SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 8-K

 


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

March 14, 2006

Date of Report

(Date of earliest event reported)

 


THRESHOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   000-51136   94-3409596

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1300 Seaport Boulevard

Redwood City, California 94063

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(650) 474-8200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 14, 2006, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), based upon the approval and recommendation of the Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), approved the payment of bonuses to the Company’s executive officers for services rendered to the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 in the following amounts: Dr. Harold E. Selick, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer - $120,000 (acted on and approved solely by the independent members of the Board), Mr. Michael S. Ostrach, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel - $27,600, Dr. Alan B. Colowick, the Company’s Chief Medical Officer - $90,000, and Ms. Janet I. Swearson, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer - $98,500.

In addition, the Board, based upon the approval and recommendation of the Committee, approved the following base salaries for each of the Company’s executive officers for services rendered to the Company during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 (“Fiscal 2006”): Dr. Selick - $500,000 (acted on and approved solely by the independent members of the Board), Mr. Ostrach - $375,000, Dr. Colowick - $375,000, and Ms. Swearson - $325,000. In connection with the determination of each executive officer’s base salary for Fiscal 2006, the Board, based upon the approval and recommendation of the Committee, approved potential bonuses for such executive officers for services rendered to the Company during Fiscal 2006 of up to 30% of such executive officers’ base salary. Potential bonus payments are not guaranteed and actual bonus payments made to each executive officer for services rendered to the Company during Fiscal 2006 will be based upon, among other things, such executive officer’s contributions to the Company during Fiscal 2006, the Company’s success in achieving its strategic objectives and other factors as deemed relevant by the Committee and the Board.

In connection with the approval of base salaries for each of the Company’s executive officers for Fiscal 2006, the Compensation Committee granted, with Board approval, an incentive stock option (to the maximum extent possible, where upon the remaining balance will become a non-qualified stock option) to each of the Company’s executive officers under the Company’s 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and pursuant to the standard form of Option Exercise and Stock Purchase Agreement under the Plan, which form is attached as Exhibit 10.25 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Each option is exercisable for the following number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”): Dr. Selick – 150,000 shares, Mr. Ostrach – 50,000 shares, Dr. Colowick – 150,000 shares, and Ms. Swearson – 75,000 shares. Each of these options has a term of 10 years and a vesting commencement date of January 1, 2006. The shares of Common Stock subject to each option will vest as to 1/48 th of the shares on a monthly basis such that the options are 100% vested as of January 1, 2010, assuming such executive officer continues to remain an employee of the Company. The exercise price per share for each option is $14.51 per share.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

10.25   Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Exercise and Stock Purchase Agreement under the Company’s 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Date: March 17, 2006     By:  

/s/ Janet I. Swearson

      Janet I. Swearson
      Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

10.25   Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Option Exercise and Stock Purchase Agreement under the Company’s 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan

Exhibit 10.25

 

Notice of Grant of Stock Options

and Option Agreement

 

Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ID: 94-3409596

1300 Seaport Blvd., 5th Floor

Redwood City, CA. 94063

Name

Address

 

Option Number:

Plan:    Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

ID:

Effective                      , you have been granted a(n)                      Option to buy              shares of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) stock at $              per share.

The total option price of the shares granted is $              .

Shares in each period will become fully vested on the date shown.

 

Shares

 

Vest Type

 

Full Vest

 

Expiration

 

  On Vest Date  

 

 

 

 

  Monthly  

 

 

 

By your signature and the Company’s signature below, you and the Company agree that these options are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2004 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan and the Option Exercise and Stock Purchase Agreement, all of which are attached and made a part of this document.

 

 

Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   

 

Date

 

Name

   

 

Date

Date:                                         

Time:                                         


THRESHOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION EXERCISE

AND

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Instructions

 

1. Read the entire Agreement carefully. This is a legally binding agreement between you and the Company.

 

2. Items A – C: insert your name and identifying information.

 

3. Items D-G: identify the stock option you want to exercise.

 

4. Item H: identify how many shares you want to purchase.

 

5. Item I: Calculate the Option Price by multiplying the share number in Item H by the purchase price per share in Item E.

 

6. Item J: Confirm with the Company whether a tax withholding amount should be entered in this space.

 

7. Item K: Add the Option Price in Item I to the tax withholding amount, if any, in Item J. Insert the resulting Purchase Price in Item K.

 

8. Item L: Identify your approved method of payment for the Shares.

 

9. Signatures: Sign the Agreement in the space provided on page 10. Important note: If you are married, your spouse also is required to sign.

 

10. Submit your fully completed and signed Agreement, together with payment of the Purchase Price, to David Southern.


THRESHOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION EXERCISE AND

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Date:                     

O PTIONHOLDER / P URCHASER

 

(A) Name:                                                                                                                                                        

 

(B) Employee number:                                                                                                                                    

 

(C) Residence address:                                                                                                                                    

________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

S TOCK OPTION

 

(D) Option Shares (total) subject to this Option:                                                                                           

 

(E) Purchase Price per Share:                                                                                                                        

 

(F) Grant Date:                                                                                                                                               

 

(G) Option Control Number:                                                                                                                         

O PTION SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THIS A GREEMENT

 

(H) Shares purchased:                                                                                                                                   

 

(I) Option Price [ (E) x (H) ]:                                                                                                                      

 

(J) Tax withholding (if applicable):                                                                                                            

                                                                                              (to be calculated by Company)

 

(K) Purchase Price [ (I) + (J) ]:                                                                                                                     

P AYMENT METHOD (select one or more)

 

(L) Cash or check (enclosed):                                                                                                                      

Wire transfer:                                                                                                                                          

                                                                     (Identify sending bank and wire transfer number)

“Cashless exercise”:                                                                                                                               

