was on a medical leave of absence for a significant portion of 2024. The 2024 performance payout amount awarded to Mr. Brown was in recognition of his significant efforts and contributions in 2024 prior to his leave. The percentages shown for Mr. Brown in this table are based on his approved base salary for 2024 without regard to the amounts actually paid to Mr. Brown during 2024 in base salary and benefits under our insurance plans.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 92
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation – Annual Grant
We utilize long-term equity awards to align executive compensation and performance, drive the advancement of our critical business objectives, promote the creation of long-term shareholder value, and reward, incentivize and retain our employees. Consistent with this approach, a significant portion of our named executive officers’ total annual compensation is in the form of long-term equity awards.
The Compensation Committee annually considers the appropriate mix of equity awards for our named executive officers. Since 2020, the Compensation Committee has incorporated PRSUs into the annual equity grants awarded to all employees at senior vice president level and above, including each of our named executive officers, to further enhance the link between pay and performance and align the interests of management with those of our shareholders.
2024 Equity Mix – Performance Awards for all Named Executive Officers
In February 2024, the Compensation Committee granted the following mix of performance-vesting and time-vesting equity awards to each of our named executive officers as part of our 2024 annual equity grant:
● |
for our CEO, approximately 53% of total target equity award value was in the form of PRSUs that vest, if earned, following a three-year performance period, with the remaining target equity award value comprised of time-vesting stock options that vest in four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date; and |
● |
for our other named executive officers, 25% of total target equity award value was in the form of PRSUs that vest, if earned, following a three-year performance period, with their remaining target equity award value comprised of 25% time-vesting RSUs and 50% time-vesting stock options, all of which vest over four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. |
2025 Change to Equity Mix. In February 2025, as part of the 2025 annual equity grant, the Compensation Committee increased the percentage of performance-based equity granted to each of our named executive officers (other than the CEO) from 25% to 33% of the total target value of their annual equity awards in order to even further align their interests with those of our shareholders. The Compensation Committee continued its practice of granting greater than 50% of the total target value of our CEO’s annual equity grant as performance-vesting equity.
2024 LTIP – PRSU Design In Line with Shareholder Feedback
In February 2024, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2024 LTIP to incentivize our senior-level executives to achieve long-term performance goals designed to drive value for our shareholders, and to provide our executives with the opportunity to share in the value they are responsible for creating. The Compensation Committee incorporated the following features into the 2024 LTIP:
● |
PRSUs subject to multiple objective, performance-based goals, with relative percentage weightings assigned based on their criticality to the Company’s business strategy and value creation; |
● |
a three-year performance period for achievement of each of the performance goals, with no vesting opportunity until after the end of the performance period; and |
● |
a relative TSR modifier tied to share price performance compared to the iShares Biotechnology ETF (also known as the IBB Index) over the three-year performance period. |
Performance goals and relative weightings aligned with strategic focus
In establishing the 2024 LTIP performance goals and relative weightings, the Compensation Committee identified goals for the upcoming three-year period tied to the Company’s long-term corporate strategy that it believed would be appropriately rigorous and challenging for the Company and that would contribute to the creation of shareholder value.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 93
Specifically, in the 2024 LTIP, the Compensation Committee incorporated the following goals, the achievement of which would require strong R&D performance, commercial growth, continued cost management, and a high level of effort and execution by our named executive officers:
We have not disclosed the specific performance goals and targeted levels of achievement, as they are confidential, and disclosure prior to the end of the performance period could lead to competitive harm.
Distinct from 2024 STIP performance objectives. The Compensation Committee deliberately differentiated the multi-year goals in the 2024 LTIP from the annual objectives utilized in the 2024 STIP to focus our named executive officers on achievement of distinct critical measures of short-term and long-term strategic importance, all of which are designed to drive value for our shareholders.
Vesting and TSR Modifier
Vesting of the 2024 LTIP PRSUs is subject to the Compensation Committee’s determination, following the end of the performance period, of the Company’s level of achievement against each of the performance goals, with corresponding potential payouts ranging from 0% to 150% of the target number of shares awarded based on the level of achievement.
To align executive compensation with shareholder experience, the number of vested PRSU shares is subject to upward or downward adjustment based on the Company’s relative TSR compared to the IBB Index over the three-year performance period, the impact of which is to increase or decrease the total number of vested shares underlying the PRSUs by up to 25%. Measuring our share price performance relative to an index serves to mitigate any impacts, positive or negative, that affect the biotechnology industry and/or share price performance more broadly and that are outside the control of our named executive officers.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 94
How Sizes of 2024 Annual Equity Grant Awards Were Determined
The Compensation Committee grants all equity awards to our named executive officers based on an aggregate target dollar value for each award.
Determination of 2024 Target Award Values
In February 2024, in determining the aggregate target dollar value of the annual equity awards to be granted to each of our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee took the following into consideration: (i) comparable peer group and market equity award value data provided by Aon; (ii) the criticality of each named executive officer’s skillset and expected future contributions to the achievement of the Company’s long-term strategy; (iii) the overall equity position of each named executive officer and the retentive value of such overall equity position given our share price; and (iv) the performance of the Company in 2023, including share price performance. For named executive officers other than Mr. Pops, the Compensation Committee also took into consideration the recommendations of Mr. Pops based on his assessment of their individual performance in 2023 and future expected contributions.
Based upon these factors and the determined 2024 equity mix described above, the Compensation Committee approved the following target dollar values for the annual equity grants to our named executive officers:
Named Executive Officer |
Time-Vesting Stock Options* |
|
Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Awards* |
|
Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Awards* |
|||||
Richard F. Pops |
$ |
4,488,000 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
5,055,800 |
|
|
Iain M. Brown |
$ |
1,350,000 |
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
|
Blair C. Jackson |
$ |
2,000,000 |
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
David J. Gaffin |
$ |
1,650,000 |
|
$ |
825,000 |
|
$ |
825,000 |
|
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
$ |
1,650,000 |
|
$ |
825,000 |
|
$ |
825,000 |
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
$ |
1,300,000 |
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
|
* Amounts approved by the Compensation Committee differ from those set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on pages 104 and 106 of this proxy statement, respectively, due to the SEC requirement to value the equity amounts reported in such tables at aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718, which, in the case of the 2024 PRSUs, is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation instead of the closing stock price on the grant date.
Conversion into Share Amounts
In accordance with our annual equity grant procedures, the target dollar value of each award is converted into a number of underlying ordinary shares using per share value based on the closing price of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant and, for awards of stock options, the Black-Scholes valuation model.
Based upon the factors and methodology discussed above, the Compensation Committee granted the following awards to each of our named executive officers as part of the 2024 annual equity grant:
Named Executive Officer |
Time-Vesting Stock Options |
|
Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Awards |
|
Performance-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Awards |
|
|||
Richard F. Pops |
|
274,328 |
|
|
— |
|
|
169,607 |
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
90,971 |
|
|
22,471 |
|
|
22,471 |
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
134,771 |
|
|
33,289 |
|
|
33,289 |
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
111,186 |
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
27,464 |
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
111,186 |
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
27,464 |
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
87,602 |
|
|
21,638 |
|
|
21,638 |
|
For additional information about these equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2024, see the 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table on page 106 of this proxy statement. These equity awards are subject to early vesting in certain circumstances as described in the 2018 Plan and in the section entitled “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” beginning on page 113 of this proxy statement. No other equity awards were granted to our named executive officers in 2024.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 95
2022 LTIP – Achievements and Payout
LTIP Design
In February 2022, the Compensation Committee granted PRSUs (the “2022 PRSUs”) to all employees at senior vice president level and above, including each of our named executive officers. Vesting of the 2022 PRSUs was conditioned upon the achievement of specified performance goals over a three-year performance period and subject to a relative TSR modifier tied to the Company’s share price performance in comparison to the IBB Index over the same period which could increase or decrease the total number of vested shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs by up to 25%. The performance period for the 2022 PRSUs ended on December 31, 2024.
The 2022 LTIP performance goals consisted of Commercial goals related to sales of the Company’s proprietary commercial products (30% weighting), Pipeline goals related to the Company’s lead development candidates at the time (15% weighting) and a Financial goal reflecting the Company’s then-operative long-term profitability target (40% weighting) to align executive compensation with the Company’s public commitment to R&D and commercial execution and managing the business toward long-term profitability.
As previously disclosed in our 2024 proxy statement, the performance conditions underlying the 2022 PRSUs were modified (i) in August 2023, to remove the pipeline goal related to the Company’s lead oncology candidate in advance of, and conditioned upon, the Company’s planned disposition of its oncology business in November 2023, under the rationale that the Company would, following such disposition, no longer control this asset or be able to influence the achievement of this goal, and (ii) in February 2024, to increase, and make more difficult to achieve, the profitability target comprising the financial goal under the rationale that, given the Company’s significantly changed circumstances since the goal was established, the original profitability target was no longer sufficiently rigorous or aligned with shareholder interests. In connection with the first modification, the Compensation Committee allocated the weighting associated with the oncology objective to the pipeline performance goals related to ALKS 2680. In addition, in connection with the second modification, the Compensation Committee replaced the original profitability goal (FY 2024 non-GAAP net income from continuing operations as a percentage of total revenue (“NGNI margin”) of 15% to 20% of total revenues, with stretch achievement equal to FY 2024 NGNI margin of 25% of total revenues or greater) with a new, more rigorous profitability goal (threshold achievement equal to FY 2024 NGNI margin of 27.5% of total revenue and EBITDA from continuing operations as a percentage of total revenue (“EBITDA margin”) of 25% of total revenue, and target achievement equal to FY 2024 EBITDA margin of 30% of total revenues).
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 96
Overall Payout
In February 2025, the Compensation Committee assessed the Company’s performance against each of the pre-determined performance goals set forth in the 2022 LTIP over the three-year performance period and, based on Company performance, determined a payout of 77.32% of the total target number of shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs. After application of the relative TSR modifier set forth in the 2022 LTIP, the Compensation Committee determined an overall payout equal to 96.65% of the total target number of shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs.
