UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Amendment No. 1)
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and other similar terms) is filing this Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 8, 2023 (the “Original Form 10-K”), for the purpose of correcting a scrivener’s error in (i) the Executive Compensation introductory paragraphs in Item 11 of Part III of the Original Form 10-K; (ii) the Summary Compensation Table in Item 11 of Part III of the Original Form 10-K to disclose 2021 compensation figures for each of Eugene Williams, Gavin Malenfant and Neil Cashman; (iii) the Summary Compensation Table in Item 11 of Part III of the Original Form 10-K to disclose that Dr. Gail Farfel’s total compensation figure was $1,017,163 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022; and (iv) Item 14 to add the description of tax services provided and confirm that all services were pursuant to our pre-approval policies.
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Part IV, Item 15 has also been amended to contain the currently dated certifications from the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The certifications of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are attached to this Amendment as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 and the amended certifications are attached to this Amendment as Exhibit 31.3 and 31.4. As no financial statements have been included in this Amendment and this Amendment does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the certifications have been omitted. Additionally, we are not including the certificate required under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as no financial statements are being filed with this Amendment.
Accordingly, this Amendment consists only of the facing page, this explanatory note, Item 11 of Part III of Form 10-K, Item 14 of Part III of Form 10-K, Item 15 of Part IV of Form 10-K, the submitted exhibits and the signature page to this Amendment. The Original Form 10-K is otherwise unchanged and has been omitted. This Amendment should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K. Further, this Amendment does not reflect any subsequent events occurring after the original filing date of the Original Form 10-K and does not modify or update in any way the disclosures made in the Original Form 10-K except as described above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART III | ||
Item 11. Executive Compensation | 4 | |
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 10 | |
PART IV | ||
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 11 |
PART III
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following discussion describes the significant elements of the compensation of the two individuals who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) during 2022 and two most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”). As at December 31, 2022, the NEOs of the Company were Eugene Williams (Executive Chairman & former CEO), Gail Farfel (CEO), Gavin Malenfant (COO) and Neil Cashman (CSO).
The Company’s policy with respect to compensation of the named executive officers and other officers of the Company is based upon the principles that total compensation must: (1) be competitive in order to help attract and retain the talent needed to lead and grow the Company’s business; (2) provide a strong incentive for executives and key employees to work towards the achievement of the Company’s goals; and (3) ensure that the interests of management and the Company’s shareholders are aligned.
When determining the compensation of its executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers: (i) recruiting and retaining executives critical to the success of the Company and the enhancement of shareholder value; (ii) providing fair and competitive compensation compared to the remuneration paid by other reporting issuers similarly placed within the same business as the Company; (iii) balancing the interests of management and the Company’s shareholders; and (iv) rewarding performance, both on an individual basis and with respect to operations in general. In order to achieve these objectives, the compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers consists of two components: (i) base salary; and (ii) long-term equity incentives in the form of share options. In making compensation determinations, external sources are consulted when deemed necessary by the Compensation Committee. The members of the Compensation Committee are disclosed under Item 10 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The total compensation paid to each of the named executive officers of the Company consists of a base salary or consulting fee and share options to reward and retain NEOs. Total compensation paid to each NEO reflects the executive’s overall experience, responsibility and time committed to the organization. The goal of the Company is to pay base salary compensation to retain the NEOs in the range of industry peers, while maintaining the overall goal that total compensation should include long-term components as well.
Each NEO’s base salary is determined after considering the salary levels of other executives with similar responsibilities and experience. Each NEO’s base salary is compared to salary levels of comparable executives at a variety of companies, with particular emphasis on biotechnology companies with similar market capitalizations.
Options are granted by the Board to employees, executive officers, including the named executive officers, and directors pursuant to the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to attract, retain and motivate these individuals and create incentives for them to contribute toward the long-term goals of the Company. Moreover, the Stock Option Plan aims to align the interests of participants with the Company’s Shareholders through opportunities of increased equity-based ownership in the Company.
