Cellectar Biosciences, Inc 10-K/A, filed Apr 1, 2024
Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (CLRB)
About this 10-K/A
Cellectar Biosciences, Inc filed this 10-K/A on April 1, 2024, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Amendment No. 1
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a
well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No ¨
| Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |
| Smaller reporting company | |||
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that
prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s
voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold,
or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 30, 2023, was $
As of March 21, 2024, there were shares of the registrant’s $0.00001 par value common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the registrant's 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of the annual report on Form 10-K. The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual report on Form 10-K.
| Auditor Name | Auditor Location | Auditor Firm ID | ||
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (“Amendment No. 1”) is being filed to amend our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Original Filing”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2024 (the “Original Filing Date”). The sole purpose of this Amendment No. 1 is to append Exhibits 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 4.4, 4.5, 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, 10.29, 10.30, 10.31, 10.32, 10.33 and 97, which were inadvertently omitted from the Original Filing, and to correct Exhibit 3.9 of the Original Filing. Except as described above, no changes have been made to the Original Filing and this Amendment No. 1 does not modify, amend or update in any way any of the financial or other information contained in the Original Filing. Part IV of the Original Filing is also amended to add new certifications in accordance with Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PART IV
| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. |
| (a) | Documents filed with this annual report on Form 10-K. |
| (1) | Financial Statements |
| i. | All financial statements of the Company as set forth under Item 8 of the Original Filing. |
| (2) | Exhibits – The exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K are listed on the Exhibit Index below. |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 4.4 | Form of Tranche A Warrant | 8-K | September 8, 2023 | 4.1 | ||||
| 4.5 | Form of Tranche B Warrant | 8-K | September 8, 2023 | 4.2 |
| 10.1 | Form of Restricted Common Stock Agreement** | 10-Q | August 14, 2017 | 10.1 | ||||
| 10.2 | Form of Series D Common Stock Purchase Warrant | 8-K | October 11, 2017 | 4.1 |
*Previously filed with the Original Filing.
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused Amendment No. 1 to this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ James V. Caruso | |
| James V. Caruso | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| April 1, 2024 | ||
EXHIBIT 4.3
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12(B) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
The following summary description of our common stock is based on the provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation or charter, our by-laws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as the DGCL. This description may not contain all of the information that is important to you and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 160,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value per share and 7,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.00001 par value per share. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue shares of our preferred stock from time to time in one or more series without stockholder approval, each such series to have rights and preferences, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences as our board of directors may determine. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock, including our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and any other series of preferred stock we may issue in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for others to acquire, or of discouraging others from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Common Stock
Voting. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by our stockholders. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. Persons who hold a majority of the outstanding common stock entitled to vote on the election of directors can elect all of the directors who are eligible for election.
Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to the holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such lawful dividends as may be declared by our board of directors.
Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, the holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all of our remaining assets available for distribution to our stockholders.
Other Rights and Restrictions. Our charter prohibits us from granting preemptive rights to any of our stockholders.
Preferred Stock
Series D Preferred Stock
The following is a summary of the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock:
Voting Rights. The Series D Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Series D Preferred Stock, (a) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series D Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation, (b) amend its certificate of incorporation or other charter documents in any manner that adversely affects any rights of the holders, (c) increase the number of authorized shares of Series D Preferred Stock, or (d) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
Dividends. Holders of Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series D Preferred Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis and without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth herein or otherwise) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock. No other dividends shall be paid on shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The Company shall not pay any dividends on the Common Stock unless the Company simultaneously complies with this provision.
Liquidation. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock in the same amount that a holder of Common Stock would receive if the Series D Preferred Stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purposes any conversion limitations hereunder) to Common Stock which amounts shall be paid pari passu with all holders of Common Stock.
Series E Preferred Stock
The following is a summary of the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock:
Dividends. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series E Preferred Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis and without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth herein or otherwise) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the common stock.
Voting Rights. Subject to certain limitations, the Series E Preferred Stock is voting stock. Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the Common Stock on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Accordingly, holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each whole share of common stock into which their Series E Preferred Stock is then-convertible on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Liquidation. The assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and common stock, pro rata, in the same form of consideration, based on the number of shares held by each such holder, treating for this purpose all shares of Series E Preferred Stock as if they had been converted to common stock pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock immediately prior to such liquidation, without regard to any limitations on conversion set forth in the Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock or otherwise.
Board Rights. Subject to Nasdaq Stock Market rules and regulation, holders of Series E Preferred Stock have the right to appoint up to two directors in the Company's Board of Directors, as provided in the Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Charter and By-Law Provisions
Provisions of our charter and our by-laws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, open market purchases, removal of incumbent directors and otherwise. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Authorized but Unissued Stock. We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance, in some cases, without stockholder approval. We may issue these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, stock dividends on our capital stock or equity compensation plans. The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, if we issue preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.