2022 PRSUs Performance Goals |
% Weighting |
Achievement Level |
Total Vested (as % of goal category) |
Total Vested (as % of all PRSUs) |
Financial |
40% |
Between threshold and target performance, resulting in linear interpolation between the two |
80.8% of metric weighting |
32.32% |
Commercial |
30% |
Below threshold performance |
None |
0% |
Pipeline |
30% |
Stretch performance |
150% of metric weighting |
45% |
Payout (% of Target) |
77.32% |
|||
|
x |
|||
Relative TSR Modifier |
+/- 25% |
~80th percentile of the iShares Biotechnology ETF |
+ 25% |
1.25x |
Actual Payout (% of Target) |
96.65% |
Details of the determinations in respect of the pipeline, commercial and financial performance goals, and the calculation of payouts under the 2022 LTIP, are set forth below.
The financial goals underlying the 2022 PRSUs consisted of long-term profitability targets for FY 2024 of NGNI margin and EBITDA margin, as set forth below, with target achievement set as FY 2024 EBITDA margin of 30% of total revenues.
The Company ended the performance period in a strong financial position, having achieved record total FY 2024 revenues in excess of $1.5 billion and FY 2024 EBITDA from continuing operations of $452 million, resulting in achievement of an NGNI margin of 32% and an EBITDA margin of 29%. These performance levels reflect the Company’s strong execution and significant cost management achievements, but fell just short of the target performance level. In accordance with the terms of the 2022 LTIP, these achievements resulted in linear interpolation between the threshold and target performance levels and an overall payout for the financial goal of 80.8% of target, corresponding to vesting of 32.32% of the total target number of shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs.
Financial Goals (40% weighting) |
Payout Schedule |
Achievements |
Total Vested (as % of all PRSUs) |
FY 2024 NGNI margin and EBITDA margin equal to 25% and 27.5% of total revenues, respectively (Threshold) FY 2024 EBITDA of 30% of the Company’s total revenues (Target) FY 2024 EBITDA of 35% of the Company’s total revenues (Stretch) Achievement of a performance level between Threshold, Target and Stretch results in a payout that is linearly interpolated based on the level of performance |
Threshold -- 50% of metric weighting Target -- 100% of metric weighting Stretch -- 150% of metric weighting
|
FY 2024 NGNI margin+ of 32% of total revenues and FY 2024 EBITDA margin+ of 29% of total revenues + See Appendix B for information regarding this non-GAAP financial measure |
32.32% vested
(based on linear interpolation of achievement between Threshold and Target performance) |
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 97
The commercial goals underlying the 2022 PRSUs consisted of a compound annual growth rate goal as measured in months of therapy for each of ARISTADA (10% weighting) and VIVITROL (10% weighting) over the three-year performance period, with pre-specified threshold, target and stretch growth rates for each product, and a unit sales goal for LYBALVI (10% weighting) for any consecutive 12-months during the performance period, with pre-specified threshold, target and stretch growth goals.
The Compensation Committee determined that the Company did not achieve the commercial goals underlying the 2022 PRSUs. The compound annual growth rates, as measured in months of therapy, for each of ARISTADA and VIVITROL and the unit sales achievement for LYBALVI each fell below their respective threshold performance levels, resulting in no payout for this portion of the 2022 PRSUs.
The Company made significant progress in the advancement of ALKS 2680, its lead orexin 2 receptor agonist candidate, during the performance period. The Compensation Committee determined that the Company achieved both of the pipeline goals related to ALKS 2680 underlying the 2022 PRSUs, as set forth in the table below, resulting in a stretch level of achievement of the Pipeline Goals and vesting of 45% of the total target number of shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs.
Pipeline Goals (30% weighting) |
Payout Schedule |
Achievements |
Total Vested (as % of all PRSUs) |
Obtain positive data from ALKS 2680 phase 1 clinical studies and development activities (Target Performance) Initiate phase 2 study of ALKS 2680 (Stretch Performance)
|
Target -- 100% of metric weighting Stretch -- 150% of metric weighting |
Obtained complete set of positive data from ALKS 2680 phase 1b proof-of-concept study in patients with NT1, NT2 and IH in April 2024 Initiated phase 2 study of ALKS 2680 in March 2024 |
45% vested
(based on achievement of the stretch performance level) |
TSR Modifier Calculation (+/- 25%)
In February 2025, the relative TSR multiplier was applied to the total number of shares that vested in accordance with the performance and payout conditions underlying the 2022 PRSUs. The Company’s total shareholder return over the three-year performance period, as certified by Aon, was at approximately the 80th percentile of the iShares Biotechnology ETF, or the IBB Index, which, based on the payout schedule set forth in the 2022 LTIP, as shown in the table below, resulted in upward modification of the total number of vested shares underlying the 2022 PRSUs by 25%.
2022 PRSUs |
Performance Period |
Comparator Index |
At or Below 25th Percentile |
Between 25th and 75th Percentile |
At or Above 75th Percentile |
Relative TSR Modifier |
Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024 |
iShares Biotechnology ETF (the IBB Index) |
Reduced by 25% |
Reduced / Increased by 1% for every percent that the Company falls below / above 50th percentile |
Increased by 25% |
Company Percentile Compared to Comparator Index: 79.79th |
Resulting Modifier = Increase total vested shares by 25% |
The Compensation Committee’s assessment of achievement against the 2022 LTIP resulted in the following 2022 PRSU shares vesting for each named executive officer:
Named Executive Officer |
2022 PRSU Target Shares * |
|
2022 PRSUs Total Earned Shares |
|
||
Richard F. Pops |
|
197,249 |
|
|
190,640 |
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
25,418 |
|
|
24,565 |
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
35,586 |
|
|
34,393 |
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
33,474 |
|
|
32,350 |
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
35,586 |
|
|
34,393 |
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
25,418 |
|
|
24,565 |
|
* 2022 PRSU target share numbers reflect adjustments made to then-outstanding equity awards in connection with the separation of the Company’s former oncology business in November 2023, in accordance with the provisions of the 2018 Plan.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 98
Additional Compensation Information
Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines
Our Board members and “officers” (as such term is defined in Section 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act), including our named executive officers, are subject to our minimum share ownership and holding guidelines (our “Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines”). These Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines are designed to align the interests of our Board members and officers with those of our shareholders by encouraging our Board members and officers to have a meaningful financial stake in our long-term success. These Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines establish minimum required levels of share ownership value by position as set forth below:
* First measurement date is the date that is at least five (5) full years from the date of initial election to the Board or designation as an officer, as applicable.
For purposes of determining the value of shares owned by a Board member or officer under our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines, we include the value of all shares directly or beneficially owned by such Board member or officer and the value of all unvested time-vesting restricted stock unit awards held by such Board member or officer. Unexercised stock options, whether vested or unvested, and unvested performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards are not included in determining the value of shares owned pursuant to our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines. We assess compliance with our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines annually on the first business day of each year, using the 60-day trailing average closing price of our shares as of such date as the value of our shares for measurement purposes.
Our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines require that each officer of the Company retain 50% of the shares that they acquire upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards and/or the exercise of stock options (net of tax liability and any amounts used to pay exercise price, as applicable) until such officer meets their required level of share ownership value.
Compliance with the Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines is monitored by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined that, as of the measurement date of January 2, 2025, Mr. Pops and all other directors and officers subject to the guidelines were in compliance with their respective required share ownership value.
A current copy of our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines can be found on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy
We have two policies currently in effect related to the clawback and recoupment of certain cash and equity compensation, each of which is applicable to our current and former “officers” (as defined in Section 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act), including our named executive officers.
Our Clawback Policy, adopted in 2016 and last amended in May 2021, applies to certain cash-based compensation and equity-based compensation. Under the Clawback Policy, in the event the Board determines that (i) an officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that requires a material restatement of our financial results, and (ii) such fraud or intentional misconduct resulted in an incorrect determination that an incentive compensation performance goal had been achieved, then (iii) the Board may take appropriate action to recoup from such officer any equity-based incentive compensation awarded on or after March 23, 2016 and any cash-based incentive compensation awarded on or after May 19, 2021 that the Board determines had been paid to such officer as a result of such incorrect determination during the three-year period preceding the filing of such material restatement of our financial results. The Clawback Policy is applicable to all Incentive Compensation received by a Covered Executive (each such term as defined in the Clawback Policy) prior to October 2, 2023, the effective date of our Recoupment Policy.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 99
Our Recoupment Policy, which became effective in October 2023, is designed to comply, and be administered and interpreted in accordance with, Rule 10D-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. Under the Recoupment Policy, in the event the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the Company’s material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, the Company must reasonably promptly recoup the full amount of any Recoverable Incentive Compensation received by a Covered Executive (each such term as defined in the Recoupment Policy) during the applicable recoupment period (generally the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the accounting restatement) that exceeds the amount that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the accounting restatement. The Recoupment Policy shall replace and supersede the Clawback Policy with respect to all Incentive Compensation (as defined in the Recoupment Policy) received by a Covered Executive on or after October 2, 2023, the effective date of the Recoupment Policy.
Current copies of our Clawback Policy and Recoupment Policy can be found on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
Retirement Benefits
The terms of our 401(k) Savings Plan (“401(k) Plan”) provide for broad-based participation by our executive officers and eligible employees resident in the U.S. Under the 401(k) Plan, all of our U.S. employees are eligible to receive matching contributions from the Company. Our matching contribution for the 401(k) Plan for 2024 was as follows: dollar for dollar on each participant’s eligible compensation up to a maximum of 5% of such compensation, subject to applicable U.S. federal limits.
Other Benefits
Executive officers are eligible to participate in our medical, dental and life insurance employee benefit plans on the same terms as all other employees. We may also provide relocation expense reimbursement, which is negotiated on an individual basis with employees, including executive officers, in a manner consistent with our internal guidelines.
