SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant |X|
Filed by a party other than the registrant |_|
Check the appropriate box:
|_| Preliminary proxy statement |_| Confidential, for Use of the Com-
mission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|X| Definitive proxy statement
|_| Definitive additional materials
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
HYBRIDON, INC.
--------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
--------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
|X| No Fee required.
|_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
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:
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
|_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the
date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
(3) Filing party:
(4) Date filed:
HYBRIDON, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 8, 1999
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1999 annual meeting of the stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") of Hybridon, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 1999 at 10:00 A.M. at the Radisson
Hotel, 11 Beaver Street, Milford, Massachusetts, for the purpose of considering
and voting upon the following matters:
1. To elect three Class I Directors to the Board of Directors for
the ensuing three years;
2. To approve an amendment to the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan;
3. To approve an amendment to the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan;
4. To ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
auditors of the Company for the current year; and
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other business to be
transacted at the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Friday, April
16, 1999 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
A copy of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders, which
contains consolidated financial statements and other information of interest to
stockholders, is being mailed with this Notice and the enclosed Proxy Statement
on or about May 8, 1999 to all stockholders of record on the Record Date.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Cheryl M. Northrup, Secretary
Milford, Massachusetts
April 30, 1999
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE PROMPTLY COMPLETE, DATE,
SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE NEED
BE AFFIXED IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
HYBRIDON, INC.
155 FORTUNE BLVD.
MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01757
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 8, 1999
This proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") is furnished by the board
of directors (the "Board of Directors" or "Board") of Hybridon, Inc. ("Hybridon"
or the "Company"), in connection with the Company's annual meeting of
stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, June 8, 1999 at 10:00
A.M. at the Radisson Hotel, 11 Beaver Street, Milford, Massachusetts or any
adjournment thereof.
All proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions of the
stockholder. If no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of
the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. Any proxy may be
revoked by a stockholder at any time before its exercise by delivery of a
written revocation or a subsequently dated proxy to the Secretary of the Company
or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting
will not itself be deemed to revoke a proxy unless the stockholder gives
affirmative notice at the Annual Meeting that the stockholder intends to revoke
the proxy and vote in person.
On April 16, 1999, the record date for determination of stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to
vote an aggregate of 15,606,825 shares of Common Stock of the Company, $.001 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"). Each share entitles the record holder to
one vote on each of the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
THE NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, THIS PROXY STATEMENT, THE ENCLOSED
PROXY AND THE COMPANY'S 1998 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS ARE BEING MAILED TO
STOCKHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT MAY 8, 1999. THE COMPANY WILL, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST OF
ANY STOCKHOLDER, FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, WITHOUT EXHIBITS. PLEASE ADDRESS ALL SUCH REQUESTS TO THE COMPANY,
ATTENTION OF INVESTOR RELATIONS, 155 FORTUNE BLVD., MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
01757. EXHIBITS WILL BE PROVIDED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND PAYMENT OF AN
APPROPRIATE PROCESSING FEE.
VOTES REQUIRED
The holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of Common Stock
present in person or represented by proxy (including shares which abstain or do
not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder
approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at
the Annual Meeting.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast by
the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the
election of directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and voting on the matter
is required for the approval of the amendments to the Company's 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan and the Company's 1995 Director Stock Option Plan and the
ratification of the selection of the Company's independent auditors.
Shares which abstain from voting as to a particular matter, and shares
held in "street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that
they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular
matter, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter, and will also not
be counted as votes cast or shares voting on such matter. Accordingly,
abstentions and "broker non-votes" will have no effect on the voting on a matter
that requires the affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes cast or
shares voting on a matter.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 16, 1999
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by each
person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, assuming conversion of all convertible debt or preferred
stock and exercise of all warrants and stock options by such person and only by
such person.
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership(1) ++
Name and Address of Number of Percent of
Beneficial Owner Shares Class
- ---------------- ------ -----
5% STOCKHOLDERS
Pecks Management Partners Ltd.................. 8,252,339(2) 34.59%
One Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10022
Forum Capital Markets LLC...................... 4,555,517(3) 23.33%
53 Forest Ave.
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
General Motors Employees....................... 3,660,314(4) 19.00%
Domestic Group Trust
c/o Pecks Management Partners Ltd.
One Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10020
Guardian Life Insurance........................ 3,090,922(5) 16.53%
Company of America
201 Park Avenue South, 7A
New York, New York 10003
2
Intercity Holdings Ltd......................... 2,216,666(6) 13.87%
c/o Cuson Milner House
18 Parliament Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
Abdelah Bin Mahfouz............................ 2,216,666(7) 13.87%
c/o SEDCO
P.O. Box 4384
Jeddah 21491
Saudi Arabia
Delaware State Employees....................... 2,439,227(8) 13.52%
Retirement Fund
c/o Pecks Management Partners Ltd.
One Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10020
Youssef El-Zein................................ 1,748,722(9) 10.35%
28 Avenue de Messine
75008 Paris, France
Nasser Menhall................................. 1,726,734(10) 10.22%
28 Avenue de Messine
75008 Paris, France
Pillar Investment Limited...................... 1,617,173(11) 9.65%
28 Avenue de Messine
75008 Paris, France
Yahia M.A. Bin Laden........................... 1,373,977(12) 8.67%
2 rue Charles Bonnet
1206 Geneva, Switzerland
Nicris Limited................................. 1,360,644(13) 8.59%
c/o Magnin Dunand & Associes
2 rue Charles Bonnet
1206 Geneva, Switzerland
Lincoln National Life Insurance Co............. 1,215,223(14) 7.22%
c/o Lynch & Mayer
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Faisal Finance Switzerland SA.................. 1,043,112(15) 6.58%
84 Ave Louis Casi
1216 Geneva, Switzerland
Finova Technology Finance Inc.................. 896,875 (16) 5.56%
10 Waterside Drive
Farmington, CT 06032
Declaration of Trust for the................... 850,430(17) 5.17%
Defined Benefit Plan of ICI
American Holdings, Inc.
c/o Pecks Management Partners Ltd.
One Rockfeller Plaza
New York, New York 10022
- ------------------------------------
++ Amount of ownership does not include dividends issuable by the Company
at April 1, 1999 of 3.25 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
for each 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned.
(1) The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission", and the information is not necessarily indicative of
beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules,
beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has
sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares
which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days after
April 16, 1999 through the exercise of any stock option or other right.
The inclusion herein of such shares, however, does not constitute an
admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial
owner of such shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity
named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or
shares such power with his or her spouse) with respect to all shares of
capital stock listed as owned by such person or entity.
(2) Includes 247,339 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned
by six investment advisory clients of Pecks, which clients would
receive dividends and the proceeds from the sale of such shares. Three
of
3
these clients are Delaware State Employees Retirement Fund, General
Motors Employees Domestic Group Trust and Declaration of Trust for the
Defined Benefit Plan of ICI American Holdings, Inc. These shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into 5,819,742
shares of Common Stock of the Company. This amount also includes
762,425 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class A warrants and
420,172 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class D warrants held in
the aggregate by the foregoing entities. This number also includes
1,250,000 shares issuable upon conversion of a portion of the
$6,000,000 bank loan to the Company owned by certain of the foregoing
entities.
(3) Includes (a) 328,677 shares issuable upon exercise of Class B warrants,
(b) 280,517 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants, (c)
408,112 shares issuable upon exercise of Class A warrants, (d) 588,235
shares issuable upon exercise of other warrants, (e) 1,250,000 shares
issuable upon conversion of Forum's portion of the $6,000,000 bank loan
to the Company, and (f) 1,063,717 shares issuable upon conversion of
45,208 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Forum.
(4) Includes 110,581 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock which
are convertible into 2,601,906 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
This amount also includes 492,783 shares issuable upon the exercise of
Class A warrants and 565,625 shares issuable upon conversion of a
portion of the $6,000,000 bank loan to the Company owned by this
entity.
(5) Includes 105,634 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock which
are convertible into 2,485,506 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
This amount also includes 353,316 shares issuable upon the exercise of
Class A warrants and 252,100 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class
D warrants.
(6) Includes 375,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class B warrants
held by Intercity Holdings Ltd.
(7) Includes 1,841,666 shares held by Intercity Holdings Ltd. and 375,000
shares issuable upon exercise of Class B warrants held by Intercity
Holdings. Mr. Mahfouz, a controlling stockholder of Intercity Holdings
Ltd., may be considered a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially
owned by such entity.
(8) Includes 71,221 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock which
are convertible into 1,675,788 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
This amount also includes 137,918 shares issuable upon the exercise of
Class A warrants, 270,271 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class D
warrants and 355,250 shares issuable upon conversion of portion of the
$6,000,000 bank loan to the Company owned by this entity.
(9) Includes (a) 82,183 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held
by Mr. El-Zein, (b) 366 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
held by Pillar Associated, (c) 20,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants held by Pillar S.A., (d) 20,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of warrants held by Pillar S.A.R.L., (e) 37,500 shares
issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants held by Pillar
Investment Limited, (f) 473,598 issuable upon the exercise of advisory
warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited, (g) 638,032 shares issuable
upon the exercise of placement warrants held by Pillar Investment
Limited, (h) 5,243 shares issuable upon the exercise of other warrants
held by Pillar Investment Limited, (i) 462,800 shares held by Pillar
Investment Limited, and (j) 9,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options held by Mr. El-Zein. Mr. El-Zein, an affiliate of Pillar
Associated, Pillar S.A., Pillar S.A.R.L., and Pillar Investment
Limited, may be considered a beneficial owner of the shares
beneficially owned by such entities.
