DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
|
|
|
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|
|
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
þ
Definitive Proxy Statement |
o
Definitive Additional Materials |
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to
§240.14a-12 |
Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)
|
|
þ |
No fee required. |
|
o |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
|
|
(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined): |
|
|
(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
o |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
o |
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing. |
|
|
(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
3 West Main Street, Suite 201
Irvington, New York 10533
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 22, 2006
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc., a Delaware
corporation. The meeting will be held at The Hampton Inn, 200
Tarrytown Road, Elmsford, New York 10523, on Monday,
May 22, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. local time, for the
following purposes:
|
|
|
1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and
until their successors are elected. |
|
|
2. To ratify the selection by the audit committee of the
board of directors of Eisner LLP as Electro-Optical
Sciences independent registered public accounting firm for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. |
|
|
3. To conduct any other business properly brought before
the meeting. |
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 10, 2006.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that
date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D., Ph.D |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Irvington, New York
April 18, 2006
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE COMPANY, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
DIRECTORS, FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. THE
PROXY STATEMENT AND THE RELATED PROXY FORM ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED
ON OR ABOUT APRIL 18, 2006. YOU CAN VOTE YOUR SHARES USING
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
|
|
|
COMPLETE AND RETURN A WRITTEN PROXY CARD; |
|
|
BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE; OR |
|
|
ATTEND THE COMPANYS 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND VOTE. |
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
HOWEVER, TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE
URGED TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE ENCLOSED
FOR THAT PURPOSE OR VOTE YOUR SHARES BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE.
ANY STOCKHOLDER ATTENDING THE MEETING MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN IF
HE OR SHE HAS RETURNED A PROXY CARD OR VOTED BY INTERNET OR
TELEPHONE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
|
|
|
B-1 |
|
|
|
|
C-1 |
|
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
3 West Main Street, Suite 201
Irvington, New York 10533
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 22, 2006
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING
Why am I receiving these materials?
We sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card
because the board of directors of Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc.
(which we will refer to as the Company throughout
this Proxy Statement) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the
Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You are
invited to attend the Annual Meeting, and we request that you
vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. You do
not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares, however.
Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed
proxy card, or you may grant a proxy to vote your shares by
means of the telephone or on the Internet.
The Company intends to mail this proxy statement and the
accompanying proxy card together with the Companys Annual
Report to stockholders on or about April 18, 2006, to all
stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 10, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. On this record date, there were 10,850,704 shares
of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
|
|
|
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your
Name |
If on April 10, 2006, your shares were registered directly
in your name with the Companys transfer agent, American
Stock Transfer and Trust Company, then you are a stockholder of
record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at
the meeting or vote by proxy.
|
|
|
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a
Broker or Bank |
If on April 10, 2006, your shares were held not in your
name, but rather, in an account at a brokerage firm, bank,
dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the
beneficial owner of shares held in street name and
these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that
organization. The organization holding your account is
considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of
voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have
the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote
the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the
Annual Meeting. Since you are not the stockholder of record,
however, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting
unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or
other agent.
What am I voting on?
There are two matters scheduled for a vote:
|
|
|
|
|
Election of seven directors; and |
|
|
|
The ratification of Eisner LLP as the Company s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2006. |
How do I vote?
You may either vote For all the nominees to the
board of directors or you may Withhold your vote for
any nominee you specify. For each of the other matters to be
voted on, you may vote For or Against or
abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:
|
|
|
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your
Name |
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at
the Annual Meeting, or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy
card or via the Internet or telephone (see Voting Via
Internet or By Telephone below). If you vote by proxy,
your shares will be voted as you specify on the proxy card.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to
vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still
attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person if you have already
voted by proxy.
|
|
|
|
|
To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give
you a ballot when you arrive. |
|
|
|
To vote using the enclosed proxy card, simply complete, sign and
date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the
envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us
before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you
direct. |
|
|
|
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker
or Bank |
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name
of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a
proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials
from that organization rather than from the Company. Simply
complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is
counted. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must
obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent.
Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with
these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request
a proxy form.
Voting Via the Internet or by Telephone
Stockholders may grant a proxy to vote their shares by means of
the telephone or on the Internet. The laws of the State of
Delaware, under which the Company is incorporated, specifically
permit electronically transmitted proxies, provided that each
such proxy contains or is submitted with information from which
the Inspector of Elections can determine that such proxy was
authorized by the stockholder.
The telephone and Internet voting procedures below are designed
to authenticate stockholders identities, to allow
stockholders to grant a proxy to vote their shares and to
confirm that stockholders instructions have been recorded
properly. Stockholders granting a proxy to vote via the Internet
should understand that there may be costs associated with
electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access
providers and telephone companies, which must be borne by the
stockholder.
|
|
|
For Shares Registered in Your Name |
Stockholders of record may go the www.proxy.georgeson.com to
grant a proxy to vote their shares by means of the Internet.
They will be required to provide the Companys number and
control number contained on their proxy cards. Any stockholder
using a touch-tone telephone may also grant a proxy to vote
shares by calling
1-800-732-6167 and
following the operators instructions.
|
|
|
For Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or
Bank |
Most beneficial owners whose stock is held in street name
receive instruction for granting proxies from their banks,
brokers or other agents, rather than the Companys proxy
card.
2
|
|
|
General Information for All Shares Voted Via the Internet
or By Telephone |
Votes submitted via the Internet or by telephone must be
received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on May 21, 2006.
Submitting your proxy via the Internet or by telephone will not
affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend
the Annual Meeting.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each
share of common stock you own as of April 10, 2006.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific
choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any
voting selections, your shares will be voted For all
the nominees to the board of directors and For
proposal 2. If any other matter is properly presented at the
meeting, your proxy (i.e., one of the individuals named on your
proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In
addition to these mailed proxy materials, we will bear the cost
of soliciting proxies by the board. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made
personally or by telephone or electronic communication by our
directors, officers and employees, none of whom will receive
additional compensation for these services, and by Georgeson
Shareholder Communications, Inc., who we have retained to aid in
the solicitation of proxies. We will pay Georgeson Shareholder
Communications, Inc. a fee of $6,000 plus expenses for these
services. We will also reimburse brokers and other nominees for
their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with distributing forms of proxies and
proxy materials to the beneficial owners of common stock.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are
registered in more than one name or are registered in different
accounts. Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to
ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote
at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you
may revoke your proxy in any one of four ways:
|
|
|
|
|
You may issue a proxy with a later date. |
|
|
|
You may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy
to the Companys Secretary at 3 West Main Street,
Suite 201, Irvington, New York 10533. |
|
|
|
You may vote by telephone or the Internet. |
|
|
|
You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply
attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or
agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your
broker or bank.
When are stockholder proposals due for next years
Annual Meeting?
Under Rule 14a-8
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, stockholders of the Company may present proper
proposals for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement
and for consideration at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders
by submitting their proposals to the Company in
3
a timely manner. In order to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement distributed to stockholders prior to the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders in the year 2007, a stockholder proposal
must be received by the Company no later than December 19,
2006 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of
Rule 14a-8. In
order to be considered for presentation at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in the year 2007, although not included in the
proxy statement, a stockholder proposal or nomination(s) must
comply with the requirements of the Companys Bylaws and be
received by the Company no later than the close of business on
February 21, 2007 and no earlier than the close on business
on January 22, 2007; provided, however, that in the event
that the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting is more than thirty
(30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after
May 22, 2007, notice by the stockholder to be timely must
be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the
one hundred and twentieth
(120th)
day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth
(90th)
day prior to such Annual Meeting or the close of business on the
tenth
(10th)
day following the day on which public announcement of the date
of such meeting is first made by the Company. Stockholder
proposals should be delivered in writing to Electro-Optical
Sciences, Inc., 3 West Main Street, Suite 201,
Irvington, New York 10533, Attention: Secretary. A copy of the
Companys Bylaws may be obtained from the Company upon
written request to the Secretary.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for
the meeting, who will separately count For and, with
respect to proposals other than the election of directors,
Against votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. In
addition, with respect to the election of directors, the
inspector of election will count the number of
Withhold votes received by each nominee. A
broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares
for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal
because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power
with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions
with respect to that proposal from the beneficial owner (despite
voting on at least one other proposal for which it does have
discretionary authority or for which it has received
instructions). Abstentions will be counted towards the vote
total for each proposal, and will have the same effect as
Against votes. Broker non-votes have no effect and
will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.
If your shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is,
in street name), you will need to obtain a proxy
form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the
instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct
your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions
to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to
discretionary items, but not with respect to
non-discretionary items. Discretionary items are
proposals considered routine under the rules of the Nasdaq
Capital Market (Nasdaq) on which your broker may
vote shares held in street name in the absence of your voting
instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not
give your broker instructions, the shares will be treated as
broker non-votes.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
|
|
|
|
|
For Proposal No. 1, the election of directors, the
seven nominees receiving the most For votes (among
votes properly cast in person or by proxy) will be elected.
Broker non-votes will count towards the quorum but will have no
effect. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their
votes for directors. |
|
|
|
Proposal No. 2, the ratification of Eisner LLP as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, must receive a
For vote from the majority of shares present and
entitled to vote either in person or by proxy to be approved. If
you Abstain from voting, it will have the same
effect as an Against vote. Broker non-votes will
have no effect. |
4
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A
quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote are represented by votes at the meeting
or by proxy. On the record date, there were
10,850,704 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you
submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your
broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the
meeting or by telephone or the Internet. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If
there is no quorum, the chairman of the meeting or a majority of
the votes present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting to
another date.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual
Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual
Meeting. Final voting results will be published in the
Companys quarterly report on
Form 10-Q for the
second quarter of 2006.