Amendments to By-laws. Our by-laws are subject to alternation or repeal, and new by-laws may be made, by a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together a single class. Additionally, our by-laws provide the Board with the power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal, from time to time, our by-laws, provided, however, that the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to amendments to our by-laws may alter, amend or repeal by-laws made by the Board.
Classification of Board; Removal of Directors; Vacancies. Our certificate of incorporation provide for the division of the Board into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms; that directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of our shares of capital stock entitled to vote; and that any vacancy on the Board, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board, may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The limitations on the removal of directors and the filling of vacancies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of us. Our certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our shares of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote to amend or repeal any of these provisions.
Notice Periods for Stockholder Meetings. Our by-laws provide that for business to be brought by a stockholder before an annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must give written notice to the corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day, or earlier than the 120th day prior to the one year anniversary of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders of the previous year; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of stockholders is called for a date that is not within 30 days prior to, or more than 60 days after, such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received not later than 120 days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and the 10th day following the day on which the corporation's notice of the date of the meeting is first given or made to the stockholders or disclosed to the general public. Our by-laws also provide that the Board or the Chair of such meeting may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board and in no event shall the adjournment, recess, postponement, judicial stay or rescheduling of an annual meeting commence a new time period, or extend any time period, for the giving of notice.
Stockholder Action; Special Meetings. Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action may not be taken by written action in lieu of a meeting and provides special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the Chair of the board, the president or by our Board. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders' meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because that person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder only at a duly called stockholders' meeting, and not by written consent. Our certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our shares of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote to amend or repeal the provisions relating to prohibition on action by written consent and the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.
Nominations. Our by-laws provide that nominations for election of directors may be made only by (i) the Board or a committee appointed by the Board; or (ii) a stockholder entitled to vote on director election, if the stockholder provides notice to the Secretary of the Corporation presented not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the last annual meeting (subject to the limited exceptions set forth in the bylaws). These provisions may deter takeovers by requiring that any stockholder wishing to conduct a proxy contest have its position solidified well in advance of the meeting at which directors are to be elected and by providing the incumbent Board with sufficient notice to allow them to put an election strategy in place. Our bylaws also provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide timely advance notice in writing, and specifies requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.
Choice of Forum. Our bylaws provides that the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware shall be the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law:
| · | any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; |
| · | any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; |
| · | any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our restated certificate, or our amended and restated bylaws; or |
| · | any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. |
The provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims.
To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our bylaws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our certificate of incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.
These exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. If a court were to find either exclusive-forum provision in our bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, all of which could seriously harm our business.
Our bylaws further provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.
No Cumulative Voting. Delaware General Corporation Law provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.
Exchange Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CLRB”.
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James V. Caruso, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cellectar Biosciences, Inc., certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cellectar Biosciences, Inc.; and |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report. |
| /s/ James V. Caruso | |
| Date: April 1, 2024 | James V. Caruso |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Chad J. Kolean, Chief Financial Officer, Cellectar Biosciences, Inc., certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cellectar Biosciences, Inc.; and |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report. |
| /s/ Chad J. Kolean | |
| Date: April 1, 2024 | Chad J. Kolean |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 97
CELLECTAR BIOSCIENCES, INC.
POLICY ON RECOUPMENT OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
Introduction
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this Policy on Recoupment of Incentive Compensation (this “Policy”), which provides for the recoupment of compensation in certain circumstances in the event of a restatement of financial results by the Company. This Policy shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards implementing Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and, to the extent this Policy is in any manner deemed inconsistent with such rules, this Policy shall be treated as retroactively amended to be compliant with such rules.
Administration
This Policy shall be administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”). Any determinations made by the Compensation Committee shall be final and binding on all affected individuals. The Compensation Committee is authorized to interpret and construe this Policy and to make all determinations necessary, appropriate or advisable for the administration of this Policy, in all cases consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act. The Board or Compensation Committee may amend this Policy from time to time in its discretion.
Covered Executives
This Policy applies to any current or former “executive officer,” within the meaning of Rule 10D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (each such individual, an “Executive”). This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Executives and their beneficiaries, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives.
Recoupment Upon Financial Restatement
If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (a “Financial Restatement”), the Compensation Committee shall cause the Company to recoup from each Executive, as promptly as reasonably possible, any erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation, as defined below.
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No-Fault Recovery
Recoupment under this Policy shall be required regardless of whether the Executive or any other person was at fault or responsible for accounting errors that contributed to the need for the Financial Restatement or engaged in any misconduct.
Compensation Subject to Recovery; Enforcement
This Policy applies to all compensation granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of any financial reporting measure determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and any measure that is derived wholly or in part from such measures, whether or not presented within the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with the SEC, including stock price and total shareholder return (“TSR”), including but not limited to performance-based cash, stock, options or other equity-based awards paid or granted to the Executive (“Incentive-Based Compensation”). Compensation that is granted, vests or is earned based solely upon the occurrence of non-financial events, such as base salary, restricted stock or options with time-based vesting, or a bonus awarded solely at the discretion of the Board or Compensation Committee and not based on the attainment of any financial measure, is not subject to this Policy.