Executive officers are also entitled to certain benefits upon death or disability. Under our flexible benefits program, our executive officers receive long-term disability coverage that will pay up to 65% of their base salary, up to a monthly maximum of $27,500, during disability and, in cases of catastrophic disability, a supplemental amount based on their base salary. Also, under our flexible benefits program, we provide life insurance coverage for all of our eligible U.S. employees, including our named executive officers, equal to two times base salary, with a maximum of $1,000,000 in coverage paid by the Company. In addition to life insurance, U.S. employees, including our named executive officers, are also covered by accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefits, providing up to two times base salary in coverage paid by the Company, up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for accidental death or loss of hand, foot or eyesight. In addition, all U.S. employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in optional supplemental life insurance up to a maximum of $1,000,000.
Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits
We have a program in place under which each of our named executive officers receives severance benefits if such named executive officer is terminated without “cause” (as defined in each executive officer’s employment agreement with the Company) or resigns for “good reason” (e.g., a material diminution in their responsibilities, authority, powers, functions, duties or compensation or a material change in the geographic location at which such executive officer must perform their employment), subject to signing a general release of claims. Additionally, each named executive officer receives severance benefits if, within a period of time following a corporate transaction or a change in control, such executive officer is terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason.” The terms of, and the amounts payable under, these arrangements are described in more detail below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” We provide these severance arrangements because we believe that, in a competitive market for talent, severance arrangements are necessary to attract and retain high quality executives. In addition, the change in control benefit allows and incentivizes executives to maintain their focus on our business during a period when they otherwise might be distracted.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 100
Equity Grant Timing
In accordance with our annual equity grant procedures, annual equity grants (consisting of stock options, RSUs and/or PRSUs) to our employees, including our executive officers, are typically granted on a pre-determined grant date in February, which date is established by our Compensation Committee no later than January of each year and occurs after the announcement of the Company’s year-end financial results and at a time when the Company’s window to trade in Company securities has reopened (which generally occurs upon the close of the second trading day following the announcement of such financial results).
Our Compensation Committee or its designees also grant equity awards (consisting of stock options, RSUs and/or PRSUs) to employees at other times during the year in connection with significant personnel events, such as being newly hired or promoted. In accordance with our equity grant procedures, new hire and promotion equity grants are typically granted on our pre-determined monthly New Hire Grant Date (defined as the first Wednesday following the first Monday (or the first business day thereafter if such Wednesday is a holiday for which Nasdaq is closed) of each month).
For information about equity grants to our non-employee directors, including the timing of such grants, see the discussion in the section entitled “Non-Employee Director Compensation Program—Equity Compensation” on page 44 of this proxy statement. For additional information about our equity compensation plan, see the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on page 121 of this proxy statement.
Compensation Risk Assessment
Our Compensation Committee, based on its review and discussion of a risk assessment prepared by Alpine, concluded that the risks arising from our 2024 employee compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Our Compensation Committee believes that our 2024 compensation programs and practices encourage employees to remain focused on execution of our short-term and long-term strategic goals and contain a mix and design of elements that do not encourage our employees to assume excessive risk, including:
At the request of the Compensation Committee, Alpine also conducted a risk assessment of the Company’s 2024 annual cash incentive plan and 2024 long-term equity incentive plan, and determined there to be a low level of risk under both plans.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 101
Tax and Accounting Considerations
Under Section 162(m), compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1,000,000 per taxable year is generally non-deductible unless the compensation qualifies for certain grandfathered exceptions (including the “performance-based compensation” exception) for certain compensation paid pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 and not materially modified on or after such date.
Although the Compensation Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at a number of other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to provide compensation to the Company’s named executive officers in a manner consistent with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Compensation Committee also retains the flexibility to modify compensation that was initially intended to be exempt from the deduction limit under Section 162(m) if it determines that such modifications are consistent with the Company’s business needs. Under ASC 718, the Company is required to estimate and record an expense for each award of equity-based compensation over the vesting period of the award. We record share-based compensation expense on an ongoing basis in accordance with ASC 718.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 102
Compensation Committee Report
No portion of this compensation committee report shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act through any general statement incorporating by reference in its entirety the proxy statement in which this report appears, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this report or a portion of it by reference. In addition, this report shall not be deemed ‘soliciting material’ or deemed to be ‘filed’ under either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The Compensation Committee of the Board, which is comprised solely of (i) independent directors within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq Rules, (ii) outside directors within the meaning of Section 162 of the Code and (iii) non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section contained in this proxy statement and, based on such review and discussion, has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and/or the Company’s annual report for 2024.
Respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee,
Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. (Chair)
Nancy S. Lurker
Brian P. McKeon
Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D.
For more information about the Compensation Committee and its charter, see the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 103
Executive Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents and summarizes the compensation paid to, or earned by, our named executive officers for 2024, 2023 and 2022:
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
Change in |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
Total |
|
||||||||
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e)(2) |
|
|
(f)(3) |
|
|
(g)(4) |
|
|
(h) |
|
|
(i)(5) |
|
|
(j) |
|
||||||||
Richard F. Pops |
|
2024 |
|
|
1,214,339 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,640,820 |
|
|
|
4,044,445 |
|
|
|
1,214,339 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
10,131,193 |
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
|
2023 |
|
|
1,178,970 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,897,991 |
|
|
|
3,933,841 |
|
|
|
1,414,764 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
9,442,066 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
1,144,631 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,157,121 |
|
|
|
3,852,539 |
|
|
|
1,144,631 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,250 |
|
|
|
10,314,172 |
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
2024 |
|
|
256,715 |
|
(1) |
|
— |
|
|
|
1,154,409 |
|
|
|
1,341,196 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
2,819,570 |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
|
2023 |
|
|
575,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
997,141 |
|
|
|
1,261,808 |
|
|
|
359,375 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
3,209,824 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,160,755 |
|
|
|
1,284,189 |
|
|
|
302,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,250 |
|
|
|
3,312,694 |
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
2024 |
|
|
715,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,699,940 |
|
|
|
1,986,944 |
|
|
|
471,900 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
4,891,034 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating |
|
2023 |
|
|
650,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,495,711 |
|
|
|
1,892,704 |
|
|
|
507,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
4,561,915 |
|
Officer and Chief Risk Officer; Interim Principal Financial Officer |
|
2022 |
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,625,016 |
|
|
|
1,797,854 |
|
|
|
432,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,250 |
|
|
|
4,470,120 |
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
2024 |
|
|
664,560 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,395,582 |
|
|
|
1,639,227 |
|
|
|
398,736 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
4,115,355 |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, |
|
2023 |
|
|
639,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,316,222 |
|
|
|
1,665,586 |
|
|
|
498,420 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
4,135,728 |
|
Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
|
2022 |
|
|
614,201 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,533,595 |
|
|
|
1,682,506 |
|
|
|
446,400 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,250 |
|
|
|
4,291,952 |
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
2024 |
|
|
742,560 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,454,864 |
|
|
|
1,639,227 |
|
|
|
490,090 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
4,343,991 |
|
Executive Vice President, Research and |
|
2023 |
|
|
714,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,316,222 |
|
|
|
1,665,586 |
|
|
|
514,080 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
4,226,388 |
|
Development and Chief Medical Officer |
|
2022 |
|
|
693,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,625,016 |
|
|
|
1,797,854 |
|
|
|
415,800 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,250 |
|
|
|
4,546,920 |
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
2024 |
|
|
596,960 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,114,855 |
|
|
|
1,291,526 |
|
|
|
298,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
3,319,071 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to Summary Compensation Table
Included in the stock awards granted to our named executive officers in 2024 are PRSUs, which, in order to vest, require achievement of certain financial and pipeline performance conditions over a three-year performance period and are subject to a relative TSR modifier at the end of the performance period (the “2024 PRSUs”). For additional detail regarding the 2024 PRSUs, see the section entitled “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation – Annual Grant” beginning on page 93 of this proxy statement. The grant date fair value of these performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards was determined in accordance with ASC 718 based upon the then-probable outcome as of the date of grant as to achievement of each of the performance conditions underlying such awards and, due to the market condition component of the awards, was computed using a Monte
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 104
Carlo simulation. Assuming on the date of grant that the highest level of performance would be achieved, the fair value of the 2024 PRSUs as calculated in accordance with ASC 718 was $11,014,836, $1,471,710, $2,180,221, $1,798,720, $1,417,154 and $1,798,720 for Messrs. Pops, Brown, Jackson, Gaffin and Nichols, and for Dr. Hopkinson, respectively.
Additionally, the amounts in column (e) for 2024 include the incremental fair value, as computed in accordance with ASC 718, associated with the Compensation Committee’s determination in February 2024 that the Company partially achieved the financial performance goal underlying the PRSUs granted to our named executive officers in 2021 (the “2021 PRSUs”). This determination resulted in a deemed accounting modification in accordance with ASC 718, and under applicable SEC rules, the associated incremental fair value must be reported in column (e) for 2024. This incremental fair value was $703,548, $86,942, $118,563, $90,904, $86,942, and $150,186 for Messrs. Pops, Brown, Jackson, Gaffin and Nichols, and for Dr. Hopkinson, respectively.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 105
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table presents information on all grants of plan-based awards made in 2024 to our named executive officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Grant Date |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Grant |
|
|
Compensation |
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|||||||||||||
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
|
(d)(1) |
|
|
(e)(1) |
|
|
(f) |
|
|
(g)(2) |
|
|
(h)(2) |
|
|
(i)(3) |
|
|
(j)(4) |
|
|
(k) |
|
|
(l)(5) |
|||||||||||||
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
703,548 |
|
(7) |
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
274,328 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
4,044,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
161,851 |
|
|
|
303,470 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,826,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
4/11/2024 |
|
(6) |
4/10/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,756 |
|
|
|
14,542 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
110,562 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,214,339 |
|
|
|
2,428,678 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
86,942 |
|
(7) |
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,471 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
675,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
90,971 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
1,341,196 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,471 |
|
|
|
42,133 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
392,438 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
299,000 |
|
|
|
598,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
118,563 |
|
(7) |
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
33,289 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,000,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
134,771 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
1,986,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
33,289 |
|
|
|
62,416 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
581,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
429,000 |
|
|
|
858,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
90,904 |
|
(7) |
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
825,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
111,186 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
1,639,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
|
51,495 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
479,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
398,736 |
|
|
|
797,472 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
Craig C. |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
150,186 |
|
(7) |
Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
825,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
111,186 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
1,639,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
|
|
51,495 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
479,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
445,536 |
|
|
|
891,072 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
— |
|
|
2/8/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
86,942 |
|
(7) |
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,638 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
650,006 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
87,602 |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
|
1,291,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
2/26/2024 |
|
|
2/20/2024 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,638 |
|
|
|
40,571 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
377,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
298,480 |
|
|
|
596,960 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Notes to 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 106
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Employment Agreements. Each of our named executive officers has entered into a written employment agreement with us that provides for payment of base salary, eligibility for cash incentive compensation, participation in incentive compensation plans and employee benefit programs and potential severance benefits. For additional information regarding the base salaries, annual cash performance and long-term equity opportunities for our named executive officers, see the section entitled “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 75 of this proxy statement. For additional information regarding severance benefits provided under the employment agreements for our named executive officers, see the section entitled “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” beginning on page 113 of this proxy statement.