How can I obtain additional copies?
For additional copies of any of this Proxy Statement and the
enclosed proxy card and Annual Report to Stockholders, you
should contact our corporate office at 3 West Main Street,
Suite 201, Irvington, New York 10533, Attention:
Secretary, telephone (914) 591-3783.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There are seven nominees for the nine director positions
presently authorized by the Companys board of directors
and the Companys Bylaws. The names of the persons who are
nominees for director and their positions and offices with the
Company are set forth in the table below. Each director to be
elected will hold office until the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until his successor is elected and has
qualified, or until such directors earlier death,
resignation or removal. Each nominee listed below is currently a
director of the Company, having been previously elected by the
stockholders. Although there is no formal policy, the Company
encourages its directors to attend the Companys annual
meetings.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Shares represented by executed proxies will be
voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election
of the seven nominees named below. In the event that any nominee
should be unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected
occurrence, your shares will be voted for the election of such
substitute nominee as management may propose. Proxies may not be
voted for more than seven directors, however. Each of the
current directors has been nominated for and has agreed to stand
for election and management has no reason to believe that any
nominee will be unable to serve.
The following is a brief biography of each nominee for director,
including their respective ages as of March 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
|
|
| |
|
|
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Breaux Castleman
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Sidney Braginsky
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
Director |
George C. Chryssis
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Director |
Martin D. Cleary
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Director |
Dan W. Lufkin
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
Director |
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
Director, Acting Chief Operating Officer |
5
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D., M.B.A. has served as our
President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board
of directors since January 2004. From May 1999 to November 2003,
he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of
Antigen Express, Inc., a development-stage company developing
immunodiagnostics and therapeutics for cancer. Dr. Gulfo
serves as a director of ProCertus BioPharm, Inc., a
privately-held company. Dr. Gulfo received a B.S. in
Biology from Seton Hall University, an M.D. from the University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and an M.B.A. in Finance
from Seton Hall University.
Breaux Castleman has served as a member of our board of
directors and Chairman of our board since July 2003. Since
August 2001, he has served as President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of Syntiro Healthcare Services, Inc.
Mr. Castleman also serves as a director of FemPartners,
Inc. and Integrated Diagnostic Centers, Inc., each of which is a
privately-held company. From December 1999 to July 2001, he
served as Chief Executive Officer of Physia Corp. He served as
President of Scripps Clinic from July 1996 to November 1999. He
holds a B.A. in economics from Yale University and attended
New York University Graduate School of Business
Administration.
Sidney Braginsky has served as a member of our board of
directors since 2001. He also currently serves as the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Digilab, LLC (a spectroscopy
instruments manufacturer), Chairman of Atropos
Technologies, LLC, a director of Double D Venture Fund,
LLC, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sword Diagnostics, Inc.
and Micronix Pty Ltd. (an Australian medical device
company), Chairman of the International Standards Organization
U.S. Technical Advisory Group TC 172 on Optics
and Photonics, Chairman of the Board of the City University of
New York Robert Chambers Laboratory and Trustee on the Boards of
Long Island High Tech Incubator and the Long Island Museum of
Science and Technology. He formerly served as President of
Olympus America and Mediscience Corp. and Chairman of
Double D Venture Fund, LLC. Mr. Braginsky
received his B.S. in biology from Queens College.
George C. Chryssis has served as a member of our board of
directors since 2001. Since August 2003, he has served as
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of
MISTsoft Corp., a privately-held software company which he
founded. From June 1999 until their dissolution on
December 31, 2005, he served as the Managing Member of
Arcadian Capital Management, LLC and General Partner of Arcadian
Venture Partners, LP, a venture capital firm with investments in
early stage technology companies, including EOS. Since 2003, he
has also served as Chairman of the board of directors of DelCom
Corp., a privately-held telecommunications software company.
Mr. Chryssis received a B.S. and M.S. in electrical
engineering from Northeastern University.
Martin D. Cleary was appointed as a member of our board
of directors in October 2005. Since February 2003, he has served
as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Juvaris
Biotherapeutics, Inc., a company engaged in the development of
therapeutic vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases. From
September 1999 to May 2002, he served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Genteric, Inc., a company engaged in
non-viral gene delivery. Mr. Cleary received a B.S. in
accounting from Rutgers University in 1971, and a certificate in
international studies from Columbia University in 1973.
Dan W. Lufkin has served as a member of our board of
directors since July 2003. He is also a co-founder and former
Chairman of the investment banking firm, Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. Mr. Lufkin currently
serves as a consultant to and/or board member of a number of
private companies and non-profit endeavors. Mr. Lufkin
received a B.A. degree from Yale University and an M.B.A. from
Harvard Business School.
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D. was appointed as a member of
our board of directors in May 2005 and our acting Chief
Operating Officer in January 2006. Since 2002, he has owned and
operated Gerald Wagner Consulting LLC, an international
consulting company specializing in: international project
management; technology and application consulting; and company
assessments. From March 1992 to September 2003, he was a Senior
Vice President, Lab Testing Systems, at Bayer, Inc.
Dr. Wagner received a Masters and Ph.D. in
electro-mechanical design from Technical University, Darmstadt,
Germany.
6
Independence of the Board of Directors
As required under the Nasdaq listing standards, a majority of
the members of a listed companys board of directors must
qualify as independent, as affirmatively determined
by the board of directors. The Companys board of directors
consults with the Companys counsel to ensure that the
boards determinations are consistent with all relevant
securities and other laws and regulations regarding the
definition of independent, including those set forth
in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect time to
time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all
relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or
any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior
management and its independent registered public accounting
firm, the board has affirmatively determined that all of the
Companys directors are independent directors within the
meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards, except
Dr. Gulfo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and Gerald Wagner, Ph.D., the acting Chief
Operating Officer of the Company.
Information Regarding the Board of Directors and its
Committees
The Companys board of directors has an audit committee, a
compensation committee and a nominating and governance
committee. The following table provides membership information
for 2005 for each of these committees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Audit | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Nominating | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breaux Castleman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Sidney Braginsky
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
George C. Chryssis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Martin D. Cleary
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Dan W. Lufkin
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below is a description of each committee of the board of
directors. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal
counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate
to carry out its responsibilities. The board of directors has
determined that each member of each committee meets the
applicable rules and regulations regarding
independence and that each member is free of any
relationship that would interfere with his individual exercise
of independent judgment with regard to the Company.
The current members of our audit committee are
Messrs. Braginsky, Lufkin and Cleary, each of whom we
believe satisfies the independence requirements of Nasdaq and
the SEC. Mr. Cleary chairs this committee. We believe
Mr. Cleary is qualified as an audit committee financial
expert under the regulations of the SEC, and has the accounting
and related financial management expertise required by Nasdaq.
Our audit committee assists our board in its oversight of:
|
|
|
|
|
the integrity of our financial statements; |
|
|
|
our independent registered public accounting firms
qualifications and independence; and |
|
|
|
the performance of our independent auditors. |
The audit committee has the sole and direct responsibility for
appointing, evaluating and retaining our independent registered
public accounting firm and for overseeing their work. All audit
services to be provided to us and all non-audit services, other
than de minimis non-audit services, to be provided to us by our
independent auditors must be approved in advance by our audit
committee.
7
The charter of our audit committee is attached hereto as
Annex A.
The members of our compensation committee are
Messrs. Castleman, Braginsky and Chryssis, each of whom we
believe satisfies the independence requirements of Nasdaq and
the SEC. Mr. Castleman chairs this committee. The purpose
of our compensation committee is to discharge the
responsibilities of our board of directors relating to
compensation of our executive officers. Specific
responsibilities of our compensation committee include:
|
|
|
|
|
reviewing and recommending compensation of our executive
officers; |
|
|
|
administering our stock incentive plans; and |
|
|
|
reviewing and recommending incentive compensation and equity
plans. |
The charter of our compensation committee is attached hereto as
Annex B.
|
|
|
Nominating and Governance Committee |
The members of our nominating and governance committee are
Messrs. Lufkin, Castleman and Cleary, each of whom we
believe satisfies the independence requirements of Nasdaq.
Mr. Lufkin chairs this committee. Our nominating and
governance committee:
|
|
|
|
|
identifies and recommends nominees for election to our board of
directors; |
|
|
|
develops and recommends our corporate governance
principles; and |
|
|
|
oversees the evaluation of our board of directors and management. |
The nominating and governance committee will consider all bona
fide candidates for election of the board, and will consider any
stockholder nominations pursuant to the same criteria, provided
those nominated are submitted pursuant to the process described
in the Companys Bylaws and applicable law. To date, the
Company has not received any recommendations from stockholders
for candidates for inclusion on the committees slate of
nominees.
The charter of our nominating and governance committee is
attached hereto as Annex C.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees
The board of directors met 13 times during the last fiscal year,
including eight by conference call, and acted twice by unanimous
written consent. All directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the board held during the period for which they were
a director.
The audit committee and the compensation committee each met once
during the fiscal year. The nominating and governance committee
did not meet during the fiscal year. All directors attended at
least 75% of the meetings of the board committees on which they
served held during the period for which they were a committee
member.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
We do not have a formal policy regarding stockholder
communication with the board of directors. However, stockholders
of the Company may communicate directly with the board of
directors in writing, addressed to:
Board of Directors
c/o Secretary
Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc.
