Elutia Inc DEF 14A, filed Apr 4, 2025
Elutia Inc. (ELUT)
DEF 14A
2025-04-04
For: 2025-05-29
View Original
Added on
June 12, 2026
About this DEF 14A
Elutia Inc filed this DEF 14A on April 4, 2025.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under to § 240.14a-12
(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 all boxes that apply):
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No fee required
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
Elutia Inc.
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
April 4, 2025
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Elutia Inc., which will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland.
In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules allowing companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet, we have sent stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2025 a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. The notice contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report and vote online. If you would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials from us instead of downloading a printable version from the Internet, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the notice, as well as in the attached Proxy Statement.
Attached to this letter are a Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, which describe the business to be conducted at the meeting.
Your vote is important to us. Please act as soon as possible to vote your shares. It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Please vote electronically over the Internet, by telephone or, if you receive a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, by returning your signed proxy card in the envelope provided. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you will be able to vote your shares in person during the Annual Meeting, even if you have previously submitted your proxy.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, it is my pleasure to express our appreciation for your continued support.
/s/ Kevin Rakin
Kevin Rakin
Chairperson of the Board
Chairperson of the Board
Elutia Inc.
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 2025
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Elutia Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland. For instructions on how to attend and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, see the information in the accompanying Proxy Statement in the section titled “General Information about the Annual Meeting and Voting — How can I attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?”
The Annual Meeting is being held:
1.
to elect Brigid A. Makes and C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. as Class II directors to hold office until the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2028 and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;
2.
to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025; and
3.
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof.
These items of business are described in the Proxy Statement that follows this notice. Holders of record of our Class A common stock as of the close of business on April 1, 2025 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, or any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof.
Please note that in order to gain admission to the site of our Annual Meeting, all attendees will need to present a photo identification card and have their name previously provided to building security. As such, in order to facilitate your attendance at the Annual Meeting, we strongly encourage you to advise Jeffrey Hamet by email at jhamet@elutia.com or phone at 240-247-1143 if you plan to attend the meeting prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 28, 2025, so that we can timely provide your name to building security. In the event that you do not advise us ahead of time that you will be attending the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to arrive at the meeting no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, in order to ensure that you are able to pass through security prior to the start of the meeting. We currently intend to hold the meeting in person. However, if we determine that a change to a virtual meeting format is advisable or required, an announcement of such change will be made on the Investors page of our website at https://elutia.com and in a Current Report on Form 8-K as promptly as practicable. We encourage you to check that website one week prior to the meeting date if you are planning to attend the Annual Meeting. We ask that each stockholder evaluate the relative benefits of in-person attendance at the Annual Meeting and take advantage of the ability to vote by proxy or to provide voting instructions in accordance with the voting materials that have been provided to you.
Your vote is important. Voting your shares will ensure the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting and will save us the expense of further solicitation. Please promptly vote your shares by following the instructions for voting on the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or, if you received a paper or electronic copy of our proxy materials, by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card or by Internet or telephone voting as described on your proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Jeffrey Hamet
Jeffrey Hamet
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasurer
and Secretary
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasurer
and Secretary
Silver Spring, Maryland
April 4, 2025
April 4, 2025
This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement are first being distributed or made available, as the case may be, on or about April 4, 2025.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting:
This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
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Elutia Inc.
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 2025
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 2025
This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 Annual Report” and, together with the Proxy Statement, the “proxy materials”) are being furnished by and on behalf of the board of directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) of Elutia Inc. (the “Company,” “Elutia,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), in connection with our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement are first being distributed or made available, as the case may be, on or about April 4, 2025.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?
The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland.
What are the purposes of the Annual Meeting?
The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to vote on the following items described in this Proxy Statement:
•
Proposal No. 1: Election of the director nominees listed in this Proxy Statement.
•
Proposal No. 2: Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025.
Are there any matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting that are not included in this Proxy Statement?
At the date this Proxy Statement went to press, we did not know of any matters to be properly presented at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. If other matters are properly presented at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof for consideration, and you are a stockholder of record and have submitted a proxy card, the persons named in your proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a paper copy of proxy materials?
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) permit us to furnish proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and the 2024 Annual Report, to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the Internet instead of mailing printed copies. Stockholders will not receive paper copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice and Access Card”) provides instructions on how to access and review on the Internet all of the proxy materials. The Notice and Access Card also instructs you as to how to authorize via the Internet or telephone your proxy to vote your shares according to your voting instructions. If you would like to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials described in the Notice and Access Card.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice and Access Card or more than one set of proxy materials?
It means that your shares are held in more than one account at the transfer agent and/or with banks or brokers. Please vote all of your shares. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, for each Notice and Access
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Card or set of proxy materials, please submit your proxy by phone, via the Internet, or, if you received printed copies of the proxy materials, by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
Can I vote my shares by filling out and returning the Notice and Access Card?
No. The Notice and Access Card identifies the items to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, but you cannot vote by marking the Notice and Access Card and returning it. If you would like a paper proxy card, you should follow the instructions in the Notice and Access Card. The paper proxy card you will then receive will also provide instructions as to how to authorize via the Internet or telephone your proxy to vote your shares according to your voting instructions. Alternatively, you can mark the paper proxy card with how you would like your shares voted, sign the proxy card and return it in the envelope provided.
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Holders of record of shares of our Class A common stock as of the close of business on April 1, 2025 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 36,552,348 shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of our Class A common stock is entitled to one vote on any matter presented to stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Holders of our Class B common stock have no voting rights and are not considered present or entitled to vote or otherwise accounted for in connection with the Annual Meeting, including for quorum purposes. See “How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?”
What is the difference between being a “record holder” and holding shares in “street name”?
A record holder (also called a “registered holder”) holds shares in his or her name. Shares held in “street name” means that shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee on the holder’s behalf.
What do I do if my shares are held in “street name”?
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name.” The Notice and Access Card or the proxy materials, if you elected to receive a hard copy, has been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by following their instructions for voting. Please refer to information from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to submit your voting instructions.
How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
A quorum must be present at the Annual Meeting for any business to be conducted. The holders of a majority in voting power of the Company’s capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present electronically or represented by proxy constitutes a quorum. If you sign and return your paper proxy card or authorize a proxy to vote electronically or telephonically, your shares will be counted to determine whether we have a quorum even if you abstain or fail to vote as indicated in the proxy materials.
Broker non-votes will also be considered present for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum for the Annual Meeting.
What are “broker non-votes”?
A “broker non-vote” occurs when shares held by a broker in “street name” for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a proposal because (1) the broker has not received voting instructions from the stockholder who beneficially owns the shares and (2) the broker lacks the authority to vote the shares at their discretion. Proposal No. 1 is considered a non-discretionary matter, and a broker will lack the authority to
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vote uninstructed shares at its discretion on such proposal. Proposal No. 2 is considered a discretionary matter, and a broker will be permitted to exercise its discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal.
What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?
If a quorum is not present or represented at the scheduled time of the Annual Meeting, the chairperson of the Annual Meeting is authorized under our bylaws to adjourn the Annual Meeting until a quorum is present or represented.
How do I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?
We recommend that stockholders vote by proxy even if they plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person. If you are a stockholder of record, there are three ways to vote by proxy:
•
by Telephone — You can vote by telephone by calling 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) and following the instructions on the proxy card;
•
by Internet — You can vote over the Internet at www.voteproxy.com by following the on-screen instructions or scan the QR code with your smartphone; or
•
by Mail — You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card, which you may have received by mail.
Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 28, 2025.
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions on how to vote from the bank, broker or holder of record. You must follow the instructions of such bank, broker or holder of record in order for your shares to be voted.
How can I attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?
We will be holding the Annual Meeting in person at our offices at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland. For directions to attend the meeting in person, please contact Investor Relations at 240-247-1147 or ir@elutia.com. You may attend and vote at the Annual Meeting only if you were a holder of Class A common stock as of the Record Date or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in “street name,” you will need to contact your bank or broker to obtain a “legal proxy” to bring to the Annual Meeting. If you would like to attend the Annual Meeting, you must contact Jeffrey Hamet by email at jhamet@elutia.com or phone at 240-247-1143 no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 28, 2025 to have your name placed on the attendance list. In order to be admitted into the Annual Meeting, your name must appear on the attendance list and you must present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license).
How does the Board recommend that I vote?
The Board recommends that you vote:
•
FOR the nominees to the Board set forth in this Proxy Statement.
•
FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025.
How many votes are required to approve each proposal?
The table below summarizes the proposals that will be voted on, the vote required to approve each item and how votes are counted:
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Proposal
|
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Votes Required
|
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Voting Options
|
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Impact of
“Withhold” or “Abstain” Votes |
| |
Broker
Discretionary Voting Allowed |
|
| Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors | | | The plurality of the votes cast. This means that the two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as Class II directors. | | |
“FOR ALL”
“WITHHOLD ALL” “FOR ALL EXCEPT” |
| |
None(1)
|
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No(3)
|
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| Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions) at the Annual Meeting by the holders entitled to vote thereon. | | |
“FOR”
“AGAINST” “ABSTAIN” |
| |
None(2)
|
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Yes(4)
|
|
(1)
Votes that are “withheld” will have the same effect as an abstention and will not count as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a director, because directors are elected by plurality voting.
(2)
A vote marked as an “Abstention” is not considered a vote cast and will, therefore, not affect the outcome of this proposal.
(3)
As this proposal is not considered a discretionary matter, brokers lack authority to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal.
(4)
As this proposal is considered a discretionary matter, brokers are permitted to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. We do not expect any broker non-votes on this proposal.
What if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted?
If you submit a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth above, as well as with the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement.
Who will count the votes?
Representatives of Equiniti Trust Company (“Equiniti”) will tabulate the votes.
Can I revoke or change my vote after I submit my proxy?
Yes. Whether you have voted by Internet, telephone or mail, if you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote and revoke your proxy by:
•
sending a written statement to that effect to the attention of our Secretary at our corporate offices, provided such statement is received no later than May 28, 2025;
•
voting again by Internet or telephone at a later time before the closing of those voting facilities at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 28, 2025;
•
submitting a properly signed proxy card with a later date that is received no later than May 28, 2025; or
•
attending the Annual Meeting, revoking your proxy and voting in person.
If you hold shares in street name, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your bank, broker or other nominee. You may also change your vote or revoke your proxy in person at the Annual Meeting if you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder (broker, bank or other nominee) giving you the right to vote the shares.
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Your most recent proxy card or telephone or Internet proxy is the one that is counted. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting by itself will not revoke your proxy unless you give written notice of revocation to the Company before your proxy is voted or you vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
We will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by directors, officers or employees (for no additional compensation) in person or by telephone, electronic transmission and facsimile transmission. Brokers and other nominees will be requested to solicit proxies or authorizations from beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses.
Will I be able to ask questions at the Annual Meeting?