Base Salaries. For information regarding 2024 base salaries for our named executive officers, see the section entitled “Base Salary” on page 86 of this proxy statement.
Annual Cash Performance Pay Awards. Under our reporting officer performance pay plans, our named executive officers are eligible to receive an annual cash performance pay award based on the Company’s performance against its corporate objectives and, for named executive officers other than the CEO, the contributions of each named executive officer to the achievement of our corporate objectives and such named executive officer’s individual performance. For additional information regarding 2024 annual cash performance pay awarded to our named executive officers, see the section entitled “Annual Cash Performance Pay – Short-Term Incentive Plan” beginning on page 86 of this proxy statement.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 107
Equity Awards. Our 2018 Plan provides for the grant of stock options and stock awards to our eligible named executive officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants. In 2024, we granted to our named executive officers time-vesting stock options and time-vesting restricted stock unit awards that vest in four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date; we also granted performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards that, in order to vest, require achievement of certain financial and pipeline performance goals that are in line with our long-term business strategy over a three-year performance period and are subject to a relative TSR modifier at the end of the performance period. For additional information regarding our 2018 Plan, see Proposal 4 beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement and the summaries that follow, and for additional information regarding the equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2024, see the 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table and related footnotes above and the section entitled “Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation – Annual Grant” beginning on page 93 of this proxy statement.
As previously disclosed in our 2024 definitive proxy statement filed on April 15, 2024 (our “2024 Proxy Statement”), in February 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company partially achieved the financial performance goal underlying the 2021 PRSUs granted pursuant to the Company’s 2021 long-term incentive plan. This determination resulted in a deemed accounting modification in accordance with ASC 718 and incremental fair value attributable to the 2021 PRSUs, which amount was reflected in the Company’s financial results for 2024 and is reflected in the above Summary Compensation Table and 2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
As previously disclosed in our 2024 Proxy Statement, in February 2024, in light of the Company’s significantly changed circumstances since adoption of the 2022 LTIP, the Compensation Committee approved a modification to the financial goal underlying the 2022 PRSUs granted pursuant to the 2022 LTIP to make such goal more difficult to achieve, as described in the section entitled “2022 LTIP – Achievements and Payout – LTIP Design” on page 96 of this proxy statement. In accordance with ASC 718, such modification did not result in any incremental fair value attributable to the 2022 PRSUs.
No Option or SAR Repricing. Our 2018 Plan explicitly prohibits repricing of options and stock appreciation rights in any manner without shareholder approval, including canceling awards in exchange for cash or another award under the 2018 Plan, and we did not engage in any repricings during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Other Compensatory Arrangements. See the section entitled “Additional Compensation Information” beginning on page 99 of this proxy statement for a description of other compensatory arrangements and policies applicable to our named executive officers, including our Share Ownership and Holding Guidelines, our Clawback Policy, our Recoupment Policy and our retirement and other benefits.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 108
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Year End
The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2024.
|
|
Option Awards* |
|
|
Stock Awards* |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Market Value of |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|||||||||
(a) |
|
(b)(1) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e) |
|
|
(f)(2) |
|
|
(g)(3) |
|
|
(h)(13) |
|
|
(i) |
|
|
(j)(13) |
|
|||||||||
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
190,640 |
|
(9) |
|
5,482,806 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
136,093 |
|
(10) |
|
3,914,035 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
127,205 |
|
(11) |
|
3,658,416 |
|
|
|
|
203,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
69.83 |
|
|
2/26/2025 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
305,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.64 |
|
|
2/28/2026 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
203,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
53.50 |
|
|
2/17/2027 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
300,899 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65.94 |
|
|
2/16/2028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
123,419 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
389,844 |
|
(12) |
|
31.93 |
|
|
2/21/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
365,634 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
261,772 |
|
|
|
87,258 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
152,512 |
|
|
|
152,512 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
72,642 |
|
|
|
217,928 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
274,328 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,109 |
|
(4) |
|
204,455 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,709 |
|
(5) |
|
365,511 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,475 |
|
(7) |
|
502,581 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22,471 |
|
(8) |
|
646,266 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24,565 |
|
(9) |
|
706,489 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,475 |
|
(10) |
|
502,581 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,853 |
|
(11) |
|
484,692 |
|
|
|
|
18,104 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
69.83 |
|
|
2/26/2025 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
36,719 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.64 |
|
|
2/28/2026 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
40,799 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
53.50 |
|
|
2/17/2027 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
38,759 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65.94 |
|
|
2/16/2028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
75,989 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.93 |
|
|
2/21/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
78,287 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
87,021 |
|
|
|
29,007 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
23,300 |
|
|
|
69,902 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
90,971 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9,694 |
|
(4) |
|
278,799 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,793 |
|
(5) |
|
511,727 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26,214 |
|
(7) |
|
753,915 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
33,289 |
|
(8) |
|
957,392 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,393 |
|
(9) |
|
989,143 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26,212 |
|
(10) |
|
753,857 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24,967 |
|
(11) |
|
718,051 |
|
|
|
|
23,969 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
69.83 |
|
|
2/26/2025 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
45,899 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.64 |
|
|
2/28/2026 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
35,699 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
53.50 |
|
|
2/17/2027 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
38,759 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65.94 |
|
|
2/16/2028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
75,989 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.93 |
|
|
2/21/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
78,287 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
118,665 |
|
|
|
39,556 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
71,172 |
|
|
|
71,172 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
34,950 |
|
|
|
104,853 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
134,771 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 109
|
|
Option Awards* |
|
|
Stock Awards* |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Market Value of |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|||||||||
(a) |
|
(b)(1) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e) |
|
|
(f)(2) |
|
|
(g)(3) |
|
|
(h)(13) |
|
|
(i) |
|
|
(j)(13) |
|
|||||||||
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,432 |
|
(4) |
|
213,744 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,709 |
|
(5) |
|
365,511 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,029 |
|
(6) |
|
115,874 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,068 |
|
(7) |
|
663,436 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
(8) |
|
789,865 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
32,350 |
|
(9) |
|
930,386 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,067 |
|
(10) |
|
663,407 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20,598 |
|
(11) |
|
592,398 |
|
|
|
|
18,104 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
69.83 |
|
|
2/26/2025 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
36,719 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.64 |
|
|
2/28/2026 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
40,799 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
53.50 |
|
|
2/17/2027 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
55,589 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65.94 |
|
|
2/16/2028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
108,833 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.93 |
|
|
2/21/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
120,040 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
90,977 |
|
|
|
30,326 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
14,694 |
|
|
|
14,694 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.82 |
|
|
8/3/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
30,756 |
|
|
|
92,271 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
111,186 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,279 |
|
(4) |
|
353,144 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,793 |
|
(5) |
|
511,727 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,068 |
|
(7) |
|
663,436 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,464 |
|
(8) |
|
789,865 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,393 |
|
(9) |
|
989,143 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,067 |
|
(10) |
|
663,407 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20,598 |
|
(11) |
|
592,398 |
|
|
|
|
81,599 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
58.40 |
|
|
6/7/2027 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
55,589 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65.94 |
|
|
2/16/2028 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
108,833 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31.93 |
|
|
2/21/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
116,722 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
138,219 |
|
|
|
50,104 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
59,128 |
|
|
|
71,172 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
18,345 |
|
|
|
92,271 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
111,186 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7,109 |
|
(4) |
|
204,455 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,709 |
|
(5) |
|
365,511 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,223 |
|
(7) |
|
552,853 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
21,638 |
|
(8) |
|
622,309 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24,565 |
|
(9) |
|
706,489 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,222 |
|
(10) |
|
552,825 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16,228 |
|
(11) |
|
466,717 |
|
|
|
|
50,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
22.94 |
|
|
6/5/2029 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
45,212 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20.03 |
|
|
2/20/2030 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
87,021 |
|
|
|
29,007 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
2/22/2031 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
50,837 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.59 |
|
|
2/18/2032 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
25,630 |
|
|
|
76,892 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
26.82 |
|
|
2/23/2033 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
87,602 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30.04 |
|
|
2/26/2034 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
* For equity awards granted prior to the separation of the Company’s former oncology business in November 2023, the number of shares or units and/or exercise prices for the equity awards reported reflect the subsequent adjustments that were made to such awards in connection with the separation in accordance with the provisions of the 2018 Plan.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 110
Notes to Outstanding Equity Awards Table
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 111
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 112
2024 Options Exercised and Stock Vested
The following table presents information regarding option exercises and vesting of restricted stock unit awards for each named executive officer during 2024:
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
||||||||||
Name |
|
Number of |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Value |
|
||||
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e) |
|
||||
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
218,551 |
|
|
|
5,850,610 |
|
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
50,980 |
|
|
|
1,447,578 |
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
68,842 |
|
|
|
1,953,181 |
|
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
58,906 |
|
|
|
1,676,620 |
|
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
|
92,055 |
|
|
|
892,163 |
|
|
|
85,819 |
|
|
|
2,430,587 |
|
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
50,783 |
|
|
|
1,441,114 |
|
2024 Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
None of our named executive officers participate in, or have account balances in, qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us or defined contribution plans maintained by us.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Termination. If, during the term of a named executive officer’s employment agreement with us, we terminate such named executive officer’s employment without “cause” or such named executive officer terminates their employment for “good reason” (e.g., a material diminution in their responsibilities, authority, powers, functions, duties or compensation or a material change in the geographic location at which they must perform their employment) and such named executive officer thereafter signs a general release of claims, we will provide severance, as follows: to Mr. Pops, over a twenty-four-month period, we will pay an amount equal to two times the sum of (i) current base salary, plus (ii) the average of the annual cash incentive compensation received for the two immediately preceding years, and will provide for continued participation in our health benefit plans during such twenty-four-month period; and to Messrs. Brown, Gaffin, Jackson and Nichols and to Dr. Hopkinson, over a twelve-month period, we will pay an amount equal to the sum of (i) current base salary, plus (ii) the average of the annual cash incentive compensation received for the two immediately preceding years, and will provide for continued participation in our health benefit plans during such twelve-month period.