3 West Main Street, Suite 201
Irvington, New York 10533
8
The Secretary will review each stockholder communication. The
Secretary will forward to the entire board of directors (or to
members of a board of directors committee, if the
communication relates to a subject matter clearly within that
committees area of responsibility) each communication that
(a) relates to the Companys business or governance,
(b) is not offensive and is legible in form and reasonably
understandable in content, and (c) does not relate to a
personal grievance against the Company or a team member or to
further a personal interest not shared by the other stockholders
generally. Stockholders who would like their submissions
directed to an individual member of the board of directors may
so specify, and the communication will be forwarded, as
appropriate.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has adopted Electro-Optical, Sciences, Inc. Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers,
directors and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor
Relations section of the Companys website at
www.eosciences.com. If the Company makes any substantive
amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants
any waiver from a provision of the Code to any executive officer
or director, the Company will promptly disclose the nature of
the amendment or waiver on its website at the location and
address specified above.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS1
The audit committee oversees the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the board of directors.
Management has the primary responsibility for the financial
statements and the reporting process, including the systems of
internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the audit committee reviewed the audited
financial statements included in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 with management, including a
discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant
judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial
statements.
The audit committee is responsible for reviewing, approving and
managing the engagement of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm, including the scope, extent
and procedures of the annual audit and compensation to be paid
therefor, and all other matters the audit committee deems
appropriate, including the Companys independent registered
public accounting firms accountability to the board and
the audit committee. The audit committee reviewed with the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm,
which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity
of audited financial statements with generally accepted
accounting principles, its judgment as to the quality, not just
the acceptability, of the Companys accounting principles
and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the
audit committee under auditing standards generally accepted in
the United States, including those described in Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, Communication
with Audit Committees, and discussed and reviewed the
results of the Companys independent registered public
accounting firms examination of the financial statements.
In addition, the audit committee discussed with the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm the
independent registered public accounting firms
independence from management and the Company, including the
matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees. The audit committee
also considered whether the provision of non-audit services was
compatible with maintaining the independent registered public
accounting firms independence.
1 The material in this report is not soliciting
material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and
is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the
Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before
or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing.
9
The audit committee discussed with the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope
and plans for its audits. The audit committee meets with the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm,
with and without management present, to discuss the results of
its examinations, its evaluations of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting. The audit committee held one
meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the audit committee recommended to the board of directors (and
the board has approved) that the audited financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The audit committee has also retained
Eisner LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006.
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
|
Sidney Braginsky |
|
Dan W. Lufkin |
|
Martin D. Cleary |
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of the board of directors has selected
Eisner LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006, and has further directed that management submit the
selection of Eisner LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for ratification by the
stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Eisner LLP has audited the
Companys financial statements since May 2, 2005.
Representatives of Eisner LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if
they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Eisner LLP as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm is
not required by the Companys Bylaws or otherwise. However
the board of directors, on behalf of the audit committee, is
submitting the selection of Eisner LLP to the stockholders for
ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the
stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the audit committee
will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the
selection is ratified, the audit committee in its discretion may
direct the appointment of different independent registered
public accounting firm at any time during the year if they
determine that such a change would be in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
will be required to ratify the selection of Eisner LLP.
Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast
on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the
same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted
towards a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in
determining whether this matter has been approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.
10
Principal Accountant Fees
The following is a summary of the aggregate fees billed to the
Company by Eisner LLP for professional services rendered during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
402,156.00 |
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
$ |
402,156.00 |
|
Audit Fees. Consists of fees for professional services
rendered for the audit of the Companys financial
statements as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, review
of interim financial statements and services normally provided
by the independent auditor in connection with regulatory
filings, including the Companys Registration Statement on
Form S-1 as filed
with the SEC in 2005.
Audit-Related Fees. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, Eisner LLP did not provide audit-related
services to the Company.
Tax Fees. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, Eisner LLP did not provide tax services to the Company.
All Other Fees. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, no fees were billed by Eisner LLP other
than as set forth under Audit Fees,
Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees above.
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services
The services performed by Eisner LLP in 2005 were not
pre-approved by the audit committee because Eisner LLP was
retained prior to formation of the audit committee. The audit
committee pre-approves all audit services and permitted
non-audit services performed or proposed to be undertaken by the
independent registered public accounting firm, except where such
services are determined to be de minimis under the Exchange Act,
giving particular attention to the relationship between the
types of services provided and the independent registered public
accounting firms independence. The audit committee may
delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members.
The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for
informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the
audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.
11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
ownership of the Companys common stock as of
March 31, 2006 (except as noted) by: (i) each nominee
for director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table presented later in this proxy
statement; (iii) all executive officers and directors of
the Company as a group; and (iv) all those known by the
Company to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of its
common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
|
|
of Common Stock | |
|
Percentage of Shares | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned | |
|
Beneficially Owned | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Named Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
82,353 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Karen Krumeich
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William R. Bronner
|
|
|
75,510 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jon I. Klippel
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breaux Castleman
|
|
|
98,238 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Sidney Braginsky(2)
|
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
George C. Chryssis
|
|
|
21,383 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Dan W. Lufkin(3)
|
|
|
485,418 |
|
|
|
4.47 |
% |
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.
|
|
|
115,500 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
All directors and named executive officers as a group (all 10
persons)
|
|
|
1,039,902 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
% |
Holders of more than 10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pequot Capital Management, Inc.(4)
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
10.12 |
% |
Holders of more than 5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Situations Funds(5)
|
|
|
1,064,786 |
|
|
|
9.80 |
% |
John Hancock Advisers LLC(6)
|
|
|
947,200 |
|
|
|
8.72 |
|
Caremi Partners, Ltd.(7)
|
|
|
929,460 |
|
|
|
8.55 |
|
|
|
(1) |
This table is based upon information supplied by officers,
directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G filed
with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to
this table and subject to community property laws where
applicable, the Company believes that each of the stockholders
named in this table has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.
Applicable percentages are based on 11,610,471 shares
outstanding on March 31, 2006, adjusted as required by
rules promulgated by the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the
address of each of the individuals and entities listed in this
table is c/o Electro-Optical Sciences, at the address on
the first page of this proxy statement. |
|
(2) |
Includes 51,500 shares of common stock held by Double D
Venture Fund, LLC, an investment fund with which
Mr. Braginsky is affiliated. Mr. Braginsky expressly
disclaims ownership of these shares except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest in Double D Venture Fund, LLC. |
|
(3) |
Includes 240,570 shares of common stock held by trusts the
beneficiaries of which are family members of Mr. Lufkin.
Mr. Lufkin expressly disclaims ownership of the shares held
by these trusts. |
|
(4) |
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G
filed by Pequot Capital Management, Inc. (Pequot) on
November 10, 2005. Pequot has sole voting power over
1,100,000 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power
over 1,100,000 shares of common stock. Pequot is an
investment |
12
|
|
|
adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Advisers
Act). |
|
(5) |
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/ A
jointly filed by Austin W. Marxe (Marxe) and David
M. Greenhouse (Greenhouse), the controlling
principals of AWM Investment Company, Inc. (AWM) on
February 14, 2006. AWM serves as the general partner of MGP
Advisors Limited Partnership and the general partner of and
investment advisor to Special Situations Fund III, L.P.
(SSF3) and Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P.
(SSFQP, and collectively with SSF3, the
Special Situations Funds). The Special Situations
Funds have shared voting power over 1,064,786 shares of
common stock and shared dispositive power over
1,064,786 shares of common stock. |
|
(6) |
Based solely on information contained in a Scheduled 13G jointly
filed by Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) and
MFCs indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, John Hancock
Advisers LLC (JHA) on February 9, 2006. JHA has
sole voting power over 947,200 shares of common stock and
shared dispositive power over 947,200 shares of common
stock. JHA is an investment adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act. |
|
(7) |
Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G
filed jointly by Caremi Partners, Ltd. (Caremi) and
S. Donald Sussman, the controlling person of Caremi. Caremi and
Mr. Sussman have shared voting power over
929,460 shares of common stock owned by Caremi and shared
dispositive power over 929,460 shares of common stock owned
by Caremi. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information with respect to
all of the Companys equity compensation plans in effect as
of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
to be Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Number of Securities Remaining | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Available for Issuance Under Equity | |
|
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Compensation Plans (Excluding | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Securities Reflected in Column(a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
1,115,415 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
798,907 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,115,415 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
798,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Stock Incentive Plan |
In 2005, we adopted our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (2005 Plan).
The 2005 Plan permits the granting of awards to key employees,
directors, officers, consultants and scientific collaborators in
the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options and
equity-based awards. Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan
may be incentive stock options meeting the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code or nonqualified
stock options, which do not meet the requirements of
Section 422. Stock awards granted under the 2005 Plan to
eligible participants may take the form of the issuance and
transfer to the recipient of shares of common stock or a grant
of stock units representing a future right to such shares of
common stock. As of December 31, 2005, there were
1,000,000 shares of our common stock authorized and
reserved for issuance upon exercise of options which may be
granted under the 2005 Plan. As of December 31, 2005,
options to purchase 80,000 shares of our common stock
were outstanding under the 2005 Plan. Pursuant to the 2005 Plan
on each of January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2007, the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance will be
automatically increased by an amount equal to 3% of the then
outstanding shares of common stock unless the board decides to
reduce the amount of the increase. Effective January 1,
2006, the number of shares of our common stock authorized under
the 2005 Plan increased to 1,325,135.
