Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) Files An 8-K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) Files An 8-K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item 5.07 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Story continues below

(e)Amendment and Restatement of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan

At the 2018 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, or Annual Meeting, held on June 13, 2018, along with other items discussed in Item 5.07 below, our stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of our 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2017 LTIP, to, among other things, increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2017 LTIP.

As of the stockholder approval of the amendment and restatement of the 2017 LTIP, or Amended 2017 LTIP, there were 6,978,060 shares of our common stock available for issuance thereunder. This number may be increased or decreased as described below.

The shares under the Amended 2017 LTIP may be granted as incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance awards. Performance awards may be based on the achievement of operational, financial, research and development, collaborative arrangements and other performance metrics provided under the Amended 2017 LTIP, such as total stockholder return, revenue, research, development and regulatory achievements and strategic and operational initiatives.

Our 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, which are referred to as the Prior Plans, have all been previously terminated. Notwithstanding such termination, all outstanding awards under the Prior Plans will continue to be governed under the terms of the Prior Plans. The number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Amended 2017 LTIP may be increased by the number of shares subject to any stock awards under the Prior Plans that are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares and would otherwise be returned to the share reserve under the Prior Plans but for their termination and as otherwise provided in the Amended 2017 LTIP.

Some key features of the Amended 2017 LTIP are summarized below.

Shares Available for Awards. The aggregate number of shares of our common stock that initially may be issued to stock awards granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP is 6,958,560 shares, less 1 share for every share that was subject to an option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2017 Plan and 1.9 shares for every 1 share that share that was subject to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2017 Plan after March 31, 2018. Shares issued to the exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP reduce the available number of shares by 1 share for every share issued while awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP reduce the available number of shares by 1.9 shares for every share issued.

In addition, shares that, after March 31, 2018, are released from awards granted under the Prior Plans because the awards expire, are forfeited or are settled for cash will increase the number of shares available under the Amended 2017 LTIP by 1 share for each share released from a stock option or stock appreciation right and by 1.9 shares for each share released from a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award.

The following shares shall not be added to the number of shares available under the Amended 2017 LTIP: (a)shares tendered by the participant or withheld by us in payment of the purchase price of an option granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP or the Prior Plans, or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to any award granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP or the Prior Plans, (b)shares subject to a stock appreciation right granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP or the Prior Plans that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the stock appreciation right on exercise thereof, and (c)shares reacquired by us on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of options granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP or the Prior Plans.

Shares issued under awards granted in assumption of or in substitution for awards previously granted by a company acquired by us or with which we or any subsidiary combines, will not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the Amended 2017 LTIP. Shares issued under the Amended 2017 LTIP may consist of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding stock awards.

Eligibility; Awards to be Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups. Awards may be granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP to any employee, non-employee member of our Board of Directors, consultant or advisor who provides us service, except for incentive stock options, which may be granted only to our employees or employees of our subsidiaries.

Certain Limits on Shares Subject to Awards.The Amended 2017 LTIP provides that, subject to adjustment as provided in the plan, no participant may be granted (a)options or stock appreciation rights during any calendar year with respect to more than 800,000 shares of common stock or (b)restricted stock awards, performance awards and/or restricted stock unit awards during any calendar year that are denominated in shares of common stock and are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Internal Revenue Code, or Code, Section162(m) under which more than 800,000 shares of common stock may be earned. Shares subject to a cancelled award continue to count against the applicable limit. In addition to the foregoing, during any calendar year no participant may be granted performance awards that are intended to comply with the performance-based exception under Code Section162(m) and are denominated in cash under which more than $10,000,000 may be earned. The dollar value of a cancelled award will continue to count against the $10,000,000 limit. The foregoing annual grant limits and other provisions in the Amended 2017 LTIP continue to refer to the “performance-based compensation” exception under Section162(m) of the Code. Although this exception was recently repealed with respect to taxable years beginning after December31, 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA, certain awards made to a written binding contract in effect on November2, 2017 that is not modified in any material respect on or after that date may remain eligible for this exception, and the provisions in the Amended 2017 LTIP that refer to “performance-based compensation” may continue to be applicable to such awards, to the extent that such awards are intended to qualify for this exception. Because of certain ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section162(m) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder, including the uncertain scope of the transition relief under the TCJA repealing the “performance-based compensation” exception from the deduction limit, we do not know the extent to which awards granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP will be eligible for the transition relief, if at all.

The aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2017 LTIP to the exercise of incentive stock options is 6,934,275 shares, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events, including mergers and stock splits.

Administration. The Amended 2017 LTIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has the authority to select the participants who will receive awards under the Amended 2017 LTIP, to determine the type and terms of the awards, and to interpret and administer the Amended 2017 LTIP. The Compensation Committee may delegate the right to make grants and otherwise take action on the Compensation Committee’s behalf under the Amended 2017 LTIP to a committee of one or more directors and, to the extent permitted by law and Nasdaq Stock Market rules and regulation, to an executive officer or a committee of executive officers the right to grant awards to employees who are not our executive officers (subject to the limitation on the total number of shares that may be subject to such awards as specified by the Compensation Committee).

Exercise Price.The exercise price of options granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP is determined by the Compensation Committee at the time the options are granted. The exercise price of an option may not be less than 50% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date such option is granted, except in the case of substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition; provided, however, that in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all of our classes of stock, the option price per share will be no less than 110% of the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair market value of the common stock is generally determined with reference to the closing price for the common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date the option is granted (or if there was no reported closing price on such date, on the last preceding date on which the closing price was reported).