Change in Control. Under the employment agreements with our named executive officers, if, during the two-year period following a change in control, the employment of such named executive officer is terminated without “cause” or if such named executive officer terminates their employment for “good reason,” such executive officer shall be paid a pro-rata amount of their base salary for the year in which their termination occurs and a pro-rata annual cash incentive compensation (based upon the average of such executive officer’s annual cash incentive compensation for the prior two years) for the year in which the termination occurs. Additionally, such executive officer will receive a lump sum payment equal to: for Mr. Pops, two times; and for Messrs. Brown, Gaffin, Jackson and Nichols and Dr. Hopkinson, one and one-half times, the sum of their then-base salary (or the base salary in effect at the time of the change in control, if higher), plus an amount equal to the average of the annual cash incentive compensation they received for the two immediately preceding years. Messrs. Pops, Brown, Gaffin, Jackson and Nichols and Dr. Hopkinson would also be entitled to continued participation in our health benefit plans: for Mr. Pops, for a period of two years following the date of termination; and for Messrs. Brown, Gaffin, Jackson and Nichols and Dr. Hopkinson, for a period of eighteen months following the date of termination. These change in control payments are expressly in lieu of, and supersede, those severance payments and benefits otherwise payable if such executive officer is terminated without “cause” or if such executive officer terminates their employment for good reason, provided that such termination occurs within two years after the occurrence of the first event constituting a change in control and that such first event occurs during the period of employment of the named executive officer. Messrs. Pops and Jackson are also entitled to a “gross-up payment” equal to the excise tax imposed upon the severance payment made in the event of a change in control, if any payment or benefit to the executive, whether pursuant to the employment agreement or otherwise, is considered an “excess parachute payment” and subject to an excise tax under the Code. In 2009, we discontinued providing such gross-up payments to newly hired employees. Messrs. Brown, Gaffin and Nichols and Dr. Hopkinson are not entitled to a gross-up payment in the event of a change in control.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 113
Under the terms of our 2018 Plan, the Administrator has the authority to determine the conditions under which any award under such plan will become exercisable in the event of a change in control (referred to as a Sale Event in the 2018 Plan). For equity awards granted to our named executive officers prior to February 2023, upon a change in control, all such then-outstanding stock options would become vested and exercisable, all such then-outstanding time-vesting stock awards would become vested, and all such then-outstanding performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards may become vested and nonforfeitable in the Administrator’s discretion. For equity awards granted to our named executive officers from and after February 2023, in the event of a change in control, the vesting of any such awards would only accelerate if, within a two-year period following such change in control, a named executive officer is terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason.”
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 114
Potential Post-Termination Payments
The following table summarizes the potential payments to our named executive officers under various termination events. The table assumes that the triggering event occurred on December 31, 2024, the last business day of 2024, and the calculations use the closing price of our ordinary shares on December 31, 2024 as reported by Nasdaq, which was $28.76 per share.
Name and Payment Elements |
|
Involuntary |
|
|
Involuntary |
|
||
Richard F. Pops |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
4,988,073 |
|
|
$ |
6,267,771 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
17,650,236 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
38,266 |
|
|
|
38,266 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
5,026,339 |
|
|
$ |
23,956,273 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Iain M. Brown |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
928,938 |
|
|
$ |
1,724,344 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,387,054 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
28,070 |
|
|
|
42,106 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
957,008 |
|
|
$ |
6,153,504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
1,184,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,246,250 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,360,659 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
28,096 |
|
|
|
42,145 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,212,596 |
|
|
$ |
8,649,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
David J. Gaffin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
1,136,970 |
|
|
$ |
2,177,865 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,520,110 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
28,096 |
|
|
|
42,145 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,165,066 |
|
|
$ |
7,740,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
1,207,500 |
|
|
$ |
2,276,190 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,963,804 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
28,070 |
|
|
|
42,106 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,235,570 |
|
|
$ |
8,282,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
C. Todd Nichols |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash Compensation: Severance |
|
$ |
922,335 |
|
|
$ |
1,708,878 |
|
Equity Awards: Stock Options and awards (1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,469,984 |
|
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance |
|
|
29,884 |
|
|
|
44,827 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
952,219 |
|
|
$ |
6,223,689 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to Post-Termination Payments Table
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 115
Pay Versus Performance
The disclosure included in this section is prescribed by SEC rules and does not necessarily align with how our Company or the Compensation Committee view the link between Company performance and executive compensation for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our non-PEO NEOs. For additional information about our pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align executive compensation with Company performance, see our Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 75 of this proxy statement.
Tabular Disclosure of Pay Versus Performance
The amounts set forth below under the headings “Compensation Actually Paid to PEO” and “Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs” have been calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Use of the term “compensation actually paid” is required by the SEC’s rules and, as a result of the calculation methodology required by the SEC, such amounts differ from compensation actually earned, realized or received by the individuals and the compensation decisions described in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 75 of this proxy statement.
|
|
Summary |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed |
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(4) |
|
|||||||||||
Year |
|
Table Total |
|
|
Paid to |
|
|
Table Total for |
|
|
Non-PEO |
|
|
TSR |
|
|
Peer Group |
|
|
Net |
|
|
Continuing |
|
||||||||
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
|
|
(e) |
|
|
(f) |
|
|
(g) |
|
|
(h) |
|
|
(i) |
|
||||||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||||||
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||||||
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
James M. Frates |
Iain M. Brown |
Iain M. Brown |
Iain M. Brown |
Iain M. Brown |
David J. Gaffin |
James M. Frates |
David J. Gaffin |
David J. Gaffin |
Blair C. Jackson |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
David J. Gaffin |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
David J. Gaffin |
Michael J. Landine |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
Blair C. Jackson |
Blair C. Jackson |
Craig C. Hopkinson, M.D. |
|
Blair C. Jackson |
|
|
C. Todd Nichols |
Year |
|
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
|
|
Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for PEO |
|
|
Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO |
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO |
|
||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs |
|
||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 116
The amounts shown in the Inclusion of Equity Values column in the above tables are derived from the following amounts:
Year |
|
Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for PEO |
|
|
Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for PEO |
|
|
Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for PEO |
|
|
Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for PEO |
|
|
Total - Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO* |
|
|||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
Average Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Average Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|
Total - Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs* |
|
|||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
* The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.
Tabular Disclosure of Most Important Financial Performance Measures
The most important financial performance measures used to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs for 2024 to Company performance are set forth below. For further information regarding these performance metrics and their function in our executive compensation program, see our Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 75 of this proxy statement.
* See Appendix B for information regarding this non-GAAP financial target.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 117
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Financial Performance Measures
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphs to illustrate the relationship between the pay and performance figures that are included in the pay versus performance tabular disclosure above. In addition, the first graph below further illustrates the relationship between our TSR and that of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. As noted above, “compensation actually paid” for purposes of the tabular disclosure and the following graphs were calculated in accordance with SEC rules and do not fully represent the actual final amount of compensation earned by or actually paid to our NEOs during the applicable years.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 118
Pay Ratio
For 2024, the annual total compensation for our CEO, including the value of employer paid health care benefits, as discussed below, was $10,151,430 and for our median employee was $225,915 (also including the value of employer paid health care benefits), resulting in a pay ratio of approximately 45 to 1.
The annual total compensation for our CEO in this pay ratio disclosure differs from the annual total compensation amounts reflected in the Summary Compensation Table on page 104 of this proxy statement because we included the value of employer paid health care benefits (estimated for our CEO and eligible dependents at $20,237) in order to produce a more representative disclosure of our employees’ compensation. We also added the value of employer paid health care benefits to the median compensated employee’s compensation for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure. The annual total compensation for our median compensated employee does not represent an average of the compensation paid to our employees, but rather it is the compensation paid to the particular employee identified as our median employee.
We identified the median employee for 2024 by (i) aggregating for each applicable employee (A) base salary as of October 1, 2024 (or wages multiplied by annual work schedule, for hourly employees), (B) the target bonus for 2024 and (C) the estimated fair value of any equity awards granted during 2024, and (ii) ranking this annual compensation measure for our employees from lowest to highest. This methodology resulted in the identification of an employee hired in August 2024 as the median employee who, based upon their start date, would be eligible for a significantly prorated bonus for 2024; for this reason, we identified the next closest employee to the median who would have been eligible for a more representative 2024 bonus and whose compensation was therefore viewed by us as more representative of our general compensation practices.
This calculation was performed for 1,726 individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us on October 1, 2024, whether employed on a full-time or part-time basis. In order to present a more accurate representation of comparative annual compensation, we annualized compensation for any employees that were only employed for part of 2024, and converted amounts paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on October 1, 2024. No employees located in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. were excluded from the calculation under the regulation’s de minimis exemption.