(10) Includes (a) 60,195 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held
by Mr. Menhall, (b) 366 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
held by Pillar Associated, (c) 20,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants held by Pillar S.A., (d) 20,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of warrants held by Pillar S.A.R.L., (e) 37,500 shares
issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants held by Pillar
Investment Limited, (f) 473,598 issuable upon the exercise of advisory
warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited, (g) 638,032 shares issuable
upon the exercise of placement warrants held by Pillar Investment
Limited, (h) 5,243 shares issuable upon the exercise of other warrants
held by Pillar Investment Limited, (i) 462,800 shares held by Pillar
Investment Limited, and (j) 9,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options
4
held by Mr. Menhall. Mr. Menhall, an affiliate of Pillar Associated,
Pillar S.A., Pillar S.A.R.L., and Pillar Investment Limited, may be
considered a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by such
entities.
(11) Includes (a) 37,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class C
warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited, (c) 473,598 issuable upon
the exercise of advisory warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited,
(c) 638,032 shares issuable upon the exercise of placement warrants
held by Pillar Investment Limited, and (d) 5,243 shares issuable upon
the exercise of other warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited.
(12) Includes 1,125,880 shares held by Nicris Limited and 234,764 shares
issuable upon the exercise of Class B warrants held by Nicris Limited.
Mr. Bin Laden, a controlling stockholder of Nicris, may be considered a
beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by such entity.
(13) Includes 234,764 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class B warrants
held by Nicris Limited.
(14) Includes 41,531 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock which
are convertible into 977,200 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
This amount also includes 238,023 shares issuable upon the exercise of
Class A warrants.
(15) Includes 233,026 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class B warrants
held by Faisal Finance Switzerland SA.
(16) Includes 259,375 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants
held by Finova Technology Finance Inc.
(17) Includes 25,713 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock which
are convertible into 605,012 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
This amount also includes 42,153 shares issuable upon the exercise of
Class A warrants, 74,265 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class D
warrants and 129,000 shares issuable upon conversion of a portion of
the $6,000,000 bank loan to the Company owned by this entity.
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 16, 1999
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock and Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock by (i) the directors of the Company and (ii) the
Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive Officers, and (iii) the
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, assuming conversion
of all convertible debt or preferred stock and exercise of all warrants and
stock options by such person and only by such person.
Series A
Common Stock Convertible Preferred Stock ++
------------ ------------------------------
Amount and Nature of Percent of Amount and Nature of Percent of
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Class Beneficial Ownership Class
DIRECTORS
- ---------
Arthur W. Berry......................... 8,252,339(2) 34.59% 247,339(3) 38.57%
Harold W. Purkey........................ 4,555,517(4) 23.33% 45,208(5) 7.05%
Youssef El-Zein......................... 1,748,722 (6) 10.35% 0 0
Nasser Menhall.......................... 1,726,734 (7) 10.22% 0 0
E. Andrews Grinstead III ............... 628,176 (8) 3.88% 0 0
Sudhir Agrawal.......................... 469,116 (9) 2.92% 0 0
Paul Z. Zamecnik........................ 324,430 (10) 2.07% 0 0
James B. Wyngaarden..................... 67,100 (11) * 0 0
Camille A. Chebeir...................... 25,000 * 0 0
H.F. Powell............................. 0 0 0 0
All directors and executive officers as a
group (10 persons)...................... 16,139,595(12) 53.28% 292,547 45.62%
- ------------------------------------
5
++ Amount of ownership does not include dividends issuable by the Company
at April 1, 1999 of 3.25 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
for each 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned.
* Less than 1%.
(1) The number of shares beneficially owned by each director and executive
officer is determined under rules promulgated by the Commission, and
the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership
for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes
any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power
or investment power and also any shares which the individual has the
right to acquire within 60 days after April 16, 1999 through the
exercise of any stock option or other right. The inclusion herein of
such shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named
stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of such shares.
Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table
has sole voting power and investment power (or shares such power with
his or her spouse) with respect to all shares of capital stock listed
as owned by such person or entity.
(2) Includes 247,339 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned
by six investment advisory clients of Pecks, which clients would
receive dividends and the proceeds from the sale of such shares. Three
of these clients are Delaware State Employees Retirement Fund, General
Motors Employees Domestic Group Trust and Declaration of Trust for the
Defined Benefit Plan of ICI American Holdings, Inc. These shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into 5,819,742
shares of Common Stock of the Company. This amount also includes
762,425 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class A warrants and
420,172 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class D warrants held in
the aggregate by the foregoing entities. This number also includes
1,250,000 shares issuable upon conversion of a portion of the
$6,000,000 bank loan to the Company owned by certain of the foregoing
entities. Mr. Berry, a principal of Pecks, may be considered a
beneficial owner of the shares owned by such entities. Mr. Berry
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(3) Consists of 247,339 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
owned by six investment advisory clients of Pecks, which clients would
receive dividends and the proceeds from the sale of such shares. Three
of these clients are Delaware State Employees Retirement Fund, General
Motors Employees Domestic Group Trust and Declaration of Trust for
Defined Benefit Plan of ICI American Holdings, Inc. These shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into 5,819,742
shares of Common Stock of the Company. Mr. Berry, a principal of Pecks,
may be considered a beneficial owner of the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Berry disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(4) Includes (a) 636,259 shares of Common Stock owned by Forum Capital
Markets LLC, (b) 328,677 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class B
warrants owned by Forum, (c) 280,517 shares issuable upon the exercise
of Class C warrants owned by Forum, (d) 408,112 shares issuable upon
the exercise of Class A warrants owned by Forum, (e) 1,250,000 shares
issuable upon conversion of Forum's portion of the $6,000,000 bank loan
to the Company and (f) 1,067,717 shares issuable upon conversion of
45,208 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Forum.
Mr. Purkey, an affiliate of Forum, may be considered a beneficial owner
of the shares beneficially owned by such entity.
(5) Consists of 45,208 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned
by Forum. Mr. Purkey, an affiliate of Forum, may be considered a
beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by Forum.
(6) Includes (a) 82,183 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held
by Mr. El-Zein, (b) 366 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
held by Pillar Associated, (c) 20,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants held by Pillar S.A., (d) 20,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of warrants held by Pillar S.A.R.L., (e) 37,500 shares
issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants held by Pillar
Investment Limited, (f) 473,598 issuable upon the exercise of advisory
warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited, (g) 638,032 shares issuable
upon the exercise of placement warrants held by Pillar Investment
Limited, (h) 5,243 shares issuable upon the exercise of other warrants
held by Pillar Investment Limited, (i) 462,800 shares held by Pillar
Investment Limited, and (j) 9,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options
6
held by Mr. El-Zein. Mr. El-Zein, an affiliate of Pillar Associated,
Pillar S.A., Pillar S.A.R.L., and Pillar Investment Limited, may be
considered a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by such
entities.
(7) Includes (a) 60,195 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held
by Mr. Menhall, (b) 366 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants
held by Pillar Associated, (c) 20,000 shares issuable upon the exercise
of warrants held by Pillar S.A., (d) 20,000 shares issuable upon the
exercise of warrants held by Pillar S.A.R.L., (e) 37,500 shares
issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants held by Pillar
Investment Limited, (f) 473,598 issuable upon the exercise of advisory
warrants held by Pillar Investment Limited, (g) 638,032 shares issuable
upon the exercise of placement warrants held by Pillar Investment
Limited, (h) 5,243 shares issuable upon the exercise of other warrants
held by Pillar Investment Limited, (i) 462,800 shares held by Pillar
Investment Limited, and (j) 9,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options held by Mr. Menhall. Mr. Menhall, an affiliate of Pillar
Associated, Pillar S.A., Pillar S.A.R.L., and Pillar Investment
Limited, may be considered a beneficial owner of the shares
beneficially owned by such entities.
(8) Includes 580,596 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable within the 60-day period following April 16, 1999.
(9) Includes 451,356 shares subject to outstanding stock options which are
exercisable within the 60-day period following April 16, 1999.
(10) Includes (a) 32,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which
are exercisable within the 60-day period following April 16, 1999 and
(b) 31,250 shares issuable upon the exercise of Class C warrants.
(11) Includes (a) 62,000 shares subject to outstanding stock options which
are exercisable within the 60-day period following April 16, 1999 and
(b) 700 shares held by Mr. Wyngaarden's children.
(12) Securities owned by Pillar Associated, Pillar S.A., Pillar S.A.R.L.
and Pillar Investment Limited are included only once, although such
amounts were included above for Messrs. El-Zein and Menhall.
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors, consisting of ten directors is divided into
three classes. Each class of directors, is elected for a staggered three-year
term. During 1998, the Board of Directors elected Arthur W. Berry and Harold L.
Purkey as Class I directors, whose terms shall expire at the Annual Meeting. In
1999, Mohamed A. El-Khereiji resigned as a Class II director and the Board of
Directors elected Camille A. Chebeir, whose term shall expire at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, to the vacancy created by Mr. El-Khereiji's
resignation. In addition, in 1999 the Board of Directors elected H.F. Powell as
a Class III director, whose term shall expire at the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
At the Annual Meeting, three directors will be elected as Class I
directors, each whose term will expire at the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified. All of the
Company's existing Class I directors, Nasser Menhall, Arthur W. Berry and Harold
L. Purkey, have been nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting. Each
nominee has indicated his willingness to serve, if elected; however, if any
nominee should be unable to serve, the person acting under the proxy may vote
the proxy for a substitute nominee. The Board of Directors has no reason to
believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve if elected.
The shares in the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the persons
nominated, unless a vote is withheld for any or all of the individual nominees.
For each member of the Board of Directors, including those who are
nominees for election as Class I Directors, there follows information given by
each concerning his name, age (as of April 30, 1999), length of
7
service as a director of the Company, principal occupation and business
experience for at least the past five years and the names of other publicly held
companies of which he serves as a director.