As part of the Annual Meeting, we will hold a live Q&A session, during which we intend to answer appropriate questions submitted during the meeting and that relate to the matters to be voted on. We intend to reserve up to 10 minutes before the closing of the polls to address questions submitted. Only stockholders that have accessed the Annual Meeting as a stockholder by following the procedures outlined above in “How can I attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?” will be able to submit questions during the Annual Meeting. Additionally, our Annual Meeting will follow “Rules of Conduct,” which will be made available at the Annual Meeting. Under these Rules of Conduct, a stockholder may ask up to two questions, and we will not address questions that are, among other things:
•
irrelevant to the business of the Company or to the business of the Annual Meeting;
•
related to the status or conduct of our clinical trials or the status of pending applications for the regulatory clearance of new products beyond that which is contained in our prior public disclosures;
•
related to material non-public information of the Company;
•
related to personal grievances;
•
derogatory references to individuals or that are otherwise in bad taste;
•
substantially repetitious of statements already made by another stockholder;
•
in furtherance of the stockholder’s personal or business interests; or
•
out of order or not otherwise suitable for the conduct of the Annual Meeting as determined by the Chair of the Annual Meeting or the Secretary in their reasonable judgment.
Additional information regarding the Q&A session will be available in the “Rules of Conduct” which will be made available at the Annual Meeting.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Size and Structure
Our restated certificate of incorporation as currently in effect (“Certificate of Incorporation”) provides that the number of directors shall be established from time to time by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at six, and we currently have six directors serving on the Board.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board be divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class should consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board. Each class of directors must stand for re-election no later than the third annual meeting of stockholders subsequent to their initial appointment or election to the Board, and the directors initially assigned to each class serve for a term set to end as set forth below. The term of each director continues until the election and qualification of his or her successor and is subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Generally, vacancies or newly created directorships on the Board will be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office and will not be filled by the stockholders, unless the Board determines by resolution that any such vacancy or newly created directorship will be filled by the stockholders. A director appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy will hold office until the next election of the class for which such director was chosen, subject to the election and qualification of his or her successor and his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Current Directors and Terms
Our current directors and their respective classes and terms are set forth below.
| |
Class II Directors —
Current Term Ending at 2025 Annual Meeting |
| |
Class III Directors —
Current Term Ending at 2026 Annual Meeting |
| |
Class I Directors —
Current Term Ending at 2027 Annual Meeting |
|
| |
Brigid A. Makes
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. |
| |
David Colpman
Kevin Rakin |
| |
Maybelle Jordan
W. Matthew Zuga |
|
Nominees for Director
Ms. Makes and Dr. Mills have been nominated by the Board to stand for election. As the directors assigned to Class II, Ms. Makes’ and Dr. Mills’ current terms of service will expire at the Annual Meeting. If elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, Ms. Makes and Dr. Mills will each serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting to be held in 2028 (the “2028 Annual Meeting”) and the election and qualification of his or her successor or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve. If, however, prior to the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors should learn that any nominee will be unable to serve for any reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been voted for this nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as selected by the Board. Alternatively, the proxies, at the Board’s discretion, may be voted for that fewer number of nominees as results from the inability of any nominee to serve. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve.
Information About Board Nominees and Continuing Directors
The following pages contain certain biographical information as of April 4, 2025 for each nominee for director and each director whose term as a director will continue after the Annual Meeting, including all positions he or she holds, his or her principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which the director or nominee currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
We believe that all of our directors and nominees display: personal and professional integrity; satisfactory levels of education and/or business experience; broad-based business acumen; an appropriate level of understanding of our business and its industry and other industries relevant to our business; the
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ability and willingness to devote adequate time to the work of our Board of Directors and its committees; skills and personality that complement those of our other directors that help build a board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of our Company; strategic thinking and a willingness to share ideas; a diversity of experiences, expertise and background; and the ability to represent the interests of all of our stockholders. The information presented below regarding each nominee and continuing director also sets forth specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board of Directors to the conclusion that such individual should serve as a director in light of our business and structure.
Nominees for Election to Three-Year Terms Expiring No Later than the 2028 Annual Meeting
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Class II Directors
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Director Since
|
| |
Current Position at Elutia
|
|
| Brigid A. Makes | | |
69
|
| |
2020
|
| |
Director
|
|
| C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. | | |
53
|
| |
2015
|
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President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
|
|
Brigid A. Makes has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2020. Ms. Makes currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Vivani Medical, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, which merged with Nano Precision Medical, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, where Ms. Makes served as Chief Financial Officer from February 2022 until the August 2022 merger. Ms. Makes has also served as an independent consultant for medical device and healthcare companies since July 2017, specifically advising on finance, accounting and funding responsibilities. From September 2011 to July 2017, Ms. Makes served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Miramar Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on aesthetics and dermatology. From 2006 to 2011, Ms. Makes served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AGA Medical Corp (“AGA”), a medical device company developing interventional devices for the minimally invasive treatment of structural heart defects and peripheral vascular disorders. Prior to joining AGA, Ms. Makes held various positions at Nektar Therapeutics Inc. from 1999 to 2006, including serving as Chief Financial Officer from 1999 to 2003. From December 2019 to June 2023, Ms. Makes served as a member of the board of directors of Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc., a publicly traded neuro-pharmaceutical company, where Ms. Makes served as the chair on the audit committee. Since June 2021, Ms. Makes has also been a member of the board of directors of Quantum-Si (Quantum-Si) Inc., a publicly traded life sciences company, where Ms. Makes serves on its audit committee. Ms. Makes holds an M.B.A. from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance & International Business from McGill University. We believe Ms. Makes’ extensive management and leadership experience with biotechnology companies and knowledge and experience in finance make her well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2022, after serving as our Interim President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2022 to August 2022 and has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 2015. Prior to joining Elutia, Dr. Mills has served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the board of trustees of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, a non-profit medical research institute from July 2020 to April 2022. Dr. Mills served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Marrow Donor Program, a nonprofit international organization that provides bone marrow for transplantation, from July 2017 to February 2020. From May 2014 to July 2017, Dr. Mills served as Chief Executive Officer of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which was created to fund stem cell research in California. Dr. Mills also served as Chief Executive Officer of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded regenerative medicine company, from June 2004 to December 2013. Prior to and during the last five years, Dr. Mills has served on the board of directors of various non-profit organizations, including Be The Match Foundation from July 2017 to February 2020, Tissue Banks International (“TBI”) (now KeraLink International (“KeraLink”)), from August 2007 to December 2019, and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, an international community of organizations focused on regenerative medicine, from January 2014 to January 2016. Dr. Mills holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science and a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Florida. We believe Dr. Mills’ extensive management and leadership experience in medical and healthcare organizations, including in the regenerative medicine context, make him well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
7
Class III Directors Whose Terms Expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
|
Class III Directors
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Director Since
|
| |
Current Position at Elutia
|
|
| David Colpman | | |
63
|
| |
2022
|
| |
Director
|
|
| Kevin Rakin | | |
64
|
| |
2015
|
| |
Executive Chairman
|
|
David Colpman has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2022. Mr. Colpman was the managing partner of Colpman Consulting Ltd., a business development consultancy, from July 2014 to March 2020. Prior to this, Mr. Colpman was a senior vice president at Shire Plc from 1999 to 2014. Prior to Shire Plc, Mr. Colpman had senior roles in business development at Novo Nordisk A/S, Glaxo Wellcome Plc and Boots Pharmaceuticals Ltd. From May 2015 to May 2022, Mr. Colpman served on the board of Orexo AB, a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, where Mr. Colpman served on its compensation committee from March 2019 to May 2022. Mr. Colpman served on the board and audit committee of HighCape Capital Acquisition Corp (“HighCape Acquisition”) a publicly traded affiliate of HighCape Partners, from September 2020 to June 2021. Mr. Colpman has also served as an advisor to Norgine Ltd, a pharmaceutical company, since January 2023 and served as an advisor to Cantargia AB, another pharmaceutical company, from May 2022 to April 2024. In addition, he is currently an advisor to HighCape Capital, an affiliate of HighCape Partners, which is an investment fund and affiliate of Elutia. Mr. Colpman received a B.Sc. from Portsmouth University in the field of pharmacy. We believe Mr. Colpman’s extensive management and leadership experience in pharmaceutical and healthcare companies make him well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Kevin Rakin has served as our Chairman and a member of our Board of Directors since November 2015 and as Executive Chairman since June 2022. Mr. Rakin is the Co-founder of HighCape Partners, an investment fund and affiliate of Elutia, and has been a general partner in HighCape Partners since 2013. Additionally, Mr. Rakin served as Chief Executive Officer and a board member of HighCape Acquisition from June 2020 to June 2021, at which time HighCape Acquisition merged with Quantum-Si, where Mr. Rakin has served as a member of the board of directors and nominating and governance committee since 2021. Mr. Rakin has also been a member of the board of directors of Nyxoah S.A., a publicly traded medical device company, since 2016, where he serves on its audit and compensation committees. From 2014 to 2022, Mr. Rakin served on the board of directors of Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, where Mr. Rakin served on its audit and compensation committees. From 2012 to 2019, Mr. Rakin also served on the board of directors of Histogenics Corp., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, where Mr. Rakin served on its audit and compensation committees. Mr. Rakin holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and B.Com and B.Com (Hons) degrees from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. We believe Mr. Rakin’s extensive knowledge and experience in finance and leadership in healthcare and life sciences companies, including in the public company context, make him well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Class I Directors Whose Terms Expire at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
|
Class I Directors
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Director Since
|
| |
Current Position at Elutia
|
|
| Maybelle Jordan | | |
59
|
| |
2020
|
| |
Director
|
|
| W. Matthew Zuga | | |
59
|
| |
2015
|
| |
Director
|
|
Maybelle Jordan has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2020. Ms. Jordan has served as Chief Strategy Officer for Deerfield Device Design and Development Catalyst, a medical technology incubator, since January 2021. Ms. Jordan previously served as Vice President of Business Development of Biomerix Corporation, a biomaterials company focused on scaffold technology in the medical technology industry, from 2011 until 2021, and served as Chief Operating Officer for Biomerix from 2003 to 2011. Ms. Jordan also co-founded and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MTrap Inc., a clinical-stage biomaterials company developing a cancer therapeutic device for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, from 2015 to 2020. Ms. Jordan holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University and a B.S. in Biology from Yale University. We believe Ms. Jordan’s extensive management and leadership experience with companies in the medical technology and life sciences industries make her well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
8
W. Matthew Zuga has served as a member of our Board of Directors since November 2015. Mr. Zuga has served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company, since May 2021. Mr. Zuga is the Co-founder of HighCape Partners, an investment fund and affiliate of Elutia, and has been a general partner in HighCape Partners since 2013. Additionally, Mr. Zuga served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and board member of HighCape Acquisition, from June 2020 to June 2021. From August 2012 to September 2013, Mr. Zuga was a managing director of SyngentaVentures Pte Ltd, an investment vehicle of Syngenta Corp. He was also the founder and managing member of Red Abbey, an investment company, from January 2004 to August 2012. Prior to Red Abbey, Mr. Zuga was a managing director and the head of life sciences investment banking at Legg Mason from 1999 to 2003. During the last five years, Mr. Zuga also served on the board of directors of TELA Bio, Inc., a publicly traded life sciences company, where Mr. Zuga served on its compensation committee. Mr. Zuga holds an M.B.A. from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from Ohio State University. We believe Mr. Zuga’s extensive experience in the life sciences industry, his network of contacts in the industry and his background in investing and investment banking make him well qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of each of Brigid A. Makes and C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. as Class II directors to hold office until the 2028 Annual Meeting and until each of their successors has been duly elected and qualified.