13
|
|
|
2003 Stock Incentive Plan |
In 2003, we adopted our 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
(2003 Plan). The 2003 Plan permitted the granting of awards to
our employees and other key persons (including directors,
officers, consultants and scientific collaborations) in the form
of restricted stock, and incentive or nonqualified stock
options. Stock options granted under the 2003 Plan may be
incentive stock options meeting the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code or nonqualified stock options which
do not meet the requirements of Section 422. As of
December 31, 2005, options to purchase 807,243 shares
of our common stock were outstanding under the 2003 Plan. No
options or other equity-based awards have been granted under the
2003 Plan since the adoption of the 2005 Plan, and no further
options or other equity-based awards are issuable under the 2003
Plan. As of December 31, 2005, 22,500 options granted under
the 2003 Plan have been exercised.
In 1996, we adopted our 1996 Stock Option Plan (1996 Plan and,
taken with the 2005 Plan and 2003 Plan, the Stock Incentive
Plans). The 1996 Plan permitted the granting of awards to our
officers, key employees, directors and collaborating scientists
in the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options. Stock
options granted under the 1996 Plan may be incentive stock
options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of
the Code or nonqualified stock options which do not meet the
requirements of Section 422. Since the adoption of the 2003
Plan, we have not granted any stock options under the 1996 Plan.
As of December 31, 2005, options to
purchase 228,172 shares of our common stock were
outstanding under the 1996 Plan. No further options or other
equity-based awards are issuable under the 1996 Plan. As of
December 31, 2005, 28,381 options granted under the 1996
Plan have been exercised.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, requires the Companys directors and executive
officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Companys equity securities, to
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports
of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock
and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors
and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC
regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written
representations that no other reports were required, during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with,
except that Pequot, a greater than ten percent stockholder, has
not filed any Section 16(a) forms.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The Companys executive officers, their ages and their
positions as of March 31, 2006, are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
|
|
| |
|
|
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Karen Krumeich
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Jon I. Klippel
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Vice President, Marketing and Sales |
William R. Bronner
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Vice President, Legal Counsel and Compliance |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D., M.B.A. has served as our
President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board
of directors since January 2004. From May 1999 to November 2003,
he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of
Antigen Express, Inc., a development-stage company developing
immunodiagnostics and therapeutics for cancer. Dr. Gulfo
serves as a director of ProCertus
14
BioPharm, Inc., a privately-held company. Dr. Gulfo
received a B.S. in Biology from Seton Hall University, an M.D.
from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and
an M.B.A. in Finance from Seton Hall University.
Karen Krumeich has served as our Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer since January 2005 and Treasurer
since May 2005. From August 2004 to January 2005 she served as a
financial consultant with Horn Murdock Cole, a financial
consulting firm. From September 2002 to July 2004, she served as
divisional Chief Financial Officer of the hospital group
division of Henry Schein, Inc., a publicly-held medical and
dental products distributor. From March 2000 to August 2002, she
served as a financial consultant with Consulting Associates, a
financial consulting firm. Ms. Krumeich received her B.S.
in Pharmacy from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy
and completed additional coursework in accounting at Cleveland
State University.
Jon I. Klippel has served as our Vice President,
Marketing and Sales since December 2004. From April 2004 to
November 2004, he was a marketing and sales consultant. From
January 2003 to March 2004, he served as Senior Marketing
Manager of PDI, Inc., a publicly-traded company offering
outsourced marketing, sales and sale support services to
biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. From February
2002 to December 2002, he was a marketing and sales consultant.
From July 2000 to February 2002, he served as Director of
Marketing and Business Development at National Imaging
Associates, Inc., a privately-held diagnostic imaging management
company. Mr. Klippel received a B.A. in Political Science
from Albright College and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University
Graduate School of Business.
William R. Bronner has served as our Vice President,
Legal Counsel and Compliance since July 2000 and as our
Secretary since May 2003. From 1986 to July 2000,
Mr. Bronner served as Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of Kronos, Inc. Mr. Bronner received a B.A. in
Government from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Columbia
University Law School.
Our executive officers are elected by, and serve at the
discretion of our board of directors. There are no family
relationships between our directors and executive officers.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation of Directors
In addition to reimbursement of expenses incurred in attending
meetings of our board of directors and committees of our board,
our non-employee directors will receive an annual fee of $10,000
for serving as directors and an additional $500 per meeting
for each meeting attended, whether in person or by telephone. In
addition, the chairman of our board of directors, the chairman
of our audit committee and the chairman of our nominating and
governance committee will each receive an annual fee of $10,000.
Each member of our board who is not a company employee will
receive an annual stock option grant to purchase up to
5,000 shares of common stock. Such stock options will vest
in full upon the first anniversary of issuance and have an
exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common
stock on the date of the grant. In addition, we reimburse each
member of our board who is not a company employee for reasonable
travel and other expenses in connection with attending meetings
of the board.
15
Compensation of Executive Officers
The following table sets forth summary compensation information
for the years ended December 31, 2003, December 31,
2004 and December 31, 2005 for our chief executive officer
and each of our two other most highly compensated executive
officers whose salary and bonus for 2005 was more than $100,000.
As of December 31, 2005, there were no other persons
serving as executive officers. We refer to these officers
collectively as our named executive officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
173,656 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,753 |
(1) |
|
$ |
37,206 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,880 |
(3) |
Karen Krumeich(4)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
165,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President Finance, Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jon I. Klippel(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President Marketing and Sales |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
9,346 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Bronner
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,600 |
(6) |
|
Vice President, Legal Counsel and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
132,612 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,000 |
|
|
|
3,018 |
(7) |
|
Compliance |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
106,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marek Elbaum, Ph.D.(8)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
75,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
107,331 |
(9) |
|
Founder and former Chief Science |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
173,549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
3,029 |
(10) |
|
and Technology Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
81,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,071 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.(11)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
193,775 |
(12) |
|
Acting Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Dr. Gulfo has been granted another stock option which is
not reflected in this table because the number of shares
purchasable under the option can only be calculated at the time
of pre-market approval (PMA) of
MelaFind®.
The number of shares granted under this option is equal to that
number of shares of our common stock equal to four percent of
our fully-diluted capital stock at that time of PMA approval of
MelaFind®
minus 81,753 shares of our common stock. The exercise price
of this option is $0.46 per share. |
|
|
(2) |
Dr. Gulfos other compensation in 2005 was comprised
of a travel and commuting allowance of $31,956 for the year and
a 401(k) employer contribution of $5,250. |
|
|
(3) |
Dr. Gulfos other compensation in 2004 was comprised
of a travel and commuting allowance. |
|
|
(4) |
Ms. Krumeichs employment with us began in January
2005 at an annual salary of $165,000. |
|
|
(5) |
Mr. Klippels employment with us began in December
2004 at an annual salary of $135,000. |
|
|
(6) |
Mr. Bronners other compensation in 2005 was comprised
of a 401(k) employer contribution. |
|
|
(7) |
Mr. Bronners other compensation in 2004 was comprised
of a 401(k) employer contribution. |
|
|
(8) |
Pursuant to a consulting agreement effective as of May 31,
2005, the Company retained Marek Elbaum, Ph.D., the
Companys founder and former Chief Science and Technology
Officer, as the Companys Chief Scientist. In consideration
of the services to be provided, the Company has agreed to pay
Dr. Elbaum a monthly fee of $14,583. The term of this
agreement extends for a period of two years and is automatically
renewable for an additional one year period. In the event of a
non- |
16
|
|
|
|
|
renewal, and in the event that Dr. Elbaums services
terminate as a result of his death or disability, we will pay to
Dr. Elbaum a termination fee of $100,000. |
|
|
(9) |
Dr. Elbaums other compensation in 2005 was comprised
of a consulting fee of $14,583 per month for seven months
and a 401(k) employer contribution of $5,250. |
|
|
(10) |
Dr. Elbaums other compensation in 2004 was comprised
of a 401(k) employer contribution. |
|
(11) |
In March, 2005 Gerald Wagner, Ph.D., a member of the
Companys board of directors, initiated consulting services
to direct our
MelaFind®
product development efforts and oversee the manufacturing
process. On June 1, 2005, the Company entered into a
consulting agreement with Gerald Wagner. The agreement ends
three months following the initiation of the Companys
pivotal clinical trial of
MelaFind®.