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, OTHER
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING PAST FIVE
DIRECTOR YEARS
NAME AGE SINCE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
---- --- ----- -----------------------
Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2002 (Class I Directors)
Nasser Menhall.................. 43 1992 Member of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the WorldCare Group, a
teleradiology company, since 1993; President
of Pillar Limited, a private investment and
management consulting firm, since 1990;
President of Biomedical Associates, a private
investment firm, since 1990.
Arthur W. Berry................. 57 1998 Chairman and Managing Partner of Pecks
Management Partners Ltd., since 1990; Vice
President and Co-Manager of the Alliance
Convertible Securities Group and President of
the Alliance Convertible Fund from 1985 to
1990; prior to joining Alliance, Vice President
and Head of Special Funds Section and
Manager of the Harris Convertible Fund at
Harris Bank and Senior Portfolio Manager in
the bank's Individual Investment Management
Group. Member of the Board of Directors of
Intellicorp, Inc.
Harold L. Purkey................ 55 1998 President of Forum Capital Markets LLC;
Senior Managing Director of Convertible
Securities at Smith Barney Shearson from 1990
to 1994; Senior Executive Vice President of
Drexel Burnham Lambert from 1982 to 1989.
Member of the Board of Directors of
Richardson Electronics Limited.
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2000 (Class II Directors)
Camille A. Chebeir.............. 60 1999 President of SEDCO Services, Inc., a company
which manages investments for a private Saudi
Arabian family group, since 1995, and a
member of the Board of Directors of various
entities in which SEDCO invests; Managing
Director of MetroWest, a Florida real estate
development company since 1995; Executive
Vice President of the New York branch of
National Commercial Bank from 1989 to 1992
and Vice President of Operations from 1983 to
1989; formerly President of the Arab Bankers
Association of America.
8
James B. Wyngaarden, M.D........ 74 1990 Foreign Secretary of the National Academy of
Sciences and the Institute of Medicine of the
National Academy of Sciences from 1990 to
1994; Council member of the Human Genome
Organization from 1990 to 1993 and Director
from 1990 to 1991; Director of the National
Institute of Health from 1982 to 1989;
Member of the Board of Directors of Human
Genome Sciences, Inc. and Magainin
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Elected Vice Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Company in
February 1997.
Paul C. Zamecnik, M.D........... 86 1990 Principal Scientist at the Worcester Foundation
for Biomedical Research, Inc. from 1979 to
1996; Collis P. Huntington Professor of
Oncologic Medicine at the Harvard Medical School
from 1956 to 1979 (Emeritus since 1979); Senior
Scientist and Honorary Physician at The
Massachusetts General Hospital since 1998.
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2001 (Class III Directors)
Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil.......... 45 1993 Senior Vice President of the Company since
March 1994; Chief Scientific Officer of the
Company since January 1993; Vice President
of Discovery of the Company from December
1991 to January 1993; Principal Research
Scientist of the Company from February 1990
to January 1993.
Youssef El-Zein................. 50 1992 Executive Officer of Pillar S.A., a private
investment and management consulting firm,
since 1991; Chairman of the WorldCare Group
since 1993; Member of the Board of Directors
of Pillar Investment Limited, a private
investment and management consulting firm,
since 1991; Elected Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Company in
February 1997.
E. Andrews Grinstead, III....... 53 1991 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since 1991;
President of the Company since 1993; Member
of the Board of Directors of Pharmos
Corporation and Meridian Medical
Technologies.
H.F. Powell..................... 66 1999 Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President of Nabisco, Inc. from 1994 to 1996
and held various executive offices with Nabisco
affiliates from 1982 to 1994; Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of
Standard Brands, Inc. from 1980 to 1981 and
held various executive offices with Standard
Brands affiliates from 1974 to 1980.
For information relating to shares of Common Stock owned by each of the
directors, see "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
9
Certain Transactions
Since January 1, 1998, Hybridon has entered into or has been engaged in
the following transactions with the following Hybridon directors and officers,
stockholders who beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock
of Hybridon ("5% Stockholders"), and affiliates or immediate family members of
those directors, officers and 5% Stockholders.
Transactions with Pillar S.A. and Certain of Its Affiliates
Hybridon has entered into certain transactions with Pillar S.A., Pillar
Investments and Charles River Building Limited Partnership, the entity which
owned the Company's former headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts (the
"Cambridge Landlord"). Pillar S.A. and Pillar Investments are affiliates of
Messrs. El-Zein and Menhall, two directors of Hybridon. The Cambridge Landlord
is an affiliate of Messrs. El-Zein and Menhall and Mohamed El-Khereiji, a former
director of Hybridon. The following is a summary of those transactions that
relate to Hybridon's 1998 fiscal year.
In 1998, Hybridon was a party to a consulting agreement with Pillar
S.A. dated as of March 1, 1994 (the "1994 Pillar Consulting Agreement"),
pursuant to which Pillar S.A. provided Hybridon with financial advisory and
managerial services in connection with Hybridon's overseas operations, including
support services in connection with contracts and agreements. Under the terms of
the 1994 Pillar Consulting Agreement, Hybridon paid Pillar S.A. consulting fees
of $60,000 per month and $23,000 per month for overhead costs, and reimbursed
certain authorized out-of-pocket expenses. The 1994 Pillar Consulting Agreement
expired on February 28, 1998.
On July 8, 1995, Hybridon entered into an additional agreement with
Pillar S.A. (the "Pillar Europe Agreement") pursuant to which Pillar S.A. agreed
for a period of two years to provide to Hybridon certain consulting, advisory
and related services (in addition to the services to be provided pursuant to the
1994 Pillar Consulting Agreement) and serve as Hybridon's exclusive agent in
connection with potential corporate partnerships in Europe and as a
non-exclusive placement agent of Hybridon in connection with private placements
of securities of Hybridon. On November 1, 1995, the Pillar Europe Agreement was
amended to provide that (1) Pillar S.A. would cease to serve as Hybridon's
executive agent in connection with potential corporate partnerships in Europe,
but would continue to serve as a non-exclusive agent in that connection, (2)
Pillar S.A. would receive a retainer of $26,470 per month for the balance of the
term of the Pillar Europe Agreement, (3) the fees provided for in the Pillar
Europe Agreement would only be payable to Pillar S.A. in connection with
potential collaborations with any French pharmaceutical company with which
Hybridon engaged in discussions during the 12-month period ended November 1,
1995 as a result of introductions by Pillar S.A., and (4) any compensation
payable to Pillar S.A. in connection with its services with respect to other
corporate collaborations or any placements of securities would be negotiated on
a case-by-case basis and would be subject to the approval of the independent
members of the Board of Directors of Hybridon. The Pillar Europe Agreement
expired on April 1, 1997.
In 1998, Hybridon paid Pillar Investments an aggregate of $300,000
under these agreements, in the form of 150,000 shares of Common Stock and
warrants to purchase 37,500 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of
$2.40 per share, subject to adjustment, in lieu of cash.
Hybridon has retained Pillar Investments as placement agent in
connection with the private placements of securities of Hybridon in offshore
transactions in reliance upon an exemption from registration under Regulation S
(the "Regulation S Offerings") promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). Pillar Investments received fees consisting of
(1) 9% of the gross proceeds of each Regulation S Offering, (2) a
non-accountable expense allowance equal to 4% of those gross proceeds, (3) the
right to purchase, for nominal consideration, warrants to purchase 473,598
shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.40 per share, subject to
adjustment (the "Pillar Warrants"), (4) the right to purchase, for nominal
consideration, warrants to purchase a number of shares of the Common Stock of
Hybridon equal to 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
10
sold by Hybridon for which Pillar Investments acted as placement agent,
exercisable at 120% of the relevant Common Stock offering price, for a period of
five years (resulting, as of the date hereof, in the right to receive warrants
to purchase 638,032 shares at $2.40 per share, subject to adjustment), and (5) a
consulting/restructuring fee of $960,000 payable in Common Stock of Hybridon
valued at the market price and payable in three equal installments as net
proceeds of $25,000,000, $30,000,000 and $35,000,000 are received in the
aggregate from private placements effected by Hybridon in 1998 to the extent
contemplated by the Consent and Waiver dated as of January 12, 1998 given by
certain beneficial holders of Hybridons's 9% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the
"9% Notes"), or otherwise to the extent contemplated by the Placement Agency
Agreement between Hybridon and Pillar Investments, subject to Hybridon's receipt
of a fairness opinion with regard thereto. In no event may Pillar Investments
receive compensation in excess of the level that was approved by the holders of
the 9% Notes. Pillar Investments has received $1,635,400 in cash pursuant to
these arrangements and Pillar Warrants to purchase 1,111,630 shares of Common
Stock.
In addition, in connection with the Regulation S Offerings, Hybridon
and Pillar Investments have entered into an advisory agreement dated May 5, 1998
pursuant to which Pillar Investments acts as Hybridon's non-exclusive financial
advisor. This agreement requires that Hybridon pay an affiliate of Pillar
Investments a monthly retainer of $5,000 (with a minimum engagement of 24 months
beginning on May 5, 1998), and further provides that Pillar Investments is
entitled to receive (1) out-of-pocket expenses, (2) subject to Hybridon's
receipt of a fairness opinion with respect thereto, 300,000 shares of Common
Stock in connection with Pillar Investments' efforts in assisting Hybridon in
restructuring its balance sheet, and (3) certain cash and equity success fees in
the event Pillar Investments assists Hybridon in connection with certain
financial and strategic transactions. As of April 16, 1999, Hybridon issued to
Pillar Investments the stipulated 300,000 shares of Common Stock. Hybridon
received a fairness opinion in connection with that issuance.