This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K (the “Rule”). In light of the numerous different methodologies, assumptions, adjustments and estimates that companies may apply in compliance with the Rule, this information should not be used as a basis for comparison between different companies.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 119
Policies and Procedures Concerning Related Person Transactions
The Audit and Risk Committee, pursuant to its written charter adopted by the Board, a current copy of which can be found on the Corporate Governance page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com, is responsible for reviewing all transactions with related persons, including transactions that would be required to be disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules.
Following the end of each calendar quarter, we ask our directors and executive officers to disclose a list of their “related parties;” this practice is not pursuant to a written policy or procedure. Related parties are defined as any public, private, for profit, or non-profit company or organization of which they or their immediate family member is an officer, director or 10% or greater shareholder. All reported “related parties” are sent to our Finance department, which checks such related parties against transactions of the Company in that prior quarter. At each Audit and Risk Committee meeting held to review our quarterly financial results, any transactions between a reported related party and the Company are reported to the Audit and Risk Committee for its review and, if deemed necessary by the Audit and Risk Committee in its sole discretion, approval.
In addition, under our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, each of our directors, officers and employees is required to promptly disclose any matter that they believe might raise doubt regarding their ability to act objectively and in the Company’s best interest and, in certain circumstances, receive approval for such matters, as described in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Under our Articles of Association and in accordance with the Companies Act, each of our directors is required to declare to the Board any interest that they have, whether direct or indirect, in any contract, transaction or arrangement or any proposed contract, transaction or arrangement with the Company.
[Since January 1, 2024, we have not engaged in any transactions, nor are any such transactions currently proposed, in which we were a participant and the amount involved exceeded $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.]
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 120
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2024 about:
Plan Category |
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Number of |
|
|||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
17,478,619 |
|
|
$ |
31.73 |
|
|
|
17,917,446 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement 121
Other Information
Other Business
The Board does not intend to present at the Annual Meeting any business other than that set forth in this proxy statement. If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting which under applicable proxy regulations need not be included in this proxy statement or which the Board did not know a reasonable time before this solicitation would be presented, and if such matter is permitted as a matter of Irish law, the persons identified as the named proxy holders in the accompanying proxy card will have authority to vote proxies with respect to such matter in their discretion.
Shareholder Proposals for the Company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Our shareholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder action at shareholder meetings in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. For such Rule 14a-8 proposals to be included in our proxy materials relating to our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders, all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-8 must be satisfied and, pursuant to Rule 14a-8, such proposals must be received by us no later than [], 2025. However, if the date of our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders is changed such that it is more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the Annual Meeting, then the deadline will be a reasonable time prior to the time that we begin to print and mail proxy materials for our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders. Such shareholder proposals must be delivered to the attention of our Company Secretary at the Company’s registered office at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary. In addition to the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC, shareholder proposals must be a proper subject for shareholder action under Irish law and our Articles of Association to be included in our proxy materials.
Procedure for Recommendations by Shareholders of Director Nominees
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders for nomination by the Board for election at an annual general meeting of shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend individuals for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board may do so only by delivering a written recommendation to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary, with the director candidate’s name, biographical information and qualifications, and a document providing evidence of the director candidate’s willingness to serve if elected.
Procedure for Nomination by Shareholders of Director Nominees
The above procedure applies to recommendations by shareholders of director candidates to be nominated by the Board. Shareholders who instead desire to nominate on their own behalf one or more persons for election to the Board at an annual general meeting of shareholders must comply with the deadlines and other requirements set forth in the Company’s Articles of Association in respect of shareholder nominations, including the applicable notice, information and consent provisions. Pursuant to our Articles of Association, nominations by our shareholders of persons for election to the Board at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders must be received by our Company Secretary between [], 2025 and [], 2025; provided, however, that in the event that the date of our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders is changed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary date of the Annual Meeting, notice must be delivered no earlier than 180 days prior to, nor later than 120 days prior to, our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders is first made.
In addition to the applicable notice requirements under our Articles of Association described in the preceding paragraph, in order to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules, shareholders who desire to nominate one or more persons for election to the Board at our 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders must provide notice to the Company by the same deadline noted in the preceding paragraph and such notice must comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act.
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Independent Auditor and Accounting Firm
PwC, our independent auditor and accounting firm, audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company for 2024. One or more representatives of PwC is expected to attend the Annual Meeting. Such representative(s) will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Expenses and Solicitation
The costs of proxy solicitation, including expenses relating to the preparation, printing and mailing to shareholders of this proxy statement and other proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, will be borne by the Company. We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist us in the solicitation of proxies at an estimated cost of approximately $15,000. The Company will also reimburse banks, brokers and other nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with forwarding the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting to beneficial owners and obtaining beneficial owners’ voting instructions. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, proxies may also be solicited on behalf of the Company by our directors and certain of our officers and regular employees, whether in person, by mail, by telephone or by email or other electronic means, without any additional compensation for any such solicitation efforts. The Company may also solicit proxies by email from shareholders who are our employees or who previously requested to receive proxy materials electronically.
Delivery of Documents to Shareholders Sharing an Address (“Householding”)
SEC rules permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for notices of internet availability of proxy materials and other proxy materials with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of such notices or proxy materials, as applicable, addressed to those shareholders. This practice is also known as “householding.” In order to reduce the volume of duplicate information received at households and help reduce the costs and environmental impact of the Annual Meeting, a single copy of our proxy materials may be mailed to multiple shareholders who share an address unless we receive contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders sharing such address. We will deliver promptly a separate copy of our proxy materials to any shareholder who requests such separate copy by writing to or by calling our Company Secretary at:
Alkermes plc
Attention: Company Secretary
Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road
Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6
+353 1 772‑8000
If you or your household is receiving multiple copies of our notice of internet availability and other proxy materials and you wish instead to request delivery of only a single copy in the future, you may contact us as described above.
Presentation of Irish Statutory Financial Statements
Our Irish statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, including the reports of the directors and the independent auditor and accounting firm thereon, will be presented at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act in the form approved by the Board. There is no requirement under Irish law that such statements be approved by shareholders, and no such approval will be sought at the Annual Meeting. Our Irish statutory financial statements, including the related reports thereon, are available on the Annual Reports page of the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com. Shareholders may also request a printed copy of such statements and reports free of charge, by writing to our Company Secretary at Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Reports
Copies of our Annual Report are available to shareholders free of charge through the Investors section of our website at www.alkermes.com or by writing to Alkermes plc, Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6, Attention: Company Secretary.
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Registered and Principal Executive Offices
The registered and principal executive offices of Alkermes plc are located at Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6. The telephone number at these offices is +353 1 772‑8000.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. In some cases, these statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” or other similar words. Actual results might differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements because these forward‑looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings made by us with the SEC. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement or as of the date indicated in the forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement.
Incorporation by Reference
To the extent that this proxy statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing made by us under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the sections of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation Committee Report,” “Report of the Audit and Risk Committee” and “Pay Versus Performance” will not be deemed incorporated unless and except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such sections in such a filing. Such sections shall also not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or deemed to be “filed” with the SEC. Website references and links to other materials are for convenience only, and the content and information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and should not be considered part of this proxy statement or any other filing that we make with the SEC.
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APPENDIX A
ALKERMES PLC
2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended
SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS
The name of the plan is the Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and consultants of Alkermes plc, an Irish public limited company (the “Company”), and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company and its Subsidiaries largely depend for the successful conduct of their business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s future value will create a closer alignment of their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders, thereby incentivizing their efforts on the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company and its Subsidiaries.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
“2008 Plan” means the Alkermes plc Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended.
“2011 Plan” means the Alkermes plc 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended.
“2011 Plan Available Shares” means the 1,199,965 Shares that remained available for grant under the 2011 Plan as of the 2020 Annual Meeting (which Shares, as of the 2020 Annual Meeting, ceased to be available for grant under the 2011 Plan and became available for issuance pursuant to Awards under this Plan).
“2020 Annual Meeting” means the 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company.
“2024 Annual Meeting” means the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company.
“Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Administrator” means the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.
“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Cash-Based Awards and Performance Share Awards.
“Award Certificate” means a written or electronic certificate setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
“Companies Act” means the Irish Companies Act 2014, all enactments which are to be read as one, or construed or read together as one with the Irish Companies Act 2014 and every statutory modification or reenactment thereof for the time being in force.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-1
“Disability” means, with respect to a grantee, the inability of such grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Company on the basis of such medical evidence as the Company deems warranted under the circumstances. For clarity, any reference to “disability” or “permanent disability” in any Award Certificate shall mean “Disability,” as defined herein.
“Effective Date” means the date set forth in Section 18.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Fair Market Value” of the Shares on any given date for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, means the fair market value of the Shares determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Shares are admitted to quotation on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to the closing price reported by Nasdaq or such other exchange for such date. If the market is closed on such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which the market is open.
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Performance-Based Award” means any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted pursuant to Section 10.
“Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Administrator, including, but not limited to, the Company or a unit, division, group, or a Subsidiary) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are the following: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Shares, economic value-added, initiation or completion of clinical trials, results of clinical trials, drug development or commercialization milestones, collaboration milestones, operational measures including production capacity and capability, hiring and retention of key managers, expense management, capital raising transactions, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, shareholder returns, gross or net profit levels, operating margins, earnings (loss) per Share, sales or market shares, and any other measures of performance selected by the Administrator, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.
“Performance Cycle” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantee’s right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.
“Performance Goals” means the specific goals established in writing by the Administrator for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-2
“Performance Share Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire Shares upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals.
“Prior Plans Returning Shares” means any Shares underlying any outstanding awards granted under the 2011 Plan or the 2008 Plan, in each case that are forfeited, canceled, repurchased or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) from and after the 2020 Annual Meeting (which Shares, as and when they become Prior Plans Returning Shares, shall become available for issuance pursuant to Awards under this Plan, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the terms of the 2011 Plan or the 2008 Plan).