The Board may also grant DSUs to senior officers, including any named executive officers, under the Company’s DSU Plan, which provides an alternative form of compensation to satisfy annual and special bonuses payable to senior officers. The number of DSUs granted is determined by dividing the applicable bonus amount by the fair market value of the Common Shares as at the last trading day before calculation in accordance with TSX policies. Recipients of DSUs cannot exercise their DSUs until such time as they cease to be a senior officer at which time they may elect to receive one Common Share for each whole DSU they hold at the time they cease to be eligible to participate in the DSU Share Unit Plan.
Approach to Risk
The Board understands that compensation practices can have unintended risk consequences. The Compensation Committee continually reviews the Company’s compensation policies to identify any practice that might encourage an employee to expose the Company to unacceptable risk. At the present time, the Compensation Committee is satisfied that the current executive compensation program does not encourage the Company’s executive officers, including the NEOs, to expose the Company to inappropriate risk. The Board takes a conservative approach to executive compensation, rewarding individuals for the success of the Company once that success has been demonstrated and encouraging them to continue that success through the grant of long-term incentive awards.
4
Hedging Policy
There are no specific requirements to prevent an NEO or director from purchasing financial instruments including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or director.
Summary Compensation Table for 2022 and 2021
The following table sets forth all compensation paid to or earned by the named executive officers of the Company in the last two completed fiscal years.
Option | All Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Salary | Bonus | Awards | Compensation | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | ($)(1) | ($)(5) | ($)(2) | ($)(3) | ($) | |||||||||||||||||
Gail Farfel CEO(4) | 2022 | $ | 144,231 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 839,932 | $ | 8,000 | $ | 1,017,163 | ||||||||||||
Eugene Williams Chairman & Former CEO(6) | 2022 | $ | 419,942 | $ | - | $ | 243,929 | $ | 19,266 | $ | 683,137 | ||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 360,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 21,057 | $ | 381,057 | |||||||||||||
Gavin Malenfant Chief Operating Officer | 2022 | $ | 380,000 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 33,489 | $ | 413,489 | ||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 41,300 | $ | - | $ | 373,683 | $ | 15,400 | $ | 430,383 | |||||||||||||
Neil Cashman Chief Scientific Officer | 2022 | $ | 333,795 | $ | - | $ | 243,929 | $ | - | $ | 577,724 | ||||||||||||
2021 | $ | 79,017 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 79,017 |
(1) | The amounts reported in the Salary column include employee salaries and consulting fees. In addition, during 2021 the named executive officers were paid salary that had been accrued for service in prior years but not paid in those prior years, as follows: Eugene Williams, $257,677. Total salary paid to Mr. Williams in 2022 includes $343,692 of salary earned during his role as CEO as well as $63,750 in consulting fees following his resignation and $12,500 for board compensation fees in his role as Chairman. For Dr. Cashman, his 2022 salary of C$452,426 has been translated using the December 30, 2022 Bank of Canada exchange rate of $1.00 = C$1.3554. |
(2) | The amounts reported in the Option Awards column reflects aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. These amounts reflect our calculation of the value of these awards at the grant date and do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that may ultimately be realized by the named executive officer. Please refer to Note 13 of the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 for additional information regarding share based compensation. |
(3) | Amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column reflect payments made to Dr. Farfel, Mr. Williams and Mr. Malenfant for health insurance costs. |
(4) | Dr. Farfel joined the Company as CEO in September 2022. The amount reported as salary reflects the amount paid to Dr. Farfel for the portion of the year in which she was employed by the Company. |
(5) | Represents a one-time sign-on cash bonus payment to Dr. Farfel in connection with her commencement of employment. |
(6) | Mr. Williams ceased serving as CEO of the Company on September 12, 2022. |
5
Consulting and Employment Agreements
Gail Farfel. In connection with her appointment as the Company’s CEO, the Company and Dr. Farfel entered into an employment agreement, effective as of September 19, 2022 (the “Farfel Employment Agreement”). The Farfel Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000, which may be increased to $535,000 upon the Company raising aggregate capital of $75 million (whether in the form of debt, equity or SAFE) and if not already greater than that amount. Dr. Farfel is also entitled to participate in any and all bonus and benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees from time to time, including medical, dental and vision, Company-paid basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and short- and long-term disability, paid time off such as vacation, sick leave and company- paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans. Dr. Farfel is also eligible, subject to the Company’s existing plans, to receive a bonus targeted at 50% of her annualized base salary. Additionally, the Company made a lump sum sign-on cash bonus payment of $25,000. On September 19, 2022, the Company also awarded Dr. Farfel 208,334 stock options pursuant to the terms of the stock option award agreement annexed to the Farfel Employment Agreement (the “Farfel Employment Options”). The Farfel Employment Options will vest on the following schedule: 25% will vest on the one year anniversary of Dr. Farfel’s hire and the remaining Farfel Employment Options will vest at 1/36th per month over three years following the first year anniversary of employment. Under the Farfel Employment Agreement, if Dr. Farfel terminates her employment with the Company for “good reason” or Dr. Farfel’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company, Dr. Farfel will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to 12 months of her then current base salary, less all applicable taxes and withholdings, paid ratably in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, provided, however, that if the 60th day referenced above occurs in the calendar year following the date of termination, then the severance pay will be paid no earlier than January 1 of such subsequent calendar year. Dr. Farfel will also be entitled to continue receiving group medical coverage pursuant to the COBRA for a period of twelve months following her termination, subject to timely election and certain eligibility requirements.