Transactions with the Cambridge Landlord
From February 4, 1997 to September 16, 1998, Hybridon was a party to a
lease with the Cambridge Landlord for its Cambridge facilities (the "Cambridge
Lease") . The Cambridge Lease originally provided for an annual rent equal to
$30 per square foot on a triple-net basis (meaning that the tenant pays taxes,
insurance, and operating costs) for the first five years, $33 per square foot on
a triple-net basis for the next five years and the greater of $30 per square
foot on a triple-net basis or the then-market value of leased property for each
of the five-year renewal terms. In connection with Hybridon's election to
acquire an interest in the Cambridge Landlord, as described below, the annual
rent due under the Cambridge Lease was increased for the first five years of the
lease term to $38 per square foot on a triple-net basis, for the second five
years to $42 per square foot on a triple-net basis and for the third five years
to $47 per square foot on a triple-net basis.
On July 1, 1996, Hybridon elected to fund approximately $5.5 million of
the costs (primarily relating to tenant improvements) of the construction of the
leased premises through contributions to the capital of the Cambridge Landlord
in exchange for a limited partnership interest in the Cambridge Landlord (the
"Partnership Interest"). The Partnership Interest entitled Hybridon to an
approximately 32% interest in the Cambridge Landlord. Hybridon had the right,
for a period of three years ending February 2000, to sell the Partnership
Interest back to certain limited partners of the Cambridge Landlord for a price
equal to the greater of (1) the aggregate cash contribution made by Hybridon to
the Cambridge Landlord or (2) the fair market value of the Partnership Interest
at the time.
In 1997, Hybridon had on deposit with Bank fur Vermogensanlagen und
Handel ("BVH") the amount of $1,034,618. In November 1997, German banking
authorities imposed a moratorium on BVH and closed BVH for business. Pursuant to
an agreement dated November 28, 1997, the Cambridge Landlord agreed to assume
the risk for the BVH deposit and to pay to Hybridon the amount of $75,000 a
month after each rent payment under the Cambridge Lease was made until such time
as $1,000,000 had been paid to Hybridon or the BVH deposit was released.
11
In June 1998, Hybridon relocated its headquarters from the Cambridge
facility to its facility in Milford, Massachusetts. The Cambridge facility was
re-leased in September 1998 to a third party, subject to a sublease of a portion
of the facility. As a result, Hybridon terminated the Cambridge Lease and was
relieved of its substantial lease obligations under the Cambridge Lease, subject
to a contingent continuing liability for any sublessee defaults. Further, in
November 1998 Hybridon completed the sale of its Partnership Interest. As a
result of these transactions, Hybridon received $6,163,000 from the Cambridge
Landlord, which included payment for the Partnership Interest, the return of a
portion of the security deposit required under the Cambridge Lease, and payment
in full of the BVH deposit.
Transactions with Forum Capital Markets LLC and Pecks Management Partners Ltd.
In 1998, Hybridon entered into certain transactions with Forum, an
affiliate of Mr. Purkey who is a director of Hybridon, and entities advised by
Pecks Management Partners Ltd. Mr. Berry is a principal of Pecks and also a
director of Hybridon.
Hybridon retained Forum as a placement agent of Hybridon in connection
with Hybridon's 1998 Regulation D offering of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock and Class D warrants in the U.S. Forum received as compensation for its
services as placement agent with regard to the Regulation D offering and its
assistance with an exchange offer made by the Company to the holders of its 9%
Notes, 597,699 shares of Common Stock and warrants (the "1998 Forum Warrants")
to purchase prior to May 4, 2003 an aggregate of 609,194 shares of Common Stock
exercisable at $2.40 per share, in each case subject to adjustment. In addition,
in consideration of the agreements made by Forum consenting to the Regulation D
offering and waiving certain obligations of Hybridon to Forum, Hybridon agreed
to amend Forum's warrant dated as of April 2, 1997, to purchase up to 71,301
shares of Common Stock of Hybridon (the "1997 Forum Warrant"), to change the
exercise price to $4.25 per share, subject to adjustment, and increase the
number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise to 588,235, in each
case subject to adjustment, and to provide that it may not be exercised until
May 5, 1999 and the transactions contemplated by those private placements and by
the exchange offer will not trigger any anti-dilution adjustments to its
exercise price or the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise.
In November 1998, Forum and entities advised by Pecks purchased
Hybridon's bank loan. In connection with the purchase of the loan, the
purchasing entities advanced an additional amount to Hybridon so as to increase
the outstanding principal amount of the loan to $6,000,000. In addition, the
purchasing entities agreed to amend the terms of the loan. This principal amount
of the loan and accrued but unpaid interest thereon is convertible, in whole or
in part, at the lenders' option into Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.40
per share.
In connection with the purchase of the loan, Forum will receive a fee
of $400,000, which Forum will reinvest by purchasing from Hybridon either (1)
shares of Common Stock or shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of
Hybridon and accompanying warrants on the same terms as they are sold to
investors in Hybridon's next equity offering to occur after November 13, 1998
(the "Placement Price"), or (2) if no equity offering is consummated prior to
May 1, 1999, 160,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase an
additional 40,000 shares of Common Stock at $3.00 per share. In addition, Forum
will receive warrants exercisable until maturity of the Loan to purchase
$400,000 of shares of Common Stock priced at the Placement Price or, if no
equity offering is consummated prior to May 1, 1999, at $3.00 per share.
Hybridon maintains an investment account at Forest Investment
Management LLC, an affiliate of Forum and Mr. Purkey.
12
Other Transactions
In March 1999, the Company entered into consulting arrangements with
each of Mr. Powell, Dr. Zamecnik and Dr. Wyngaarden pursuant to which each such
person will act as a consultant to the Company for a two-year period and will
receive a consulting fee of $20,000 per year for general consulting services. In
addition, each person will receive a consulting fee of $1,500 per day of on-site
consulting services provided by such person at the Company's corporate offices
(or at an alternative site agreed upon by the parties), and at the Company's
prior request. Additional fees for special projects will be negotiated
separately between the parties. Each of Mr. Powell, Dr. Zamecnik and Dr.
Wyngaarden is also entitled to receive options to purchase 150,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at $2.00 per share; such options will vest over a
two-year period.
Certain persons and entities (the "Rightsholders"), including Dr.
Zamecnik, Pillar S.A., Pillar Limited, Intercity Holdings, Mr. Bin Laden and
Nicris Limited , are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration
under the Securities Act of certain shares of Hybridon's Common Stock (the
"Registrable Shares"), including shares of Common Stock that may be acquired
pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, under the terms of agreements
among Hybridon and the Rightsholders (the "Registration Agreements"). The
Registration Agreements generally provide that in the event Hybridon proposes to
register any of its securities under the Securities Act at any time, with
certain exceptions, the Rightsholders, including Pillar S.A., Pillar Limited,
Intercity Holdings, Mr. Bin Laden and Nicris Limited, but excluding, among
others, Dr. Zamecnik, have the additional right under certain Registration
Agreements to require Hybridon to prepare and file registration statements under
the Securities Act, if Rightsholders holding specified percentages of the
Registrable Shares so request, and Hybridon is required to use its best efforts
to effect that registration, subject to certain conditions and limitations.
Hybridon believes that the terms of the transactions described above
were no less favorable than Hybridon could have obtained from unaffiliated third
parties.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires each director and each executive officer of the
Company and each holder of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Common Stock to file with the Commission an initial statement of
ownership and, as required, a statement of changes in ownership of equity
securities of the Company. Each such person is required by Commission
regulations to furnish the Company with a copy of each Section 16(a) statement
it files with respect to the Company.
Based solely on its review of copies of filed Section 16(a) statements,
the Company believes that during 1998 all directors and executive officers of
the Company and all holders of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock complied with the requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act,
except that each of the following persons failed to timely file a Statement of
Changes of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 4 in connection with one
transaction effected during 1998: Mr. E. Andrews Grinstead III and Dr. Sudhir
Agrawal.
Board of Directors and Committee Annual Meetings
The Board of Directors held ten meetings (including by telephone
conference and by written consent) in 1998. All directors attended at least 75%
of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which they
served.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, which reviews the
results and scope of the audit and other services provided by the Company's
independent public accountants. The Audit Committee held two meetings in 1998.
The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Menhall and Purkey and Dr.
Wyngaarden.
13
The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee, which reviews the
salaries, benefits and any other compensation of the Company's senior executive
officers, to make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to
these matters and to administer the Company's stock option plans. In 1998, the
Compensation Committee held two meetings. The members of the Compensation
Committee are Messrs. Berry and El-Zein and Dr. Wyngaarden.
The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee.