The consulting agreement provides for a flat fee of $150,000,
payable ratably over the course of the term, and a stock option
grant to purchase 50,000 shares of the Companys
common stock, which was granted immediately after completion of
the Companys initial public offering at the public
offering price per share. On January 25, 2006,
Dr. Wagner was appointed acting Chief Operating Officer. |
|
(12) |
Dr. Wagners other compensation in 2005 was comprised
of consulting fees of $50,425 for the months of March and April
2005, $38,350 for the month of May 2005 and $15,000 per
month for the following seven months of 2005. |
Stock Option Grants and Exercises
The following table provides information regarding stock options
granted during 2005 to the named executive officers in that
period. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Assumed | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Rates of | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Options | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
or Base | |
|
|
|
Option Term(2) | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price per | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Share(1) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marek Elbaum, Ph.D.(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen Krumeich
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William R. Bronner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jon I. Klippel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
62.5 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
11/02/10 |
|
|
|
319,070 |
|
|
|
402,628 |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
6.85 |
|
|
|
12/02/10 |
|
|
|
43,713 |
|
|
|
55,160 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Exercise price is equal to the market value on the date of grant. |
|
(2) |
The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of
calculations at rates set by the SEC and, therefore, are not
intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in
the price of the underlying common stock. The potential
realizable values are calculated assuming that the market price
appreciates from this price at the indicated rate for the entire
term of each option and that each option is exercised and sold
on the last day of its term at the assumed appreciated price.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises depend on the
future performance of the common stock and overall stock market
conditions. The amounts reflected in the following table may not
necessarily be achieved. |
|
(3) |
Formerly our Chief Science and Technology Officer. |
17
|
|
|
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Option
Values |
The following table provides information about the number of
shares issued upon option exercises by our named executive
officers as of December 31, 2005 and the value realized by
our named executive officers. The table also provides
information about the number and value of options held by our
named executive officers at December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Securities Underlying Options | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
at December 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2005(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D.(2)
|
|
|
81,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
398,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
Marek Elbaum, Ph.D.(3)
|
|
|
14,070 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
60,923 |
|
|
$ |
122,750 |
|
Karen Krumeich
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
William R. Bronner
|
|
|
70,285 |
|
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
334,557 |
|
|
|
3,248 |
|
Jon I. Klippel
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
219,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald Wagner, Ph.D.
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Value is determined by subtracting the exercise price of an
option from the $5.33 per share fair market value of our
common stock on December 30, 2005. |
|
(2) |
Dr. Gulfo has been granted another stock option which is
not reflected in this table because the number of shares
purchasable under the option can only be calculated at the time
of PMA approval of
MelaFind®.
The number of shares granted under this option is equal to that
number of shares of our common stock equal to four percent of
our fully-diluted capital stock at that time of PMA approval of
MelaFind®
minus 81,753 shares of our common stock. |
|
(3) |
Formerly our Chief Science and Technology Officer. |
Employment Agreements
|
|
|
Employment Agreement with Joseph V.
Gulfo, M.D. |
On January 5, 2004, we entered into an employment agreement
with Dr. Joseph V. Gulfo, our President and Chief Executive
Officer. Pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Gulfo is required
to devote substantially all of his business time, attention and
efforts to the performance of his duties under the agreement.
The initial term of the employment agreement extended until
December 31, 2005 and will automatically renew for
successive twelve-month (12) terms unless either party
sends a written notice of termination within 90 days of the
expiration of the initial term or renewal term, as the case may
be. The employment agreement automatically extended until
December 31, 2006.
The employment agreement provides Dr. Gulfo with an annual
base salary of $175,000 subject to periodic review by our board
of directors. Our board of directors has determined that
Dr. Gulfo was entitled to a review and salary increase in
an amount to be agreed by Dr. Gulfo and the Company as a
result of the equity financing consummated in October 2004, but
to date our board of directors has not conducted a review or
granted a salary increase. Dr. Gulfo is also entitled to
receive yearly bonuses at the discretion of our board of
directors. The target for such bonuses is 50% of
Dr. Gulfos then current base salary.
In addition, Dr. Gulfo is entitled to be reimbursed for
certain travel expenses up to $1,100 per month,
$2,000 per month for lodging expenses and for certain
communication expenses, including cellular phone service and
broadband internet service.
If Dr. Gulfos employment is terminated by us without
cause or Dr. Gulfo resigns for good reason, then
Dr. Gulfo would be entitled to receive severance pay equal
to 15 months of his then current base salary and, if
Dr. Gulfo is then covered by health insurance provided by
us, the cost to Dr. Gulfo of COBRA coverage for
15 months. If we elect not to renew Dr. Gulfos
employment agreement, Dr. Gulfo
18
is entitled to an amount equal to his then current base salary
for nine months and, if Dr. Gulfo is covered by our health
insurance policy at such time, the cost of COBRA for nine months
(subject to reduction to the extent Dr. Gulfo received
comparable benefits from a subsequent employer during such nine
month period).
Dr. Gulfo is subject to a non-compete covenant upon
termination of his employment by us or him. The term of
Dr. Gulfos non-compete covenant is one (1) year,
which can be extended to two (2) years in the event we
elect to pay him additional severance equal to twelve
(12) months of his base salary at the time of termination
and his most recent bonus (if any).
The employment agreement provides for three separate grants of
stock options. The first two stock option grants for the
purchase of a total of 81,753 shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $0.46 per share have fully vested. The
number of shares of our common stock subject to the third stock
option can only be calculated at the time of PMA approval of
MelaFind®.
The number of shares purchasable under this option at an
exercise price of $0.46 per share is equal to that number
of shares of our common stock equal to four percent of our
fully-diluted capital stock at the time of PMA approval of
MelaFind®
minus the number of shares of common stock underlying options
granted to Dr. Gulfo under the employment agreement, which
is 81,753. Based on 12,355,174 shares outstanding (on a
fully-diluted basis) as of March 31, 2006 and assuming such
shares remain the total number of shares outstanding on the date
we receive PMA approval of
MelaFind®
(assuming in both cases the exercise of all outstanding options
and warrants), the number of shares subject to this option is
412,454. This third stock option grant vests 50% at the time of
PMA approval of
MelaFind®,
and the remaining 50% vests in four equal installments over the
one year period following such PMA approval of
MelaFind®.
Consulting Agreements
|
|
|
Consulting Agreement with Breaux Castleman |
In June 2003, we entered into a consulting agreement with Breaux
Castleman for consulting services related to FDA approval of
MelaFind®,
administrative matters, financial reporting, and our business
and financial strategy. Under this agreement, Mr. Castleman
receives compensation for each month of services rendered.
During 2003 Mr. Castleman was paid at the rate of $8,000
for each month of services rendered and thereafter from 2004
onward he has been paid at the rate of $2,000 for each month of
services rendered. We made payments pursuant to this consulting
agreement of $48,000 in 2003, $22,000 in 2004, and $26,000 in
2005. These payments did not exceed $60,000 in any twelve-month
period since June 2003. In connection with our consulting
agreement with Mr. Castleman, we granted Mr. Castleman
a restricted stock award of 75,000 shares of our common
stock under our 2003 Plan for an aggregate purchase price of
$34,500. Mr. Castleman issued an interest-bearing
promissory note in the principal amount of $34,500 as payment
for these shares. During the second quarter of 2005, this note
was repaid in full. Our consulting agreement with
Mr. Castleman is terminable by either party on
30 days written notice.
|
|
|
Consulting Agreement with Marek Elbaum, Ph.D. |
Pursuant to a consulting agreement effective as of May 31,
2005, we retained Marek Elbaum, Ph.D., our founder and
former Chief Science and Technology Officer, as our Chief
Scientist to provide services relating to the integration of our
product development, mentoring and advising our staff
scientists, providing new product vision, supporting of our
research and development and providing such other services as
assigned to him by our Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the
consulting agreement, Dr. Elbaum will provide us with a
majority of his business time in consideration of a monthly fee
of approximately $14,500. The term of such agreement extends for
a period of two years and is automatically renewable for an
additional one year period unless either Dr. Elbaum or we
decide to not so renew. In the event of a non-renewal, and in
the event that Dr. Elbaums services terminate as a
result of his death or disability, we will pay to
Dr. Elbaum a termination fee of $100,000. In addition, upon
termination of the consulting agreement for any reason other
than a termination by us for cause, we will pay to
Dr. Elbaum for 18 months an amount equal to what
Dr. Elbaum would have had to pay to extend his insurance
19
coverage under COBRA. Dr. Elbaum is subject to a
non-compete covenant during the term of the consulting agreement
and for a period of two years after the term of the consulting
agreement. We have also agreed that all stock options previously
granted to Dr. Elbaum will continue to vest in accordance
with their original terms.
|
|
|
Consulting Agreement with Robert
Friedman, M.D. |
Pursuant to a consulting agreement effective as of June 1,
2005, we have retained the services of Robert
Friedman, M.D. for an initial term of one year as a
consultant, medical advisor to our board of directors, and as a
liaison between our board of directors and our scientific and
medical advisory committee, and in connection with the clinical
testing of
MelaFind®.
In consideration of rendering of these services,
Dr. Friedman will be paid at a rate of $5,000 per day
(assuming an eight-hour day) for up to 30 days of service.
The consulting agreement is automatically renewed for successive
one-year terms unless either party terminates the agreement at
least 30 days prior to the expiration of the agreement.
|
|
|
Consulting Agreement with Gerald Wagner, Ph.D. |
Pursuant to a consulting agreement dated as of June 1, 2005
with Gerald Wagner Consulting LLC (GWC), a company owned and
operated by Dr. Gerald Wagner, GWC has agreed to direct our
MelaFind®
product development efforts and oversee the manufacturing
process for
MelaFind®.
On March 24, 2006, we entered into an amended and restated
consulting agreement with GWC, which became effective on
April 1, 2006. Under this amended and restated consulting
agreement, the Company agrees to pay GWC the annual amount of
$180,000 payable monthly over the term of the agreement. The
agreement will end at the option of GWC or the Company, at any
time by providing thirty (30) days prior written notice or
immediately upon the mutual agreement of the Company and GWC. In
connection with GWCs ongoing engagement as a consultant,
Dr. Wagner received a stock option grant of
50,000 shares of the Companys common stock which
vests in full immediately upon commencement of the pivotal trial
for
MelaFind®.