No Repricing.The Amended 2017 LTIP prohibits option and stock appreciation right repricings (other than to reflect stock splits, spin-offs or other corporate events described under “Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization” below) unless stockholder approval is obtained. For purposes of the Amended 2017 LTIP, a “repricing” means a reduction in the exercise price of an option or the grant price of a stock appreciation right, the cancellation of an option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or another award (except for awards granted in assumption of or in substitution for awards previously granted by a company acquired by us or with which we combine) under the Amended 2017 LTIP if the exercise price of the cancelled option or grant price of the cancelled stock appreciation right is greater than the fair market value of the common stock, or any other action with respect to an option or stock appreciation right that may be treated as a repricing under the Nasdaq Stock Market rules.

Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization.In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property, other than a regular cash dividend), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in our corporate structure affecting our common stock or the value thereof, appropriate adjustments shall be made, in the discretion of the Compensation Committee, in the number and class of shares of stock subject to the Amended 2017 LTIP, the number and class of shares of awards outstanding under the Amended 2017 LTIP, the limits on the number of awards that any person may receive and the exercise price of any outstanding option or stock appreciation right.

Change in Control.The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, determine that, upon our “change in control” (as defined in the Amended 2017 LTIP or otherwise defined in the agreement evidencing an award), options and stock appreciation rights outstanding as of the date of the change in control shall be cancelled and terminated without payment therefor if the fair market value of one share of our common stock as of the date of the change in control is less than the per share option exercise price or stock appreciation right grant price.

To the extent provided in an award agreement, in the event of a change in control in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock award or restricted stock unit award (or in which we are the ultimate parent corporation and continue the award), if a participant’s employment with such successor company (or us) or a subsidiary thereof terminates within the period following such change in control set forth in the award agreement (or prior if applicable) under the circumstances set forth in the award agreement, each award held by such participant at the time of such termination of employment will be fully vested, and options and stock appreciation rights may be exercised during the period following such termination set forth in the award agreement. If the successor company does not assume or substitute for such outstanding awards held by participants at the time of the change in control, then unless otherwise provided in the award agreement, the awards will become fully vested immediately prior to the change in control and will terminate immediately after the change in control.

The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may also determine that, upon the occurrence of a change in control, each option and stock appreciation right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the participant, and/or that each participant shall receive, with respect to each share of common stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such share immediately prior to the occurrence of such change in control over the exercise price per share of such option and/or stock appreciation right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property, or in a combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, will determine.

Amendment and Termination of the 2017 LTIP.Our Board of Directors may alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Amended 2017 LTIP, from time to time as it deems advisable, subject to any requirement of applicable law or the rulesand regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market for stockholder approval. However, our Board of Directors may not amend the Amended 2017 LTIP without stockholder approval to increase the number of shares available for awards under the Amended 2017 LTIP, expand the types of awards available under the Amended 2017 LTIP, materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the Amended 2017 LTIP, permit the grant of options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise or grant price of less than 50% of fair market value on the date of grant (except for substitute awards granted in connection with an acquisition), increase the maximum term of the plan or of any options and stock appreciation rights, increase the limits on shares subject to awards or the dollar value payable with respect to performance awards, or take any action with respect to an option or stock appreciation right that may be treated as a repricing under the Nasdaq Stock Market rules (including a reduction in the exercise price of an option or stock appreciation right or the exchange of an option or stock appreciation right for cash or another award if the option or grant price is greater than the fair market value of the common stock). No such action by our Board of Directors may alter or impair any award previously granted under the Amended 2017 LTIP without the written consent of the participant. The Amended 2017 LTIP will expire on the 10th anniversary of the 2017 LTIP’s effective date, except with respect to awards then outstanding, and no further awards may be granted thereafter.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

We held our Annual Meeting on June 13, 2018. At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders:

(i)

Elected seven nominees for director to our Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and duly qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal;

(ii)

Approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in our proxy statement for the Annual Meeting;

(iii)

Approved the amendment and restatement of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan; and

(iv)

Ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

The tables below set forth the results of the vote of our stockholders for the annual meeting.

Proposal 1: The election of directors

Director Nominee

For

Withheld

Broker Non-Votes

Jayson Dallas, M.D.

27,617,851

4,662,174

10,687,288

Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D.

27,621,570

4,602,371

10,687,288

Jennifer Jarrett

32,587,544

532,666

10,687,288

Amit D. Munshi

32,698,353

421,857

10,687,288

Garry A. Neil, M.D.

32,498,625

621,585

10,687,288

Tina S. Nova, Ph.D.

32,497,428

622,782

10,687,288

Randall E. Woods

27,484,476

5,635,734

10,687,288

Proposal 2: The approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement for the annual meeting

Votes for approval

32,050,254

Votes against approval

725,047

Abstentions

344,909

Broker non-votes

10,687,288

Proposal 3: The approval of the amendment and restatement of the Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Votes for approval

23,579,285

Votes against approval

9,189,732

Abstentions

351,193

Broker non-votes

10,687,288

Proposal 4: The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP

Votes for approval

42,771,453

Votes against approval

227,575

Abstentions

808,470

Broker non-votes

N/A


About Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA)

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing small molecule drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The Company’s drug, Lorcaserin, is approved for marketing in the United States and South Korea for the indication of weight management, and is being commercialized under the brand name, BELVIQ. The Company’s drug candidates in clinical development include APD334 for autoimmune diseases, ralinepag for vascular diseases and APD371 for pain. APD334 is an orally available modulator of the sphingosine 1-phosphate subtype 1 (S1P1) receptor intended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. The Company’s programs under collaboration include nelotanserin for dementia-associated psychosis, temanogrel for thrombotic diseases and an undisclosed orphan GPCR for central nervous system indication(s).

An ad to help with our costs