Eugene Williams. The Chairman and CEO services provided by Mr. Williams to the Company were historically provided pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into between the Company and Virtua, LLC dated June 29, 2015 (the “Virtua Consulting Agreement”). The Virtua Consulting Agreement was in place during 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the Virtua Consulting Agreement, Mr. Williams was appointed Executive Chair of the Company beginning on the date of the Virtua Consulting Agreement and continuing until either party provided notice of its intent to terminate the Virtua Consulting Agreement for any reason, at any time, upon 30 days’ written notice, which was able to be waived by either party, upon 15 days written notice in the event of a breach by either party, or on the written agreement of both parties. Subject to adjustment by the Board, the Company agreed to pay Virtua, LLC a $30,000 fixed fee per month, with $10,000 of that monthly fee to be allocated for services provided by Mr. Williams, plus reimbursement for reasonable expenses. The Virtua Consulting Agreement also provided for the grant of options to Mr. Williams under the Company’s Stock Option Plan equal to five percent of the shares issued and outstanding immediately following the completion or termination of the private placement offering announced by the Company on May 22, 2015. Such options expire 10 years following their grant date and entitle Mr. Williams to acquire shares at the market price on the grant date, with one quarter of such options immediately vesting and the balance vesting in equal installments on the last day of each month for 36 months, except, in the event of a change of control or in the case where there is a termination without good reason, on the occurrence of which the entire balance shall vest immediately. In the event the Virtua Consulting Agreement is terminated other than for a change of control or where there is a termination without good reason, unvested options were to cease vesting as of such termination date.
On December 21, 2021, the Company extended to Mr. Williams an offer of employment (the “Williams Offer Letter”) to serve as the Company’s CEO beginning January 1, 2022. Pursuant to the terms of the Williams Offer Letter, Mr. Williams’ annual base compensation for service as the Company’s CEO was set at $480,000, and Mr. Williams was eligible to participate in any and all bonus and benefit programs that the Company makes available to its employees. In addition, Mr. Williams was awarded 50,000 share options on February 10, 2022 priced at $8.40, vesting 1/48th monthly over a four-year period, with the options expiring on February 10, 2032. Upon termination, all vested options will be exercisable at any time during the twelve months following termination. Under the Williams Offer Letter, in the event of termination of Mr. Williams’ employment by the Company without cause, by Mr. Williams with good reason, or termination by way of a change in control, then upon Mr. Williams’ execution of a release of claims, Mr. Williams would have been entitled to an aggregate amount equivalent to 18 months of his then-current base salary. However, under the Williams Offer Letter, good reason did not apply to an agreed upon transition to a new CEO where Mr. Williams remains a member of the Board and acts as a continuing consultant to the Company. Mr. Williams resigned as the Company’s CEO effective September 12, 2022, and the Williams Offer Letter terminated. Following his resignation as CEO of the Company and the appointment of Gail Farfel, Ph.D. as the Company’s new CEO in September 2022, the Company entered into a Strategic Services Agreement with Mr. Williams (the “Williams Consulting Agreement”) effective as of September 19, 2022. The Company entered into the Williams Consulting Agreement to ensure a smooth CEO transition and to continue to receive the benefit of Mr. William’s knowledge and experience as it relates to the Company’s business. Pursuant to the Williams Consulting Agreement, Mr. Williams will serve as a consultant and strategic advisor to the Board from the period beginning on the effective date of the Williams Consulting Agreement and ending on its third anniversary (the “Consulting Period”). Service in this role counts as service towards the vesting and exercisability of Mr. Williams’ outstanding equity compensation awards from the Company, including awards granted to Mr. Williams in his capacity as an employee prior to his resignation date. In exchange for such consulting services, the Company will pay Mr. Williams, in equal monthly installments, a consulting fee of $225,000 per year during the Consulting Period.