In the event of a Financial Restatement, the amount to be recovered will be the excess of (i) the Incentive-Based Compensation received by the Executive during the Recovery Period (as defined below) based on the erroneous data and calculated without regard to any taxes paid or withheld, over (ii) the Incentive-Based Compensation that would have been received by the Executive had it been calculated based on the restated financial information, as determined by the Compensation Committee. For purposes of this Policy, “Recovery Period” means the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare the Financial Restatement, as determined in accordance with the last sentence of this paragraph, or any transition period that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal year (as set forth in Section 5608(b)(i)(D) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules). The date on which the Company is required to prepare a Financial Restatement is the earlier to occur of (A) the date the Board or a Board committee (or authorized officers of the Company if Board action is not required) concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare a Financial Restatement or (B) the date a court, regulator, or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare a Financial Restatement.
For Incentive-Based Compensation based on stock price or TSR, where the amount of erroneously awarded compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the Financial Restatement, then the Compensation Committee shall determine the amount to be recovered based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Financial Restatement on the stock price or TSR upon which the Incentive-Based Compensation was received and the Company shall document the determination of that estimate and provide it to Nasdaq.
Incentive-Based Compensation is considered to have been received by an Executive in the fiscal year during which the applicable financial reporting measure was attained or purportedly attained, even if the payment or grant of such Incentive-Based Compensation occurs after the end of that period.
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The Company may use any legal or equitable remedies that are available to the Company to recoup any erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation, including but not limited to by collecting from the Executive cash payments or shares of Company common stock from or by forfeiting any amounts that the Company owes to the Executive. Executives shall be solely responsible for any tax consequences to them that result from the recoupment or recovery of any amount pursuant to this Policy, and the Company shall have no obligation to administer the Policy in a manner that avoids or minimizes any such tax consequences.
No Indemnification
The Company shall not indemnify any Executive or pay or reimburse the premium for any insurance policy to cover any losses incurred by such Executive under this Policy or any claims relating to the Company’s enforcement of rights under this Policy.
Exceptions
The compensation recouped under this Policy shall not include Incentive-Based Compensation received by an Executive (i) prior to beginning service as an Executive or (ii) if he or she did not serve as an Executive at any time during the performance period applicable to the Incentive-Based Compensation in question. The Compensation Committee [(or a majority of independent directors serving on the Board)] may determine not to seek recovery from an Executive in whole or part to the extent it determines in its sole discretion that such recovery would be impracticable because (A) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing recovery would exceed the recoverable amount (after having made a reasonable attempt to recover the erroneously awarded Incentive-Based Compensation and providing corresponding documentation of such attempt to Nasdaq), (B) recovery would violate the home country law that was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, as determined by an opinion of counsel licensed in the applicable jurisdiction that is acceptable to and provided to Nasdaq, or (C) recovery would likely cause the Company’s 401(k) plan or any other tax-qualified retirement plan to fail to meet the requirements of Section 401(a)(13) or Section 411(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.
Other Remedies Not Precluded
The exercise by the Compensation Committee of any rights pursuant to this Policy shall be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee may have with respect to any Executive subject to this Policy, whether arising under applicable law (including pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), regulation or pursuant to the terms of any other policy of the Company, employment agreement, equity award, cash incentive award or other agreement applicable to an Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be no duplication of recovery of the same Incentive-Based Compensation under this Policy and any other such rights or remedies.
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Acknowledgment
To the extent required by the Compensation Committee, each Executive shall be required to sign and return to the Company the acknowledgement form attached hereto as Exhibit A pursuant to which such Executive will agree to be bound by the terms of, and comply with, this Policy. For the avoidance of doubt, each Executive shall be fully bound by, and must comply with, the Policy, whether or not such Executive has executed and returned such acknowledgment form to the Company.
Effective Date and Applicability
This Policy has been adopted by the Board on September 27, 2023. and shall apply to any Incentive-Based Compensation that is received by an Executive on or after October 2, 2023.
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EXHIBIT A
DODD-FRANK COMPENSATION CLAWBACK POLICY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Acknowledgement Form (this “Acknowledgement Form”) shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Policy.
By signing this Acknowledgement Form, the undersigned acknowledges, confirms and agrees that the undersigned: (i) has received and reviewed a copy of the Policy; (ii) is and will continue to be subject to the Policy and that the Policy will apply both during and after the undersigned’s employment with the Company; and (iii) will abide by the terms of the Policy, including, without limitation, by reasonably promptly returning any recoverable compensation to the Company as required by the Policy, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
| Sign: | ||
| Name: | [Employee] | |
| Date: |
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