The function customarily performed by a nominating committee is undertaken by
the Board of Directors, as a whole, which entertains nominations made by any
Board member. In the past, the Board of Directors has established special
nominating committees to identify and propose potential new Board members, and
the Board may do so again in the future.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Compensation of Executive Officers
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998 ("fiscal 1998"), December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996
for those persons, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific
Officer, who were serving as Executive Officers at December 31, 1998 and whose
total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in fiscal 1998 (the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer are hereinafter referred to as
the "Named Executive Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------- ------
OTHER
ANNUAL SECURITIES
COMPEN- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS SATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
--------------------------- ------ ----- ------ ------- ------------
E. Andrews Grinstead, III...........1998 $375,000 0 $ 93,750(1) 500,000 $ 53,861(2)
Chairman of the Board, 1997 $375,000 0 $ 93,750(1) 66,806 $ 53,784(2)
President and Chief Executive 1996 $375,000 $225,000 $ 93,750(1) 50,000 $ 48,163(2)
Officer
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil.............1998 $250,000 0 $ 50,000(1) 500,000 $ 22,115(2)
Senior Vice President of 1997 $250,000 0 $ 50,000(1) 32,263 $ 13,462(2)
Discovery, Chief Scientific 1996 $250,000 $100,000 $ 4,277(1) 25,000 $ 24,399(2)
Officer and Director
- ----------------
(1) Other annual compensation paid, or to be paid, by the Company to, or for
the benefit of, the Named Executive Officers is as follows:
E. Andrews Grinstead, III 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Paid in lieu of employee benefits............ $79,903 $34,902 $76,017
Purchase of life insurance and other
payments to third parties.................... 13,487 58,848 17,733
------- ------- -------
Total........................................ $93,750 $93,750 $ 93,750
======= ======= ========
14
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil. 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------ ---- ---- ----
Paid in lieu of employee benefits............ $39,337 $38,132 $ 0
Purchase of life insurance and other payments to
third parties................................ 10,663 11,868 4,277
------- ------- ------
Total........................................ $50,000 $50,000 $4,277
======= ======= ======
(2) All other compensation paid, or to be paid, by the Company to, or for the benefit of, the Named Executive
Officers is as follows:
E. Andrews Grinstead, III 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Surrender of unused vacation days............ $37,861 $37,300 $32,163
Additional payments.......................... 16,000 16,484 16,000
------- ------- -------
Total........................................ $53,861 $53,784 $48,163
====== ====== ======
Sudhir Agrawal, D. Phil. 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------ ---- ---- ----
Surrender of unused vacation days............ $22,115 $13,462 $24,399
------ ------ ------
Total........................................ $ 22,115 $ 13,462 $ 24,399
======== ======== ========
Option Grants Table
The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of
stock options made during fiscal 1998 to each of the Named Executive Officers:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
PERCENTAGE VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO PRICE EXPIRA- OPTIONS TERM(2)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PER TION
GRANTED FISCAL YEAR SHARE DATE(1) 5% 10%
-------- ----------- ------- -------- -------- ------
E. Andrews Grinstead, III.. 500,000 (3) 21.4% $2.00 7/21/08 $323,407 $1,107,416
Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil..... 500,000 (3) 21.4% $2.00 7/21/08 $323,407 $1,107,416
- ---------------
(1) The expiration date of an option is the tenth anniversary of the date
on which the option was originally granted.
15
(2) The amounts shown on this table represent hypothetical gains that could
be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the
option term. These gains are based on assumed rates of stock
appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded annually from the date the
respective options were granted to their expiration date. The gains
shown are net of the option exercise price, but do not include
deductions for taxes or other expenses associated with the exercise.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will depend on the
future performance of the Common Stock, the optionholder's continued
employment through the option period, and the date on which the options
are exercised. As of April 16, 1999, the last sale price of Common
Stock of the Company was lower than the exercise price of the options
reflected in this table.
(3) These stock options are currently exercisable with respect to 350,000
of the shares covered thereby and will become exercisable with respect
to the remaining shares covered thereby in equal quarterly installments
in arrears commencing on July 21, 1999.
Aggregated Option Exercises and Year-End Option Table
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number and
value of unexercised options held by each of the Named Executive Officers on
December 31, 1998:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST
FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SHARES UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN THE MONEY
OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT FISCAL
FISCAL YEAR-END YEAR-END(1)
EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
------------- -------------
E. Andrews Grinstead, III...................... 461,235 / 302,084 $ -- / --
Sudhir Agrawal................................. 340,903 / 277,360 $3,750 / --
- ---------------------
(1) The closing price for the Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq OTC
Bulletin Board on December 31, 1998 (the last day of trading in 1998) was
$1.625. Value is calculated on the basis of the difference between the
option exercise price and $1.625, multiplied by the number of shares of
Common Stock underlying the option.
Director Compensation
Each non-employee director is paid $1,500 for personal or telephonic
attendance at a Board of Directors or committee meeting. Other directors are not
entitled to compensation in their capacities as directors. All of the directors
are reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with their attendance
at Board of Director and committee meetings. In addition, Dr. Zamecnik received
compensation in the amount of $83,995 in 1998 in connection with the provision
of certain consulting services to the Company. Of this amount, Dr. Zamecnik
received 25,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 6,250 shares of
Common Stock in lieu of $50,000 in cash. The remaining $33,995 was paid in cash.
The Company also is a party to consulting, advisory and other arrangements with
various directors and their affiliates. For a description of the foregoing
arrangements with the Company and certain other transactions between the Company
and affiliates of certain directors, see "Certain Transactions."
16
In October 1995, the Company adopted the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan
(the "Director Plan"). Under the terms of the Director Plan, options to purchase
1,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to each director of the Company, other
than Mr. Grinstead and Dr. Agrawal, (a) as of January 24, 1996 at an exercise
price of $65.625 per share, (b) as of May 1, 1997, at an exercise price of
$27.50 per share, and (c) as of May 1, 1998 at an exercise price of $2.375 per
share. The Director Plan also provides that options to purchase 5,000 shares of
Common Stock will be granted to each new director upon his or her initial
election to the Board of Directors. However, because of the one-for-five reverse
stock split described below, options to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock
were granted to Messrs. Chebeir and Powell upon their appointment to the Board
of Directors in 1999. Annual options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock
will be granted to each eligible director on May 1 of each year, although the
Company adjusted this number to 1,000 options in 1998 and 1999, due to the
one-for five reverse stock split. All options will vest on the first anniversary
of the date of grant (or, in the case of options granted automatically each
year, on April 30 of the year following the date of grant); provided, that the
exercisability of these options will be accelerated upon the occurrence of a
change in control (as defined in the Director Plan). A total of 50,000 shares of
Common Stock may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted under the
Director Plan. The exercise price of options granted under the Director Plan
will equal the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. As of
April 16, 1999, options to purchase an aggregate of 21,000 shares of Common
Stock were outstanding under the Director Plan. All share information set forth
in the Proxy Statement has been adjusted to take into account the one-for-five
reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock effected in December 1997. For
a description of the Director Plan, see "Proposal 3 -- Approval of Amendment to
the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan."
Non-employee directors also have received options to purchase Common Stock
of the Company under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan")
and the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan"). In particular, in
1998, the Board of Directors voted to grant an option to purchase 50,000 shares
of Common Stock at $2.00 per share to Dr. Wyngaarden and Mr. El-Zein, in
recognition of their services as Vice Chairmen of the Board of Directors during
the previous twelve months. Mr. El-Zein declined this grant.
In addition, in 1998, the Board of Directors voted to grant 50,000 shares
of Common Stock of the Company to Dr. Zamecnik in recognition of his outstanding
contributions to the Company.
Employment Agreements, Termination of Employment and Change in Control
Arrangements
The Company is party to an employment agreement with Mr. Grinstead for
the period commencing July 1, 1996 and ending June 30, 2001. Under this
agreement, Mr. Grinstead is currently entitled to receive an annual base salary
of $375,000. Mr. Grinstead also is eligible to receive (i) a cash bonus each
year related to the attainment of management objectives specified by the Board
of Directors and (ii) additional payments of $16,000 in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In
the event Mr. Grinstead's employment is terminated by the Company without cause
(as defined) or by him for good cause (as defined), the Company will pay Mr.
Grinstead during the 24-month period following his termination a monthly amount
equal to one-twelfth of the sum of Mr. Grinstead's annual base salary as of the
date of termination and the average bonus paid to him during the three years
preceding his termination (the "Average Bonus Amount"). The Company also will
continue Mr. Grinstead's benefits for such period, subject to earlier
termination under certain circumstances. If his employment is terminated by the
Company for failure to perform his assigned duties, he will continue to receive
his annual base salary and benefits during the six-month period following such
termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Mr. Grinstead's
employment is terminated for any of the above reasons within 12 months following
a Change in Control (as defined) of the Company, Mr. Grinstead will be entitled
to receive, in lieu of the payments described above, a lump sum payment equal to
300% of the sum of his annual base salary and his Average Bonus Amount.
In accordance with the terms of Mr. Grinstead's previous employment
agreement, the Company loaned $190,000 to Mr. Grinstead in December 1992
pursuant to the terms of a promissory note bearing simple interest at a rate of
6% per year, which originally provided for the payment of principal and all
accrued interest on the earlier of December 23, 1995 or the expiration or
termination of Mr. Grinstead's employment by the Company, but is currently
payable on demand. Such loan remained outstanding as of December 31, 1998, at
which date the total unpaid balance of principal and interest was $258,650.
17
The Company is party to an employment agreement with Dr. Agrawal for
the period commencing July 1, 1996 and ending June 30, 2000. Under this
agreement, Dr. Agrawal serves as Senior Vice President of Discovery and Chief
Scientific Officer of the Company and is currently entitled to receive an annual
base salary of $250,000. Dr. Agrawal is eligible to receive a cash bonus each
year related to the attainment of management objectives specified by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. In the event Dr. Agrawal's
employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined) or by him for
good cause (as defined), the Company will pay Dr. Agrawal during the 24-month
period following his termination a monthly amount equal to one-twelfth of the
sum of Dr. Agrawal's annual base salary as of the date of termination and the
average bonus paid to him during the three years preceding his termination (the
"Average Bonus Amount"). The Company will also continue Dr. Agrawal's benefits
for such period, subject to earlier termination under certain circumstances. If
his employment is terminated by the Company for failure to perform his assigned
duties, he will continue to receive his annual base salary and benefits during
the six-month period following such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event that Dr. Agrawal's employment is terminated for any of the above
reasons within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined) of the
Company, Dr. Agrawal will be entitled to receive, in lieu of the payments
described above, a lump sum payment equal to 300% of the sum of his annual base
salary and his Average Bonus Amount.