6
Gavin Malenfant. Mr. Malenfant was paid $41,300 as a consultant in 2021. On December 21, 2021, in connection with his employment as full-time COO of the Company, Mr. Malenfant entered into an employment agreement with the Company, effective January 1, 2022 (the “Malenfant Employment Agreement”). The Malenfant Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $380,000, which may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with normal business practice and in the sole discretion of the Company. Mr. Malenfant is also entitled to participate in any and all bonus and benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees from time to time, including medical, dental and vision, Company-paid basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and short- and long-term disability, paid time off such as vacation, sick leave and company-paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans. Under the Malenfant Employment Agreement, if Mr. Malenfant terminates his employment with the Company for “good reason” or Mr. Malenfant’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Malenfant will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to 12 months of his then current base salary, less all applicable taxes and withholdings, paid ratably in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, provided, however, that if the 60th day referenced above occurs in the calendar year following the date of termination, then the severance pay will be paid no earlier than January 1 of such subsequent calendar year. Mr. Malenfant will also be entitled to continue receiving group medical coverage pursuant to the COBRA for a period of twelve months following his termination, subject to timely election and certain eligibility requirements.
Neil Cashman. Dr. Cashman was party to a consulting and advisory agreement with the Company dated March 1, 2005 (the “Cashman Consulting Agreement”) for CSO consulting services. The Cashman Consulting Agreement provides that it shall remain in effect until terminated by either party, with the Company agreeing to provide Dr. Cashman six months’ written notice and Dr. Cashman agreeing to provide the Company thirty day’s written notice. In return for the CSO services, the Company agreed to pay Dr. Cashman a monthly consulting fee of C$5,000, plus expenses, subject to adjustment as approved by the Board. Effective March 1, 2017, the monthly consulting fee payable to the CSO was increased to C$9,000 per month pursuant to a Board authorized resolution. On January 21, 2022, Dr. Cashman entered into the Cashman Employment Agreement, effective February 1, 2022, which superseded the Cashman Consulting Agreement. Neil Cashman (the “Cashman Employment Agreement”). The Cashman Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of C$483,738, which may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with normal business practice and in the sole discretion of the Company. Dr. Cashman is also entitled to participate in any and all bonus and benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees from time to time, including medical, dental and vision, Company-paid basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and short- and long-term disability, paid time off such as vacation, sick leave and company- paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans. In the sole discretion of the Company, and subject to such programs, Dr. Cashman is eligible to receive a bonus targeted at a percentage of his annualized base salary based on his performance and the performance of the Company against goals established by the Board. On February 1, 2022, the Company also awarded Dr. Cashman 50,000 stock options pursuant to the Stock Option Plan (the “Cashman Employment Options”). The Cashman Employment Options will vest at 1/48th per month over 4 years following the award, provided Dr. Cashman remains a director of the Board. Upon termination of the Cashman Employment Agreement, the Cashman Employment Options will be exercisable at any time during the 12 months following such termination. Under the Cashman Employment Agreement, if Dr. Cashman terminates his employment with the Company for “good reason” or Dr. Cashman’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause,” subject to the execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company, Dr. Cashman will be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to 9 months of his then current base salary, less all applicable taxes and withholdings, paid ratably in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, provided, however, that if the 60th day referenced above occurs in the calendar year following the date of termination, then the severance pay will be paid no earlier than January 1 of such subsequent calendar year. Dr. Cashman will also be entitled to continue receiving group medical coverage pursuant to the COBRA for a period of twelve months following his termination, subject to timely election and certain eligibility requirements.