In addition, on March 24, 2006, Dr. Wagner received
another stock option grant of 49,500 shares of the
Companys common stock which vested immediately upon grant.
The exercise price for these two stock option grants is the
closing price per share of the Companys common stock on
the option grant date.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and
Officers
Our fourth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and
third amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify
our directors and executive officers and may indemnify our other
officers and employees and other agents to the fullest extent
permitted by law. Our fourth amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and third amended and restated bylaws also permit
us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director,
employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or
her actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the bylaws
would permit indemnification. We maintain directors and
officers liability insurance. We believe that these
provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain
qualified persons as directors and executive officers.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
We did not have a compensation committee until May 2005. As
previously noted, the compensation committee is composed of
three non-employee directors: Messrs. Castleman, Braginsky
and Chryssis. No member of the compensation committee is or was
formerly a permanent officer or employee of the Company. No
interlocking relationship exists between the Companys
board of directors or compensation committee and the board of
directors or compensation committee of any other company, nor
has such interlocking relationship existed in the past.
Dr. Gulfo, our Chief Executive Officer, previously
participated in the deliberations regarding executive
compensation. None of our executive officers has served as a
member of the compensation committee, or other committee serving
an equivalent function, of any other entity, one of whose
executive officers served as a member of our compensation
committee.
20
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION2
The compensation committee of the board of directors (the
Committee) is comprised of Messrs. Castleman,
Braginsky and Chryssis, none of whom has been a permanent
officer or employee of the Company. The Committee is responsible
for establishing the Companys compensation for executive
officers.
|
|
|
|
|
Overview. The goals of the Companys executive
compensation program are to align compensation with business
objectives and performance and to enable the Company to attract,
retain and reward executive officers and other key employees who
contribute to the long-term success of the Company and to
motivate them to enhance long-term stockholder value. The
Companys executive compensation program for 2005 was
designed with these goals in mind. |
The Company also offers to its executive officers participation
(with all other eligible employees of the Company) in its 401(k)
Plan and certain other benefits available generally to employees
of the Company, as well as certain perquisites.
Base Salary. In 2005, the Chief Executive Officer
received a base salary of $175,000 pursuant to his employment
agreement. The Committee periodically reviews the base salary of
the Chief Executive Officer, but to date has not conducted a
review or granted a salary increase. The Committee also reviews
and approves base salaries for each of the Companys other
executive officers on an annual basis. In setting or adjusting
base salaries, the Committee examines both qualitative and
quantitative factors relating to corporate and individual
performance, as well as general economic factors such as
increases in the cost of living. In many instances, the
qualitative factors necessarily involve a subjective assessment
by the Committee. The Committee neither bases its considerations
on any single factor nor does it specifically assign relative
weights to factors but rather considers a mix of factors and
evaluates individual performance against that mix both in
absolute terms and in relation to other company executives. The
Committee also reviews the reported compensation levels for
executive officers of certain peer companies in the life
sciences industry to enable it to set base salaries based on
each executive officers level of responsibility and within
the parameters of base salaries reported by those peer companies.
Bonus. Other than the discretionary bonus contemplated by
the Chief Executive Officers employment agreement, the
Company does not currently have a bonus program, but may
consider adopting a bonus program in the near future.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The Stock Incentive
Plans maintained by the Company were established to provide
employees of the Company with an opportunity to share, along
with stockholders of the Company, in the long-term performance
of the Company. Initial grants of stock options under the 2005
Plan are generally made to eligible employees upon commencement
of employment, with additional grants being made to certain
employees periodically or following a significant change in the
job responsibilities, scope or title of such employment. Stock
options granted in 2005 under the 2005 Plan either vest in full
upon grant or the first anniversary of the grant date or are
subject to vesting upon attainment of specified milestones.
Stock options under the 2005 Plan expire five years from the
date of grant. The exercise price of such options is usually
100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the
date of grant.
Guidelines for the number of stock options for each participant
under the 2005 Plan are generally determined by applying several
factors to the salary and performance level of each participant
and then related to the approximate market price of the stock at
the time of grant. In awarding stock options, the
2 The material in this report is not soliciting
material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and
is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the
Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before
or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing.
21
Committee considers individual performance, overall contribution
to the Company, officer retention, the number of unvested stock
options held by the officer and the total number of stock
options to be awarded.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 limits
the Company to a deduction for federal income tax purposes of up
to $1 million of compensation paid to certain named
executive officers in a taxable year. Compensation above
$1 million may be deducted if it is performance-based
compensation. The compensation committee has determined
that stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plans with
an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the
Companys common stock on the date of grant shall be
treated as performance-based compensation and any
compensation recognized by a Named Executive Officer as a result
of the grant of such stock options is deductible by the Company.
CEO Compensation. In setting Dr. Gulfos
compensation for 2005, the Committee used the same procedures
described above in setting the base salary and long-term
incentive compensation. In addition, the Committee considered
the status of Dr. Gulfo as the Companys most senior
officer, market data for similar positions, and considered the
important role he has in achieving overall corporate goals.
For fiscal year 2005, Dr. Gulfos compensation package
consisted primarily of an annual base salary of $175,000. The
Committee also reviewed perquisites and other compensation paid
to Dr. Gulfo for 2005, and found these amounts to be
reasonable.
|
|
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
|
Breaux Castleman |
|
Sidney Braginsky |
|
George C. Chryssis |
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company has entered into employment agreements and other
agreements with certain of its executive officers. See
Executive Compensation.
The Company has entered into indemnity agreements with certain
officers and directors which provide, among other things, that
the Company will indemnify such officer or director, under the
circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for
expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements he or she
may be required to pay in actions or proceedings to which he or
she is or may be made a party by reason of his or her position
as a director, officer or other agent of the Company, and
otherwise to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law and
the Companys Bylaws.
22
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON(3)
The following graph shows the total stockholder return of an
investment of $100 in cash on October 28, 2005 (the date of
the Companys initial public offering) for (i) the
Companys common stock, (ii) the Nasdaq Stock Market
(U.S.) Index and (iii) a peer group index comprised of all
public companies using SIC Code 3826 (Laboratory Analytical
Instruments) (the Peer Group). All values assume
reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends and are
calculated as of December 31 of each year:
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.,
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX AND A PEER GROUP
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and
intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery
requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with
respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by
delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those
stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as
householding, potentially means extra convenience
for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are
Company stockholders will be householding our proxy
materials. A single proxy statement may be delivered to multiple
stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions
have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have
received notice from your broker that it will be
householding communications to your address,
householding will continue until you are notified
otherwise or until you notify your broker or the Company that
you no longer wish to participate in householding.
If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in
householding and would prefer to receive a separate
proxy statement and annual report in the future you may
(1) notify your broker, (2) direct your written
request to: Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc., 3 West Main
Street, Suite 201, Irvington, New York 10533, Attention:
Secretary, or (3) contact our
(3) This Section is not soliciting material, is
not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be
incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after
the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation
language in any such filing.
23
Investor Relations representatives at Lazar Partners, Ltd., 420
Lexington Avenue, Suite 442, New York, New York 10170.
Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy
statement at their address and would like to request
householding of their communications should contact
their broker. In addition, the Company will promptly deliver,
upon written or oral request to the address or telephone number
above, a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement
to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of
the documents was delivered.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors knows of no other matters that will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other
matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote
on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
April 18, 2006
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to the Securities
and Exchange Commission on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal ended December 31, 2005 is available without charge
upon written request to: Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc.,
3 West Main Street, Suite 201, Irvington, New York
10533, Attention: Secretary.
24
ANNEX A
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist oversight by the
Board of Directors (the Board) of Electro-Optical
Sciences, Inc. (the Company) of the Companys
accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of
the Companys financial statements.
|
|
B. |
Structure and Membership |
1. Number. Except as otherwise permitted by
the applicable NASDAQ rules, the Audit Committee shall consist
of at least three members of the Board.
2. Independence. Except as otherwise
permitted by the applicable NASDAQ rules, each member of the
Audit Committee shall be independent as defined by NASDAQ rules,
meet the criteria for independence set forth in
Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (subject to the
exemptions provided in Rule 10A-3(c)), and not have
participated in the preparation of the financial statements of
the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time
during the past three years.
3. Financial Literacy. Each member of the
Audit Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, including the Companys balance
sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, at the time of
his or her appointment to the Audit Committee. In addition, at
least one member must have past employment experience in finance
or accounting, requisite professional certification in
accounting, or any other comparable experience or background
which results in the individuals financial sophistication,
including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief
financial officer or other senior officer with financial
oversight responsibilities. Unless otherwise determined by the
Board (in which case disclosure of such determination shall be
made in the Companys annual report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC)), at
least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an audit
committee financial expert (as defined by applicable SEC
rules).
4. Chair. Unless the Board elects a Chair of
the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall elect a Chair by
majority vote.
5. Compensation. The compensation of Audit
Committee members shall be as determined by the Board. No member
of the Audit Committee may receive, directly or indirectly, any
consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, other than fees paid in his or her
capacity as a member of the Board or a committee of the Board.