The employment agreements entered into between the Company and each of
Mr. Grinstead and Dr. Agrawal also provide that all stock options held by any of
the Named Executive Officers (including existing options and options to be
granted in the future) shall include terms providing (i) that in the event that
such Named Executive Officer's employment is terminated by the Company without
cause or by him for good cause the exercisability of such stock options will be
accelerated by two years and such stock options will be exercisable for a
two-year period following termination and (ii) that in the event of certain
changes in control of the Company, its liquidation or the sale of all or
substantially all of its assets, all such stock options not then exercisable
will vest and become immediately exercisable. The Company is also a party to
registration rights agreements with Mr. Grinstead that provide that in the event
the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act,
at any time, with certain exceptions, Mr. Grinstead shall be entitled to include
the shares of Common Stock held by him in such registration, subject to the
right of the managing underwriter of any underwritten offering to exclude from
such registration for marketing reasons some or all of such shares. The Company
also is a party to indemnification agreements with Mr. Grinstead pursuant to
which the Company has agreed to indemnify him for certain liabilities, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
Stock options to purchase an aggregate of 207,513 shares of Common
Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the 1990 Plan provide
that, upon a change in control (as defined in the 1990 Plan), all options
granted thereunder will become fully exercisable. In addition, pursuant to the
terms of the employment agreements entered into between the Company and each of
the Named Executive Officers described above (i) in April 1997, stock options to
purchase an aggregate of 156,069 shares of Common Stock granted to the Named
Executive Officers under the Company's 1995 Plan were amended to provide that
such options will become fully exercisable upon a change in control of the
Company, and (ii) all stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers
after March 1, 1997 will provide that such options will become fully exercisable
upon a change of control of the Company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
On June 16, 1998 the Board of Directors re-established a Compensation
Committee consisting of Messrs. Berry and El-Zein and Dr. Wyngaarden. None of
the directors or executive officers of the Company had any "interlock"
relationships to report during the Company's fiscal year ended December 31,
1998.
Since January 1, 1998, the Company has entered into or is engaged in
certain ongoing transactions with (i) Pillar S.A., Pillar Investment, Pillar
Limited and Charles River Building Limited Partnership, entities of which
Messrs. El-Zein and Menhall are affiliates; (ii) entities advised by Pecks, an
entity of which Mr.
18
Berry is a principal and (iii) Forum, an entity of which Mr. Purkey is an
affiliate. See "Certain Transactions."
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
The Company's Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing
compensation policies with respect to the Company's executive officers,
including the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table, and setting the compensation for these
individuals.
The Compensation Committee seeks to achieve three broad goals in
connection with the Company's executive compensation programs and decisions
regarding individual compensation. First, the Compensation Committee structures
executive compensation programs in a manner that it believes will enable the
Company to attract and retain key executives. In order to ensure continuity of
certain key members of management, the Board of Directors has historically
approved multi-year employment contracts for its executives. Second, the
Compensation Committee establishes compensation programs that are designed to
reward executives for the achievement of business objectives of the Company
and/or the individual executive's particular area of responsibility. By linking
compensation in part to achievement, the Compensation Committee believes that a
performance-oriented environment is created for the Company's executives.
Finally, the Company's executive compensation programs are intended to provide
executives with an equity interest in the Company so as to link a portion of the
compensation of the Company's executives with the performance of the Company's
Common Stock.
The compensation programs for the Company's executives established by
the Compensation Committee generally consist of three elements based upon the
foregoing objectives: base salary; cash bonuses and a stock-based equity
incentive in the form of participation in the Company's stock option plans. The
Compensation Committee did not consider cash bonuses in 1998 due to the
Company's cash position.
In establishing base salaries for the executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer, which base salaries have been fixed in the executive
officers' employment agreements, the Board of Directors monitors salaries at
other companies, particularly those that are in the same industry as the Company
or related industries and/or located in the same general geographic area as the
Company, considers historic salary levels of the individual and the nature of
the individual's responsibilities and compares the individual's base salary with
those of other executives at the Company. The Compensation Committee also
considers the challenges involved in retaining first-rate managerial personnel
in the antisense field because of the new nature of this technology. To the
extent determined to be appropriate, the Compensation Committee also considers
general economic conditions, the Company's financial performance and the
individual's performance.
The Compensation Committee uses stock options as a significant element
of the compensation package of the Company's executive officers, including the
Chief Executive Officer, because they provide an incentive to executives to
maximize stockholder value and because they reward the executives only to the
extent that stockholders also benefit. The timing and amounts of such grants
depends upon a number of factors, including new hires of executives, the
executives' current stock and option holdings and such other factors as the
Compensation Committee deems relevant. In granting stock options in 1998 to the
Company's executives, including Mr. Grinstead, the Compensation Committee
considered a variety of factors, including the Company's accomplishments in the
areas of product development, enhancement of the Company's patent and licensing
position, restructuring and increased development of the Hybridon Specialty
Products Division. Likewise, the grant of stock options to Mr. Grinstead in 1998
was based on the Compensation Committee's judgment as to the leadership role Mr.
Grinstead played with respect to these accomplishments. When granting stock
options, it has generally been the policy of the Compensation Committee to fix
the exercise price of such options at 100% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant.
19
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), enacted in 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to public
companies for compensation over $1,000,000 paid to its chief executive officer
and its four other most highly compensated executive officers. Qualifying
performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if
certain requirements are met. In this regard, the Company has limited the number
of shares subject to stock options which may be granted to Company employees in
a manner that complies with the performance-based requirements of Section
162(m). Based on the compensation awarded to Mr. Grinstead and the other
executive officers of the Company, it does not appear that the Section 162(m)
limitation will have a significant impact on the Company in the near term. While
the Committee does not currently intend to qualify its incentive awards as a
performance-based plan, it will continue to monitor the impact of Section 162(m)
on the Company.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Arthur W. Berry
Youssef El-Zein
James B. Wyngaarden
Comparative Stock Performance
The comparative stock performance graph below compares the cumulative
stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock for the period from January 25,
1996 (the effective date of the initial public offering of the Company's Common
Stock) through December 31, 1998 with the cumulative total return on (i) the
Nasdaq Market Index and (ii) a peer group index (the "SIC Code Index") selected
by the Company which is comprised of the 84 publicly traded companies, that are
currently grouped under the Standard Industrial Code pertaining to businesses
engaged in the manufacture or development of biological products other than
diagnostic substances (assuming the investment of $100 in the Company's Common
Stock, the Nasdaq Market Index and the SIC Code Index on January 25, 1996 and
reinvestment of all dividends). Measurement points are on January 25, 1996,
December 31, 1996, December 31, 1997, March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998, September
30, 1998 and the last trading day of the year ended December 31, 1998. Prior to
January 25, 1996, the Company's Common Stock was not registered under the
Exchange Act.
Measurement Period Nasdaq Market
(Fiscal Year Covered) Hybridon Inc Index SIC Code Index
--------------------- ------------ ----- --------------
1/25/96 100.00 100.00 100.00
12/31/96 55.95 120.16 94.51
12/31/97 5.71 146.98 102.98
3/31/98 4.76 172.26 114.33
6/30/98 4.76 176.71 112.88
9/30/98 4.29 159.27 116.51
12/31/98 3.10 207.04 161.67
[GRAPH OMMITTED]
20
PROPOSAL 2 -- APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors has approved an amendment to the Company's 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") which, if adopted, would increase the
number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,000,000 shares.
The 1997 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on March 20, 1997
and approved by the Company's stockholders on April 21, 1997. Currently, the
1997 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock.
The Board of Directors believes that the continued growth and profitability of
the Company depends, in large part, upon the ability of the Company to maintain
a competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel. As
of April 16,1999, approximately 1,300,000 shares were available for future
Awards under the Company's 1997 Plan. Accordingly, the Board of Directors
authorized, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the 1997 Plan that
increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
1997 Plan from 4,500,000 shares to 6,500,000 shares (subject to a proportionate
adjustment for certain changes in the Company's capitalization, such as a stock
split). The increase in the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the 1997 Plan will permit the Company to continue the operation
of the 1997 Plan for the benefit of new participants, as well as to allow
additional awards to current participants.
The major features of the 1997 Plan are summarized below, which summary
is qualified in its entirety by the actual text of the 1997 Plan. The text of
the amendment, subject to your approval, appears as Exhibit A to the Proxy
Statement. The Company will furnish without charge a copy of the 1997 Plan to
any stockholder of the Company upon receipt from any such person of an oral or
written request for the 1997 Plan. Such request should be sent to the Company,
Attention of Investor Relations, 155 Fortune Blvd., Milford, Massachusetts
01757, or made by telephone at (508) 482-7500.
Description of Awards
The 1997 Plan provides for the grant of options that are intended to
qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code
("incentive stock options"), options not intended to qualify as incentive stock
options ("nonstatutory stock options"), restricted stock awards and other
stock-based awards, including the grant of shares based upon certain conditions,
the grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock
appreciation rights (collectively "Awards").
Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options
Optionees receive the right to purchase a specified number of shares of
Common Stock at some time in the future at a specified option price and subject
to such other terms and conditions as are specified in connection with the
option grant. Options may be granted at an exercise price which may be less
than, equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. Under present law, however, incentive stock options and options
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of
the Code may not be granted at an exercise price less than the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date of grant (or less than 110% of the fair market
value in the case of incentive stock options granted to optionees holding 10% or
more of the voting power of the Company). The 1997 Plan permits the Board of
Directors to determine the manner of payment of the exercise price of options,
including through payment by cash, check or in connection with a "cashless
exercise" through a broker, by surrender to the Company of shares of Common
Stock, by delivery to the Company of a promissory note, or by any other lawful
means.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted Stock Awards entitle recipients to acquire shares of Common
Stock, subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such
shares from the recipient in the event that the conditions specified in the
applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable
restriction period established for such Award.
21
Other Stock-Based Awards
Under the 1997 Plan, the Board has the right to grant other Awards
based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Board may
determine, including the grant of shares based upon certain conditions, the
grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock
appreciation rights.
Eligibility to Receive Awards
Officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company
and its subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Awards under the 1997 Plan.
Under present law, however, incentive stock options may only be granted to
employees. The maximum number of shares with respect to which an Award may be
granted to any participant under the 1997 Plan may not exceed 500,000 shares per
calendar year.