7
Outstanding Equity Awards Table for 2022
The following table sets forth outstanding equity awards for the named executive officers of the Company at fiscal 2022 year end.
Option Awards | Stock Awards(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
incentive plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
awards: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | Equity | market or | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive | incentive | payout value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plan | plan | of unearned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Awards: | awards: | shares, units | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Number of | number of | or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of | shares or | Market | unearned shares, | other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Number of | Securities | units | value of | units or | rights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Securities | Underlying | of | shares or | other | that | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underlying | Underlying | Unexercised | Option | stock | units of | rights | have | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Unearned | Exercise | Option | that have | stock | that | not | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Options (#) | Options (#) | Options | Price | Expiration | not | that have not | have | vested | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable | Unexercisable | (#) | ($)(2) | Date | vested (#) | vested (US$)(3) | not vested (#) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gail Farfel | - | 208,334 | - | $ | 5.242 | (4) | 9/19/2032 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Eugene Williams | 78,821 Common Shares | - | - | $ | 1.794 | (5) | 7/6/2025 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
36,988 Common Shares | - | - | $ | 2.880 | (6) | 7/31/2025 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
16,666 Common Shares | - | - | $ | 20.821 | (7) | 3/29/2028 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
10,420 Common Shares | 39,580 | - | $ | 6.202 | (8) | 2/10/2032 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gavin Malenfant | 32,818 Common Shares | 25,515 | - | $ | 8.4170 | (9) | 9/22/2031 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Neil Cashman | 78,821 Common Shares | - | - | $ | 1.794 | (5) | 7/6/2025 | 258 | $ | 1,120.00 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
36,988 Common Shares | - | - | $ | 2.880 | (6) | 7/31/2025 | 332 | $ | 1,441.00 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
10,420 Common Shares | 39,580 | - | $ | 6.202 | (8) | 2/10/2032 | 471 | $ | 2,044.00 | - | - |
(1) | The Company’s only share-based awards (other than options) are DSUs that have been granted under the DSU Plan. DSUs only vest in full upon separation from service. |
(2) | Pursuant to the Company’s Stock Option Plan, the option exercise price is granted in Canadian dollars. This presentation has been converted into U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate for December 31, 2022, which was US$1.00 to C$1.3544. |
(3) | The value of the unvested share-based awards was calculated based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Shares on Nasdaq on December 30, 2022, which was $4.34. |
(4) | The option was granted on September 19, 2022 with an exercise price of C$7.10. The option vests ¼ upon the first anniversary of the date of grant, and the balance vests ratably over 36 months. |
(5) | The option was granted on July 6, 2015 with an exercise price of C$2.43. The option vested 1∕4 immediately with balance having vested ratably over 36 months. |
(6) | The option was granted on July 31, 2015 with an exercise price of C$3.90. The option vested 1∕4 immediately with balance having vested ratably over 36 months. |
(7) | The option was granted on March 29, 2018 with an exercise price of C$21.84. The option vested 1∕4 immediately with balance having vested ratably over 36 months. |
(8) | The option was granted on February 10, 2022 with an exercise price of C$8.40. The option vests ratably monthly over 48 months. |
(9) | The option was granted on September 22, 2021 with an exercise price of C$11.40. The option vested 1∕4 immediately with balance vested ratably over 36 months. |
Retirement Benefit Plans
The Company does not have any retirement benefit plans.
Termination and Change in Control Benefits
The Company does not offer a formal plan providing for any termination or change in control benefits.
8
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had eight directors, one of whom was also an employee: Neil Cashman (CSO). The remaining six directors were considered independent directors at such time, namely Richard Gregory, Patrick Kirwin, Josh Mandel-Brehm, Maggie Shafmaster, Neil K. Warma and William Wyman. Eugene Williams was also an employee serving as a director prior to his resignation as CEO in September 2022.
Directors who hold positions as executive officers with the Company do not receive additional compensation for their service as directors. Dr. Cashman and, prior to his resignation as CEO in September 2022, Mr. Williams, did not receive any additional compensation for their services as directors during the year ended December 31, 2022. For a description of the compensation paid to Dr. Cashman and Mr. Williams, see “Summary Compensation Table for 2022 and 2021,” above.