“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at such purchase price (which may be zero) as determined by the Administrator, Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
“Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an Award of phantom stock units to a grantee.
“Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the outstanding Shares are converted into or exchanged for securities of the successor entity and the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the successor entity immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (iii) the sale of all of the Shares to an unrelated person or entity.
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Share” or “Shares” means the ordinary shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means a right to receive the appreciation on Shares granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.
“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any subsidiary corporation of the Company, within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code.
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS
(a) Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.
(b) Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:
(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Cash-Based Awards and Performance Share Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of written (or electronic) instruments evidencing the Awards;
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-3
(v) subject to the provisions of Sections 5(a)(iii), 6(d) and 7(a), to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;
(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised; and
(vii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written and electronic instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company, Subsidiaries and Plan grantees.
(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to a subcommittee comprised of one or more members of the Board all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to employees who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of the Awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price, in the case of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and the vesting criteria for the Award. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time, but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.
(d) Award Certificates. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.
(e) Indemnification. Subject to Section 235 of the Companies Act, neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.
(f) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-4
SECTION 3. SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION
(a) Shares Issuable. The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to the sum of: (i) 53,447,405 Shares; (ii) 1,199,965 Shares, which is the number of 2011 Plan Available Shares; and (iii) the Prior Plans Returning Shares, as such Shares become available from time to time. For purposes of this limitation, the Shares underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, repurchased or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Shares tendered or held back upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding shall not be added back to the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, upon net exercise of Options, the gross number of Shares exercised shall be deducted from the total number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Shares purchased in the open market with proceeds from the exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be added to the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. In the event that a Stock Appreciation Right is settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right shall be deducted from the total number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, Shares may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that no more than 62,950,000 Shares may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options. The Shares issued under the Plan may be issued from treasury or otherwise.
(b) Effect of Awards. The grant of any full value Award (i.e., an Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of Shares available for issuance under Section 3(a), an Award of 1.8 Shares for each such Share actually subject to the Award and shall be treated similarly if added back to the number of Shares available for issuance when forfeited, canceled, repurchased or otherwise terminated as provided in Section 3(a). Any Prior Plans Returning Share subject to a full value award (i.e., an award other than a stock option or stock appreciation right with respect to which the exercise price is at least 100% of the fair market value of the shares subject to such stock option or stock appreciation right on the date of grant) shall be added to the number of Shares available for issuance under Section 3(a) as 1.8 Shares. The grant of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of Shares available for issuance under Section 3(a), an Award for one Share for each such Share actually subject to the Award and shall be treated similarly if added back to the number of Shares available for issuance when forfeited, canceled, repurchased or otherwise terminated as provided in Section 3(a). Any Prior Plans Returning Share subject to a stock option or stock appreciation right with respect to which the exercise price is at least 100% of the fair market value of the shares subject to such stock option or stock appreciation right on the date of grant shall be added to the number of Shares available for issuance under Section 3(a) as one Share.
(c) Changes in Shares. Subject to Section 3(d) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, share dividend, share split, reverse share split or other similar change in the Company’s capital shares, the outstanding Shares are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such Shares or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding Shares are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per Share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (iv) the price for each Share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Shares subject to the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional Shares.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-5
(d) Mergers and Other Transactions. In the event of a Sale Event, the provisions of this Section 3(d) will apply to each outstanding Award granted on or after the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Certificate for such Award, in any other written agreement between a grantee and the Company or a Subsidiary, or in any director compensation policy of the Company. For clarity, in the event of a Sale Event, the provisions of Section 3(d) of the Plan, as in effect immediately prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting, will apply to any outstanding Awards granted prior to the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Sale Event, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding Awards or may substitute similar awards for any or all outstanding Awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders of the Company pursuant to the Sale Event), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Shares issued pursuant to any outstanding Awards may be assigned by the Company to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company). For clarity, in the event of a Sale Event, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an outstanding Award, to substitute a similar award for only a portion of an outstanding Award, or to assume or continue, or substitute similar awards for, the outstanding Awards held by some, but not all, individuals. The terms of any such assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board or the Administrator.
(ii) Awards Held by Current Grantees. In the event of a Sale Event in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards, or substitute similar awards for outstanding Awards, then with respect to any such Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by grantees whose employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Sale Event (referred to as the “Current Grantees”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such Awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such Awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions or requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the greater of (x) the target level of performance or (y) the actual level of performance measured in accordance with the applicable performance goals as of the date of the Sale Event) to a date prior to the effective time of the Sale Event (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Sale Event) as the Administrator will determine (or, if the Administrator does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Sale Event), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Sale Event in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Sale Event).
(iii) Awards Held by Individuals other than Current Grantees. In the event of a Sale Event in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding Awards, or substitute similar awards for outstanding Awards, then with respect to any such Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by individuals other than Current Grantees, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Sale Event in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Sale Event.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any outstanding Award held by an individual will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Sale Event, the Administrator may provide that such individual may not exercise such Award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (x) the value of the property such individual would have received upon the exercise of such Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event, over (y) any exercise price payable by such individual in connection with such exercise. For clarity, such payment may be zero if the value of such property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the shareholders of the Company in connection with the Sale Event is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-6
(e) Substitute Awards. The Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards held by employees, directors or consultants of another corporation in connection with the merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances. Any substitute Awards granted under the Plan shall not count against the Share limitation set forth in Section 3(a).
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY
Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
Any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.
Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(a) Grant of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator in its discretion may grant Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to eligible employees, Non-Employee Directors, and consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the grantee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish. Each Stock Appreciation Right will be denominated in Share equivalents.
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share covered by a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price per Share of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.
(ii) Term and Termination. The term of each Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company), the portion of each Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right held by the grantee that is not then exercisable shall be immediately forfeited. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, the grantee may exercise the exercisable portion of his Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights until the earlier of three months after such date of termination or the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(iii) Vesting and Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become vested and exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date, provided they shall not be vested or exercisable for a period of not less than one year from the date of grant. A grantee shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right and not as to unexercised Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. The
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-7
Administrator may accelerate vesting during the minimum vesting period only in the case of a grantee’s death, Disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event, and otherwise may accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right at any time.
(iv) Method of Exercise for Stock Options. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company’s delegate, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. In the case of a Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, payment of the purchase price must be made by reduction in the number of Shares issuable upon such exercise, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise. If the Administrator determines not to use the above payment method or in the case of the exercise of Incentive Stock Options, then payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods:
(A) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(B) Subject to the consent of the Administrator and on the basis of such form of surrender agreement as the Administrator may specify, through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of Shares owned by the optionee. Such surrendered Shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date; or
(C) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure.
Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such Shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned Shares through the attestation method, the number of Shares transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested Shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
(v) Method of Exercise for Stock Appreciation Rights and Payment upon Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company’s delegate, specifying the number of Shares to be exercised. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right) of a number of Shares equal to the number of Share equivalents in which the grantee is vested under the Stock Appreciation Right, and with respect to which the grantee is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date, over (B) the aggregate exercise price of the number of Share equivalents with respect to which the grantee is exercising the Stock Appreciation Right on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Shares, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Administrator and contained in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Certificate.
(vi) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and any other plan of the Company or its subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-8
SECTION 6. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each Restricted Stock Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.
(b) Rights as a Shareholder. Upon the grant of a Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the voting of the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award and receipt of dividends (if any), subject to such conditions contained in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Shares are vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and (ii) certificated Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Shares are vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any dividends paid by the Company during the vesting period of any Restricted Stock Award shall accrue and shall not be paid until the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award have vested and if any such Shares are forfeited, the grantee shall have no rights to any such accrued dividends.
(c) Restrictions. Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. If a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company), any Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award that have not vested at the time of termination shall automatically, without any requirement of notice to such grantee from, or other action by or on behalf of, the Company or its Subsidiaries, be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a shareholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of unvested Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.
(d) Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock Award and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restriction period with respect to Restricted Stock Awards shall not be less than one year. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the Shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be subject to the Restricted Stock Award and shall be deemed “vested”. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in this Section 6, a grantee’s rights in any Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company) and such Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(c) above. The Administrator may accelerate vesting during the minimum vesting period only in the case of a grantee’s death, Disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event, and otherwise may accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Restricted Stock Award at any time.
SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Unit Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each Restricted Stock Unit Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restriction period with respect to such Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall not be less than one year. At the end of the restriction period, the Restricted Stock Unit Award, to the extent vested,
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-9
shall be settled in the form of Shares. To the extent that a Restricted Stock Unit Award is subject to Section 409A, it may contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order for such Award to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. The Administrator may accelerate vesting during the minimum vesting period only in the case of a grantee’s death, Disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event, and otherwise may accelerate the vesting of all or any portion of any Restricted Stock Unit Award at any time.
(b) Election to Receive Restricted Stock Unit Awards in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of a Restricted Stock Unit Award. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of phantom stock units (which may be fully vested) based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a shareholder only as to Shares acquired by the grantee upon settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with dividend equivalent rights with respect to the phantom stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine; provided that no payment of any such dividend equivalents shall be made unless and until such Restricted Stock Unit Award has vested, and if such Restricted Stock Unit Award is forfeited, the grantee shall have no right to such dividend equivalents.
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in Section 7(a), a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Unit Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company).
SECTION 8. CASH-BASED AWARDS
Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any grantee in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash or in Shares, as the Administrator determines. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in this Section 8, a grantee’s right in all Cash-Based Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company).
SECTION 9. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS
(a) Nature of Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Performance Share Awards independent of, or in connection with, the granting of any other Award under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be granted, the Performance Goals, the Performance Cycles (which, as defined above, shall not be less than 12 months), and such other limitations and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.
(b) Rights as a Shareholder. A grantee receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to Shares actually received by the grantee under the Plan and not with respect to Shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to receive Shares under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Performance Share Award Certificate (or in a performance plan adopted by the Administrator).
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-10
(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 15 below, in writing after the Award Certificate is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company).
SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS
(a) Performance-Based Awards. Any grantee who is selected by the Administrator may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator (which, for clarification, shall not be less than 12 months). The Administrator shall define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle (which, as defined above, shall not be less than 12 months). Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall performance of the Company or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. The Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Cycle to make adjustments deemed appropriate by the Administrator, including but not limited to, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of an individual (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries, or the financial statements of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.
(b) Grant of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a grantee, the Administrator shall select the Performance Criteria for such grant and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Administrator may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different grantees.
(c) Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Administrator shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Administrator shall then determine the actual size of each grantee’s Performance-Based Award, and, in doing so, may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award for a grantee if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.
SECTION 11. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS
(a) Transferability. Except as provided in Section 11(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, the grantee’s Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.
(b) Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 11(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer their Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to their immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-11
(c) Family Member. For purposes of Section 11(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.
(d) Designation of Beneficiary. Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.
SECTION 12. TAX WITHHOLDING
(a) Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall pay to the Company or its Subsidiaries, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any U.S. federal, state or local taxes, and non-U.S. or other taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to any Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or share certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.
(b) Payment in Shares. In connection with its obligations to withhold any U.S. federal, state or local taxes, and non-U.S. or other taxes from amounts paid to grantees, the Company or its Subsidiaries may make any arrangements that are consistent with the Plan as it may deem appropriate. Without limitation of the preceding sentence, the Company shall have the right to reduce the number of Shares otherwise required to be issued to a grantee (or other recipient) in an amount that would have a Fair Market Value on the date of such issuance equal to all such taxes as shall be required to be withheld by the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to any statute or other governmental regulation or ruling and paid to any U.S. federal, state or local, or non-U.S. taxing authority, or such other amount as may be permitted while still avoiding classification of the Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes.
SECTION 13. SECTION 409A AWARDS
To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
SECTION 14. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:
(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another;
(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing; or
(c) the transfer in status from one eligibility category under Section 4 hereof to another category.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-12
SECTION 15. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Board or the Administrator may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Certificate, no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(c) or 3(d), without prior shareholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation in exchange for cash or another Award. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Shares are listed or any other applicable rules, or to the extent approval by shareholders is determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders. Nothing in this Section 15 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(d).
SECTION 16. STATUS OF PLAN
With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Shares or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Shares or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 17. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof.
(b) Delivery of Share Certificates. Share certificates to grantees under the Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a share transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Shares shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a share transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company or any Subsidiary, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with any U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.
(c) Shareholder Rights. Until Shares are deemed delivered in accordance with Section 17(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a shareholder will exist with respect to Shares to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award; provided further that, to the extent the terms of any Award provide for the accrual of dividends, in no event shall any such dividends be paid until such Award has vested.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-13
(d) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation plans or arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option and Stock Appreciation Right exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.
(f) Forfeiture of Awards. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with the following, as applicable: (i) the Clawback Policy of Alkermes plc; (ii) the Alkermes plc Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy; (iii) any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law; and (iv) any other clawback policy that the Company adopts. In addition, the Administrator may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Certificate as the Administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired Shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause. No clawback, recovery or recoupment of compensation pursuant to any such policy or Award Certificate shall be deemed an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any plan of or agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary.
(g) Section 82 and Section 1043 of the Companies Act. The Company and any Subsidiary incorporated in Ireland may do all such things as are contemplated by the Plan except to the extent that they are prohibited by Section 82 and Section 1043 of the Companies Act. Nothing in this Section 17(g) shall prohibit anything which may be done as contemplated by the Plan by a Subsidiary which is incorporated outside of Ireland.
SECTION 18. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan was approved by the Board on March 29, 2018. The Plan became effective upon approval by the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company. No grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after March 29, 2028, which is the tenth anniversary of the date that the Plan was approved by the Board.
SECTION 19. GOVERNING LAW
The Plan and all Awards and actions taken hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.
SECTION 20. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
All disputes and differences arising out of the Plan or otherwise in connection herewith may be referred by the Company to arbitration pursuant to the procedures set forth in the applicable grant agreement of any grantee so affected.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix A-14
APPENDIX B
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
This proxy statement includes information about non-GAAP net income and EBITDA, financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Non-GAAP net income adjusts for certain one-time and non-cash charges by excluding from GAAP results: share-based compensation expense; amortization; depreciation; non-cash net interest expense; certain other one-time or non-cash items; and the income tax effect of these reconciling items. EBITDA represents earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization; earnings include share-based compensation expense.
The Company’s management and the Board utilize these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s performance. The Company provides these non-GAAP financial measures of the Company’s performance to investors because management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed with the Company’s results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, are useful in identifying underlying trends in ongoing operations. However, non-GAAP net income and EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP measures as indicators of operating performance. Further, non-GAAP net income and EBITDA should not be considered measures of the Company’s liquidity.
A reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP net income and to EBITDA, each as referenced in this proxy statement, is as follows:
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
Net Income from Continuing Operations — GAAP |
|
$ |
372,138 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
96,636 |
|
Depreciation expense |
|
|
27,432 |
|
Amortization expense |
|
|
1,101 |
|
Separation expense |
|
|
1,446 |
|
Loss on debt extinguishment |
|
|
719 |
|
Gain on sale of Athlone manufacturing facility |
|
|
(1,462 |
) |
Income tax effect related to reconciling items |
|
|
(3,945 |
) |
Non-cash net interest expense |
|
|
342 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Income from Continuing Operations |
|
|
494,407 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Loss from Discontinued Operations* |
|
|
(5,068 |
) |
Non-GAAP Net Income |
|
$ |
489,339 |
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
Net Income from Continuing Operations — GAAP |
|
$ |
372,138 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense |
|
|
27,432 |
|
Amortization expense |
|
|
1,101 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
(42,450 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
22,578 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
|
71,612 |
|
EBITDA from Continuing Operations |
|
|
452,411 |
|
EBITDA from Discontinued Operations* |
|
|
(5,790 |
) |
EBITDA |
|
$ |
446,621 |
|
*The Company determined, following the separation of its former oncology business completed in November 2023, that such business met the criteria for discontinued operations under ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations. Accordingly, the results of the former oncology business are presented separately as discontinued operations.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix B-1
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL TARGETS
This proxy statement includes references to certain non-GAAP financial targets, including non-GAAP net income margin (non-GAAP net income from continuing operations as a percentage of total revenue), EBITDA from continuing operations and EBITDA margin (EBITDA from continuing operations as a percentage of total revenue). These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Non-GAAP net income adjusts for certain one-time and non-cash charges by excluding from GAAP results: share-based compensation expense; amortization; depreciation; non-cash net interest expense; certain other one-time or non-cash items; and the income tax effect of these reconciling items. EBITDA represents earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization; earnings include share-based compensation expense.
ALKERMES PLC 2025 Proxy Statement Appendix B-2
C/O BETANXT, INC. P.O. BOX 8016, CARY, NC 27512-9903 Your vote matters! Have your ballot ready and please use one of the methods below for easy voting: Your control number Have the 12 digit control number located in the box above available when you access the website and follow the instructions. PRELIMINARY COPY SUBJECT TO COMPLETION -- MARCH 28, 2025 Alkermes plc Annual General Meeting of Shareholders For Shareholders as of March 14, 2025 Wednesday, May 21, 2025 1:00 PM, Irish Standard Time Alkermes plc offices, located at Connaught House, 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C5Y6 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! Please vote prior to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on May 20, 2025 (4:59 AM Irish Standard Time on May 21, 2025) Internet: www.proxypush.com/ALKS Cast your vote online Have this Proxy Card ready Follow the simple instructions to record your vote Phone: 1-866-813-1445 Use any touch-tone telephone (toll-free) Have this Proxy Card ready Follow the simple recorded instructions Mail: Mark, sign and date this Proxy Card Fold and return this Proxy Card in the postage-paid envelope provided Copyright © 2025 BetaNXT, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Alkermes plc (the "Board") The undersigned hereby appoints Christopher McLaughlin, Carol McNelis, Richie Paul and Thomas Riordan (collectively, the "Named Proxy Holders") and each or any of them, as the true and lawful proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes them, and each of them, to vote all of the shares of Alkermes plc (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Company's 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof (the "Annual Meeting") upon the matters specified in this proxy card (this "Proxy Card") and upon such other matters as may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting conferring authority upon such true and lawful proxies to vote in their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and revoking any proxy heretofore given. If the undersigned wishes to appoint as proxy any person other than the Named Proxy Holders, the undersigned should contact the Company Secretary. WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY CARD FOR EACH PROPOSAL FOR WHICH DIRECTION IS NOT GIVEN. In their discretion, the Named Proxy Holders are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. You are encouraged to specify your votes by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board's recommendations. The Named Proxy Holders cannot vote your shares pursuant to this Proxy Card unless you sign (on the reverse side) and return this Proxy Card. PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY CARD AND MARK YOUR VOTES ON THE REVERSE SIDE Copyright © 2025 BetaNXT, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved
Alkermes plc 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Please make your marks like this: THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE: FOR ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1 FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4, 5 AND 6 PROPOSAL YOUR VOTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS 1. To elect as directors to serve a one-year term until the Company's 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1.01 Shane M. Cooke 1.02 Richard B. Gaynor, M.D. 1.03 Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. 1.04 Nancy S. Lurker 1.05 Brian P. McKeon 1.06 Richard F. Pops 1.07 Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. 1.08 Frank Anders Wilson 1.09 Christopher I. Wright, M.D., Ph.D. 2. To approve, in a non-binding, advisory vote, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 3. To ratify, in a non-binding vote, the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor and accounting firm of the Company and to authorize, in a binding vote, the Audit and Risk committee of the Board to set the independent auditor and accounting firm's remuneration. 4. To approve the Alkermes plc 2018 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended. 5. To renew Board authority to allot and issue shares under Irish law. 6. To renew Board authority to disapply the statutory pre-emption rights that would otherwise apply under Irish law. FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR FOR Check here if you would like to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Authorized Signatures - Must be completed for your instructions to be executed. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your account. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing this Proxy Card.