As of April 16, 1999, approximately 65 persons were eligible to receive
Awards under the 1997 Plan, including all of the Company's employees and
consultants, and the Company's two executive officers and eight non-employee
directors. The granting of Awards under the 1997 Plan is discretionary, and the
Company cannot now determine the number or type of Awards to be granted in the
future to any particular person or group.
Administration
The 1997 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board has
the authority to adopt, amend and repeal the administrative rules, guidelines
and practices relating to the 1997 Plan and to interpret the provisions of the
1997 Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the 1997 Plan, the Board of Directors may
delegate authority under the 1997 Plan to one or more committees of the Board,
and subject to certain limitations, to one or more executive officers of the
Company. Subject to any applicable limitations contained in the 1997 Plan, the
Board of Directors, or any committee or executive officer to whom the Board
delegates authority, as the case may be, selects the recipients of Awards and
determines (i) the number of shares of Common Stock covered by options and the
dates upon which such options become exercisable, (ii) the exercise price of
options, (iii) the duration of options, and (iv) the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to any restricted stock or other stock-based Awards and the terms
and conditions of such Awards, including conditions for repurchase, issue price
and repurchase price.
The Board of Directors is required to make appropriate adjustments in
connection with the 1997 Plan and any outstanding Awards to reflect stock
dividends, stock splits and certain other events. In the event of a merger,
liquidation or other Acquisition Event (as defined in the 1997 Plan), the 1997
Plan provides that the vesting of all outstanding Options or other stock-based
Awards will accelerate, making them fully exercisable prior to or upon
consummation of the Acquisition Event.
If any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered, canceled or
forfeited, the unused shares of Common Stock covered by such Award will again be
available for grant under the 1997 Plan.
Amendment or Termination
No Award may be made under the 1997 Plan after March 20, 2007, but
Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date. The Board of Directors
may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the 1997 Plan, except that no
outstanding Award designated as subject to Section 162(m) of the Code by the
Board of Directors after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable,
realizable or vested (to the extent such amendment was required to grant such
Award) unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the Company's
stockholders.
22
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax
consequences that generally will arise with respect to Awards granted under the
1997 Plan and with respect to the sale of Common Stock acquired under the 1997
Plan.
Incentive Stock Options
In general, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the
grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. Instead, a participant will
recognize taxable income with respect to an incentive stock option only upon the
sale of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the option ("ISO Stock").
The exercise of an incentive stock option may, however, subject the participant
to the alternative minimum tax. Generally, the tax consequences of selling ISO
Stock will vary with the length of time that the participant has owned the ISO
Stock at the time it is sold. If the participant sells ISO Stock after having
owned it for at least two years from the date the option was granted (the "Grant
Date") and one year from the date the option was exercised (the "Exercise
Date"), then the participant will recognize long-term capital gain in an amount
equal to the excess of the sale price of the ISO Stock over the exercise price.
If the participant sells ISO Stock for more than the exercise price
prior to having owned it for at least two years from the Grant Date and one year
from the Exercise Date (a "Disqualifying Disposition"), then all or a portion of
the gain recognized by the participant will be ordinary compensation income and
the remaining gain, if any, will be a capital gain. This capital gain will be a
long-term capital gain if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than
one year prior to the date of sale.
If a participant sells ISO Stock for less than the exercise price, then
the participant will recognize capital loss equal to the excess of the exercise
price over the sale price of the ISO Stock. This capital loss will be a
long-term capital loss if the participant has held the ISO Stock for more than
one year prior to the date of sale.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
As in the case of an incentive stock option, a participant will not
recognize taxable income upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option. Unlike
the case of an incentive stock option, however, a participant who exercises a
nonstatutory stock option generally will recognize ordinary compensation income
in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock
acquired through the exercise of the option ("NSO Stock") on the Exercise Date
over the exercise price.
With respect to any NSO Stock, a participant will have a tax basis
equal to the exercise price plus any income recognized upon the exercise of the
option. Upon selling NSO Stock, a participant generally will recognize capital
gain or loss in an amount equal to the excess of the sale price of the NSO Stock
over the participant's tax basis in the NSO Stock. This capital gain or loss
will be a long-term gain or loss if the participant has held the NSO stock for
more than one year prior to the date of the sale.
Restricted Stock Awards
A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a
restricted stock Award, unless the participant makes an election under Section
83(b) of the Code (a "Section 83(b) Election"). If the participant makes a
Section 83(b) Election within 30 days of the date of the grant, then the
participant will recognize ordinary income, for the year in which the Award is
granted, in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of
the Common Stock at the time the Award is granted and the purchase price paid
for the Common Stock. If a Section 83(b) Election is not made, the participant
will recognize ordinary income, at the time that the forfeiture provisions or
restrictions on transfer lapse, in an amount equal to the difference between the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such lapse and the original
purchase price paid for the
23
Common Stock. The participant will have a basis in the Common Stock acquired
equal to the sum of the price paid and the amount of ordinary compensation
income recognized.
Upon the disposition of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to a
restricted stock Award, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss
equal to the difference between the sale price of the Common Stock and the
participant's basis in the Common Stock. The gain or loss will be a long-term
gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year. For this purpose,
the holding period shall begin just after the date on which the forfeiture
provisions or restrictions lapse if a Section 83(b) Election is not made, or
just after the Award is granted if a Section 83(b) Election is made.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The tax consequences associated with any other stock-based Award
granted under the 1997 Plan will vary depending on the specific terms of such
Award, including whether or not the Award has a readily ascertainable fair
market value, whether or not the Award is subject to forfeiture provisions or
restrictions on transfer, the nature of the property to be received by the
participant under the Award, the applicable holding period and the participant's
tax basis.
Tax Consequences to the Company
The grant of an Award under the 1997 Plan will have no tax consequences
to the Company. Moreover, in general, neither the exercise of an incentive stock
option nor the sale of any Common Stock acquired under the 1997 Plan will have
any tax consequences to the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a
business-expense deduction, however, with respect to any ordinary compensation
income recognized by a participant under the 1997 Plan, including as a result of
the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, a Disqualifying Disposition or a
Section 83(b) Election. Any such deduction will be subject to the limitations of
Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company will have a withholding obligation with
respect to any ordinary compensation income recognized by participants under the
1997 Plan who are employees or otherwise subject to withholding in connection
with the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option or a Section 83(b) Election.
Amendment No. 1 to the 1997 Plan
At the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders approved
an amendment to the 1997 Plan that (1) increased the number of shares of Common
Stock available for issuance under the 1997 Plan from 600,000 shares (after
taking into account the one-for-five reverse stock split of the Company's Common
Stock effected in December 1997) to 4,500,000 shares (subject to a proportionate
adjustment for certain changes in the Company's capitalization, such as a stock
split), and (2) increased the number shares of Common Stock with respect to
which an Award may be granted to a participant under the 1997 Plan per calendar
year from 100,000 (after taking into account the reverse stock split referred to
above) to 500,000 (which represents the same number of shares which could have
been granted before such reverse stock split).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE
1997 PLAN IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDERS AND
THEREFORE, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
AMENDMENT OF THE 1997 PLAN.
24
PROPOSAL 3 -- APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO
1995 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Board of Directors has approved an amendment to the Company's 1995
Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan") which, if adopted, would
increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 350,000
shares.
The Director Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 30,
1995. Currently, the plan provides for the issuance of up to 50,000 shares of
the Common Stock. The Board of Directors believes that the continued growth and
profitability of the Company depends, in large part, upon the ability of the
Company to maintain a competitive position in attracting and retaining ownership
in the Company by outside directors. As of April 16,1999, 29,000 shares were
available for stock option grants under the Director Plan. Accordingly, the
Board of Directors authorized, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to
the Director Plan that increases the number of shares of Common Stock available
for issuance under the Director Plan to 400,000 shares (subject to a
proportionate adjustment for certain changes in the Company's capitalization,
such as a stock split.)
Additionally, the Director Plan provides for automatic annual grants to
each outside director of an option to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. As a result of the one-for-five reverse stock split effected in
December 1997, the number of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock
granted to each outside director was adjusted so that each outside director
received options to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock in 1998 (and will
receive an additional 1,000 options on May 1, 1999) instead of 5,000 on both
dates, although the Director Plan does not require this adjustment. Management
of the Company believes that in order to maintain a competitive position in
attracting and retaining ownership in the Company by outside directors it is
necessary to make an annual grant of an option to purchase 5,000 shares of
Common Stock to each director under the Director Plan. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors authorized, subject to stockholder approval, a one-time grant of
options to purchase 8,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock (which, in
addition to the options to purchase 1,000 shares granted, or to be granted in
each of 1998 and 1999, as described above, would give each outside director
options to purchase a total of 10,000 shares, or 5,000 for each of 1998 and
1999, of the Company's Common Stock).
For the reasons discussed in the paragraph above, the Board of
Directors also authorized, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the
Director Plan that clarifies that options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock be granted to each outside director (annually and upon appointment to the
Board).
The major features of the Director Plan are summarized below, which
summary is qualified in its entirety by the actual text of the Director Plan.
The text of the amendment, subject to your approval, appears as Exhibit B to the
Proxy Statement. The Company will furnish without charge a copy of the Director
Plan to any stockholder of the Company upon receipt from any such person of an
oral or written request for the Director Plan. Such request should be sent to
the Company, Attention of Investor Relations, 155 Fortune Blvd., Milford,
Massachusetts 01757, or made by telephone at (508) 482-7500.
Description of Awards
The Director Plan provides for the grants of non-qualified stock
options to the Company's non-employee directors.