Each member of the Company’s Board is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings and meetings for any committee on which he or she serves.
Compensation of Directors
The form and amount of director compensation is reviewed annually and as deemed advisable by the Compensation Committee, which shall make recommendations to the Board based on such review. The Compensation Committee reviews director compensation on an annual basis to ensure that the Company offers director compensation that is: (i) commensurate with the efforts the Company expects from existing Board members; (ii) competitive in the Company’s industry in order that the Company might attract the best possible candidates to assist the Company and its shareholders in a fiduciary capacity; and (iii) aligned with shareholder interests as the Company grows. The Board retains the ultimate authority to determine the form and amount of director compensation.
Director Compensation for 2022
The following table sets forth all compensation paid to or earned by each director of the Company during fiscal year 2022.
Fees Earned | ||||||||||||
or | Option | |||||||||||
Paid in Cash | Awards | |||||||||||
Name(1) | ($)(2) | ($)(3) | Total ($) | |||||||||
Richard Gregory | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 | ||||||
Patrick Kirwin | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 | ||||||
Josh Mandel-Brehm | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 | ||||||
Maggie Shafmaster | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 | ||||||
Neil Warma | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 | ||||||
William Wyman | $ | 40,000 | $ | - | $ | 40,000 |
(1) | Dr. Cashman, who served as an executive officer during 2022, did not receive any compensation for his Board service. |
(2) | Cash fees paid to non-employee directors. |
(3) | The amounts reported in the Option Awards column reflects aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. These amounts reflect our calculation of the value of these awards at the grant date and do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that may ultimately be realized by the director. Please refer to Note 13 of the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 for additional information regarding share based compensation. There were no grants made to directors during 2022. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” for further details. None of the Company’s executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee (or other Board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire Board) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company or on the Compensation Committee, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. None of the Company’s executive officers served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Please see Item 10 for details regarding corporate governance, including the composition of our audit committee, as required by Regulation S-K 407(e)(4) and (e)(5).
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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Our independent public accounting firm is Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker Tilly”), Tewksbury, MA, PCAOB Auditor ID 23. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for audit services provided by Baker Tilly as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (“PwC”) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Because we changed auditors from PwC to Baker Tilly in June 2022, we have included the fees charged to us by both accounting firms in the table below, including audit fees related to the transition work and filing of the Form 10 Registration Statement. Amounts presented in thousands:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Audit Fees | ||||||||
Baker Tilly | $ | 221 | $ | 205 | ||||
PwC | 24 | 110 | ||||||
Audit Related Fees | ||||||||
Baker Tilly | 117 | 19 | ||||||
Tax Fees | ||||||||
PwC | 27 | 11 | ||||||
All Other Fees | -- | -- | ||||||
Total fees | $ | 389 | $ | 345 |
Audit Fees consist of fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, services rendered in connection with SEC registration statements, and services that are normally provided, such as comfort letters, in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and not reported under “Audit Fees.” These fees primarily consist of professional services related to the transition from PwC to Baker Tilly.
Tax Fees consist of fees for tax compliance, advice and tax services.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy requiring pre-approval of all audit and non-audit related services to be performed by the Company’s independent auditor regardless of amount. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other related services. PwC and Baker Tilly and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by PwC and Baker Tilly in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. All of the services provided to us by PwC and Baker Tilly were in accordance with the pre-approval policies and procedures described above.
The Audit Committee annually evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. It selected Baker Tilly as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2022. This selection was subsequently approved by the Board. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and with Baker Tilly the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with Baker Tilly the matters that independent registered public accounting firms must communicate to audit committees under applicable PCAOB standards.
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The Audit Committee has also discussed and confirmed with Baker Tilly its independence from the Company and received all written disclosures and correspondence required by the PCAOB Ethics and Independence requirements. The Audit Committee has evaluated and concluded the non-audit services provided by Baker Tilly to the Company do not impair Baker Tilly’s independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the related footnotes be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1) Financial Statements: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the Original Form 10-K.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules: All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information required is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(b) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are incorporated by reference herein.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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13
14
† | Management Contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
+ | Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. |
* | Filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on April 27, 2023.
PROMIS NEUROSCIENCES INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Gail Farfel | |
Gail Farfel | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
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