9
PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The audit committee appoints our independent registered public accounting firm. In this regard, the audit committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and determines whether to re-engage our current firm. As part of its evaluation, the audit committee considers, among other factors, the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the firm, including the performance, technical expertise, industry knowledge and experience of the lead audit partner and the audit team assigned to our account; the overall strength and reputation of the firm; the firm’s global capabilities relative to our business; and the firm’s knowledge of our operations. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2015. Neither the accounting firm nor any of its members has any direct or indirect financial interest in or any connection with us in any capacity other than as our auditors and providing audit and permissible non-audit related services. Upon consideration of these and other factors, the audit committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025.
Although ratification is not required by our by-laws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to our stockholders for ratification because we value our stockholders’ views on the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and it is a good corporate governance practice. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection, the audit committee may reconsider whether it should appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting and to have an opportunity to make a statement and be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and All Other Fees
The following table sets forth the fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, billed to Elutia for their professional services in each of the last two fiscal years.
| | | |
Year Ended December 31,
|
| |||||||||
| | | |
2024
|
| |
2023
|
| ||||||
|
Audit Fees
|
| | | $ | 715,000 | | | | | $ | 725,000 | | |
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Tax Fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
All Other Fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Total
|
| | | $ | 715,000 | | | | | $ | 725,000 | | |
Audit Fees consisted of fees related to the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements; the review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements; comfort letters, consents, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC, including offering memoranda and registration statements that are necessary under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The formal written charter for our audit committee requires that the audit committee pre-approve all audit services to be provided to us, whether provided by our principal auditor or other firms, and all other services (review, attest and non-audit) to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, other than de minimis non-audit services approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules.
10
The audit committee has adopted a policy (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) that sets forth the procedures and conditions pursuant to which audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm may be pre-approved. The Pre-Approval Policy generally provides that the audit committee will not engage an independent registered public accounting firm to render any audit, audit-related, tax or permissible non-audit service unless the service is either (i) explicitly approved by the audit committee (“specific pre-approval”) or (ii) entered into pursuant to the pre-approval policies and procedures described in the Pre-Approval Policy (“general pre-approval”). Unless a type of service to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval under the Pre-Approval Policy, it requires specific pre-approval by the audit committee or by a designated member of the audit committee to whom the committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approvals. Any member of the audit committee to whom the committee delegates authority to make pre-approval decisions must report any such pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. If circumstances arise where it becomes necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval categories or above the pre-approved amounts, the audit committee requires pre-approval for such additional services or such additional amounts. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval. For both types of pre-approval, the audit committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
On an annual basis, the audit committee reviews and generally pre-approves the services (and related fee levels or budgeted amounts) that may be provided by our independent registered accounting firm without first obtaining specific pre-approval from the audit committee. The audit committee may revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025.
Audit Committee Report
The audit committee operates pursuant to a charter which is reviewed annually by the audit committee. Additionally, a brief description of the primary responsibilities of the audit committee is included in this Proxy Statement under the discussion of “Corporate Governance — Audit Committee.” Under the audit committee charter, management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the appropriateness of accounting principles and financial reporting policies and for establishing and maintaining our internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing our financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
In the performance of its oversight function, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The audit committee also discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC. In addition, the audit committee received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letters from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB, regarding such independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm their independence from the Company.
Based upon the review and discussions described in the preceding paragraph, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC.
11
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors:
Brigid A. Makes (Chair)
David Colpman
Maybelle Jordan
David Colpman
Maybelle Jordan
12
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our executive officers as of April 4, 2025. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
|
Executive Officer
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Position
|
| |
In Current
Position Since |
|
| C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. | | |
53
|
| | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | | |
2022
|
|
| Matthew Ferguson | | |
57
|
| | Chief Financial Officer | | |
2020
|
|
| Michelle LeRoux Williams, Ph.D. | | |
51
|
| | Chief Scientific Officer | | |
2022
|
|
See page 15 of this Proxy Statement for the biography of C. Randal Mills, Ph.D.
Matthew Ferguson has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2020. Prior to joining Elutia, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Financial Officer for Bossa Nova Robotics, a privately held robotics company serving major retailers, from September 2018 to July 2020. From January 2011 to August 2018, Mr. Ferguson held various management positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Officer and Co-President, at Avinger, Inc., a publicly traded cardiovascular medical device company. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Financial Officer at Tethys Bioscience, a provider of molecular diagnostic tests for cardiometabolic conditions. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Ferguson served as the Chief Financial Officer at Proteolix, a biotechnology company developing treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Mr. Ferguson also served as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Business Development at FoxHollow Technologies, a publicly traded medical device company, from 2002 through its merger with ev3 in 2007. Mr. Ferguson holds an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University.
Michelle LeRoux Williams, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since August 2022. Prior to joining Elutia, Dr. Williams served as an independent consultant for biologic and drug development since April 2020, and from October 2018 to March 2020, headed clinical innovation at the National Marrow Donor Program, a nonprofit international organization that provides hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Dr. Williams served as Elutia’s Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer from 2017 to October 2018 and prior to that as Chief Operating Officer of Elutia and of Tissue Banks International, a nonprofit tissue bank, from which we were spun-off in November 2015. From 2001 to 2014, Dr. Williams was at Osiris Therapeutics, a publicly traded stem cell biotechnology company subsequently acquired by Smith and Nephew for $660 million, and served as their Chief Scientific Officer since 2009. Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University. She is a member of the Grants Working Group of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and a fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. A copy of these Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found in the “Governance” section of the “Investors” page of our website located at www.Elutia.com, or by writing to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, currently located at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. Among the topics addressed in our Corporate Governance Guidelines are:
13
| |
•
Board size, independence and qualifications
•
Executive sessions of independent directors
•
Board leadership structure
•
Selection of new directors
•
Director orientation and continuing education
•
Limits on board service
•
Change of principal occupation
•
Term limits
•
Director responsibilities
•
Director compensation
|
| |
•
Stock ownership
•
Board access to senior management
•
Board access to independent advisors
•
Board self-evaluations
•
Board meetings
•
Meeting attendance by directors and non-directors
•
Meeting materials
•
Board committees, responsibilities and independence
•
Succession planning
•
Risk management
|
|
Board Leadership Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide our Board of Directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with its determination that utilizing one or the other structure would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. If the Chairperson of the Board is a member of management or does not otherwise qualify as independent, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provides that the independent directors may elect among themselves a lead independent director (the “Lead Director”). The Lead Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: presiding over all Board meetings at which the Chairperson of the Board is not present, including any executive sessions of the independent directors; approving Board meeting schedules and agendas; and acting as the liaison between the independent directors on the one hand and the Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board on the other. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that, at such times as the Chairperson of the Board qualifies as independent, the Chairperson of the Board will serve as Lead Director.
The positions of our Chair of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer and President are currently served by two separate persons. Mr. Rakin serves as Executive Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Mills serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President. Prior to January 2024, Mr. Rakin did not qualify as an “independent” director under Nasdaq Rules. However, in January 2024, our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Rakin now qualifies as “independent” as that term is defined under the Nasdaq Rules. Accordingly, Mr. Rakin has also served as Lead Director since January 2024 pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
The Board believes that our current leadership structure of Chief Executive Officer and President, and an independent Executive Chair of the Board being held by two separate individuals is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and strikes the appropriate balance between the Chief Executive Officer and President’s responsibility for the strategic direction, day-to day-leadership and performance of our Company and the Executive Chair of the Board’s responsibility to guide overall strategic direction of our Company and provide oversight of our corporate governance and guidance to our Chief Executive Officer and President and to set the agenda for and preside over Board meetings. We recognize that different leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations and believe that no one structure is suitable for all companies. Accordingly, while the Board believes separating these roles is the most appropriate structure for the Company at this time, the Board continues to review its leadership structure, including following the appointment of Dr. Mills, formerly an independent director on our Board, as our Chief Executive Officer and President, and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Transition From “Controlled Company” Status
Prior to the completion of our registered public offering of Class A common stock on December 5, 2022, affiliates of HighCape Partners controlled a majority of our outstanding Class A common stock. As
14
a result, we qualified as a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards. As a “controlled company,” we could elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq, including, among others:
•
the requirement that a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors;
•
the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
•
the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors.
Upon the completion of our equity offering on December 5, 2022, we ceased to be a “controlled company” and are now required to comply with all of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, including, among others, having a majority independent board and a fully independent compensation committee and nominating committee within one year after ceasing to be a “controlled company.” We have been in compliance with all of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements since January 4, 2024.
Director Independence
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the applicable Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) rules (the “Nasdaq Rules”), a director is not independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that he or she does not have a relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a director. In addition, the director must not be precluded from qualifying as independent under the per se bars set forth by the Nasdaq Rules.
Our Board has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of our directors and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that none of David Colpman, Maybelle Jordan, Brigid A. Makes, Kevin Rakin and W. Matthew Zuga, representing five of our six directors, has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors qualifies as “independent” as that term is defined under the Nasdaq Rules. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each non-employee director has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the director’s beneficial ownership of our common stock and the relationships of our non-employee directors with certain of our significant stockholders. In December 2022, we ceased to qualify as a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq rules and were permitted a one-year phase-in period within which a majority of the Board must qualify as “independent” under the applicable Nasdaq Rules. Prior to January 2024, Mr. Rakin and Mr. Zuga did not qualify as “independent” directors under Nasdaq Rules. However, in January 2024, our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Rakin and Mr. Zuga now qualify as “independent” as that term is defined under the Nasdaq Rules. Accordingly, since January 4, 2024, we have been in compliance with this Nasdaq Rule requirement.
Board Committees
Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each of which has the composition and the responsibilities described below. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of our Board when necessary to address specific issues. Each of the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter.