Optionees receive the right to purchase a specified number of shares of
Common Stock at some time in the future at a specified option price and subject
to such other terms and conditions as are specified in connection with the
option grant. Options may only be granted at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. An Option becomes
exercisable on the first anniversary of the
25
date on which the option was granted, provided that the optionee continues to
serve as a director of the Company on such date. Each option terminates and may
no longer be exercised on the earlier of (i) that date 10 years after the date
on which the option was granted or (ii) the date 60 days after the optionee
ceases to serve as a director of the Company. The Director Plan permits the
exercise of an option only by written notice to the Company at its principal
office accompanied by payment in cash of the full consideration for the shares
as to which the option is exercised.
The reported closing bid price of the Common Stock on the NASD OTC
Bulletin Board on April 16, 1999 was $1.25 per share. Subject to stockholder
approval at the Annual Meeting, non-employee directors will receive options to
purchase a total of 64,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock as of June 8,
1999.
Eligibility to Receive Options
Directors of the Company who are not full time employees of the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company ("outside directors") are eligible to be
granted options under the Director Plan.
As of April 16, 1999, there were eight outside directors eligible to
receive Options under the Director Plan.
Amended Plan Benefits
1995 Director Stock Option Plan
Name and Position Dollar Value ($) Number of Units
- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------
E. Andrews Grinstead, III
Chairman of the Board, President 0 0
and Chief Executive Officer
Sudhir Agrawal
Senior Vice President of 0 0
Discovery, Chief Scientific
Officer and Director
Executive Group 0 0
Non-Executive Director Group (1) 72,000(2)
Non-Executive Officer Employee 0 0
Group
- ------------------
(1) Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of the grant.
(2) Reflects option grants to be made in 1999 to directors who are not
employees of the Company ("outside directors")as follows: (i) options
to purchase 1,000 shares are being granted to each of eight outside
directors on May 1, 1999, and (ii) options to purchase 8,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock are being granted to each outside director
serving on June 8, 1999.
Administration
The Director Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board
has the authority to adopt, amend and repeal the administrative rules,
guidelines and practices relating to the Director Plan and to interpret the
provisions of the Director Plan.
26
The Board of Directors is required to make appropriate adjustments in
connection with the Director Plan and any outstanding options to reflect stock
dividends, stock splits and certain other events. In the event of a merger,
liquidation or other Change in Control (as defined in the Director Plan), the
Director Plan provides that the vesting of all outstanding options will
accelerate, making them fully exercisable prior to or upon consummation of the
Change in Control.
If any option expires or is terminated, surrendered, canceled or
forfeited, the unused shares of Common Stock covered by such option will again
be available for grant under the Director Plan.
Amendment or Termination
The Board of Directors may suspend, terminate or discontinue the
Director Plan or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that
without approval of the stockholders of the Company, no amendment may (i)
increase the number of shares subject to the Director Plan, (ii) materially
modify the requirements as to eligibility to receive options under the Director
Plan, or (iii) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants in the
Director Plan; and provided further that the Board of Directors may not amend
those provisions of the Director Plan concerning participation in the plan,
option grant dates, or option exercise price more frequently than once every six
months, other than to comply with changes in the Internal Revenue Code or the
rules thereunder.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax
consequences that generally will arise with respect to the options granted under
the Director Plan and with respect to the sale of Common Stock acquired under
the Director Plan.
Tax Consequences to Participants
A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of an
option. However, a participant who exercises an option generally will recognize
ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market
value of the Common Stock acquired through the exercise of the option ("Option
Stock") on the Exercise Date over the exercise price.
With respect to any Option Stock, a participant will have a tax basis
equal to the exercise price plus any income recognized upon the exercise of the
option. Upon selling Option Stock, a participant generally will recognize
capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the excess of the sale price of the
Option Stock over the participant's tax basis in the Option Stock. This capital
gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the participant has held the
Option Stock for more than one year prior to the date of the sale.
Tax Consequences to the Company
The grant of an option under the Director Plan will have no tax
consequences to the Company. Moreover, the sale of any Common Stock acquired
under the Director Plan will not have any tax consequences to the Company. The
Company generally will be entitled to a business-expense deduction, however,
with respect to any ordinary compensation income recognized by a participant
under the Director Plan, including as a result of the exercise of a nonstatutory
stock option.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE
DIRECTOR PLAN IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDERS AND
THEREFORE, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
AMENDMENT OF THE DIRECTOR PLAN.
27
PROPOSAL 4 -- RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected Arthur Andersen LLP as auditors of
the Company for the year ending December 31, 1999, subject to ratification by
stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If the stockholders do not ratify the
selection of Arthur Andersen LLP, the Board of Directors will reconsider the
matter. A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP, which served as auditors for
the year ended December 31, 1998, is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting to respond to appropriate questions, and to make a statement if he or
she so desires.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT APPROVAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION
OF AUDITORS IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDERS AND
THEREFORE, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
AUDITORS.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Any proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders must be submitted to the Secretary of the Company at its
offices, 155 Fortune Blvd., Milford, Massachusetts 01757, no later than January
8, 2000 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement relating
to that meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than that described
above. However, if any other business should come before the Annual Meeting, it
is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed Proxy to vote, or
otherwise act, in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
The Company will bear the costs of soliciting proxies. In addition to
solicitations by mail, the Company's directors, officers and regular employees
may, without additional remuneration, solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph,
facsimile and personal interviews. The Company will also request brokerage
houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy
material to those persons for whom they hold shares and request instructions for
voting the proxies. The Company will reimburse such brokerage houses and other
persons for their reasonable expenses in connection with this distribution.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOPES THAT STOCKHOLDERS WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE,
SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. PROMPT RESPONSE
WILL GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AND YOUR COOPERATION
IS APPRECIATED. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY VOTE THEIR STOCK
PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Cheryl M. Northrup, Secretary
April 30, 1999
28
EXHIBIT A
HYBRIDON, INC.
--------------------------
1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
--------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN OF HYBRIDON, INC.
The first sentence of Subsection 4(a) of the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
of Hybridon, Inc. will be amended and restated in its entirety to provide as
follow, subject to stockholder approvals:
"Subject to adjustment under subsection (c) below, Awards may be made
under the Plan for up to 6,500,000 shares of Common Stock."
Adopted by the Board of Directors on
February 22, 1999
Approved by the stockholders of
the Company on June __, 1999.
29
EXHIBIT B
HYBRIDON, INC.
--------------
1995 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
-------------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE 1995 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN OF HYBRIDON, INC.
Subsection 4(a) of the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director
Plan") of Hybridon, Inc. will be amended and restated in its entirety, subject
to stockholder approval as follows:
"(a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock ("Common Stock"), which may be issued under the Plan shall be
400,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7."
Subsection 5(a) of the Director Plan is hereby amended to add
subsections (iv) and (v), subject to stockholder approval as follows:
"(iv) each person who is an eligible outside director on June
8, 1999 shall be granted an option to purchase 8,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock on June 8, 1999.
(v) notwithstanding any prior interpretation of the formula
in subsection (a) of this section by reason of the one-for-five reverse
stock split with respect to the Common Stock effected in December 1997,
it is hereby confirmed that the grant to each eligible outside director
referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be a grant to
purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock."
Subsection 5(d)(i) of the Director Plan is hereby amended and restated
in its entirety, subject to stockholder approval, as follows:
"(i) General. Each option described in clauses (i), (ii) and
(iv) of Section 5(a) shall become exercisable on the first anniversary
of the Option Grant Date, and each option described in clauses (iii)
and (v) of Section 5(a) shall become exercisable on the day prior to
the first anniversary of the Option Grant Date; provided, however, that
in each instance described herein the optionee continues to serve as a
director on such dates."
Adopted by the Board of Directors on
February 22, 1999
Approved by the stockholders of
the Company on June __, 1999.
30
This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by the
undersigned stockholder(s). If no other indication is made, the proxies shall
vote "FOR" proposed numbers 1,2,3 and 4.
Please mark [X]
your votes as indicated in this
example
1) Election of Class I Directors.
For All
For Withhold Except
[ ] [ ] [ ]
Nominees: Nasser Menhall, Arthur W. Berry and Harold
L. Purkey.
If you do not wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "For
All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee(s) name. Your shares will
be voted for the remaining nominee(s).
2) Approval of the amendment to the
Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
3) Approval of the amendment to the
Company's 1995 Director Stock Option
Plan.
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
4) Ratification of selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors of
the Company for the current year.
For Against Abstain
[ ] [ ] [ ]
A vote FOR the director nominees and FOR proposal numbers 2,3 and 4 is
recommended by the Board of Directors.
Mark this box at right if comments or address change have been noted on the
reverse side of this card.
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.
Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appear hereon. Joint Owners should
each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the
capacity in which they sign. If a corporation or partnership, the signature
should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title.
Date:___________________
________________________
Stockholder Signature
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON
OTHER SIDE AND RETURN
PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE
HYBRIDON, INC.
Dear Stockholder:
Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy Ballot.
There are a number of issues related to the management and operation of your
Company that require you immediate attention and approval. These are discussed
in the enclosed proxy materials.
Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to vote
your shares.
Please mark the boxes on the proxy card to indicate how your shares shall be
voted. Then sign and date the card, detach it and return your proxy vote in the
enclosed postage paid envelope.
Your vote must be received prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held on June 8, 1999.
Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.
Sincerely,
Hybridon, Inc.
HYBRIDON, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS Annual Meeting of
Stockholders - June 8, 1999
Those signing on the reverse side, revoking prior proxies, hereby appoint(s) E.
Andrews Grinstead, III, Robert G. Andersen and Cheryl M. Northrup, or each or
any of them with full power of substitution, as proxies for those signing on the
reverse side to act and vote all shares of stock of Hybridon, Inc. (the
"Company") which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present
at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and at any
adjournments thereof as indicated upon all matters referred to on the reverse
side and described in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting, and, in their
discretion, upon any other matters which may properly come before the Meeting.
Attendance of the undersigned at the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof will
not be deemed to revoke this proxy unless those signing on the reverse side
shall revoke this proxy in writing.
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
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