                                                         (Identify approved NASD broker-dealer and attach agreement)

Other:                                                                                                                                                      

                                             (Attach Company approval for other form of payment)

 

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DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (select one)

 

(A)              Send certificate to Option Holder address above

 

(B)              Send certificate (if restricted shares) or DWAC shares to my broker as noted below:

Contact Person:                                                                                                                                                        

Contact Phone No.:                                                                                                                                                  

 

Broker Name:                                                                                                                                                          

Broker address:                                                                                                                                                      

                         ___________________________________________________________________________

                         ___________________________________________________________________________

Broker’s DTC#:                                                                                                                                                        

Stkholder Acct No                                                                                                                                                    

1. Exercise of Option.

1.1. I am exercising my right to purchase the number of shares of common stock of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as indicated on Line (H) by exercising the option identified on Lines (D) through (G). The per share purchase price of the option is indicated on Line (E) and the aggregate purchase price of the shares I am purchasing is indicated on Line (I). I acknowledge that I may be responsible for tax withholding on the shares, in which case the aggregate purchase price would be as indicated on Line (K) (which the Company will complete). The shares that I am purchasing by exercising my option are referred to in this Agreement as the “Shares.” The total purchase price of the Shares is referred to in this Agreement as the “Purchase Price.” I acknowledge that the option I am exercising was issued under and is subject to the rules of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

1.2. With this signed agreement, I have submitted either (a) cash or a check for the amount of the Purchase Price, (b) irrevocable wire transfer instructions for the Purchase Price or (c) another form of payment for the Purchase Price as is permitted under this Agreement or by the written approval of the Company.

2. Company’s Rights of Repurchase.

2.1. Right of Repurchase for Reverse Vesting . If the Shares are not completely vested, I acknowledge that, if my employment with the Company is Terminated (as defined in the Plan), the Company can elect to repurchase any or all of the unvested Shares during the 90 days following my Termination for the lesser of: (i) the Purchase Price of the Shares, minus any cash dividends paid or payable with respect to the Shares for which the record date precedes the repurchase and (ii) the fair market value of the Shares as of the date of my Termination (determined in accordance with the Plan).

 

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2.2. Escrow. To enforce any restrictions on the Shares including the Company’s right to repurchase the Shares, I acknowledge that I may be required to deposit the certificates representing the Shares, with stock powers or other transfer instruments endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent of the Company to hold in escrow until the Shares have vested and restrictions have lapsed or terminated. I further acknowledge that the certificates representing the Shares may contain legends referencing the restrictions on the Shares and any other legends deemed appropriate by counsel to the Company.

2.3. Sales Prohibited. I acknowledge that I may not sell or transfer the shares while they are subject to the Company’s right of repurchase.

3. Representations

3.1. Taxes. The Company has made no warranties or representations to me with respect to the income tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and I am not relying on the Company or its representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. I have had adequate opportunity to consult with my personal tax advisor prior to submitting this Agreement to the Company. I also acknowledge I must meet such withholding obligations as the Company imposes as is required by applicable law.

3.2. Repurchase. If the Shares are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the Company at their original Purchase Price when I cease to provide services for the Company, or if I could be subject to suit under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the purchase of the Shares, I will execute and deliver to the Company a copy of the Acknowledgment and Statement of Decision Regarding Election Pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Acknowledgment”) attached as Exhibit A. I acknowledge that I am primarily responsible for filing any Section 83(b) elections although the Company will, as an accommodation to me and without assuming any liability, file a duplicate election if I promptly provide an executed form with the Acknowledgement and Statement of Decision Regarding Section 83(b). I will consult with my own tax advisor to determine if there is a comparable election to file in the state of where I reside and whether filing a federal or state Section 83(b) election is desirable under my circumstances.

3.3. Disqualifying Dispositions of ISO Stock . I acknowledge that if the Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option (as defined in Section 2.1 of the Plan) is disposed of within two years after the Grant Date (as defined in the Option Grant) or within one year after such exercise, immediately prior to the disposition I will promptly notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of the disposition and will provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Company may reasonably require.

 

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4. Miscellaneous Provisions.

4.1. Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the benefits and obligations of this Agreement will be binding on the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of the parties.

4.2. Costs. I will repay the Company for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages and attorney’s fees, resulting from any transfer of the Shares which is not in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

4.3. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware excluding those laws that direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

4.4. Notices . All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing. Unless and until I am notified in writing to the contrary, all notices, communications, and documents directed to the Company and related to the Agreement, if not delivered by hand, shall be mailed, addressed to:

Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

at the Company’s published principal office location.

4.5. Communications. Unless and until I notify the Company in writing to the contrary, all notices, communications, and documents intended for me and related to this Agreement, if not delivered by hand, shall be mailed to my last known address as shown on the Company’s books. Notices and communications shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid; documents shall be mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All mailings and deliveries related to this Agreement shall be deemed received when actually received, if by hand delivery, and three business days after mailing, if by mail.

4.6. Arbitration. All disputes arising out of this Agreement will be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration will be conducted in the county in Santa Clara County. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over it; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall prevent a party from applying to a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain temporary relief pending resolution of the dispute through arbitration. The parties agree that service of any notices in the course of such arbitration at their respective addresses as provided for in this agreement shall be valid and sufficient.

 

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4.7. This is not an employment contract. This Agreement is not to be interpreted as a guarantee or contract of continuing employment.

 

T HRESHOLD P HARMACEUTICALS , I NC .
By:  

 

Title:  

 

I hereby agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

 

 

Purchaser’s signature

 

Printed name

The purchaser’s spouse indicates by the execution of this Agreement his or her consent to be bound by the terms herein as to his or her interests, whether as community property or otherwise, if any, in the Shares hereby purchased.

 

 

Purchaser’s Spouse

 

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