15
|
Director
|
| |
Audit
Committee |
| |
Compensation
Committee |
| |
Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee |
|
|
David Colpman
|
| |
X
|
| |
X
|
| |
—
|
|
|
Maybelle Jordan
|
| |
X
|
| |
—
|
| |
Chair
|
|
|
Brigid A. Makes
|
| |
Chair
|
| |
Chair
|
| |
X
|
|
|
Kevin Rakin
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
|
|
W. Matthew Zuga
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
| |
—
|
|
Audit Committee
Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
•
appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing and overseeing the independence of, our registered public accounting firm;
•
overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of reports and other communications from such firm;
•
reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements;
•
considering whether to recommend to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K;
•
coordinating our Board’s oversight of our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and code of business conduct and ethics;
•
discussing and overseeing our risk assessment and management policies, including cybersecurity threat risk management;
•
meeting independently with our internal auditing staff, if any, independent registered public accounting firm and management;
•
reviewing on a periodic basis our investment policies or guidelines;
•
reviewing and approving or ratifying any related person transactions and reviewing the related policies and procedures;
•
pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided to us by our independent auditor (other than those provided pursuant to appropriate pre-approval policies established by the committee or exempt from such requirement under SEC rules);
•
establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the confidential and anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and
•
preparing the audit committee report required by SEC rules.
Our audit committee currently consists of David Colpman, Brigid A. Makes and Maybelle Jordan, with Ms. Makes serving as chair. All members of our audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable Nasdaq Rules and regulations. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each of Mr. Colpman, Ms. Makes and Ms. Jordan qualifies as “independent” under Nasdaq’s additional standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) applicable to audit committee members. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Colpman and Ms. Makes qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable Nasdaq Rules.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
16
•
reviewing and approving, or recommending for approval by the Board, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers;
•
periodically reviewing and approving new compensation and employee benefit plans and reviewing and approving changes to existing compensation and employee benefit plans, in each case that are not subject to stockholder approval or approval of the Board;
•
overseeing and administering our cash and equity incentive plans;
•
periodically reviewing and making recommendations to our Board with respect to director compensation;
•
reviewing and discussing annually with management our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” to the extent required; and
•
preparing and approving the annual compensation committee report required by SEC rules, to the extent required.
Our compensation committee currently consists of David Colpman and Brigid A. Makes, with Ms. Makes serving as chair. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Colpman and Ms. Makes qualifies as “independent” under Nasdaq’s additional standards applicable to compensation committee members and is a “non-employee director” as defined in Section 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
Compensation Consultants
The compensation committee has the authority to retain or obtain the advice of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. Before selecting any such consultant, counsel or advisor, the compensation committee reviews and considers the independence of such consultant, counsel or advisor in accordance with applicable Nasdaq Rules. We must provide appropriate funding for payment of reasonable compensation to any advisor retained by the compensation committee. The compensation committee did not engage the services of a compensation consultant during 2024.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other things:
•
identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board;
•
recommending to our Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors at our annual meeting, recommending to our Board persons to be appointed to fill board vacancies and to serve on each committee of the Board;
•
reviewing any director’s resignation in accordance with the Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommending whether the Board should accept such resignation;
•
developing and recommending to our Board corporate governance guidelines, and reviewing and recommending to our Board proposed changes to our corporate governance guidelines from time to time;
•
periodically reviewing the Board’s leadership structure and recommending any changes to the Board; and
•
overseeing a periodic evaluation of our Board.
Our nominating and corporate governance committee currently consists of Maybelle Jordan and Brigid A. Makes, with Ms. Jordan serving as chair. Our Board has determined that each of Ms. Jordan and Ms. Makes qualifies as “independent” under applicable Nasdaq Rules applicable to nominating and corporate governance committee members.
Board and Board Committee Meetings and Attendance
During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were four meetings of the Board of Directors, four meetings of the audit committee, one meeting of the compensation committee and one meeting of the
17
nominating and corporate governance committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) all meetings of the Board of Directors and (ii) all meetings of the committees on which the director served during the period in which he or she served as a director.
Executive Sessions
Executive sessions, which are meetings of the non-management members of the Board, are regularly scheduled throughout the year. In addition, at least twice a year, the independent directors meet in a private session that excludes management and any non-independent directors. At each of these meetings, the non-management and independent directors in attendance, as applicable, determine which member will preside at such session.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders
We do not have a formal policy regarding the attendance of our Board members at our annual meetings of stockholders, but we expect all directors to make every effort to attend any meeting of stockholders. All directors, other than Brigid A. Makes, attended our annual meeting of stockholders held in 2024.
Director Nominations Process
The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for recommending candidates to serve on the Board and its committees. In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate to serve on the Board or its committees or for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended director nominees for election at the annual meeting of stockholders, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Specifically, the nominating and corporate governance committee may take into account many factors, including, but not limited to: personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company; strong finance experience; relevant social policy concerns; experience relevant to the Company’s industry; experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company; relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of the Company’s operations; diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to the Company’s business relative to other board members; diversity of background and perspective, including, but not limited to, with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience; practical and mature business judgment, including, but not limited to, the ability to make independent analytical inquiries; and any other relevant qualifications, attributes or skills. In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, the nominating and corporate governance committee may also consider the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board.
We do not have a formal diversity policy. The Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure.
In identifying prospective director candidates, the nominating and corporate governance committee may seek referrals from other members of the Board, management, stockholders and other sources, including third party recommendations. The nominating and corporate governance committee also may, but need not, retain a search firm in order to assist it in identifying candidates to serve as directors of the Company. The nominating and corporate governance committee uses the same criteria for evaluating candidates regardless of the source of the referral or recommendation. When considering director candidates, the nominating and corporate governance committee seeks individuals with backgrounds and qualities that, when combined with those of our incumbent directors, provide a blend of skills and experience to further enhance the Board’s effectiveness. In connection with its annual recommendation of a slate of nominees, the nominating and corporate governance committee also may assess the contributions of those directors recommended for re-election in the context of the Board evaluation process and other perceived needs of the Board.
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Each of the director nominees to be elected at the Annual Meeting was evaluated in accordance with our standard review process for director candidates in connection with their initial appointment and their nomination for election or re-election, as applicable, at the Annual Meeting.
When considering whether the directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Board focused primarily on the information discussed in each of the board member’s biographical information set forth above. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of our business. This process resulted in the Board’s nomination of the incumbent directors named in this Proxy Statement and proposed for election by you at the Annual Meeting.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders, and such candidates will be considered and evaluated under the same criteria described above. Any recommendation submitted to the Company should be in writing and should include any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate in support of that recommendation, but must include information that would be required under the rules of the SEC to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate and a written consent of the candidate to serve as one of our directors if elected and must otherwise comply with the requirements under our bylaws for stockholders to recommend director nominees. Stockholders wishing to propose a candidate for consideration may do so by submitting the above information to the attention of the Secretary, Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. All recommendations for director nominations received by the Secretary that satisfy our by-law requirements relating to such director nominations will be presented to the nominating and corporate governance committee for its consideration. Stockholders also must satisfy the notification, timeliness, consent and information requirements set forth in our by-laws. These timing requirements are also described under the caption “Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.”
Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight, including, as part of regular Board and committee meetings, general oversight of executives’ management of risks relevant to the Company. A fundamental part of risk oversight is not only understanding the material risks a company faces and the steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The involvement of the Board of Directors in reviewing our business strategy is an integral aspect of the Board’s assessment of management’s tolerance for risk and its determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for the Company. Our Board oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, which is designed to support execution of our short-term and long-term strategic objectives and achievement of the Company’s objectives to improve long-term operational and financial performance and enhance stockholder interests. While the full Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight, it is supported in this function by its audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee, with each committee having primary risk oversight responsibilities aligned with its area of focus and expertise. Each of the committees regularly reports to the Board. In addition, our Board receives periodic detailed operating performance reviews from management and periodically meets with management to review the Company’s progress with respect to its strategic goals and the risks that could impact the long-term sustainability of our business. These discussions may occur as part of the Board’s strategic planning process, annual budget reviews and approvals and through reviews of compliance issues at the applicable committees of our Board, as appropriate.
We believe that the areas of risk that are fundamental to the success of our enterprise and rise to enterprise-level risks include the areas of product development, commercial focus, regulatory approval process and value (which includes pricing) and protecting our assets (financial, intellectual property, and information, including cybersecurity), all of which are overseen by the Board and the appropriate Board committee (as discussed further below). For example, during 2024, the Board of Directors and its committees devoted significant time and attention to exercising their risk oversight role over the Company’s (i) timeline and milestone achievements relative to the development and ultimate clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) of EluPro® (referred to as CanGarooRM during development), (ii) the
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commercialization and pilot launch of EluPro and (iii) legal proceedings related to the recall of a single lot of Fiber Viable Bone Matrix in 2021 and the recall of a single lot of the Company’s viable bone matrix products in 2023.
The audit committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities by periodically reviewing our accounting, reporting and financial practices, including the integrity of our financial statements, the surveillance of administrative and financial controls, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our cybersecurity risks and our enterprise risk management program. The compensation committee assists the Board by overseeing and evaluating risks related to the Company’s compensation structure and compensation programs, including the formulation, administration and regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, and coordinating, along with the Board’s Chair, succession planning discussions. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the Board by overseeing and evaluating programs and risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, and corporate governance. The allocation of risk oversight responsibility among the committees may change, from time to time, based on the evolving needs of the Company. In addition, our Board receives periodic detailed operating performance reviews from management.
Committee Charters and Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters of the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee and other corporate governance information are available under the “Governance” section of the “Investors” page of our website located at www.Elutia.com, or by writing to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, currently located at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Conduct is available under the “Governance” section of the “Investors” page of our website at www.Elutia.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the Nasdaq Rules concerning any amendments to, or waivers of, any provisions of our Code of Conduct.
Insider Trading Compliance Policy/Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policy
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Communications with the Board
Any stockholder or any other interested party who desires to communicate with our Board of Directors, our non-management directors or any specified individual director, may do so by directing such correspondence to the attention of the Secretary, Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. The Secretary will forward the communication to the appropriate director or directors as appropriate.
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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. In 2024, our “named executive officers” and their positions were as follows:
•
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer;
•
Matthew Ferguson, Chief Financial Officer; and
•
Michelle Williams, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer.
Summary Compensation Table
|
Name and Principal Position
|
| |
Year
|
| |
Salary
($) |
| |
Bonus
($) |
| |
Stock
Awards ($)(1) |
| |
Option
Awards ($)(2) |
| |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
| |
All Other
Compensation ($)(3) |
| |
Total
($) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 600,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,311,156 | | | | | | 1,617,373 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7,628(5) | | | | | | 4,536,157 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 600,000 | | | | | | 149,111(4) | | | | | | 1,085,464 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 210,889(4) | | | | | | 5,423(6) | | | | | | 2,050,887 | | | ||
|
Matthew Ferguson
Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 385,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 902,500 | | | | | | 518,705 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,427(7) | | | | | | 1,809,632 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 357,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 160,650 | | | | | | 3,427(7) | | | | | | 521,077 | | | ||
|
Michelle Williams, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 355,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 722,000 | | | | | | 518,705 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,779(8) | | | | | | 1,597,484 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 330,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 148,500 | | | | | | 7,470(9) | | | | | | 485,970 | | | ||
(1)
Amounts reflect the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted during 2024 and 2023, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock awards made to executive officers in Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, or the 2024 Annual Report.