6. Selection and Removal. Members of the
Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board, upon the
recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Board may remove members of the Audit Committee
from such committee, with or without cause.
|
|
C. |
Authority and Responsibilities |
General
The Audit Committee shall discharge its responsibilities, and
shall assess the information provided by the Companys
management and the independent auditor, in accordance with its
business judgment. Management is responsible for the
preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Companys
financial statements, for the appropriateness of the accounting
principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company
and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting. The independent auditors are
responsible for auditing the Companys financial statements
and the Companys internal control over financial reporting
and for reviewing the Companys unaudited interim financial
statements. The authority and responsibilities set forth in this
Charter do not reflect or create any duty or
A-1
obligation of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct any audit,
to determine or certify that the Companys financial
statements are complete, accurate, fairly presented, or in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or
applicable law, or to guarantee the independent auditors
reports.
Oversight of Independent
Auditors
1. Selection. The Audit Committee shall be
solely and directly responsible for appointing, evaluating,
retaining and, when necessary, terminating the engagement of the
independent auditor. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion,
seek stockholder ratification of the independent auditor it
appoints.
2. Independence. The Audit Committee shall
take, or recommend that the full Board take, appropriate action
to oversee the independence of the independent auditor. In
connection with this responsibility, the Audit Committee shall
obtain and review a formal written statement from the
independent auditor describing all relationships between the
auditor and the Company, including the disclosures required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. The Audit
Committee shall actively engage in dialogue with the auditor
concerning any disclosed relationships or services that might
impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor.
3. Compensation. The Audit Committee shall
have sole and direct responsibility for setting the compensation
of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee is empowered,
without further action by the Board, to cause the Company to pay
the compensation of the independent auditor established by the
Audit Committee.
4. Preapproval of Services. The Audit
Committee shall preapprove all audit services to be provided to
the Company, whether provided by the principal auditor or other
firms, and all other services (review, attest and non-audit) to
be provided to the Company by the independent auditor; provided,
however, that de minimis non-audit services may instead be
approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules.
5. Oversight. The independent auditor shall
report directly to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee
shall have sole and direct responsibility for overseeing the
work of the independent auditor, including resolution of
disagreements between Company management and the independent
auditor regarding financial reporting. In connection with its
oversight role, the Audit Committee shall, from time to time as
appropriate, receive and consider the reports required to be
made by the independent auditor regarding:
|
|
|
|
|
critical accounting policies and practices; |
|
|
|
alternative treatments within generally accepted accounting
principles for policies and practices related to material items
that have been discussed with Company management, including
ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent
auditor; and |
|
|
|
other material written communications between the independent
auditor and Company management. |
Audited Financial
Statements
6. Review and Discussion. The Audit Committee
shall review and discuss with the Companys management and
independent auditor the Companys audited financial
statements, including the matters about which Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on
Auditing Standards, AU §380) requires discussion.
7. Recommendation to Board Regarding Financial
Statements. The Audit Committee shall consider whether
it will recommend to the Board that the Companys audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K.
A-2
8. Audit Committee Report. The Audit
Committee shall prepare an annual committee report for inclusion
where necessary in the proxy statement of the Company relating
to its annual meeting of security holders.
Review of Other Financial
Disclosures
9. Oversight. The Audit Committee shall
coordinate the Boards oversight of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls
and procedures and code of conduct. The Audit Committee shall
receive and review the reports of the CEO and CFO required by
Rule 13a-14 of the
Exchange Act.
10. Procedures for Complaints. The Audit
Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters; and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by
employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
11. Related-Party Transactions. The Audit
Committee shall review all related party
transactions (defined as transactions required to be
disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of
Regulation S-K) on
an ongoing basis, and all such transactions must be approved by
the Audit Committee.
Controls and
Procedures
12. Oversight. The Audit Committee shall
coordinate the Boards oversight of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls
and procedures and code of conduct. The Audit Committee shall
receive and review the reports of the CEO and CFO required by
Rule 13a-14 of the
Exchange Act.
13. Procedures for Complaints. The Audit
Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters; and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by
employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
14. Related-Party Transactions. The Audit
Committee shall review all related party
transactions (defined as transactions required to be
disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of
Regulation S-K) on
an ongoing basis, and all such transactions must be approved by
the Audit Committee.
15. Additional Powers. The Audit Committee
shall have such other duties as may be delegated from time to
time by the Board.
|
|
D. |
Procedures and Administration |
1. Meetings. The Audit Committee shall meet
as often as it deems necessary in order to perform its
responsibilities. The Audit Committee may also act by unanimous
written consent in lieu of a meeting. The Audit Committee shall
periodically meet separately with: (i) the independent
auditor; (ii) Company management and (iii) the
Companys internal auditors. The Audit Committee shall keep
such records of its meetings as it shall deem appropriate.
2. Subcommittees. The Audit Committee may
form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees
(including a subcommittee consisting of a single member), as it
deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances. Any
decision of a subcommittee to preapprove audit, review, attest
or non-audit services shall be presented to the full Audit
Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
3. Reports to Board. The Audit Committee
shall report regularly to the Board.
4. Charter. At least annually, the Audit
Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
5. Independent Advisors. The Audit Committee
is authorized, without further action by the Board, to engage
such independent legal, accounting and other advisors as it
deems necessary or appropriate to
A-3
carry out its responsibilities. Such independent advisors may be
the regular advisors to the Company. The Audit Committee is
empowered, without further action by the Board, to cause the
Company to pay the compensation of such advisors as established
by the Audit Committee.
6. Investigations. The Audit Committee shall
have the authority to conduct or authorize investigations into
any matters within the scope of its responsibilities as it shall
deem appropriate, including the authority to request any
officer, employee or advisor of the Company to meet with the
Audit Committee or any advisors engaged by the Audit Committee.
7. Funding. The Audit Committee is empowered,
without further action by the Board, to cause the Company to pay
the ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that
are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
8. Annual Self-Evaluation. At least annually,
the Audit Committee shall evaluate its own performance.
A-4
ANNEX B
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
The purpose of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the Board) of the Electro-Optical
Sciences, Inc. (the Company) is to assist the Board
in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to
compensation of the Companys executive officers.
|
|
B. |
Structure and Membership |
1. Number. The Compensation Committee shall
consist of at least three members of the Board.
2. Independence. Except as otherwise
permitted by the applicable NASDAQ rules, each member of the
Compensation Committee shall be an independent
director as defined by the applicable NASDAQ rules.
3. Chair. Unless the Board elects a Chair of
the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee shall
elect a Chair by majority vote.
4. Compensation. The compensation of
Compensation Committee members shall be as determined by the
Board.
5. Selection and Removal. Members of the
Compensation Committee shall be appointed by the Board, upon the
recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Board may remove members of the Compensation
Committee from such committee, with or without cause.
|
|
C. |
Authority and Responsibilities |
General
The Compensation Committee shall discharge its responsibilities,
and shall assess the information provided by the Companys
management, in accordance with its business judgment.
Compensation
Matters
1. Executive Officer Compensation. The
Compensation Committee, or a majority of the independent
directors of the Board, shall review and approve, or recommend
for approval by the Board, the compensation of the
Companys Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) and
the Companys other executive officers, including salary,
bonus and incentive compensation levels; deferred compensation;
executive perquisites; equity compensation (including awards to
induce employment); severance arrangements;
change-in-control
benefits and other forms of executive officer compensation. The
Compensation Committee or the independent directors of the
Board, as the case may be, shall meet without the presence of
executive officers when approving or deliberating on CEO
compensation but may, in its or their discretion, invite the CEO
to be present during the approval of, or deliberations with
respect to, other executive officer compensation.
2. Evaluation of Senior Executives. The
Compensation Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the
evaluation of the Companys senior executives. In
conjunction with the Audit Committee in the case of the
evaluation of the senior financial management, the Compensation
Committee shall determine the nature and frequency of the
evaluation and the persons subject to the evaluation, supervise
the conduct of the evaluation and prepare assessments of the
performance of the Companys senior executives, to be
discussed periodically with the Board.
3. Plan Recommendations and Approvals. The
Compensation Committee shall periodically review and make
recommendations to the Board with respect to
incentive-compensation plans and equity-based
B-1
plans. In addition, in the case of any tax-qualified,
non-discriminatory employee benefit plans (and any parallel
nonqualified plans) for which stockholder approval is not sought
and pursuant to which options or stock may be acquired by
officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company,
the Compensation Committee, or a majority of the independent
directors of the Board, shall approve such plans.
4. Administration of Plans. The Compensation
Committee shall exercise all rights, authority and functions of
the Board under all of the Companys stock option, stock
incentive, employee stock purchase and other equity-based plans,
including without limitation, the authority to interpret the
terms thereof, to grant options thereunder and to make stock
awards thereunder; provided, however, that, except as otherwise
expressly authorized to do so by this charter or a plan or
resolution of the Board, the Compensation Committee shall not be
authorized to amend any such plan. To the extent permitted by
applicable law and the provisions of a given equity-based plan,
and consistent with the requirements of applicable law and such
equity-based plan, the Compensation Committee may delegate to
one or more executive officers of the Company the power to grant
options or other stock awards pursuant to such equity-based plan
to employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company who
are not directors or executive officers of the Company. The
Compensation Committee, or a majority of the independent
directors of the Board, shall approve any inducement awards
granted in reliance on the exemption from shareholder approval
contained in NASDAQ Rule 4350(i)(1)(A)(iv).
5. Director Compensation. The Compensation
Committee shall periodically review and make recommendations to
the Board with respect to director compensation.
6. Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation. The Compensation Committee shall prepare
for inclusion where necessary in a proxy or information
statement of the Company relating to an annual meeting of
security holders at which directors are to be elected (or
special meeting or written consents in lieu of such meeting),
the report described in Item 402(k) of
Regulation S-K.