(2)
Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock options granted during 2024 and 2023 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock awards made to executive officers in Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements included in the 2024 Annual Report.
(3)
No amounts are indicated for perquisites and other personal benefits as the value provided did not exceed $10,000 for any named executive officer.
(4)
Amounts in the aggregate reflect 60% of Dr Mills’ salary representing the bonus totaling $360,000. Amount shown in the column entitled “Bonus” represents the remaining guaranteed amount due during the first twelve months of his employment.
(5)
Amount reflects a matching contribution of $5,849 under the Company’s 401(k) plan and payment of $1,779 with respect to group term life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability premiums.
(6)
Amount reflects a matching contribution of $3,644 under the Company’s 401(k) plan and payment of $1,779 with respect to group term life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability premiums.
(7)
Amount reflects a matching contribution of $1,648 under the Company’s 401(k) plan and payment of $1,779 with respect to group term life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability premiums.
(8)
Amount reflects payment of $1,779 with respect to group term life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability premiums.
(9)
Amount reflects a matching contribution of $5,691 under the Company’s 401(k) plan and payment of $1,779 with respect to group term life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability premiums.
Elements of the Company’s Executive Compensation Program
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the compensation for each named executive officer generally consisted of a base salary, annual bonus, stock option awards, standard employee benefits and a 401(k)
22
plan. These elements (and the amounts of compensation and benefits under each element) were selected because we believe they are necessary to help us attract and retain executive talent which is fundamental to our success. Below is a more detailed summary of the current executive compensation program as it relates to our named executive officers.
2024 Salaries
The named executive officers receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to the Company. The base salary payable to each named executive officer is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities. Each named executive officer’s initial base salary was provided in their employment agreement. See “Executive Compensation Arrangements” below for discussion of the 2024 salaries for the named executive officers. Salary increases for 2025 for the named executive officers have yet to be approved.
2024 Bonuses
Pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, Dr. Mills is entitled to receive an annual bonus with a target amount of sixty percent (60%) of his annual base salary, and Mr. Ferguson and Dr. Williams are each eligible to receive an annual bonus with a target amount of forty-five percent (45%) of their respective annual base salaries. The annual bonus for the first 12 months of Dr. Mills’ employment, which commenced in June 2022, was guaranteed to equal his target annual bonus. The annual cash bonuses payable with respect to each fiscal year are determined by the compensation committee of our board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”) on a discretionary basis based on achievement of the performance goals approved for the annual cash bonus plan for such year.
For fiscal year 2024, the bonuses are discretionary; however, the annual cash bonus plan performance goals are expected to be based on an assessment of Company’s quarterly performance relative to regulatory, commercial, operational and financial objectives. Such 2024 bonuses for the named executive officers have yet to be approved by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors. Consequently, no amounts are included for the named executive officers for 2024 in the Summary Compensation Table in the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”
Equity Compensation
We maintain an equity incentive plan, the Elutia Inc. Amended and Restated 2020 Incentive Award Plan (which was amended and restated on June 8, 2023 as a result of the approval by our stockholders at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders) referred to below as the 2020 Plan, in order to facilitate the grant of cash and equity incentives to directors, employees (including our named executive officers), and consultants of our Company and certain of its affiliates and to enable our Company and certain of its affiliates to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which is essential to our long-term success. The maximum number of shares of Class A common stock reserved under the 2020 Plan is (i) 3,636,000 shares of our Class A common stock, (ii) any shares which, as of the 2020 Plan’s effective date, are available for issuance under the 2015 Plan, or are subject to awards under the 2015 Plan (as defined below) which are forfeited or lapse unexercised and (iii) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2021 and ending on January 1, 2033, equal to the lesser of (A) 4% of the outstanding shares of all classes of our common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such lesser amount as determined by our board of directors.
We also maintain an equity incentive plan, the Elutia Inc. 2015 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “2015 Plan”). Following our initial public offering (“IPO”), we do not make any new grants of awards under the 2015 Plan. Any unvested stock options granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan remain outstanding and continue to vest in accordance with their terms.
The 2015 Plan, and together with the 2020 Plan, the Equity Plans, provide our employees (including the named executive officers), consultants, non-employee directors, and other service providers and those of our affiliates the opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of our business through the receipt of equity incentive awards including options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock and RSUs. We
23
believe that such stock options and RSUs encourage a sense of proprietorship and stimulate interest in our development and financial success.
Pursuant to the 2020 Plan, on January 31, 2024, we granted stock options to Dr. Mills, covering 650,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The options vest (i) 25% based on stock price performance (6.25% each for a price per share achievement of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00 and $18.00 based on 20 consecutive days of trading at or above this price), (ii) 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and (iii) 50% time-based over three years, with the options vesting in equal monthly installments beginning one month after the grant date.
In addition, on January 31, 2024, we granted RSUs to Dr. Mills covering 650,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The RSUs vest (i) 25% based on stock price performance (6.25% each for a price per share achievement of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00 and $18.00 based on 20 consecutive days of trading at or above this price), (ii) 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and (iii) 50% time-based over three years, with the RSUs vesting with respect to 1/6 on June 10, 2024, and 1/12 quarterly thereafter on each of the following dates: September 10, 2024, December 10, 2024, March 10, 2025, June 10, 2025, September 10, 2025, December 10, 2025, March 10, 2026, June 10, 2026, September 10, 2026, and December 10, 2026; provided, however, if the vesting date for any RSUs that vest on stock price performance or FDA clearance of EluPro is not during one of the Company’s open trading windows, the vesting shall be delayed until the first business day of the next open trading window. We note that the FDA clearance of EluPro occurred in June 2024 during a closed trading window, and as such, the vesting of the 25% subject to such performance criteria actually vested in August 2024.
In addition, on June 21, 2022, in connection with Dr. Mills’ appointment as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, we granted stock options to Dr. Mills equal to 456,278 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement (the “Mills Option Grant”). Three-fifths of the Mills Option Grant is subject to time-based vesting (the “Time Based Options”) and two-fifths of the Mills Option Grant is subject to performance-based vesting (the “Performance Based Options”). With respect to the Time Based Option grant of 273,767, one-third of the total, or 91,256 Time Based Options, vested on August 9, 2022, a total of 68,442 vested in 2023 and a total of 45,628 vested in 2024 in accordance with a four-year vesting schedule for the remaining two-thirds whereby 25% vests on the first anniversary of the June 21, 2022 and the remaining portion vesting in twelve equal quarterly installments, subject to continued service through each vesting date. The Performance Based Options vest in equal installments upon the achievement of escalating share price thresholds of, respectively, $12.50, $17.00, $25.00 and $37.00 (calculated based on twenty consecutive days of trading at each respective threshold), subject to continued service through each vesting date. On January 31, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the Performance Based Options such that the incentives would instead vest in equal installments upon the achievement of escalating share price thresholds of, respectively, $6.00, $10.00, $14.00 and $18.00 (calculated based on twenty consecutive days of trading at each respective threshold), subject to continued service through each vesting date.
In addition, also on June 21, 2022, in connection with Dr. Mills’ appointment to Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, we authorized grants to Dr. Mills of RSUs covering 224,734 shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to our standard form of award agreement (the “Mills RSU Grant”). The Mills RSU Grant was formally made on April 27, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of the Mills Employment Agreement, three-fifths of the Mills RSU Grant are subject to time-based vesting (the “Time Based RSUs”) and two-fifths of the Mills RSU Grant are subject to performance-based vesting (the “Performance Based RSUs”). With respect to the Time Based RSU of 134,840, one-third of the total, or 44,947 Time Based RSUs, vested on April 27, 2023, a total of 22,474 also vested during 2023 and a total of 22,473 vested during 2024 in accordance with a four-year vesting schedule for the remaining two-thirds from Dr. Mills’ appointment date in equal annual installments, subject to continued service through each vesting date. The Performance Based RSUs vest in equal installments upon the achievement of escalating share price thresholds of, respectively, $12.50, $17.00, $25.00 and $37.00 (calculated based on twenty consecutive days of trading at each respective threshold), subject to continued service through each vesting date. On January 31, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the Performance Based RSUs such that the incentives would instead vest in equal installments upon the achievement of escalating share price thresholds
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of, respectively $6.00, $10.00, $14.00 and $18.00 (calculated based on twenty consecutive days of trading at each respective threshold), subject to continued service through each vesting date.
Pursuant to the 2020 Plan, on January 31, 2024, we granted stock options to Mr. Ferguson, covering 200,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The options vest 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and 75% time-based over three years, with the options vesting in equal monthly installments beginning one month after the grant date.
In addition, on January 31, 2024, we granted RSUs to Mr. Ferguson equal to 200,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The RSUs vest 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and 75% time-based over three years, with the RSUs vesting with respect to 1/6 on June 10, 2024, and 1/12 quarterly thereafter on each of the following dates: September 10, 2024, December 10, 2024, March 10, 2025, June 10, 2025, September 10, 2025, December 10, 2025, March 10, 2026, June 10, 2026, September 10, 2026, and December 10, 2026; provided, however, if the vesting date for any RSUs that vest on FDA clearance of EluPro is not during one of the Company’s open trading windows, the vesting shall be delayed until the first business day of the next open trading window. We note that the FDA clearance of EluPro occurred in June 2024 during a closed trading window, and as such, the vesting of the 25% subject to such performance criteria actually vested in August 2024.
In addition, on January 31, 2024, we granted RSUs to Mr. Ferguson equal to 50,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The RSUs vest 34% on September 10, 2024, 33% on March 10, 2025 and 33% on September 10, 2025.
Pursuant to the 2020 Plan, on January 31, 2024, we granted stock options to Dr. Williams, covering 200,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The options vest 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and 75% time-based over three years, with the options vesting in equal installments monthly beginning one month after the grant date.
In addition, on January 31, 2024, we granted RSUs to Dr. Williams equal to 200,000 shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to our standard form of award agreement. The RSUs vest 25% on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro and 75% time-based over three years, with the RSUs vesting with respect to 1/6 on June 10, 2024, and 1/12 quarterly thereafter on each of the following dates: September 10, 2024, December 10, 2024, March 10, 2025, June 10, 2025, September 10, 2025, December 10, 2025, March 10, 2026, June 10, 2026, September 10, 2026, and December 10, 2026; provided, however, if the vesting date for any RSUs that vest on FDA clearance of EluPro is not during one of the Company’s open trading windows, the vesting shall be delayed until the first business day of the next open trading window. We note that the FDA clearance of EluPro occurred in June 2024 during a closed trading window, and as such, the vesting of the 25% subject to such performance criteria actually vested in August 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, stock options and RSUs covering an aggregate of 4,638,114 shares of our Class A common stock were outstanding under the Equity Plans. Such amount is comprised of outstanding stock options totaling 3,220,991 (with a weighted average exercise price of $5.23) and outstanding RSUs totaling 1,417,123.
Other Elements of Compensation
Retirement Plans
We currently maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the 401(k) plan. Currently, we match contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan up to a specified percentage of the employee contributions, and these matching contributions are fully vested as of the date on which the contribution is made. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings through our 401(k) plan, and making fully vested matching contributions, adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.
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Employee Benefits and Perquisites
Health/Welfare Plans. All of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, including:
•
medical, dental and vision benefits;
•
medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts;
•
short-term and long-term disability insurance; and
•
life insurance.
We believe the perquisites described above are necessary and appropriate to provide a competitive compensation package to our named executive officers.
No Tax Gross-Ups
We do not make gross-up payments to cover our named executive officers’ personal income taxes that may pertain to any of the compensation or perquisites paid or provided by our Company.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table summarizes the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | |
Option Awards(18)
|
| |
Stock Awards(18)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| |
Grant Date
|
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) |
| |
Option
Exercise Price ($) |
| |
Option
Expiration Date |
| |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested (#) |
| |
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested ($)(17) |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($)(11) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D.
|
| | | | 12/9/2020(1) | | | | | | 14,307 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 17.00 | | | | | | 12/9/2030 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | | | 6/7/2021(2) | | | | | | 14,082 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 10.41 | | | | | | 6/7/2031 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 6/7/2022(3) | | | | | | 22,090 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6.28 | | | | | | 6/7/2032 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 6/21/2022(4) | | | | | | 91,256 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6.39 | | | | | | 6/20/2032 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 6/21/2022(5) | | | | | | 114,070 | | | | | | 68,441 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6.39 | | | | | | 6/20/2032 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 6/21/2022(6) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 182,511 | | | | | | 6.39 | | | | | | 6/20/2032 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 4/27/2023(7) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 44,946 | | | | | | 168,098 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 4/27/2023(8) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 89,894 | | | | | | 336,204 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(9) | | | | | | 162,500 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(10) | | | | | | 99,306 | | | | | | 225,694 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(11) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 162,500 | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 216,666 | | | | | | 810,331 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(13) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 162,500 | | | | | | 607,750 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
26
| | | | | | | | | |
Option Awards(18)
|
| |
Stock Awards(18)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
| |
Grant Date
|
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) |
| |
Option
Exercise Price ($) |
| |
Option
Expiration Date |
| |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested (#) |
| |
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested ($)(17) |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) |
| |
Equity
incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($)(11) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Matthew Ferguson
|
| | | | 10/8/2020(14) | | | | | | 81,800 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 17.00 | | | | | | 10/8/2030 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| | | | 3/8/2021(5) | | | | | | 28,969 | | | | | | 1,931 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 14.53 | | | | | | 3/8/2031 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 3/8/2021(15) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,287 | | | | | | 4,813 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 3/8/2022(5) | | | | | | 21,313 | | | | | | 9,687 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5.08 | | | | | | 3/7/2032 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(9) | | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(10) | | | | | | 45,834 | | | | | | 104,166 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(12) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 373,996 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(16) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 33,000 | | | | | | 123,420 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
|
Michelle Williams, Ph.D.
|
| | | | 10/20/2022(5) | | | | | | 22,500 | | | | | | 67,500 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 7.16 | | | | | | 10/19/2032 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1/31/2024(9) | | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(10) | | | | | | 45,834 | | | | | | 104,166 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3.61 | | | | | | 1/30/2034 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | 1/31/2024(12) | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | 373,996 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | ||
(1)
The stock options vested and became exercisable in three annual equal installments, beginning on October 8, 2021.
(2)
The stock options vested fully and became exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(3)
The stock options vested fully and became exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(4)
The stock options vested fully and became exercisable on August 9, 2022.
(5)
The stock options vested as to 25% upon the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 75% vest in 12 equal quarterly installments thereafter, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(6)
The stock options vest and become exercisable in four equal installments upon the Company’s achievement of, respectively, a share price of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00, and $18.00 in each case determined based on twenty consecutive days trading at or above the applicable threshold, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(7)
The RSUs were authorized for grant on June 21, 2022, but were not formally granted until April 27, 2023. The RSUs vest as to 25% upon the first anniversary of the grant authorization date, and the remaining 75% vest in three equal annual installments thereafter, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(8)
The RSUs were authorized for grant on June 21, 2022, but were not formally granted until April 27, 2023. The RSUs vest and become exercisable in four equal installments upon the Company’s achievement of, respectively, a share price of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00, and $18.00 in each case determined based on twenty consecutive days trading at or above the applicable threshold, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(9)
The stock options vested fully and became exercisable on the 10th business day following FDA clearance of EluPro.
(10)
The stock options vest and become exercisable in equal monthly installments over three years beginning one month after the grant date.
27
(11)
The stock options vest and become exercisable in four equal installments upon the Company’s achievement of, respectively, a share price of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00, and $18.00 in each case determined based on twenty consecutive days trading at or above the applicable threshold, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(12)
The RSUs vest with respect to 1/6 on June 10, 2024, and 1/12 quarterly thereafter on each of the following dates: September 10, 2024, December 10, 2024, March 10, 2025, June 10, 2025, September 10, 2025, December 10, 2025, March 10, 2026, June 10, 2026, September 10, 2026, and December 10, 2026.
(13)
The RSUs vest in four equal installments upon the Company’s achievement of, respectively, a share price of $6.00, $10.00, $14.00, and $18.00 in each case determined based on twenty consecutive days trading at or above the applicable threshold, subject to continued service through each vesting date.
(14)
The stock options vested and became exercisable in four equal annual installments, beginning on October 8, 2021.
(15)
The RSUs will vest in four equal annual installments, beginning on March 8, 2022, subject to continued employment through each vesting date.
(16)
The RSUs vest as to 34% on September 10, 2024, 33% on March 10, 2025 and 33% on September 10, 2025.
(17)
Values were calculated based on a $3.74 closing price of our shares of Class A common Stock, as reported on Nasdaq on December 31, 2024.
(18)
Pursuant to the terms of each named executive officer’s employment agreement, the named executive officers’ outstanding stock options and RSUs will vest and become exercisable, as applicable, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2020 Plan) if such named executive officer is terminated without Cause (as defined below in “Employment Agreements”) or resigns for Good Reason (as defined below in “Employment Agreements”) within the 12 months after such Change in Control is consummated, or with respect to Dr. Mills’ employment agreement, also within the three months prior to the Change in Control being consummated.
Executive Compensation Arrangements
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. Employment Agreement
On June 21, 2022, in connection with his original appointment as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and subsequent appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mills and the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Mills Employment Agreement”), for an initial period ending June 21, 2024, which shall automatically be extended for successive one-year periods (the “Employment Period”).
In connection with his service as President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mills will be entitled to receive an annual base salary of $600,000 and a target annual bonus equal to 60% of his annual base salary. The first 12 months of Dr. Mills’ annual bonus are guaranteed to equal his target annual bonus.
The Mills Employment Agreement provides that, upon Dr. Mills’ termination of employment by the Company without Cause or resignation for Good Reason (in each case as defined in the Mills Employment Agreement), subject to Dr. Mills’ execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, Dr. Mills will be eligible to receive, in addition to any earned and unpaid amounts, (i) the sum of (x) his annual base salary for a period of 12 months, and (y) 100% of his target annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, payable over a 12-month period and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to twelve (12) times the Company’s monthly charge for participation in the Company’s health plans pursuant to COBRA following termination. If Dr. Mills is terminated in the period starting three months prior to a change in control and ending on the first anniversary of such change in control, Dr. Mills will instead be eligible to receive, in addition to any earned and unpaid amounts, (i) a lump-sum payment equal to the sum of (x) his annual base salary for a period of 18 months, and (y) 150% of his target annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, and (z) eighteen (18) times the Company’s monthly charge for participation in the Company’s health plan pursuant to COBRA following termination and (ii) full acceleration of any outstanding unvested equity awards.
28
Matthew Ferguson Employment Agreement
In connection with the IPO, Mr. Ferguson entered into an employment agreement (the “Ferguson Employment Agreement”).
The Ferguson Employment Agreement provides that, Mr. Ferguson will be entitled to an initial annual base salary of $350,000 and that Mr. Ferguson shall be entitled to receive an annual target bonus of forty-five percent (45%) of his base salary actually paid in the applicable year, which shall be conditioned upon, among other things, Mr. Ferguson’s performance and the performance of the Company. Mr. Ferguson’s annual base salary was increased from $357,000 to $385,000 in April 2024 with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
The Ferguson Employment Agreement provides that, upon Mr. Ferguson’s termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Ferguson Employment Agreement) and upon his resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Ferguson Employment Agreement), subject to Mr. Ferguson’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, Mr. Ferguson will be entitled to receive, in addition to any accrued amounts, (i) his annual base salary for a period of twelve months and (ii) payment of the Company’s share of the premiums for participation in the Company’s health plans pursuant to COBRA for the twelve-month period following termination. If Mr. Ferguson is terminated in the twelve months following a change in control, Mr. Ferguson will instead be entitled to receive, in addition to any accrued amounts, (i) his annual base salary for a period of twelve months, (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of his target annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, (iii) payment of the remainder of premiums for participation in the Company’s health plan pursuant to COBRA for the twelve-month period following termination and (iv) full acceleration of any outstanding equity awards.
Pursuant to the Ferguson Employment Agreement, Mr. Ferguson is subject to confidentiality and assignment of intellectual property provisions, and certain restrictive covenants, including one-year post-employment non-competition and non-solicitation of employees and customer provisions.
Michelle Willams, Ph.D. Employment Agreement
In connection with her appointment as Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Williams entered into an employment agreement (the “Williams Employment Agreement”).
The Williams Employment Agreement provides that, Dr. Williams will be entitled to an annual base salary of $330,000 and that Dr. Williams shall be entitled to receive an annual target bonus of forty-five percent (45%) of her base salary actually paid in the applicable year, which shall be conditioned upon, among other things, Dr. Williams’ performance and the performance of the Company. Dr. Williams’ annual salary was increased to $355,000 in April 2024 with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
The Williams Employment Agreement provides that, upon Dr. Williams’ termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Williams Employment Agreement) and upon her resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the Williams Employment Agreement), subject to Dr. Williams’ execution and non-revocation of a release of claims, Dr. Williams will be entitled to receive, in addition to any accrued amounts, (i) her annual base salary for a period of twelve months and (ii) payment of the Company’s share of the premiums for participation in the Company’s health plans pursuant to COBRA for the twelve-month period following termination. If Dr. Williams is terminated in the twelve months following a change in control, Dr. Williams will instead be entitled to receive, in addition to any accrued amounts, (i) her annual base salary for a period of twelve months, (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of her target annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, (iii) payment of the remainder of premiums for participation in the Company’s health plan pursuant to COBRA for the twelve-month period following termination and (iv) full acceleration of any outstanding equity awards.
Pursuant to the Williams Employment Agreement, Dr. Williams is subject to confidentiality and assignment of intellectual property provisions, and certain restrictive covenants, including one-year post-employment non-competition and non-solicitation of employees and customer provisions.
29
Definition of “Good Reason”
For purposes of the Mills Employment Agreement, Ferguson Employment Agreement and Williams Employment Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following events without the named executive officer’s prior written consent, unless the Company fully corrects the circumstances constituting Good Reason (provided such circumstances are capable of correction): (i) a material reduction in the named executive officer’s job responsibilities and duties for the Company, (ii) a material reduction in the named executive officer’s annual base salary or (iii) a requirement imposed by the Company on the named executive officer that the named executive officer’s principal place of employment be anywhere other than within a 50 mile radius of the named executive officer’s principal location, except for travel required on Company business to an extent substantially consistent with the named executive officer’s business travel obligation prior to the change in control, that, in any such case, is not cured by the Company within fifteen days after the Company’s receipt of written notice from the named executive officer of such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the named executive officer will not be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason unless (1) the named executive officer provides the Company with written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by the named executive officer to constitute Good Reason within sixty (60) days after the date of the occurrence of any event that the named executive officer knows or should reasonably have known to constitute Good Reason, (2) the Company fails to cure such acts or omissions within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice, and (3) the effective date of the named executive officer’s termination for Good Reason occurs no later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Company’s cure period.
Equity Incentive Plans
Elutia Inc. 2015 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan
We currently maintain the 2015 Plan, as described above. Following our IPO, we do not make any new grants of awards under the 2015 Plan. Any unvested stock options granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan remain outstanding and continue to vest in accordance with their terms.
2020 Incentive Award Plan
We currently maintain the 2020 Plan, as described above, pursuant to which we may grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete.
2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We currently maintain the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which provides increased flexibility to grant opportunities to purchase shares to our employees.
Clawback of Performance-Based Awards
The Company has adopted an Excess Incentive-Based Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Clawback Policy”) in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. The Clawback Policy provides for the recoupment of erroneously awarded incentive compensation in the event of certain accounting restatements. The Clawback Policy applies to current and former executive officers and requires the recoupment of erroneously awarded incentive compensation received during a three-year lookback period preceding the accounting restatement.
Timing of Equity Awards
The Compensation Committee grants equity awards, including stock options, from time to time. This may also include grants in connection with a new hire, promotion, and other circumstances where the Compensation Committee deems it appropriate to make such grants. Although we have not adopted a formal policy regarding the timing of equity award grants, including stock options, the Compensation Committee does not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the terms of equity awards and has not timed grants or the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the
30
Director Compensation
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
In connection with our IPO, we implemented a non-employee director compensation policy pursuant to which each non-employee director will receive an annual director fee of $40,000 as well as an additional annual fee of $30,000 for service as our chairman, $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 for service as the chair of our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees, respectively and an additional annual fee of $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 for service (other than as chair) on our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees, respectively, each earned on a quarterly basis. Each director will also receive an annual equity award with a grant date fair value of $81,000, which will vest in full on the date of our annual shareholder meeting immediately following the date of grant, subject to the nonemployee director continuing in service through such meeting date. The award is further subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control (as defined in the 2020 Plan). In addition to the annual awards, the policy provides that, upon a non-employee director’s initial appointment, such director is entitled to receive an option award with a grant date fair value of $126,000 (an “Initial Award”).
On June 8, 2023, the Board approved an amendment to the non-employee director compensation policy such that (i) the Board has discretion to reduce the number of annual stock options granted to each non-employee director to an amount less than the number equal to grant date fair value of $81,000, (ii) the Board has discretion to reduce the Initial Award to an amount less than the number equal to a grant date fair value of $126,000 and (iii) the Company may pay the Board service fees in Class A common stock of the Company or cash.
In addition, on June 21, 2022, the Board created the position of Executive Chairman of the Board, a non-employee director position, and appointed Kevin Rakin to serve in this position. In recognition of Mr. Rakin’s additional time, contribution and responsibilities serving as Executive Chairman of the Board, the Board provided Mr. Rakin with additional director compensation for his service. Mr. Rakin’s Executive Chairmanship and related additional compensation was initially set to expire on June 20, 2023, but has been extended twice by the Board due to Mr. Rakin’s continuation in such role and currently expires on June 20, 2025. As such, Mr. Rakin is eligible to receive a total of $200,000 in cash compensation for his role as Executive Chairman, which shall be earned on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, in 2023 and 2024, Mr. Rakin received an annual stock option grants that were 1.5 times the standard director grant for each year.
The total compensation earned or paid to our non-employee directors during 2024 is set forth in the table below.
|
Name
|
| |
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($) |
| |
Option
Awards ($)(1) |
| |
Total ($)
|
| |||||||||
|
Kevin Rakin
|
| | | | 200,000 | | | | | | 121,500 | | | | | | 321,500 | | |
|
David Colpman
|
| | | | 57,500 | | | | | | 81,000 | | | | | | 138,500 | | |
|
Maybelle Jordan
|
| | | | 60,000 | | | | | | 81,000 | | | | | | 141,000 | | |
|
Brigid A. Makes
|
| | | | 80,000 | | | | | | 81,000 | | | | | | 161,000 | | |
|
W. Matthew Zuga
|
| | | | 40,000 | | | | | | 81,000 | | | | | | 121,000 | | |
(1)
Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock options granted during 2024 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all option awards made to our non-employee directors in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 10-K.
31
The table below shows the aggregate numbers of option awards (exercisable and unexercisable) held as of December 31, 2024 by each non-employee director who was serving on the Board as of December 31, 2024.
|
Name
|
| |
Options Outstanding at
Fiscal Year End |
| |||
|
Kevin Rakin
|
| | | | 138,958 | | |
|
David Colpman
|
| | | | 85,348 | | |
|
Maybelle Jordan
|
| | | | 107,314 | | |
|
Brigid A. Makes
|
| | | | 107,314 | | |
|
W. Matthew Zuga
|
| | | | 93,007 | | |
32
STOCK OWNERSHIP
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 17, 2025 by:
•
each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our Class A common stock;
•
each of our directors;
•
each of our named executive officers for 2024; and
•
all directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial” owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Except as indicated in the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the individuals and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them, subject to any applicable community property laws.
The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 36,552,348 shares of our Class A common stock and 4,313,406 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of March 17, 2025. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 17, 2025 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each beneficial owner listed is c/o Elutia Inc., 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904.
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Number of Shares of
Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1) |
| |
Percentage of Class A
Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
| |
Percentage of Class A and
Class B Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
| |||||||||
| Holders of More than 5%: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
HighCape Partners and affiliates(2)
|
| | | | 9,520,232 | | | | | | 26.0% | | | | | | 23.3% | | |
|
AIGH Capital Management, LLC and
affiliates(3) |
| | | | 3,074,735 | | | | | | 8.4% | | | | | | 7.5% | | |
|
Nantahala Capital Management, LLC and affiliates(4)
|
| | | | 2,983,568 | | | | | | 8.2% | | | | | | 7.3% | | |
| Named executive officers and directors: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
C. Randal Mills, Ph.D.(5)
|
| | | | 843,016 | | | | | | 2.3% | | | | | | 2.1% | | |
|
Matthew Ferguson(6)
|
| | | | 590,828 | | | | | | 1.6% | | | | | | 1.4% | | |
|
Michelle Williams, Ph.D.(7)
|
| | | | 245,036 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Kevin Rakin(2)(8)
|
| | | | 9,702,244 | | | | | | 26.5% | | | | | | 23.7% | | |
|
David Colpman(9)
|
| | | | 47,107 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Maybelle Jordan(10)
|
| | | | 75,479 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Brigid A. Makes(11)
|
| | | | 77,479 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
W. Matthew Zuga(2)(12)
|
| | | | 9,581,404 | | | | | | 26.2% | | | | | | 23.4% | | |
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)(13)
|
| | | | 11,642,361 | | | | | | 30.7% | | | | | | 27.6% | | |
*
Represents less than 1%.
33
(1)
Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Deerfield”) is not included in this table as a holder of more than 5% of our voting securities, because as a holder of our Class B common stock, Deerfield only has the right to convert each share of our Class B common stock it holds into one share of Class A common stock at its election to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, it would not beneficially own in excess of 4.9% of any class of our securities registered under the Exchange Act. As of March 17, 2025, Deerfield owns less than 5% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock, and owns all of our standing shares of Class B common stock. Shares of our Class B common stock do not have voting rights.
(2)
Based solely on information reported on a Schedule 13D/A filed on March 13, 2025, one or more of the following HighCape entities (collectively, “HighCape Entities”): HighCape Capital, L.P., HighCape Partners, L.P., HighCape Partners QP, L.P., HighCape Partners GP, LLC, HighCape Partners GP, L.P., HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle I, LLC, HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle II, LLC, HighCape Capital, LLC, HighCape Partners II, L.P., HighCape Partners QP II, L.P., HighCape Partners GP II, L.P., and HighCape Partners GP II, LLC have shared voting and dispositive power over 9,520,232 shares of Class A common stock and warrants to acquire Class A common stock. Additionally, each of W. Matthew Zuga and Kevin Rakin has shared voting and dispositive power over such shares of Class A common stock (other than with respect to shares held of record by HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle I, LLC and HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle II, LLC over which Mr. Rakin has no voting or dispositive power). Mr. Rakin and Mr. Zuga, both members of our Board of Directors, are the managing members of HighCape Partners GP, LLC, which in turn is the general partner of HighCape Partners GP, L.P., which in turn is the general partner of each of HighCape Partners, L.P. and HighCape Partners QP, L.P. Mr. Rakin and Mr. Zuga are also the managing members of HighCape Capital, LLC, which in turn is the general partner of HighCape Capital, L.P. Each of Mr. Rakin, Mr. Zuga, HighCape Partners GP, LLC and HighCape Partners GP, L.P. may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held of record by HighCape Partners, L.P. and HighCape Partners QP, and each of Mr. Rakin, Mr. Zuga and HighCape Capital, LLC may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held of record by HighCape Capital, L.P. In addition, Mr. Zuga is the managing member of each of HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle I, LLC and HighCape Co-Investment Vehicle II, LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by such entities. The address of each of the HighCape Entities described in this footnote, Mr. Zuga and Mr. Rakin is 36 Church Lane, Westport, CT 06880.
(3)
Based solely on information reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 29, 2025, AIGH Capital Management, LLC and Orin Hirschman have shared voting and dispositive power over 3,074,735 shares of Class A common stock. Excludes 1,550,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants due to beneficial ownership limitations on exercise. The address of the foregoing reporting persons is 6006 Berkeley Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209.
(4)
Based solely on information reported on a Schedule 13G/A filed on November 14, 2024, Nantahala Capital Management, LLC and each of Wilmot Harkey and Daniel Mack and have shared voting and dispositive power over 2,983,568 shares of Class A common stock. The address of the foregoing reporting persons is 130 Main St. 2nd Floor, New Canaan, CT 06840.
(5)
Consists of 289,293 shares of Class A common stock and 553,723 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025. The amount reported in the table does not include (i) 345,011 options to purchase Class A common stock or (ii) 252,394 shares underlying performance-based RSUs that are subject to vesting within 60 days of March 17, 2025, to the extent that the performance objectives are achieved.
(6)
Consists of 342,378 shares of Class A common stock and 248,450 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(7)
Consists of 76,286 shares of Class A common stock and 168,750 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(8)
Consists of (i) 9,520,232 shares of Class A common stock held of record by the HighCape Entities, (ii) 90,807 shares of Class A common stock held of record by the Kevin L. Rakin Irrevocable Trusts whose beneficiaries include his wife and descendants, and (iii) 91,205 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(9)
Consists of 3,098 shares of Class A common stock and 44,009 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
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(10)
Consists of 75,479 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(11)
Consists of 2,000 shares of Class A common stock and 75,479 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(12)
Consists of 9,520,232 shares of Class A common stock held of record by the HighCape Entities and 61,172 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025.
(13)
Consists of 10,324,094 shares of Class A common stock and 1,318,267 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock that are or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2025. The amount reported in the table does not include (i) 345,011 options to purchase Class A common stock or (ii) 252,394 shares underlying performance-based RSUs that are subject to vesting within 60 days of March 17, 2025, to the extent that the performance objectives are achieved.
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Policies and Procedures on Transactions with Related Persons
Our Board of Directors recognizes that transactions with related persons present a heightened risk of conflicts of interests and/or improper valuation (or the perception thereof). Our Board has adopted a written policy on transactions with related persons, which requires that our audit committee approve or ratify related person transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) or, if applicable Item 404(d) of Regulation S-K. Item 404 of Regulation S-K requires disclosure, subject to certain exceptions, of transactions in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 (or such other amount applicable while we remain a smaller reporting company) and in which any “related person” as defined under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. It is our policy that directors interested in a related person transaction will recuse themselves from any vote on a related person transaction in which they have an interest and that no director may participate in the approval of a related person transaction for which he or she is a “related person.” Each of the transactions described below entered into following the adoption of our related person transaction policy was approved in accordance with such policy.
The following is a summary of such related person transactions since January 1, 2024 in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, as well as certain transactions below such threshold.
Transactions with HighCape and its Affiliates
Payment of HighCape Legal Fees
In December 2024, payments totaling approximately $17,000 were made by us for legal fees incurred by HighCape Entities or their affiliates. Such related party payments were authorized by our audit committee given the indirect benefit to Elutia derived from the services rendered.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our named executive officers. For more information regarding the agreements with our named executive officers, see “Executive and Director Compensation — Executive Compensation Arrangements — Employment Agreements” above.
Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, require us or will require us to indemnify each director (and in certain cases their related venture capital funds) and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
2023 Private Placement
On September 18, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the purchasers named therein (the “Investors”) including certain holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, such as HighCape Partners and affiliates, Nantahala Capital Management, LLC and affiliates and AIGH Capital Management, LLC and affiliates. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we agreed to sell an aggregate of (i) 6,852,811 units (the “Common Units”) to certain of the Investors, each comprised of (a) one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and (b) a warrant (a “Common Warrant”) to purchase one and one half shares of Class A Common Stock, and (ii) 503,058 units (the “Prefunded Units”) to certain of the Investors, each comprised of (a) a prefunded warrant (a “2023 Prefunded Warrant”) to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock, and (b) a Common Warrant. The Common Units were sold at a purchase price of $1.4275 per unit, and the Prefunded Units were sold at a purchase price of $1.4265 per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $10.5 million, before deducting private placement expenses (the “Private Placement”). Each Common Warrant is
36
exercisable at any time until the earlier of (a) 30 trading days after the clearance by the FDA of the Company’s EluPro antibiotic-eluting biologic envelope or (b) five years from the date of the Private Placement, at an exercise price per share of $1.4275. Each 2023 Prefunded Warrant is exercisable at any time at a nominal exercise price per share of $0.001 (with the remainder of the exercise price per share of Class A Common Stock having been prefunded to the Company).
The closing of the Private Placement occurred on September 21, 2023.
On September 21, 2023, in connection with the closing of the Private Placement, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Investors. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) within 60 days after the date of the closing of the Private Placement, for purposes of registering the resale of the Class A Common Stock issued in the Private Placement and the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Common Warrants and 2023 Prefunded Warrants issued in the Private Placement (the “Warrant Shares”), and any shares of Class A Common Stock issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, in exchange for or in replacement of the Class A Common Stock or the Warrant Shares. We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause this registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC within 90 days after the date of the closing of the Private Placement, or 115 days after the date of the closing of the Private Placement if the SEC reviews the registration statement.
The Company has also agreed, among other things, to indemnify the Investors, their officers, directors, members, managers, partners, trustees, employees and agents and other representatives, successors and assigns, and each other person, if any, who controls such Investors within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 under the registration statement from certain liabilities and to pay all fees and expenses (excluding any legal fees of the selling holder(s), and any underwriting discounts and selling commissions) incident to the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.
The following table summarizes the aggregate number of shares of our common stock acquired in the Private Placement by beneficial owners of more than 5% of our voting securities.
|
Participants
|
| |
Shares of Class A
Common Stock Purchased |
| |
2023 Prefunded
Warrant Purchased |
| |
Common
Warrant Purchased |
| |
Total
Purchase Price |
| ||||||||||||
| Holders of More Than 5% of Our Voting Securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
HighCape Partners and affiliates
|
| | | | 1,401,051 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 2,101,577 | | | | | $ | 2,000,000 | | |
|
Nantahala Capital Management, LLC and affiliates
|
| | | | 1,650,000 | | | | | | 241,588 | | | | | | 2,837,382 | | | | | $ | 2,700,000 | | |
|
AIGH Capital Management, LLC and affiliates
|
| | | | 1,700,000 | | | | | | 261,470 | | | | | | 2,942,205 | | | | | $ | 2,799,737 | | |
2024 Registered Direct Offering
On June 18, 2024, we sold, in a registered direct offering (“Registered Offering”) an aggregate of (i) 3,175,000 shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) prefunded warrants (“2024 Prefunded Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 725,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. The public offering price for each share of Class A Common Stock was $3.40, and the public offering price for each 2024 Prefunded Warrant was $3.399, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $13.3 million, before deducting offering expenses. The 2024 Prefunded Warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Class A Common Stock, are exercisable immediately and will expire when exercised in full.
Nantahala Capital Management, LLC and affiliates, owners of more than 5% of our voting securities, acquired 725,000 2024 Prefunded Warrants in the Registered Offering for a total purchase price of approximately $2.5 million.
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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
Stockholders who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for presentation at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2026 (the “2026 Annual Meeting”) pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must submit the proposal to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, currently located at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, in writing not later than December 5, 2025.
Stockholders intending to present a proposal at our 2026 Annual Meeting, but not to include the proposal in our proxy statement, or to nominate a person for election as a director, must comply with the requirements set forth in our bylaws. Our bylaws require, among other things, that our Secretary receive written notice from the stockholder of record of their intent to present such proposal or nomination not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Therefore, we must receive notice of such a proposal or nomination for the 2026 Annual Meeting no earlier than the close of business on January 29, 2026 and no later than the close of business on February 28, 2026. The notice must contain the information required by our bylaws. In the event that the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after May 29, 2026, then our Secretary must receive such written notice not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the 2026 Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business of the 90th day prior to the 2026 Annual Meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is first made by us. SEC rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion in certain cases if the stockholder does not comply with this deadline and, in certain other cases notwithstanding the stockholder’s compliance with this deadline.
We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these or other applicable requirements.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act.
In connection with our solicitation of proxies for our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, we intend to file a proxy statement and WHITE proxy card with the SEC. Stockholders may obtain our proxy statement (and any amendments and supplements thereto) and other documents as and when filed with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov.
HOUSEHOLDING
SEC rules permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements and notices with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or a single notice addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” provides cost savings for companies and helps the environment by conserving natural resources. Some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement or notice to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement or notice, or if your household is receiving multiple copies of these documents and you wish to request that future deliveries be limited to a single copy, please notify your broker. You can also request delivery of a copy of this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report by contacting Equiniti in writing at Equiniti, P.O. Box 500, Newark, New Jersey 07101.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Our principal executive offices are currently located at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, which is the address used for contact purposes throughout this proxy statement. However, on or about June 1, 2025, we anticipate moving our principal executive offices to 20 Firstfield Road, Second Floor, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to those stockholders that receive this Proxy Statement in the mail. Stockholders that receive the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials can access our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K at www.astproxyportal.com/ast/23749.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 has also been filed with the SEC. It is available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Upon written request by a stockholder, we will mail without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and financial statement schedules, but excluding exhibits. Exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available upon payment of a reasonable fee, which is limited to our expenses in furnishing the requested exhibit. All requests should be directed to the Secretary, Elutia Inc., at our principal executive offices, currently located at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904.
Your vote is important. Please promptly vote your shares by following the instructions for voting on the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or, if you received a paper or electronic copy of our proxy materials, by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card or by Internet or telephone voting as described on your proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Jeffrey Hamet
Jeffrey Hamet
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Secretary
Silver Spring, Maryland
April 4, 2025
April 4, 2025
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Annex A
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ELUTIA INC. May 29, 2025 INTERNET -Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructionsorscantheQRcodewithyoursmartphone. Haveyourproxy card available when you access the web page. TELEPHONE -Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the United States or 1-201-299-4446 from foreign countries from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call. Vote online/phone until 11:59 PM EST the day before the meeting. MAIL -Sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. GO GREEN -e-Consent makes iteasy to go paperless. With e-Consent, youcanquicklyaccessyourproxymaterial,statementsandothereligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via https://equiniti.com/us/ast-access to enjoy online access. COMPANY NUMBER ACCOUNT NUMBER NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS: The Notice ofAnnual General Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/23749 Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet. 20230000000000001000 9 052925 1. Election of Class II Directors: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the NOMINEES: Company’s independant registered public accounting firm for 2025. FOR ALL NOMINEES O BrigidA. Makes Class IIdirector O C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. Class II director WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may FOR ALL EXCEPT properlycomebeforetheAnnualMeeting.Thisproxywhenproperlyexecutedwillbevoted (See instructions below) as directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR ALL NOMINEES in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2. INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changestotheregisteredname(s)ontheaccountmaynotbesubmittedviathis method. Signature of Shareholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
A-1
ELUTIA INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders March 29, 2025 1:00 PM, Eastern Time This Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) C. Randal Mills, Ph.D. and Matthew Ferguson, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Class A common stock of ELUTIA INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at theAnnual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 1:00 PM, Eastern Time on May 29, 2025, at 12510 Prosperity Drive, Suite 370, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, and any adjournment, continuation or postponement thereof, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the meeting. This proxy, when properly, executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations as indicated on the reverse side, and in the discretion of the proxies with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side) 1.1 14475
A-2