7. Compensation Committee Report on Repricing of
Options/ SARs. If during the last fiscal year of the
Company (while the Company was a reporting company pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the
Exchange Act)) any adjustment or amendment was made
to the exercise price of any stock option or stock appreciation
right previously awarded to a named executive
officer (as such term is defined from time to time in
Item 402(a)(3) of
Regulation S-K),
the Compensation Committee shall furnish the report required by
Item 402(i) of
Regulation S-K.
8. Additional Powers. The Compensation
Committee shall have such other duties as may be delegated from
time to time by the Board.
|
|
D. |
Procedures and Administration |
1. Meetings. The Compensation Committee shall
meet as often as it deems necessary in order to perform its
responsibilities. The Compensation Committee may also act by
unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. The Compensation
Committee shall keep such records of its meetings as it shall
deem appropriate.
2. Subcommittees. The Compensation Committee
may form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees as
it deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances
(including (a) a subcommittee consisting of a single member
and (b) a subcommittee consisting of at least two members,
each of whom qualifies as a non-employee director,
as such term is defined from time to time in
Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act, and an outside
director, as such term is defined from time to time in
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder).
3. Reports to Board. The Compensation
Committee shall report regularly to the Board.
4. Charter. The Compensation Committee shall
periodically review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
B-2
5. Consulting Arrangements. The Compensation
Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate
any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the
evaluation of executive officer compensation and shall have sole
authority to approve the consultants fees and other
retention terms. The Compensation Committee shall also have
authority to commission compensation surveys or studies as the
need arises. The Compensation Committee is empowered, without
further action by the Board, to cause the Company to pay the
compensation of such consultants as established by the
Compensation Committee.
6. Independent Advisors. The Compensation
Committee shall have the authority, without further action by
the Board, to engage such independent legal, accounting and
other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out
its responsibilities. Such independent advisors may be the
regular advisors to the Company. The Compensation Committee is
empowered, without further action by the Board, to cause the
Company to pay the compensation of such advisors as established
by the Compensation Committee.
7. Investigations. The Compensation Committee
shall have the authority to conduct or authorize investigations
into any matters within the scope of its responsibilities as it
shall deem appropriate, including the authority to request any
officer, employee or advisor of the Company to meet with the
Compensation Committee or any advisors engaged by the
Compensation Committee.
8. Annual Self-Evaluation. At least annually,
the Compensation Committee shall evaluate its own performance.
B-3
ANNEX C
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
CHARTER
The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
of the Board of Directors (the Board) of
Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc. (the Company) is to:
|
|
|
|
|
recommend to the Board the persons to be nominated for election
as directors at any meeting of stockholders; |
|
|
|
develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance
guidelines applicable to the Company; and |
|
|
|
oversee the evaluation of the Board. |
|
|
B. |
Structure and Membership |
1. Number. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall consist of such number of directors
as the Board shall from time to time determine.
2. Independence. Except as otherwise
permitted by the applicable rules of NASDAQ, each member of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be
independent as defined by such rules.
3. Chair. Unless the Board elects a Chair of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Committee
shall elect a Chair by majority vote.
4. Compensation. The compensation of
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members shall be
as determined by the Board.
5. Selection and Removal. Members of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be appointed
by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Committee. The
Board may remove members of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee from such Committee, with or without cause.
|
|
C. |
Authority and Responsibilities |
General
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall
discharge its responsibilities, and shall assess the information
provided by the Companys management, in accordance with
its business judgment.
Board and Committee
Membership
1. Selection of Director Nominees. Except
where the Company is legally required by contract, bylaw or
otherwise to provide third parties with the right to nominate
directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
shall be responsible for recommending to the Board the nominees
for election as directors at any meeting of stockholders and the
persons to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the
Board. In making such recommendations, the Committee shall
consider candidates proposed by stockholders. The Committee
shall review and evaluate information available to it regarding
candidates proposed by stockholders and shall apply the same
criteria, and shall follow substantially the same process in
considering them, as it does in considering other candidates.
2. Criteria for Selecting Directors. The
Boards criteria for selecting directors are as set forth
in the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall use such
criteria and the principles set forth in such Guidelines to
guide its director selection process. The Committee shall be
responsible for reviewing with the Board, on an annual basis,
the requisite skills and criteria for new Board members as well
as the composition of the Board as a whole. The Committee
C-1
may adopt, and periodically review and revise as it deems
appropriate, procedures regarding director candidates proposed
by stockholders.
3. Search Firms. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall have the authority to retain and
terminate any search firm to be used to identify director
nominees, including authority to approve the search firms
fees and other retention terms. The Committee is empowered,
without further action by the Board, to cause the Company to pay
the compensation of any search firm engaged by the Committee.
4. Selection of Committee Members. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be
responsible for recommending to the Board the directors to be
appointed to each committee of the Board
Corporate
Governance
5. Corporate Governance Guidelines. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall develop and
recommend to the Board a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines
applicable to the Company. The Committee shall, from time to
time as it deems appropriate, review and reassess the adequacy
of such Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommend any
proposed changes to the Board for approval.
Evaluation of the Board;
Succession Planning
6. Evaluation of the Board. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee shall be responsible for
overseeing an annual self-evaluation of the Board to determine
whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. The
Committee shall determine the nature of the evaluation,
supervise the conduct of the evaluation and prepare an
assessment of the Boards performance, to be discussed with
the Board.
7. Succession of Senior Executives. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall oversee an
annual review by the Board on succession planning, which shall
include transitional leadership in the event of an unplanned
vacancy.
8. Additional Powers. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee shall have such other duties as
may be delegated from time to time by the Board.
|
|
D. |
Procedures and Administration |
1. Meetings. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary
in order to perform its responsibilities. The Committee may also
act by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. The
Committee shall keep such records of its meetings as it shall
deem appropriate.
2. Subcommittees. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee may form and delegate authority
to one or more subcommittees (including a subcommittee
consisting of a single member), as it deems appropriate from
time to time under the circumstances.
3. Reports to the Board. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee shall report regularly to the
Board.
4. Charter. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall, from time to time as it deems
appropriate, review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
C-2
5. Independent Advisors. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee shall have the authority to
engage such independent legal and other advisors as it deems
necessary or appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Such
independent advisors may be the regular advisors to the Company.
The Committee is empowered, without further action by the Board,
to cause the Company to pay the compensation of such advisors as
established by the Committee.
6. Investigations. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee shall have the authority to
conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the
scope of its responsibilities as it shall deem appropriate,
including the authority to request any officer, employee or
advisor of the Company to meet with the Committee or any
advisors engaged by the Committee.
7. Annual Self-Evaluation. At least annually,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall evaluate
its own performance.
Adopted on May 13, 2005 by the Board of Directors of
Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc.
C-3
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY
|
|
|
|
|
TELEPHONE VOTING
|
|
INTERNET VOTING |
|
VOTING BY MAIL |
This method of voting is available for residents of the U.S. and
Canada. On a touch tone telephone, call TOLL FREE
800-732-6167, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You will be asked to enter ONLY the CONTROL NUMBER shown
below. Have your voting instruction card ready, then follow the
prerecorded instructions. Your vote will be confirmed and cast
as you direct. Available until 11:59 PM, EST, May 21,
2006. |
|
Visit the Internet voting website at
http://proxy.georgeson.com. Enter the COMPANY NUMBER
and CONTROL NUMBER shown below and follow the
instructions on your screen. You will incur only your usual
Internet charges. Available until 11:59 PM, EST,
May 21, 2006. |
|
Simply mark, sign and date your voting instruction card and
return it in the postage-paid envelope. If you are voting by
telephone or the Internet, please do not mail your proxy card. |
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL
|
|
x |
Please mark votes as in this
example.
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR PROPOSAL 2 BELOW.
|
|
Proposal 1. |
To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their
successors are elected. |
|
|
Nominees: |
Joseph V. Gulfo, M.D., Breaux Castleman, Sidney Braginsky,
George C. Chryssis, Martin D. Cleary, Dan W. Lufkin and Gerald
Wagner, Ph.D. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE (EXCEPT AS MARKED TO THE CONTRARY
BELOW) |
|
o
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE |
To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s), write such
nominee(s) name(s) above.
|
|
Proposal 2. |
To ratify selection of Eisner LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2006. |
o For o Against o
Abstain
|
|
|
Dated ___________________________________, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
Signature(s) |
|
|
|
|
Signature(s) |
|
|
Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If the stock is
registered in the names of two or more persons, each should
sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and
attorneys-in-fact
should add their titles. If signer is a corporation, please give
full corporate name and have a duly authorized officer sign,
stating title. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person. |
|
|
Please vote, date and promptly return this proxy in the enclosed
return envelope which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United
States. |
DETACH HERE
PROXY
ELECTRO-OPTICAL SCIENCES, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 22, 2006
The undersigned hereby appoints Breaux Castleman, Joseph V.
Gulfo, M.D., and Karen Krumeich, and each of them (with
full power to act alone), as attorneys and proxies of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares
of stock of Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc. which the undersigned
may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Electro-Optical Sciences, Inc. to be held at The Hampton Inn,
200 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford, New York 10523, on Monday,
May 22, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., local time, and at any and
all postponements, continuations and adjournments thereof, with
all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally
present, upon and in respect of the following matters and in
accordance with the following instructions, with discretionary
authority as to any and all other matters that may properly come
before the meeting.
UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2,
AS MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN
ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE